Authors: Anne McCaffrey
Pern: third of the star Rukbat’s five planets. It has two natural satellites.
Red Star: Pern’s stepsister planet. The Red Star has an erratic orbit.
Rukbat: a yellow star in the Sagittarian Sector, Rukbat has five planets and two asteroid belts.
runnerbeast: also called “runner.” An equine adapted to Pernese conditions from fetuses brought with the colonists. Quite a few distinct variations were bred: heavy-duty cart and plow animals; comfortable, placid riding beasts; lean racing types.
sevenday: the equivalent of a week on Pern
Star Stones: Stonehenge-type stones set on the rim of every Weyr. When the Red Star can be seen at Dawn through the eye rock, a Pass is imminent.
Thread: mycorrhizoid spores from the Red Star, which descend on Pern and burrow into it, devouring all organic material they encounter.
Timor: Pern’s smaller moon
Tunnel-snakes: Tunnel-snakes are a minor danger and an annoyance on Pern. Of the myriad types of tunnel-snakes, two are the most insidious: the type that lives in tunnels, and the type that makes tunnels by burrowing in the sand on beaches. The latter has a great appetite for fire-lizard eggs.
Turn: a Pernese year
watchdragon: the dragon whose rider has pulled watch duty on the Weyr roster. A watch is generally four hours long. Essentially Weyrs are military camps. Sentries are part of that ethos. During a Pass, they watch for any chance erratic Fall of Thread, for anyone entering or leaving the Weyr.
watchwher: the ungainly, malodorous product of an attempt to breed larger, more useful animals from the genetic material of the fire-lizard, an indigenous Pernese life form. Watchwhers are nocturnal, exceedingly vicious when aroused, and highly protective of those they recognize as friends. A watchwher is conditioned to know the people of its hold, hail, or cot, and to give warning of intruders of any sort; used as a watchdog, it is generally chained to the front entrance of the hold, hail, or cot. Watchwhers can communicate with dragons, but as they tend to be very trivial and rather stupid, dragons are not fond of touching their minds.
Weyr: a home of dragons and their riders weyr: a dragon’s den
Weyrleader: generally the rider of the bronze dragon who has mated with the senior queen dragon of the Weyr during her mating flight. The Weyrleader is in charge of the fighting wings of the Weyr, responsible for their conduct during Falls, and for the training and discipline of all riders. During an Interval, he is responsible for the continuance of all Thread-fighting tactics, for keeping alive the fighting abilities of dragons and riders. His rank symbol is a dragon.
weyrling: an inexperienced dragonrider under the tutelage of the Weyrlingmaster. His rank symbol is an inverted stripe.
Weyrlingmaster. usually an aging rider with good skills and the ability to discipline and inspire the young. Responsible for the training of young riders and their dragons.
Weyrsinger the harper for the dragonriders, usually himself a dragonrider
Weyrwoman: The rider of a dragon queen and coleader, with the Weyrleader, of the Weyr. She is responsible for the conduct of the queens’ wing during Fall, under the Weyrleader’s orders; for the care of dragons, riders, and all Weyrfolk; and for the peace and tranquillity of the Weyr during a Pass and during Intervals. She appoints all subordinates, insures that all tithes are delivered or collected, and mediates all disputes except honor contests among riders. She is responsible for the training, fostering, and disposition of the Weyr’s children and nonrider personnel, overseeing with the Weyrleader the training of weyrlings under the Weyrlingmaster. As any dragon will obey a queen, even against the wishes of his or her rider, the Weyrwomen are in fact the most powerful people on Pern. Weyrwomen have autonomy in their own Weyr, but will act in concert with other Weyrwomen when necessary for the good of the Weyrs. Her rank symbol is a dragon.
Each Weyr has from two to five queens, the larger numbers occurring during a Pass. In the event of the death or voluntary retirement of a Weyrwoman, the position will be assumed by the oldest of the other queenriders in the Weyr. Although candidates for Impression generally come from nearby holds and halls, the Search for a queen candidate may extend throughout the continent.
weyrwoman: a female dragonrider. Her rank symbol is a gold star.
wherries: a type of fowl roughly resembling the domestic turkey of Earth, but about the size of an ostrich
Wingleader: the dragonrider in command of a Weyr’s fighting wing, subordinate to the Weyrleader. His rank symbol is double bars.
Wingsecond: the dragonrider second in command to the Wingleader. His rank symbol is a single bar.
withies: water plants resembling the reeds of Earth
THE PEOPLE OF PERN
A’dan: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon green T’grath
Alessan: Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold
A’murry: rider, at Igen Weyr; dragon green Granth
Baid: cropholder, at Ruatha Hold
Balfor: Master, at Keroon Beasthold
Barly: (deceased) Healer, at High Reaches Weyr
Berchar: Masterhealer, at Fort Weyr
Bessel: a man at Beastmasterhold
Bessera: weyrwoman, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon queen Odioth
B’greal: weyrling, at Fort Weyr
B’lerion: wingleader, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon bronze Nabeth
Boranda: Healer, at Healer Hold
Bregard: Healer, at Peyton Hold
Burdion: Healer, at Igen Sea Hold
Campen: heir to Tolocamp, Lord Holder of Fort Hold
Capiam: Masterhealer, at Fort Hold
Ch’mon: rider, at Igen Weyr; dragon bronze Helith
Clargesh: Mastercraftsman, glass, at Tillek Hold
Cr’not: Weyrlingmaster, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon bronze Caith
Curmir: Harper, at Fort Weyr
C’ver: rider, at Telgar Weyr; dragon brown Hogarth
Dag: runner handler, at Ruatha Hold
Dalova: Weyrwoman, at Igen Weyr; dragon queen Perforth
Dangel: brother to Alessan, Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold
Dannell: candidate for Impression from Lemos Minehall, at Benden Weyr
Declan: candidate, at Fort Weyr
Deefer: warden, at Ruatha Hold
Desdra: Journeywoman healer, at Fort Hold
Diatis: Lord Holder of Tillek Hold
Diona: weyrwoman, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon queen Kilanath
D’ltan: weyrling, at Fort Weyr
D’say: wingleader, at Ista Weyr; dragon bronze Kritith
Empie: weyrwoman, at Igen Weyr; dragon queen Dulchenth
Emun: Journeyman harper, at Ruatha Hold
Falga: Weyrwoman, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon queen Tamianth
Farelly: harper, at Ruatha Hold
F’duril: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon blue Dilenth
Feildool: Healer, at Hold Brum
Fergal: grandson to Dag, runner handler at Ruatha Hold
F’gal: Weyrleader, at Ista Weyr; dragon bronze Sanalth
Fitatric: Lord Holder of Ista Hold
F’neldril: Weyrlingmaster, at Fort Weyr; dragon brown Mnanth
Follen: Journeyman healer, at Ruatha Hold
Fortine: Master of Archives, at Fort Hold
Gale: Healer, at Big Bay Hold
Gallardy: Healer, at Healer Hall
Galnish: Healer, at Hold Gar
Genjon: Master, glassblower at Tillek Hold
Gorby: Healer, at Keroon Runnerhold
Gorta: Apprentice to Headwoman, at Fort Weyr
Gram: Lord Holder of Nerat Hold
Haura: weyrwoman, at Fort Weyr; dragon queen Werth
Helly: race rider, at Ruatha Hold
H’grave: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon green Hailath
Ind: Healer, at Ista Weyr
Jallora: Journeywoman healer, at Fort Weyr
J’tan: rider, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon bronze Sharth
Kamiana: weyrwoman, at Fort Weyr; dragon queen Pelianth
K’dall: rider, at Telgar Weyr; dragon blue Teelarth
K’dren: Weyrleader, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Kuzuth
Kilamon: Journeyman harper, at Ruatha Hold
K’lon: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon blue Rogeth
Kulan: smallholder, at Ruatha Hold
Kylos: Healer, at Sea Cliff Seahold
L’bol: Weyrleader, at Igen Weyr; dragon bronze Timenth
Leef, Lord: father of Alessan, Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold
Leri: inactive Weyrwoman, at Fort Weyr; dragon queen Holth
Levalla: Weyrwoman, at Benden Weyr; dragon queen Oribeth
Lidora: weyrwoman, at Fort Weyr; dragon queen ilith
L’mal: (deceased) previous Weyrleader, at Fort Weyr; dragon bronze Clinnith
Loreana: Healer, at Bay Head Seahold
L’rayl: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon brown Sorth
L’vin: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Jith
Makfar: brother to Alessan, Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold
Marl: handler of herdbeasts and runnerbeasts, at Ruatha Hold
Masdek: Journeyman harper, at Fort Hold
Maylone: candidate, at Fort Weyr
M’barak: weyrling, at Fort Weyr; dragon blue Arith
Mellor: Weyrwoman, at Telgar Weyr; dragon queen Dalgeth
Mendir: Healer, at Ground Hold
M’gent: wingleader, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Ith
Mibbut: Healer, at Keroon Beasthold
Miridan: weyrwoman, at Telgar Weyr; dragon queen Sutanith
Moreta: Weyrwoman, at Fort Weyr; dragon queen Orlith
Mostar: son of Tolocamp, Lord Holder of Fort Hold
M’ray: rider, at Ista Weyr; dragon brown Quoarth; son of Moreta by D’say
M’tani: Weyrleader, at Telgar Weyr: dragon bronze Hogarth
Namurra: weyrwoman, at Igen Weyr; dragon queen Jiffith
Nattal: old Headwoman, at High Reaches Weyr
Nerilka (Rill): daughter of Tolocamp, Lord Holder of Fort Hold
Nesso: Headwoman, at Fort Weyr
N’men: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon blue Jelth
N’mool: rider, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon bronze Bidorth
Norman: race manager, at Ruatha Hold
N’tar: rider, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon bronze Melath
Oklina: sister to Alessan, Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold
Oma, Lady: mother of Alessan, Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold
Pendra: Lady Holder of Fort Hold
Peterpar: herdsman, at Fort Weyr
P’leen: rider, at Igen Weyr; dragon bronze Aaith
P’nine: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon bronze Ixth
Pollan: Healer, at Big Bay Hold
Pressen: Healer, at High Reaches Weyr
Quitrin: Healer, at Southern Boll Hold
Rapal: Healer, at Campbell’s Field
Ratoshigan: Lord Holder of Southern Boll Hold
Rill: see Nerilka
R’len: rider, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon bronze Ponteth
R’limeak: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon blue Gionth
Runel: old herdsman, at Ruatha Hold
Scand: Masterhealer, at Ruatha Hold
Semment: Healer, at Great Reach Hold
S’gor: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon green Malth
Shadder: Lord Holder of Benden Hold
Sh’gall: Weyrleader, at Fort Weyr; dragon bronze Kadith
Silga: weyrwoman, at Igen Weyr; dragon queen Brixth
Sim: drudge, at Fort Hold
S’kedel: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon brown Adath
S’ligar: Weyrleader, at High Reaches; dragon bronze Gianarth
Sneel: Healer, at Greenfields Hold
Soover: smaliholder, at Southern Boll Hold
S’peren: wingleader, at Fort Weyr; dragon bronze Clioth
Sufur: Masterherdsman, at Keroon Beasthold
Suriana: deceased wife of Alessan, Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold
Talpan: Healer of Animals, at Keroon Beasthold
Tellani: woman at Fort Weyr
T’grel: wingleader, at Telgar Weyr; dragon bronze Raylinth
Theng: guardleader, at Fort Hold
Tirone: Masterharper, at Fort Hold
T’lonneg: wingleader, at Ista Weyr; dragon bronze Jalerth
T’nure: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon green Tapeth
Tolocamp: Lord Holder of Fort Hold
Tonia: Healer, at Igen Seahold
T’ragel: weyrling, at Fort Weyr; dragon blue Keranth
T’ral: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon brown Maneth
Trume: Masterherdsman, at High Reaches Hold
Tuero: Journeyman harper, at Ruatha Hold
Turvine: cropholder, at Ruatha Hold
Turving: smallholder, at Ruatha Hold
Vander: smallholder, at Ruatha Hold
Vanney: Master of the
Windtoss
V’mal: rider, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon brown Koth
V’mul: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon brown Tellath
Wimmia: Weyrwoman, at Ista Weyr; dragon queen Torenth
W’ter: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Taventh
W’ven: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon green Balgeth
PASSES AND INTERVALS
Planetfall plus 8 years | ||
| ||
First Fall | 58 | First Pass |
| 258 | Second Pass |
| 508 | Third Pass |
| 758 | Fourth Pass |
| | First Long Interval |
| 1208 | Fifth Pass |
| 1458 | Sixth Pass |
| 1505 | Moreta’s Ride (The Plague) |
| 1758 | Seventh Pass |
| 2008 | Eighth Pass |
| | Second Long Interval |
| 2405 | Lessa’s Impression |
| 2408 | Ninth Pass |
Anne McCaffrey
was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College, majoring in Slavonic Languages and Literatures. Before her success as a writer, she was involved in theater. She directed the American premiere of Carl Orff’s
Ludus de Nato Infante Mirificus
, in which she also played a witch. Her first novel,
Restoree
, was written as a protest against the absurd and unrealistic portrayals of women in science fiction novels in the 50s and early 60s. Ms. McCaffrey is best known, however, for her handling of broader themes and the worlds of her imagination, particularly in her tales of the Talents and the fourteen novels about the Dragonriders of Pern.
McCaffrey lives in a house of her own design, Dragonhold-Underhill, in County Wicklow, Ireland. Visit the author online at
www.annemccaffrey.org.