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Last updated 26th May 2017 by Avery
Watchriders and Watch Duty
Article by: Avery
A watchrider is the colloquial term for a dragonrider assigned to watch duty.
What is watch duty?
A watch pair is stationed at a location to observe what happens there. Generally locations have multiple watch shifts, with the most desirable ones in the day and the worst ones the overnight ones.
At the Weyr, they watch arrivals and departures, whether it's caravans bringing trade or visiting dragons stopping by. They make a record of everything that happens and provide this report to their Wingleader at the end of their shift.
At Holds and Halls, a watchrider keeps track of arrivals and departures. They may occasionally be requested for message and transport duty, and also serve as a link to assistance from the Weyr.
The duration of watch shifts is usually between 6 to 8 candlemarks. The duration depends on the Wingleader making the schedule and how many pairs are available to send out.
Who can be a watchrider?
Any dragonrider can theoretically be assigned to watch duty.
Riders who are inactive in the fighting wings are the preferred choice for watchrider positions. This means older pairs, pairs who have been retired due to injury, and weyrlings who have finished their training but are too young to go into the wings. Pregnant female riders may serve watches at the Weyr but usually do not travel to the Holds.
If there are more locations to assign a watchpair than there are weyrlingstaff or retired riders, the Weyrleader may ask Wingleaders to pick a few responsible candidates and then assign them to a watch rotation. This typically excuses them from other wing duties like sweeprides.
When assigning watchriders to a Hold or Hall, several additional factors are taken into account. The major ones are the culture of the location, the size of the location, and the characteristics of available pairs (dragon color and rider age). In general:
-Large locations such as a Major Crafthall or Major Hold are more likely to receive experienced riders and bronze pairs if available as a show of respect. -Very conservative locations are more likely to be assigned brownriders.
-More liberal locations would receive green pairs or younger riders.
-Small holdings get smaller chromatic dragons and younger riders.
The major exception is overnight watch shifts at the Weyr. These are often assigned as a punishment to dragonriders who have made mistakes, and they are served at the Weyr so the Wingleader can keep an eye on the pair.
See Also: No articles yet
Referenced By: Dragonrider Duties
A watchrider is the colloquial term for a dragonrider assigned to watch duty.
What is watch duty?
A watch pair is stationed at a location to observe what happens there. Generally locations have multiple watch shifts, with the most desirable ones in the day and the worst ones the overnight ones.
At the Weyr, they watch arrivals and departures, whether it's caravans bringing trade or visiting dragons stopping by. They make a record of everything that happens and provide this report to their Wingleader at the end of their shift.
At Holds and Halls, a watchrider keeps track of arrivals and departures. They may occasionally be requested for message and transport duty, and also serve as a link to assistance from the Weyr.
The duration of watch shifts is usually between 6 to 8 candlemarks. The duration depends on the Wingleader making the schedule and how many pairs are available to send out.
Who can be a watchrider?
Any dragonrider can theoretically be assigned to watch duty.
Riders who are inactive in the fighting wings are the preferred choice for watchrider positions. This means older pairs, pairs who have been retired due to injury, and weyrlings who have finished their training but are too young to go into the wings. Pregnant female riders may serve watches at the Weyr but usually do not travel to the Holds.
If there are more locations to assign a watchpair than there are weyrlingstaff or retired riders, the Weyrleader may ask Wingleaders to pick a few responsible candidates and then assign them to a watch rotation. This typically excuses them from other wing duties like sweeprides.
When assigning watchriders to a Hold or Hall, several additional factors are taken into account. The major ones are the culture of the location, the size of the location, and the characteristics of available pairs (dragon color and rider age). In general:
-Large locations such as a Major Crafthall or Major Hold are more likely to receive experienced riders and bronze pairs if available as a show of respect. -Very conservative locations are more likely to be assigned brownriders.
-More liberal locations would receive green pairs or younger riders.
-Small holdings get smaller chromatic dragons and younger riders.
The major exception is overnight watch shifts at the Weyr. These are often assigned as a punishment to dragonriders who have made mistakes, and they are served at the Weyr so the Wingleader can keep an eye on the pair.
See Also: No articles yet
Referenced By: Dragonrider Duties