River Cliffs Weyr
An Alternate 9th Pass Weyr
River Cliffs Weyr is a small "auxiliary Weyr" that
is located near the headwaters of the Black Rock River. It was
founded by Southern Weyr in the 2535th turn of the
present (9th) pass. River Cliffs was founded to provide added protection
to the more remote settlements in the southeastern portion of
the Southern continent. The largest settlement protected by
River Cliffs Weyr is Horizon Cliffs Hold.
Located in an eroded caldera at the end of box canyon, the
Weyr is bisected by a volcanic hot springs fed stream- the
source of which is located in a cavern at the far end
of the canyon. This same geothermal energy source heats the
Hatching Grounds' Sands, and provides heat and hot water to
the Weyr. A large network of caverns lines the walls of the
caldera, as well as those of the canyon leading to it. The
floor of the canyon and caldera provide ample grazing space
for the Weyr's herdbeasts and runners. A lake at the canyon
end of the caldera is used for bathing the Dragons.
River Cliffs Weyr was *born under the Red Star* both figuratively
and literally. Intended to be completed before Thread returned,
several delays and accidents prevented the Weyr from being
habitable until after the Pass started. Even now, several turns
after the first occupants moved in, more than half of the
weyrs have yet to be made habitable.
Unfortunately, the Weyr's misfortunes have extended far beyond
its structure, and all the way to the Dragonriders themselves.
With the founding (Senior)
Weyrwoman Nanete's Golden- Syalth- too old to rise in a mating
flight, the flight to determine the new leadership fell to Junior
Weyrwoman Oriana's Quiatesenth- the only fertile gold at the Weyr.
The following months were a very stressful time for all involved.
The weyrfolk were given a reason to hope for a bright future
a half-turn later when, much to everyone's shock and surprise,
Weyrleader K'ryn's Bronze Kosarith - somehow managed to catch
Quiatesenth ensuring his rank as Weyrleader. That mating flight resulted in a clutch of 29 eggs,
plus a Queen egg.
Shortly after the flight when the first Threadfall that the Weyr rose to fight, founding
Weyrleader K'ryn's Bronze Kosarith- was severely scored. The lifemate
pair went *between*, never to return.
The Weyr's joy was short lived, for as Quiatesenth began to lay
her clutch on the Sands, a Plague of illness struck the Weyr. The
disease quickly decimated the population, leaving barely enough
healthy riders to rise to meet Thread. As both Goldriders were among
those taken ill- causing much stress among weyrfolk and riders alike,
especially for T'wyn and Brown Adowyth, who would spend his time between caring for his weyrmate Oriana, out on the Sands, or supervising Search for candidates. Votes were taken among the riders that hadn't succumbed to the illness, the results being that T'wyn would be the most suitable to the position of Acting Weyrleader since he was K'ryn's Wingsecond and well liked and respected by all.
Unfortunately some of the initial candidates fell ill, a couple
of them died not long after being Search. River Cliffs' run of
bad luck was quickly becoming a tragedy.
Thanks to the help of the Healers from nearby Horizon Cliffs Hold's
Healer Hall, the illness is now under control. Nanete, Oriana, and
the remaining Plague victims have been placed under quarantine.
While most of them are recovering, Nanete's condition is grave and
she might not survive. Oriana's condition isn't as serious, but she
isn't out of the woods yet.
Speculation rests on the future of the weyr, as it is mainly dependant
on the single Queen egg on the sands, and on whether or not Oriana's
health improves.
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