Month: four sevendays
Numbweed: a medicinal cream which, when smeared on wounds, kills all feeling; used as an anesthetic.
Oldtimer: a member of one of the five Weyrs which Lessa brought forward four hundred Turns in time. Used as a derogative term to refer to one who has moved to Southern Weyr.
Pass: a period of time during which the Red Star is close enough to drop Thread on Pern.
Pern: third of the star Rukbat’s five planets. It has two natural satellites.
Red Star (sic): Pern’s stepsister planet. It has an erratic orbit.
Rukbat: a yellow star in the Sagittarian Sector, Rukbat has five planets and two asteroid belts.
Sevenday: the equivalent of a week on Pern.
Thread: (mycorrhizoid) spores from the Red Star, which descend on Pern and burrow into it, devouring all organic material they encounter.
Turn: a Pernese year.
Watch-wher: a nocturnal reptile distantly related to dragonkind.
Weyr: a home of dragons and their riders.
weyr: a dragon’s den.
Weyrsinger: the Harper for the dragonriders, usually himself a dragonrider.
Wherries: a type of fowl roughly resembling the domestic Turkey of Earth, but about the size of an Ostrich
Withies: water plants resembling the reeds of Earth.
PERNESE OATHS
By the Egg
By the first Egg
By the Egg of Faranth
Scorch it
Shards
By the shards of my dragon’s egg
Shells
Through Fall, Fog, and Fire
THE PEOPLE OF PERN
Abuna: Kitchen head at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
Alemi: Third of Seaholder’s six sons, at Half-Circle Sea Hold
Andemon: Masterfarmer, Nerat Hold
Arnor: Craftmaster scrivenor, at Harpercraft Hold
Balder: Harper, at Ista Weyr
B’dor: at Ista Weyr
Bedella: Oldtimer Weyrwoman, at Telgar Weyr; dragon queen Solth
Belesdan: Mastertanner, Igen Hold
Bendarek: Craftmaster Woodsmith, at Lemos Hold
Benelek: Journeyman machinesmith, Smithhall
Benis: one of Lord Holder Groghe’s 17 sons, at Fort Hold
B’fol: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon green Gereth
B’irto: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Cabenth
B’naj: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon queen Beth
Brand: steward at Ruatha Hold; blue fire-lizard
B’rant: rider, at Benden Weyr: dragon brown Fanth
B’refli rider, at Benden Weyr, dragon brown Joruth
Brekke: Weyrwoman, at Southern Weyr, dragon queen Wirenth; fire-lizard bronze Berd
Briala: student at Harper Hall
Briaret: Masterherder (replaces Sograny), Keroon Hold
Brudegen: Journeyman of chorus, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
Camo: a half-wit at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
Celina: queenrider, at Benden Weyr; dragon queen Lamanth
C’gan: Weyrsinger at Benden Weyr; dragon blue Tegath
Corana: sister of Fidello (holder at Plateau), Ruatha Hold
Cosira: rider, at Ista Weyr; dragon queen Caylith
Deelan: milkmother to Jaxom, at Ruatha Hold
Dorse: milkbrother to Jaxom, at Ruatha Hold
D’nek: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon bronze Zagenth
D’nol: rider of dragon bronze Valenth, at Benden Weyr
Domick: Craftmaster composer, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
D’ram: Oldtimer Weyrleader, at Ista Weyr; dragon bronze Tiroth
Dunca: cot-holder, girl’s cottage, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
D’wer: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon blue Trebeth
Elgion: the new harper at Half-Circle Sea Hold
Fandarel: Mastersmith, Smithcraft Hall, Telgar Hold
Fanna: Oldtimer Weyrwoman, at Ista Weyr, dragon queen Miranth
Fax: Lord of Seven Holds, father of Jaxom
Felena: second to the Headwoman Manora, at Benden Weyr
Fidello: holder, at Plateau in Ruatha Hold
Finder: Harper, at Ruatha Hold
F’lar: Weyrleader at Benden Weyr dragon bronze Mnementh
F’lessan: rider, at Benden Weyr, son of F’lar and Lessa; dragon bronze Golanth
F’lon: Weyrleader, at Benden Weyr, father of F’nor and F’lar
F’nor: wingsecond at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Canth, fire-lizard gold Grall
F’rad: rider at Benden Weyr; dragon green Telorth
Gandidan: a child at Benden Weyr
Gemma, Lady: First Lady of Fax (Lord of the Seven Holds) and mother of Jaxom
G’dened: Weyrleader-to-be, at Ista Weyr, son of Oldtimer Weyrleader D’ram, dragon bronze Baranth
G’nag: at Southern Weyr, dragon blue Nelanth
G’narish: Oldtimer Weyrleader at Igen Weyr; dragon bronze Gyamath
G’sel: rider, at Southern Weyr; bronze fire-lizard, dragon green Roth
Groghe: Lord Holder at Fort Hold; fire-lizard queen Merga
H’ages: Wingsecond at Telgar Weyr; dragon bronze Kerth
Horon: son of Lord Groghe; Fort Hold
Idarolan: Masterfisher, Tillek Hold
Jaxom: Lord Holder (underage) at Ruatha Hold; dragon white Ruth
Jerint: Craftmaster for instruments, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
Jora: Weyrwoman preceding Lessa, at Benden Weyr; dragon queen Nemorth
J’ralt: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon green Palanth
Kayla: drudge, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
K’der: rider, at Ista Weyr; dragon blue Warth
Kenelas: a woman of the lower caverns, at Benden Weyr
Kern: eldest son of Lord Nessel (the Lord Holder of Crom)
Kirnety: a boy, at Telgar Hold; Impresses dragon bronze Fidirth
K’nebel: Weyrlingmaster, at Fort Weyr; dragon bronze Firth
K’net: rider at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Pianth
K’van: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Heth
Kylara: a sister of Lord Holder Larad and a Weyrwoman at Southern Weyr who moved to High Reaches Weyr when Oldtimers were banished; dragon queen Prideth
Lessa: Weyrwoman at Benden Weyr; dragon queen Ramoth
Lidith: Queen dragon before Nemorth, rider unknown
Ligand: Journeyman tanner at Fort Hold
L’tol: rider, at Benden Weyr and, as Lytol, Warder of Ruatha Hold; dragon brown Larth (dies)
L’trel: father of Mirrim, at Southern Weyr; dragon blue Falgrenth
Lytol: Lord Warder for the underage Lord Holder Jaxom at Ruatha Hold; dragon brown Larth (dies)
Manora: headwoman at Benden Weyr
Mardra: Oldtimer Weyrwoman at Fort Weyr, banished to Southern Weyr; dragon queen Loranth
Margatta: senior Weyrwoman at Fort Weyr; dragon queen Ludeth
Mavi: Seaholder’s (Yanis) Lady at Half-Circle Sea Hold
Menolly: Journeyman at Harpercraft Hold, Fort Hold, fire-lizards (10): gold Beauty, bronzes Rocky, Diver, Poll; browns Lazybones, Mimic, Brownie; greens Auntie One and Auntie Two; blue Uncle
Menolly: youngest child (daughter) of Seaholder (Yanis) of Half Circle Sea Hold
Merelan: mother of Robinton (Masterharper of Harpercraft Hold)
Merika: Oldtimer Weyrwoman, at High Reaches Weyr; exiled to Southern Weyr; dragon queen
Mirrim: greenrider, fosterling of Brekke at Benden Weyr; dragon green Path; fire-lizards: green Reppa, green Lok, brown Tolly
Moreta: ancient Weyrwoman at Benden Weyr; dragon queen Orlith
Morshall: Craftmaster for theory, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
M’rek: wingsecond, at Telgar Weyr; dragon bronze Zigith
M’tok: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Litorth
Nadira: Weyrwoman, at Igen Weyr
Nanira: see Varena
Nicat: Masterminer, Crom Hold
N’ton: wingleader at Be
nden Weyr on dragon bronze Lioth; then Weyrleader at Fort Weyr (after T’ron), fire-lizard brown Tris
Oharan: Journeyman harper at Benden Weyr
Oldive Masterhealer, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
Old Uncle: great grandfather of Menolly, at Half-Circle Sea Hold
Palim: Journeyman baker at Fort Hold
Petiron: the old Harper at Half-Circle Sea Hold
Piemur: Apprentice/Journeyman, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold; fire-lizard queen Farli; runner-beast Stupid
Pilgra: Weyrwoman, at High Reaches Weyr; dragon queen Selgrith
P’llomar: rider at Benden Weyr; dragon green Ladrarth
Pona: granddaughter to Lord Holder Sangel, Southern Boll Hold
P’ratan: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon green Poranth
Prilla: youngest Weyrwoman, at Fort Weyr; dragon queen Selianth
Rannelly: nurse and servant of Kylara
R’gul: Weyrleader before F’lar, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Hath
R’mart: Oldtimer Weyrleader, at Telgar Weyr, dragon bronze Branth
R’mel: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon Sorenth
R’nor: rider at Benden Weyr; dragon brown Virianth
Robinton: Masterharper at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold; fire-lizard bronze Zair
Sanra: supervisor of children at Benden Weyr
Sebell: Journeyman/Masterharper, Robinton’s second, Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold; fire-lizard queen Kimi
Sella: Menolly’s next-oldest sister, at Half-Circle Sea Hold
S’goral: rider, at Southern Weyr; dragon green Betunth
Sharra: Journeyman healer, at Southern Hold; fire-lizards bronze Meer and brown Talla
Shonagar: Craftmaster for voice, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
Silon: a child at Benden Weyr
Silvina: headwoman at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
S’lan: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Binth
S’lel: rider, at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Tuenth
Sograny: Masterherder, Keroon Hold
Soreel: wife of the First Holder at Half-Circle Sea Hold
Tagetarl: Journeyman at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
Talina: Weyrwoman at Benden Weyr, queenrider
Talmor: Journeyman teacher, at Harpercraft Hall, Fort Hold
T’bor: Weyrleader at Southern Weyr, later moves to High Reaches when the Oldtimers are exiled; dragon bronze Orth
Tegger: holder at Ruatha
Tela, Lady: one of Fax’s ladies
Terry: Craftmaster smith, Smithcraft Hall, Telgar Hold
T’gran dragonrider at Benden Weyr; dragon brown Branth
T’gellan: wingleader at Benden Weyr; dragon bronze Monarth
T’gor: rider at Benden Weyr; dragon blue Relth
T’kul: Oldtimer at High Reaches Weyr, exiled to Southern Weyr; dragon bronze Salth
T’ledon: watchdragon rider at Fort Hold; dragon blue Serith
Tordril: fosterling at Ruatha Hold, prospective Lord Holder at Igen
Torene: ancient Weyrwoman at Benden Weyr
Toric: Lord Holder of Southern Hold
T’ran: rider, at Igen Weyr; dragon bronze Redreth
T’reb: rider, at Fort Weyr; dragon green Beth
T’ron: Oldtimer Weyrleader at Fort Weyr; banished to Southern Weyr; dragon bronze Fidranth; also called T’ton
T’sel: dragonrider at Benden Weyr; dragon green Trenth, fire-lizard bronze Rill
Vanira see Varena
Varena (also called Vanira): rider, at Southern Weyr; dragon queen Ralenth
Viderian: fosterling (Seaholder’s son) at Fort Hold
Wansor: Craftmaster glassmith, Smithcraft Hall, Telgar Hold; also called Starsmith
Yanis: Craftmaster and Seaholder at Half-Circle Sea Hold
Zurg: Masterweaver, Southern Boll Hold
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.
Books by Anne McCaffrey
Decision at Doona
Dinosaur Planet
Dinosaur Planet Survivors
Get Off the Unicorn
The Lady
Pegasus in Flight
Restorree
The Ship Who Sang
To Ride Pegasus
Nimisha’s Ship
Pegasus in Space
THE CRYSTAL SINGER BOOKS
Crystal Singer
Killashandra
Crystal Line
THE DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN® BOOKS
Dragonflight
Dragonquest
The White Dragon
Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern
Nerilka’s Story
Dragonsdawn
The Renegades of Pern
All the Weyrs of Pern
The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall
The Dolphins of Pern
Dragonseye
The Masterharper of Pern
The Skies of Pern
By Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough:
Powers that Be
Power Lines
Power Play
With Jody Lynn Nye:
The Dragonlover’s Guide to Pern
Edited by Anne McCaffrey:
Alchemy and Academe
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THE DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN is a trademark of Anne McCaffrey. Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
A Del Rey® Book
Published by The Ballantine Publishing Group
Copyright © 1978 by Anne McCaffrey
Dragondex Copyright © 1978 by Wendy Glasser
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by The Ballantine Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
Portions of this book were previously published in a substantially different form as A Time When by NESFA Press, Copyright © 1975 by Anne McCaffrey.
Map by Bob Porter
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Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 77-18913
eISBN: 978-0-345-45397-6
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