weyr

A Weyr is a dragonrider settlement in the Dragonriders of Pern series. It is typically a large complex carved into a mountain or cliff face, designed to house dragons, riders, and the support systems they need. Within a Weyr, living caverns, kitchens, workshops, and the Hatching Grounds are common features, and each rider has a personal sleeping space called a weyr, which includes a ledge or shelf where the dragon rests when not in flight.

Social structure and governance: Weyrs are led by a Weyrleader and a Weyrwoman, who command the resident dragonriders and coordinate with Wings led by Wingleaders. Senior riders, Weyrlings in training, and various craft masters support daily life. The bond between dragon and rider is central to Weyr culture, with dragons being trained from hatching in the Hatching Grounds and through the weyrling process.

Notable Weyrs: Several major Weyrs exist in Pern, most prominently Fort Weyr and Benden Weyr, along with others such as Ista Weyr and High Reaches Weyr that play significant roles in different eras. Weyrs can be relocated or rebuilt after Thread catastrophes or political upheavals.

Role in Pern society: Weyrs function as the military and political hubs of Pern, defending holds from Thread and providing coordination for dragonrider activities across the planet. The dragonrider system shapes social organization, law, and culture, linking disparate holds through a shared martial and draconic identity.