Post by Kaya on Apr 17, 2011 12:31:51 GMT -8
History
When the colonists first came to Pern they knew their technology would be short lived on a planet with minimal resources. Coming from a technologically advanced, space-faring society they brought living organisms with engineered healing abilities to Pern as a fail safe to ensure the colony's survival.
When the shuttles were bringing the colonists' supplies to Pern it chanced to happen that one shuttle had its internal instruments fry. It was carrying these special birds. The shuttle was able to land on the Northern Continent but it took several more days before a search party could be organized and sent to find the missing aircraft. The pilot of the shuttle had freed the birds, fearing they might all starve to death within their cages. He wasn't sure if they had much more of a chance against the barren, rocky landscape. One bird remained with him and served the colony until it perished in the First Fall. The rest fled to the farthest reaches of the north where Thread was frozen and harmless. Their healing abilities enabled them to endure the harsh environment and they quickly learned to build homes for themselves. Their programming was such as to make them smarter and larger in every successive generation much like the technology that was used for Pern's dragons.
It was not until Turns later that the birds came back into contact with humans. A Rider from High Reaches had run into a southern nest of them. A few of the birds followed the dragon back out of curiosity. They Linked with Weyrfolk shortly after their arrival and were integrated into Weyr life. They functioned as healers and were praised for their abilities.
Their course in history changed when a less than savory member of the Weyr Linked to one of these great healing birds. They learned to harm as well as heal and were forcing the other birds to join up with them or be killed. The man's quest for power was cut short, however when these dark birds killed those who sought to use them. The DeathWings broke off as independent agents and were kept at bay by the diligent and Riderless Ice Stone Weyr dragons for nearly five hundred Turns. The wild, peaceful birds were slowly forced to assimilate into the DeathWing Hive until none of the benevolent, healing birds were left. Their origins as such were soon forgotten.
It wasn't until the Weyr War that a spark of their past was lit upon. The collective Hive-mind of DeathWings had held onto, but suppressed, their "true" nature as healers. It came to a showdown between the King, Akash, and Gold Kayleth. It is not fully understood what kind of mind battle must have occurred, but it is accepted that Kayleth won. Akash was consumed with guilt and sorrow when he was forced to remember the truth, as the story goes. He fell to his death and left the rest of his race to forgiveness. Many of the dark birds were too far gone into the dark recess of the Hive mind to make the transition back to their race's former state. These birds lost their minds and fell to their deaths as well. The few remaining birds, now called "LifeWings", were among the oddball and lowest ranked DeathWings. This being the case, LifeWings tend to be much smaller than the average DeathWing. A large DeathWing was a fearsome match for even a Queen dragon.
In addition, some larger DeathWings survived for a time, converted to "RogueWings" that followed neither the destructive vision of the Hive nor the goodly quest of the healers. They had no offspring and eventually disappeared.
Life Cycle
LifeWings hold Hatchings much like dragons due to their shared mentality. However, they were modified with technologies from before the dragon's age and are therefore able to survive without a Rider.
The parental LifeWings take turns guarding the eggs until it is time for them to Hatch. They will often sing to them to ensure happy, healthy offspring. A LifeWing mother can lay one to three eggs depending on her size and age and some general factors that vary between individuals. Eggs can range from white to brown and may be speckled, mottled, or plain. Some birds lay eggs with a slight color tint relating to their heritage as birds.
LifeWings are born knowing their name like their draconic counter parts. They are capable of speech and once Linked with a Rider will become aware of their Rider's name. Linking is a strong bond similar to Impression. A Candidate may mentally bond with either a LifeWing or a dragon.
LifeWings prefer to Link to a Rider near their birth but will not perish if they are unable to locate a partner. LifeWings that do not Link, that is to say that they are unLinked, will develop physical traits most like their innate personality. LifeWings Linked near birth develop physical traits that best reflect those of their Rider's character or "song".
LifeWings hear a unique song emanating from each individual. They will learn their own song first and then the song of their Rider. After that a LifeWing will typically specialize in listening to and interpreting a specific kind of song, such as that of dragons, humans or other LifeWings. LifeWings can also become generalist healers who can cure common problems in many creatures but are not able to heal life threatening illnesses or injuries. Some LifeWings even chose to learn songs of creatures that do not speak as they do. This is much less common and is even looked down upon in some circles.
LifeWings mature to adulthood over the course of a Turn and a half. They are considered adults when they are capable of flying independently, can heal patients effectively and without guidance and have learned their "soul song" which enables them to locate a mate. LifeWings mate for life and will not typically select a new partner if their mate dies.
Abilities of LifeWings
A LifeWing can either specialize in healing of a specific species or become a generalist healer. The learning process is one that is honed from their birth, starting with simple non-healing singing exercises and beginning healing with minor scrapes and bruises. An adult LifeWing of a similar specialty supervises the youngster for all of its early training. A LifeWing must be trained in music and general singing in order to be an effective healer. A LifeWing Rider does not necessarily need to be an expert singer but must also learn music along with their Linked.
The healing process is one that drains a lot of energy. In order to repair a patient's broken song the healer must give up some of the health and strength of their own song. For minor injuries this cost is very minimal and is not very draining. Larger tasks, however, require not only skill but massive amounts of energy as well. Wise healers will repair in phases if possible. A LifeWing and Rider will pass out if they expend too much strength healing. If they far exceed their limit before passing out, the pair's drained strength may unable recover properly or at all. This can result in death in extreme cases. For this reason, trauma patients are treated in teams whenever possible.
When the colonists first came to Pern they knew their technology would be short lived on a planet with minimal resources. Coming from a technologically advanced, space-faring society they brought living organisms with engineered healing abilities to Pern as a fail safe to ensure the colony's survival.
When the shuttles were bringing the colonists' supplies to Pern it chanced to happen that one shuttle had its internal instruments fry. It was carrying these special birds. The shuttle was able to land on the Northern Continent but it took several more days before a search party could be organized and sent to find the missing aircraft. The pilot of the shuttle had freed the birds, fearing they might all starve to death within their cages. He wasn't sure if they had much more of a chance against the barren, rocky landscape. One bird remained with him and served the colony until it perished in the First Fall. The rest fled to the farthest reaches of the north where Thread was frozen and harmless. Their healing abilities enabled them to endure the harsh environment and they quickly learned to build homes for themselves. Their programming was such as to make them smarter and larger in every successive generation much like the technology that was used for Pern's dragons.
It was not until Turns later that the birds came back into contact with humans. A Rider from High Reaches had run into a southern nest of them. A few of the birds followed the dragon back out of curiosity. They Linked with Weyrfolk shortly after their arrival and were integrated into Weyr life. They functioned as healers and were praised for their abilities.
Their course in history changed when a less than savory member of the Weyr Linked to one of these great healing birds. They learned to harm as well as heal and were forcing the other birds to join up with them or be killed. The man's quest for power was cut short, however when these dark birds killed those who sought to use them. The DeathWings broke off as independent agents and were kept at bay by the diligent and Riderless Ice Stone Weyr dragons for nearly five hundred Turns. The wild, peaceful birds were slowly forced to assimilate into the DeathWing Hive until none of the benevolent, healing birds were left. Their origins as such were soon forgotten.
It wasn't until the Weyr War that a spark of their past was lit upon. The collective Hive-mind of DeathWings had held onto, but suppressed, their "true" nature as healers. It came to a showdown between the King, Akash, and Gold Kayleth. It is not fully understood what kind of mind battle must have occurred, but it is accepted that Kayleth won. Akash was consumed with guilt and sorrow when he was forced to remember the truth, as the story goes. He fell to his death and left the rest of his race to forgiveness. Many of the dark birds were too far gone into the dark recess of the Hive mind to make the transition back to their race's former state. These birds lost their minds and fell to their deaths as well. The few remaining birds, now called "LifeWings", were among the oddball and lowest ranked DeathWings. This being the case, LifeWings tend to be much smaller than the average DeathWing. A large DeathWing was a fearsome match for even a Queen dragon.
In addition, some larger DeathWings survived for a time, converted to "RogueWings" that followed neither the destructive vision of the Hive nor the goodly quest of the healers. They had no offspring and eventually disappeared.
Life Cycle
LifeWings hold Hatchings much like dragons due to their shared mentality. However, they were modified with technologies from before the dragon's age and are therefore able to survive without a Rider.
The parental LifeWings take turns guarding the eggs until it is time for them to Hatch. They will often sing to them to ensure happy, healthy offspring. A LifeWing mother can lay one to three eggs depending on her size and age and some general factors that vary between individuals. Eggs can range from white to brown and may be speckled, mottled, or plain. Some birds lay eggs with a slight color tint relating to their heritage as birds.
LifeWings are born knowing their name like their draconic counter parts. They are capable of speech and once Linked with a Rider will become aware of their Rider's name. Linking is a strong bond similar to Impression. A Candidate may mentally bond with either a LifeWing or a dragon.
LifeWings prefer to Link to a Rider near their birth but will not perish if they are unable to locate a partner. LifeWings that do not Link, that is to say that they are unLinked, will develop physical traits most like their innate personality. LifeWings Linked near birth develop physical traits that best reflect those of their Rider's character or "song".
LifeWings hear a unique song emanating from each individual. They will learn their own song first and then the song of their Rider. After that a LifeWing will typically specialize in listening to and interpreting a specific kind of song, such as that of dragons, humans or other LifeWings. LifeWings can also become generalist healers who can cure common problems in many creatures but are not able to heal life threatening illnesses or injuries. Some LifeWings even chose to learn songs of creatures that do not speak as they do. This is much less common and is even looked down upon in some circles.
LifeWings mature to adulthood over the course of a Turn and a half. They are considered adults when they are capable of flying independently, can heal patients effectively and without guidance and have learned their "soul song" which enables them to locate a mate. LifeWings mate for life and will not typically select a new partner if their mate dies.
Abilities of LifeWings
A LifeWing can either specialize in healing of a specific species or become a generalist healer. The learning process is one that is honed from their birth, starting with simple non-healing singing exercises and beginning healing with minor scrapes and bruises. An adult LifeWing of a similar specialty supervises the youngster for all of its early training. A LifeWing must be trained in music and general singing in order to be an effective healer. A LifeWing Rider does not necessarily need to be an expert singer but must also learn music along with their Linked.
The healing process is one that drains a lot of energy. In order to repair a patient's broken song the healer must give up some of the health and strength of their own song. For minor injuries this cost is very minimal and is not very draining. Larger tasks, however, require not only skill but massive amounts of energy as well. Wise healers will repair in phases if possible. A LifeWing and Rider will pass out if they expend too much strength healing. If they far exceed their limit before passing out, the pair's drained strength may unable recover properly or at all. This can result in death in extreme cases. For this reason, trauma patients are treated in teams whenever possible.
