News - Dragonhealers

Dragonhealers are NOT an official craft or even IC term, and hold no rank or title on our game. Those who learn the specific advanced skills for handling and healing of injured dragons area select handful within each Weyr.

As weyrlings, all riders the basics of care of their dragon. This includes the basic anatomy of their dragon, proper feeding, bathing and oiling, and how to handle the common minor injuries. Minor injuries include dealing with things like broken or cracked talons, scrapes, bruises, sore muscles, tooth loss, constipation, or other such minor irritants. Weyrlings are also taught when to recognize that it may be something more serious and to get checked out by someone more knowledgeable.

At all times during daylight hours, and on call during the night, one of those who has learned advanced skills for handling and healing of dragon specific issues is on watch in the infirmary. All goldriders learn such advanced handling and healing of dragons due to the nature of Gold's being a dominant dragon who can 'control' any of the other colors. Those found using this authority for any reason beyond need to treat an injury are severely punished. Former healer apprentices who impress are also common among those who learn the advanced techniques, as they already have some healing basics under their belt. Non-rider healer Masters, and very experienced Journeyman (over age 40) may also choose to learn these techniques. Until the approach of the pass the learning of this information was limited to the individuals above, however in consideration to the likelihood of frequent injuries due to threadfall, any rider with more two turns as partnered will also be considered upon request. All those trained in healing dragons are also trained in human first aid and as the pass approaches, most weyrfolk are trained in first aid for both dragons and humans.

Knowledge is passed down primarily through oral teaching from the more experienced to the less experienced. Those who are newly learning generally receive instruction for one or two hours each month, while those with experience keep refreshed by their shifts in the infirmary (no more than once every two sevendays for riders). Advanced knowledge and techniques include suturing deep cuts, setting bone fractures, blood transfusions, medicating dragons, and as the pass unfolds, severe threadfall injuries. After initial treatment, most riders are given specific instruction and tend their own dragons, with regular follow-ups by trained healers.
