The biggest issue was, of course, appeasing the Lord Holders of the Western Continent, as they were the ones to dictate how much, or how little, they were to send the Weyr each month. The Holders of the land might help keep the Minor Holds running, and tend to the land--but ultimately, what they sent to tithe was looked and ipicked over by the Lords before being shipped to the Weyr. If a Lord Holder decided to cut tithes, or send only the stalest of goods--that was entirely up to them.
Worse, there was still a sense of distrust and pain. No matter how they searched and swept, the missing men and women and children from the ship that had disappeared--sunk, as far as R'mor believed--and no leads had been discovered.
Add in slipups during Threadfall--strands and patches of Thread missed; arguments when checking in with ground crews post Fall; and dead civilians--meant that nobody was very happy. Threadbarren lands were easily spotted, and took time to recover, especially the longer the Thread ate its way through the ground. Entire farms, orchars, and pasture had succumbed... but dragonriders were only human, and even their best days weren't perfect.
To complicate matters, there was a matter of tattered nerves due to the incident during Khamaith's last clutch, and an influx of Candidates. Honestly, Western Weyr was suporting more people than it ever had before Thread's return... and while it wasn't near as full capacity as High Reaches, it took more resources to keep afloat.
That meant they would need to get creative... and it was up to the Council to decide their best course of action.
- - - -
Please see here for the related roleplay between R'mor and Casgar.
Calling All Council Members!
We need you, to help decide what the Council decides.
Since have not yet given out official Council Members (outside of Wingleaders, and the ranking persona Cheri and I run), we want to give the players a chance to decide what Western Weyr focuses on first! While we will hopefully give out some more Council Members next year, for now, we'll let the players decide how the Council swings.
The Options:
Option One
Send Non-Weyrbred Candidates To Their Holds and Halls Between Hatchings
This would immediately allow for supplies to go around. If they only have to feed, house, and in some cases clothe the majority of their Candidates up to a seven day before the Hatching, that will allow a lot less food and material to be used. Note: Any Candidates who come from Bad Situations/Bad Family lives, have no family or home to return to, or otherwise have no where else to go would remain, or at minimum, be sent to some of the local Holds to be housed and homed. No one would have to go back to an unstable or traumatic home--the Weyr isn't that cruel.
This is what the Weyrs of ancient times did (aka what the books did through the 9th Pass).
This would immediately allow for supplies to go around. If they only have to feed, house, and in some cases clothe the majority of their Candidates up to a seven day before the Hatching, that will allow a lot less food and material to be used. Note: Any Candidates who come from Bad Situations/Bad Family lives, have no family or home to return to, or otherwise have no where else to go would remain, or at minimum, be sent to some of the local Holds to be housed and homed. No one would have to go back to an unstable or traumatic home--the Weyr isn't that cruel.
This is what the Weyrs of ancient times did (aka what the books did through the 9th Pass).
Option Two
Increase Fishing for Candidates, Riders, Weyrlings, and Weyrfolk and/or Less Food Consumption In General
Though the water near Western Weyr is technically part of White Cliff territory, the Weyr was granted generous use of its nearest beaches--though it wasn't uncommon for other fishing vessels to be seen in its waters. While fish and seafood is commonly had, the Weyr perhaps hasn't been taking as full advantage of the ocean's bounty as they could. Granted, the Weyr doesn't necessarily have free time to spend fishing or scaring up food--this is why they rely on tithes--they could carve time for it.
This would cut into everybody's freetime though, as the Weyr can't really afford to cut its lessons, sweeps, and drills. It also will mean a lot more seafood on the menu. Casgar and the Lower Caverns will make less snacks and treats. Meal time will be more enforced, and riders and weyrfolk will not be able to simply pick up food anytime they wish--so anyone hoarding food or hoping to cook, bake, or otherwise pack up meals on the fly will be less able to do so.
Obviously, those who are ill, or have express permission--Wingsecond and above, only. Riders, Candidates, Weyrlings--the only time you'll be getting to eat is breakfast, lunch, dinner, and maybe a bit of porridge in between if you're really looking to snack.
Riders, consider the bottles of wine off limits unless you buy them yourselves from a Gather.
Option Three
Overtures to Ancestral Lands and White Cliff Weyrhold
Lastly, another option is to try to appease the Holds themselves. It was tradition for riders to hunt their beasts on the land of their homes. Parents used to find it an honor for a son or daughter to return to their lands and eat a buck or two. This tradition has fallen a bit to the wayside as riders hunt their beasts from the provided herds, or on lands allowed them by nearby Holders. It seems a bit of a trip to return to ones home that might well be on the other side of the world.
That said, it's possible riders could spread out and see if their ancestral homes would be willing to let them hung their beasts once or twice a sevenday. If possible, to allow them to bring a friend or two--riders who might not have family or lands their own. If they keep the Weyr's herds purely for human food sources, or weyrlings and dragons who are ill/sick-- then that might at least allow for some more red meat through winter.
Additionally, Western Weyr could write the leaders of White Cliff and see if they might be willing to give a bit more--or allow their lands to be foraged. White Cliff Weyrhold was and still is a reliable ally, perhaps their strongest yet. The Hold might be willing to be more generous, or help supplement their tithes... but at what cost?
Please note: while dragons and riders do hunt (respectively) with permission from certain Holds--and provided they don't over hunt--I imagine most riders hunt in the plains of Western Hold and White Cliff Weyrhold due to convenience of location, or take advantage of the herds Western Weyr has on hand.
If your characters decide to hunt on other land, it is well known permission is needed from the Cotholder, Holder, or Lord Holder--depending on what lands the dragon and rider wish to hunt, as a rule. This option would mean riders would need to go back to the Holds they were from originally to see if the local Holder (or Lord Holder) in charge will allow them. Additionally, this can affect the supply chains going up, which means the more animals and food gathered at this home Holds could effect tithes to Western Weyr--and the other Weyrs found on Pern.
Option Four
All Three Suggestions
The Weyr could also immediately implement all three of the above suggestions--though that comes with its own risks and a lot of moving pieces.
R'mor would ideally prefer to keep Candidates in the Weyr, and not send them away unless no other options work... but it is up to the Council, and some might prefer to cut them immediately.
OOCly, we depending on the majority voices, we will let you know what happens--and what changes this brings to Western Weyr.
Please post your vote here--one vote per player. :3 Each pathway could change the future of Western Weyr--so choose wisely.
[size=28][b]This Council Member Says...[/b][/size]
[b]Username[/b]
[b]You Vote To..[/b] (Choose One!)
Send Candidates Home Between Hatchings!
More Work, Less Play, Let's Fish!
I'm Not Above Begging -- Let's Hunt on Home Holds and Ask White Cliff for More!
Let's Go All In -- Do All Three!
[b]Username[/b]
[b]You Vote To..[/b] (Choose One!)
Send Candidates Home Between Hatchings!
More Work, Less Play, Let's Fish!
I'm Not Above Begging -- Let's Hunt on Home Holds and Ask White Cliff for More!
Let's Go All In -- Do All Three!
Begins: Now
Ends: Sunday October 25th @8pm
