Between Times

[Estelle]

I have a question about dragonriders going between times. In the Weyrling training guide it's listed as specialised training for brown, bronze and goldriders, but would the riders of the other colours know that it was possible, just not how to do it? Or is it a secret?

What about non-dragonriders, or people outside the Weyrs? Would they know about it?

Thanks!

[Suzee]

To date we've always held that this information is closely controlled by the ranking dragonriders.  In general it is unknown to holders.

In a recent plot Lanniya "timed" it to rescue her parents from a hurricane in which only her sister Pierka had survived on their ship.  At that time the parents were sworn to secrecy and Lanniya was severely disciplined for exposing the secret.

In another one U'kaiah had 'timed' it to be at his child's birth and later argued with Hygalia to do the same to be at his other son's birthday as he'd promised. They were overheard by greenrider Tavia who was again sworn to secrecy and informed of the dangers.

Other timing plots have also happened but always within the metallics with rare involvement of others.

[Estelle]

Thank you! Just to confirm, do brownriders get taught about it, or just bronze and gold? The Weyrling training guide for the 4th month seems to suggest they do?

As a follow-up, how would holders regard the timing it that was done in the books by Lessa? Do they think it was based on real events but the time-travelling is just a legend, or has that part been forgotten?

[Suzee]

Yes, brownriders are taught about it but I've rarely seen a plot with a brownrider using the knowledge.

Remember it's 1200 turns since Lessa and while the information may be recorded, how many texts do we have in the last 1200 years that could be considered pristine or unchanged by time.  It may have been a dragonrider conspiracy to hunt down and gather references to it leaving the 'ballads' unclear to most folks. 

Remember how Fandarel searched through his Hall records about the 'grubs' found in the south which we know were actually helpful but his craft thought they were pests to be eradicated. And that interval was only 250 turns.

But I believe this is worth a conversation.

[Eimi]

About 14 years ago, I remember we wrote a storyline where U'kaiah took his senior bronze and brownriders to fight Thread over Dolphin Cove by timing it so he could be back in time to fight Thread over Dragonsfall as well.  I remember a senior brown, perhaps even his Second, was lost between times.

As far as Lessa's story, I think I always assume that they decided that since there was no Thread anymore, it was too dangerous to allow all riders in on the secret.  Bored riders might want to try to go back in time to the dragon's "glory days" and fight Thread again, so they decided to outlaw timing, then it might have gradually shifted into not teaching timing to blues and greens, to keeping it a secret, and finally the ability faded from memory except for those bronze and browns. 

But I always thought there had to be rumors here and there.  You can't keep a secret that big with that many people knowing and no one finding out.  I would think it would have been much easier during the Interval when bronzes and browns were actually pretty rare colors and there were few dragonriders left to question it.  I think the secret is MUCH harder to keep now that all the Weyrs are full again.  I personally don't think they can make it through the whole Pass and for it to continue to be a secret forever.  But that's my personal opinion, and any change to the policy of course would have to come from the Council.  Years down the road, though, it might be a fun storyline to explore!

[Estelle]

Wow, I remember that storyline (was that 14 years ago? Eeek!) The other one I remember was where the dragonriders went back in time to rescue the people of Topaz Sea Hold from a storm. I don't recall what those holders thought at the time, but with everything that was going on that night, they probably just didn't notice that they lost a few hours.

So it sounds like possibly there are obscure hints in the old records and the ballads, but people either don't understand them or regard them as myths? Would that make sense?

Thanks! One more question: if I have a plot idea involving between times (or anything else that needs approval) but need some help working out details...is it okay to discuss with others, or better to ask the council/L1 formally even if there are still gaps to fill in?

[Avery]

I'd vote for asking L1s and the Council first, even unofficially if you'd rather before formally, as we've got lots of sonas and experience so we can help fill in ideas for the plots.

[Suzee]

I'd agree with Avery that the L1 and council should be consulted for that kind of plot. Most especially if it has far ranging effects.

[Paula]

There's also been accidental timings, especially during weyrling-training when they learn to /between/.