Terminology

The following is common terminology used in Triad's canon, per Anne McCaffrey's books.

Capitalization is important!

A

Ancients

The original colonists of Pern and their early descendants.

B

/between/

The black, cold, empty void that dragons pop in and out of when moving from one location to another almost instantaneously. Using /slashes/ helps distinguish it from the regular form of between, which means to be in the middle.

C

canine

On Pern, dogs are referred to as 'canines' or 'pups' or 'puppies'. The terran terminology of "dog" is not used.

F

Fall

'Fall is shorthand for Threadfall. Threadfall is when silver spores fall from the sky.

feline

On Pern, cats are referred to as 'felines' or 'kittens'. The terran terminology of "cat" is not used.

H

Hatching

Hatching with a capital H is the event in which the dragon eggs begin to rock and break open, after which the dragonets find their lifemates. Also refers to the feast and celebration that comes directly after.

Hold

A building, refers to a Hold, Minor Hold or Cothold.

I

Impress / Impression

The initial pairing of a dragon and their rider in which their minds are forever joined together. It cannot be undone. Capitalize to distinguish from impress, the act of making someone take note.

M

Master Crafter / Hallmasters / Craftsmaster

• Master Crafter - A crafter who has attained Master status
• Hallmaster - The Master Crafter who has authority over a particular Hall.
• Craftmaster - The Master Crafter who has authority over all of the Crafters of a specific Craft. (In Triad's Timeline, there is a Northern Craftmaster and a Southern Craftmaster.)

R

Restday - a day in which dragonriders do not have Threadfall or assigned duties. Typically in Triad's past, the "Restday" has fallen on the seventh day of each sevenday/week, unless Thread is on that day.

S

Sands

Shorthand for Hatching Sands. The floor of the Hatching Ground which is covered in geothermically heated sand.

Search

Search, with a capital S, is the formal act of dragonriders from the Weyr going on visits to look for potential Candidates.

Sevendays

Sevenday is another term for "week" - they are interchangeable. Fortnight may be used to refer to a two-week period.

Stand and Stands

• Stand - the act of being on the Hatching Sands during the Hatching as a Candidate hoping to Impress.
• Stands - the seats where spectators sit to watch the Hatching

Sweeps

Shorthand for Sweeprides. Dragonriders are sent out on Sweeps following Threadfall to make sure all Thread burrows are flamed and contained. Dragonriders may also ride on Sweep to see if any local areas have a flag up, indicating they need Dragonrider assistance.

T

Terran Referring to something from Earth. There is not often a reason to use this in-character, but you may see references using this word on the website.

Thread

Thread, with a capital T, refers to the silver spores that fall from the skies of Pern. These spores will devour/burn anything they touch. They are flamed out of the skies by Dragonriders. Threads create burrows in the ground that can damage crops.

W

Weyr / weyr

Weyr with a capital W refers to the entire structure where Dragonriders live. Lowercase weyr is the individual living quarters of a dragonrider.

Weyrhealer / Weyrharper / etc

When the word Weyr is used as a prefix, it means the crafter who is in charge of that area of the Weyr. For example, the Weyrhealer is the boss of all healer crafters in the Weyr. A weyr healer, lowercase, is a healer that works at the Weyr.

Weyrwoman

Weyrwoman with a capital W refers to the Senior Weyrwoman of the Weyr. However, lowercase weyrwoman refers to any woman living at the weyr.