Dragon (Pern)
From Concordances and Characters
Dragons are genetically-engineered creatures on the planet Pern. They were developed by Kit Ping Yung from the native fire-lizards during the first year of Threadfall.
Modern dragons range in size from 20 meters to 45 meters, and come in five colors
- Gold - the fertile females, they are the largest; Weyrwomen are always Goldriders. Only girls can impress Golds
- Bronze - the largest males, they are slightly smaller than Golds; Weyrleaders are always Bronzeriders. Only boys can impress Bronzes
- Brown - males, smaller than Golds, Brownriders tend to be Wingseconds, and sometimes Wingleaders. Only boys can impress Browns
- Blue - the smallest males, their riders tend to be homosexual or bisexual. Only boys can impress Blues
- Green - the smallest color, they are infertile females. Originally, it was only girls who impressed Greens, but gradually this shifted to primarily homosexual boys
Despite being infertile, Greens tend to be sexually active. The reason for the sexual orientation of their riders is simply that the telepathic bond between Dragon and Rider is so strong that when Dragons mate, their riders tend to do likewise, and Greens tend to mate primarily with Blues, though occassionally with Browns.
The telepathic bond between Rider and Dragon is very strong. A dragon inevitably suicides, by going between and not returning, if his or her Rider dies, and many Dragonriders - though by no means all - will likewise suicide upon the death of their Dragon.
[edit] Names
All dragons' names end in -th, and a dragon knows its name at hatching.
[edit] See also
Dragons of Pern Table of Dragons and their riders
