How it all started...

Approximately 15 turns ago, Holders began experimenting with the invaluable chemical known as agenothree. Often used to combat Thread by ground crews, Holders began experimenting with the chemistry of the substance, combining it with ores through smelting, or adding plant juices to make it more effective, so as to be able to singe more Thread than ever before. They sought independence from dragons and Weyrs as the Red Star swung towards Pern for its 10th pass. Hoping to create a super substance, they had no idea that the chemical experimentation would end in disaster.

A failed batch, a mixture of the original chemical and various plant juices, was accidentally introduced into a major Hold's water supply during testing. The substance spread like wildfire through rivers and lakes, contaminating fresh water with the poison. Bacteria seemed to ferment and grow rapidly, creating a new super strain of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Ingestion caused vomiting, sickness, and even death. A new disease called Secus Fever plagued the Holders, snaking its way into Crafthalls as well.

Secus Fever presents with sudden mental disorders, yellowing of the skin, dilating of the pupil, and the onset of deep, seeping yet bloodless gashes in dry skin. Eventually, the contaminated water reached Weyrs and it plagued the inhabitants of the low Northern Continent Weyrs. Not only were riders affected, but their dragons were as well. Firelizards and whers, for one reason or another, were completely untroubled by the epidemic. For dragons, the graying of their hide is often the first symptom, followed by unnaturally cracking hide. Eventually the infected dragons will go insane, driving their riders out of their wits, leading them to suicide.

Healers desperately strove to find a cure. Several herbs when mixed together seemed to help drive out the poisoning, although they were foul tasting and often caused unconsciousness or stroke in their recipients. Still, it offered help. Unfortunately, there was not enough of the medicine to go around. The sickness could be spread from human to human or dragon to dragon, but never a cross over of the breed.

Seven Turns Ago:

The entire dragonriding population of Pern had been winnowed down to two over-crowded Weyrs. They were considered safe spots, both being located on the Southern Continent where the disease had not yet reached.

As Threadfall became more prevalent, more and more dragons seemed to come down with the disease, their immune systems taxed by the constant fighting and the nipping cold of between. Impending doom spread through the Weyrs nearly as fast as the disease had. Populations continued to dwindle.

Then, there were only three golds left. The senior queen of one Weyr had been showing signs of the disease close to her time of Rising. After she Rose to mate, it was confirmed. Her hide began to crack, and the Eggs developing within her were said to be infertile.

Well, they were not. She laid a small clutch of twelve Eggs, one being a queen. The eggs were of surprising sizes, an obvious result of the fever. Most Weyrfolk believed they would not Hatch, and were half right. Come Hatching time, only seven of the Eggs Hatched, revealing two strange, new color varieties: Lavender and Rubidium.

Then, despite the odds, the queen hatched, a healthy and shining example of a gold. The Weyrs rejoiced at the sight of the healthy queen. They were suddenly silenced, however, by the betweening of the Clutchmother, who had only remained to see her children Hatch. Knowing the outcome of the fever, the queen and her rider made a final trek between before symptoms escalated to madness.

Two Turns Ago:

The newest goldpair, Alaizabel and Aevirynth, had matured healthily, untouched by the fever. They seemed to almost be immune to the disease, since the gold's Clutchmother had been stricken with the sickness.

Once Aevirynth reached maturity, the lifemates made a drastic decision. They would slip away into the night, along with approximately 20 or 30 dragons and find a Weyr in the far Northern Continent, near the oceans. They had located the perfect spot to develop a new Weyr. They went backwards in time, working to create a suitable environment. They recruited healthy Holders and Crafters, providing them with a living in the Lower Caverns.

Slowly, a new Weyr was founded, completely set apart from the rest of Pern. It was to be kept a secret from the other two Weyrs, who were without a doubt mourning the loss of their youngest queenrider. Alaizabel named the Weyr Praesto Weyr, and solemnly took an oath to help repopulate Pern with a new breed of dragons: Ones who would spring from Aevirynth's immunity. They could only hope that the gold would be fertile and that her Hatchlings would carry the same immunity in their genes.

Though Aevirynth was quite old before she rose to mate, rise she did, and was caught by Av'lii's Dashivath. A successful, twenty-four egg Hatching later, Praesto is barely clinging to survival--but it's better off than all the other Weyrs. It now has two gold dragons, possibly the only two immune to the deadly Secus, and two of the gentler lavenders.

The current weyrlings don't want to wait two years to find out whether they can repopulate Pern. Under new goldrider Elanor, they are planning to go between times to mature.

Currently:
The Weyr is nearing completion! The last dragon weyrs are being furnished. There are several unfinished staircases leading to individual weyrs, but they will be finished shortly. The Lower Caverns are also nearing completion, but residents should be wary of dead ends.