All the Weyrs of Pern characters

Also known as Artificial Intelligence Voice-Address System

Appears from the start

The intelligent computer left at Landing by Pern's original colonists and recently awakened after thousands of years. AIVAS holds scientific records, teaching programs, and a detailed understanding of Thread, and presents itself as an adviser whose purpose is to help Pern complete the work for which it was built.

Also known as Lord Jaxom

Appears from the start

The Lord Holder of Ruatha and rider of the unique white dragon Ruth. Jaxom has grown from an unconventional boy into a leader trusted by both Hold and Weyr, and his curiosity about ancient Landing makes him one of AIVAS's most committed students.

Appears from the start

Jaxom's small white dragon, intelligent, confident, and unusually exact about where and when he is. Ruth's command of between and his rapport with fire-lizards give him abilities that may matter as much as the strength of a larger dragon.

Appears from the start

Benden Weyrleader and rider of bronze Mnementh. F'lar united the Weyrs against the returning Thread and has spent decades pressing Pern's traditional institutions to cooperate and change. AIVAS now offers the permanent victory he has always wanted.

Appears from the start

Benden Weyrwoman and rider of the senior queen Ramoth. Lessa's daring journey into the past saved Pern at the beginning of the Pass; she remains a formidable political leader who weighs AIVAS's promises against her duty to dragons and riders.

Also known as Masterharper Robinton

Appears from the start

Pern's Masterharper and its most widely trusted diplomat. Robinton has long used music, education, and personal persuasion to bridge the divisions among Weyr, Hold, and Craft, and he greets AIVAS's recovered knowledge with delighted curiosity.

Appears from the start

A harper, explorer, and former apprentice of Robinton who helped uncover Landing's secrets. Piemur is resourceful, irreverent toward rank, and well suited to practical work that crosses the boundaries between crafts.

Appears from the start

A skilled Smithcraft journeywoman and Master Fandarel's granddaughter. Jancis combines technical discipline with the flexibility to learn from AIVAS, and she works closely with Piemur on converting ancient instruction into tools Pern can actually build.

Also known as Master Fandarel

Appears from the start

The head of the Smithcraft, renowned for patient reasoning and large-scale engineering. Fandarel sees AIVAS as a teacher capable of advancing Pernese craft, while insisting that plans be translated into sound materials and repeatable work.

Appears from the start

A gifted harper and composer whose fire-lizards helped reveal the intelligence of Pern's small dragons. Menolly is close to Robinton and contributes both musical insight and practical loyalty to the circle working at Landing.

Appears from the start

A senior harper and Menolly's partner, trained by Robinton in the Hall's diplomatic as well as musical work. Sebell helps maintain communication and trust while AIVAS's lessons create excitement and resistance across Pern.

Appears from the start

Jaxom's wife, a healer from the Southern Continent and Lady Holder of Ruatha. Sharra understands both Jaxom's physical limits and his need to take part in work that joins his responsibilities as rider and Holder.

Appears from the start

Jaxom's former guardian and a onetime dragonrider who became Ruatha's steward after losing his dragon. Lytol brings personal knowledge of both Weyr and Hold to Landing and treats the colonists' recovered history with grave attention.

Appears from the start

A retired Weyrleader who came from the past with the Oldtimer dragonriders but chose cooperation over their later isolation. D'ram offers experience, patience, and a perspective spanning very different periods of Weyr custom.

Appears from the start

A bronze rider entrusted with leading one of Pern's newer Weyrs. T'gellan belongs to the generation prepared to work across old regional divisions and to test the unfamiliar methods AIVAS proposes.

Also known as Masterglass-smith Norist

First appears in chapter 6

The conservative head of the Glasscraft. Norist distrusts AIVAS and fears that sudden dependence on ancient machines will overturn the authority, skills, and social order the Crafts have preserved.