Set three turns before the return of Thread after the first Long Interval, Before the Fall is a strict canon-base, traditionalist, play by post rpg.

Almost 200 turns ago, Thread failed to fall from the skies, raining down it’s deadly enemy. Some say that Thread would never fall again, while the dragonriders never stood down its vigilante watch over the skies.

However, it was a mixed blessing that Thread never came. Towards the end of the Lost Pass (as it was come to be known), a terrible airborne flu stuck at the lands of Pern. Dragonriders and Holders alike fell victim to the deadly disease, killing off almost a quarter of the population. To those that rode dragons, the loss was even more devastating. Only four Queens survived the epidemic, with only two of those Queens still in the prime of their fertile time. The Weyrs struggled with what to do, but soon it became clear that they would have to consolidate their numbers. Closing down first Ista and High Reaches, and then Igen and Telgar when their Queens failed to rise or produce a Queen to replace them. They watched as their numbers dwindle, as more riders died than eggs being laid.

Fast forwards almost 150 turns, Fort is beginning to once again fill those long empty weyrs. Boasting and unheard of five golds, the weyr prospect is once again a good one. However, things aren’t always what they seem. Unknown to all but a few the Senior Weyrwomen is slowing dying, and the oldest Junior is quickly coming to the end of her prime fertile turns. Rumors are flying that the Weyr Council will be opening up High Reaches soon, and, much like Telgar, that it will be Fort that will be supplying her with its Weyrwomen. Rider and Resident alike are jostling to either be picked to go or to stay.

There is a change on wind and the Weyr knows it. But with the Red Star looming ever closer, some wonder if this change is a good thing.