The duties of the Roc Wing are to transport goods and people for the Weyr and nearby holds. They are often called on to move those things which are time-sensitive, or to transport people from one place to another. It is this wing that is on call to the Harper and Healer Halls, as well as Fort Hold, should anyone need to go anywhere.
Wingleader: Vacant
Wingsecond: A'deo - blue Xaventh
Name Origin:
Named for the giant bird that could lift enormous loads in its talons, the relation to transporting goods is fairly obvious. Formerly, this wing was known as Garnet Wing.
Wing Badge:
Fort Weyr's diamond-shaped badge is a black fort on a brown background. Roc riders have the symbol of their wing, a sharply curved talon, set just above the battlements.
Function:
Roc wing's primary duties consist of the transport of goods and people in and out of Fort Weyr. They oversee the timing, coordination and tracking of the vast amount of goods that flow in and out. As such, they have a fairly close working relationship with Phoenix wing in organizing and planning for the Weyr's needs. If you need something shipped, large or small, it will eventually have to pass through the manifest logs of Roc wing. In addition to shipping goods, Roc wing also transports people. Naturally, any dragon can perform this duty on a limited basis but Roc wing handles the bulk of the workload for the routine transport of residents in and out as well as the not-so-routine transport of important visitors.
Training:
Roc wingriders are a breed onto themselves. Usually, Weyrling pairs who show exceptional physical stamina and strength coupled with organizational skills, punctuality, and confidentiality are quietly encouraged into this wing. The strength and stamina training continues for members of this wing once they are accepted. Roc wingriders take special oaths of confidentiality to protect the privacy of their packages. There are many packages that can't go /between/, so special relays have to be set up where the package is passed along to reliable dragons along a route. Timetables need to be kept spot on to ensure that, for example, the food for a feast doesn't arrive late. Team coordination is also drilled extensively. After all, if one member of your relay doesn't show up at the relay point at the right time, it might jeopardize a shipment.
Injuries
Roc wing suffers injuries more often than most wings. Generally over-straining of either rider or dragon is the most common cause. It's easy for less-experienced Roc riders to stretch themselves and their dragons to make that last critical shipment of the day. It's rumored that occasionally riders in this wing suffer mental trauma because they 'time it' on occasion, though every last member of the wing would say that's absolutely false. Roc's reputation for getting things there on time is more a matter of careful planning, but that can also result in hazardous weather damage too, such as cracked hide from hail abrasions. Sleep deprivation is also frequently seen in this wing. Much of the relentless work of this wing is done at night and there is pressure for some inexperienced members to get up earlier than they need in order to get ahead of the timetable.
Notes:
Roc wingriders, as a group, have historically downplayed their importance to the Weyr. However, those who really know how a Weyr works appreciate the efforts of this wing like no other. Chances are if you've got a package in your hands or food on the table, you've got a Roc wing member to thank for it. But, Roc members typically don't brag much. They quietly handle the most sensitive cargo from time to time and they do their best not to draw attention to themselves.
