has a much higher intelligence compared to that of many other dragons, and always knows when as well as where he is in time and space. Orlith (gold), ridden by Sixth Pass Fort Weyrwoman Moreta, who is one of the most famous dragonriders of Pernese history. Moreta's deeds are celebrated in the well-known song "The Ballad of Moreta's Ride." Faranth (gold), ridden by First Pass Fort Weyrwoman Sorka Hanrahan; Faranth is not the first queen to hatch, mate or lay eggs (she was actually one of the last of her clutch) but she is the first Senior Gold, ridden by the first Weyrwoman. By later Passes, her status is confused with being the first gold in existence. Although Pern has no real religious beliefs, Faranth comes to occupy ambiguous status in later Pernese culture; "by the egg of Faranth" is a common oath. Path (green), ridden by Mirrim of Benden Weyr during the Ninth Pass. Path is the first green in several centuries to Impress to a female rider, picking Mirrim when she was not a Candidate. Zaranth (green), ridden by Tai of Monaco Bay after the ending of the Ninth Pass. Zaranth is the first Pernese dragon to consciously use telekinesis and communicate this ability to other dragons. Golanth (bronze), ridden by F'lessan, son of Lessa and F'lar at the end of the Ninth Pass. F'lessan and Golanth are the first to create a Weyrhold -specifically Honshū Weyrhold- where dragons and their riders can live in smaller groups once Thread no longer falls on Pern, without relying on tithes. Notes Further reading Anne McCaffrey: A Critical Companion by Robin Roberts, Greenwood Press (1996) Of Modern Dragons and Other Essays on Genre Fiction by John Lennard, Humanities-Ebooks (2008) Dragonholder: The Life and Dreams (So Far) of Anne McCaffrey by Todd McCaffrey, Open Road Media (2014) The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern by Jody Lynn Nye, Random House (1997) Magill's Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature: The absolute at large ed by T.A. Schippey, Salem Press (1996) Dragons of Fantasy: The Scaly Villains & Heroes of Tolkien, Rowling, Mccaffrey, Pratchett & Other Fantasy Greats! by Anne C. Petty, Cold Spring Press (2004) References External links —one of McCaffrey's best-known statements regarding dragon and rider sexuality. An Interview with Anne McCaffrey—among other topics, McCaffrey explains her beliefs about homosexuality. Dragonriders of Pern Fictional dragons Fictional lizards Fictional extraterrestrial life forms Genetic engineering