Brownie Points

The brown dragon is the third-largest color and is always male. Though generally smaller than bronzes and much smaller than golds, the largest browns are able to rival the smallest bronzes for wingspan and nose-to-tail length. However, bronzes are still, pound-for-pound, stronger and faster, hence why only bronzes chase and catch the golden queens in canon. One brown and his rider considered it, but he was literally the largest brown ever to live, and he only had a chance because in his time most of the bronzes had come forward in time from 400 years ago, thus being smaller and less intelligent than the dragons of Canth's time. Only against such inferior bronzes did even the biggest, smartest brown ever have a fighting chance. And he never got to try, either, due to the death of the gold that Canth wanted to fly for. Browns are significantly more common than the metallic colors (bronze and gold) but still the least common of the nonbreeding colors (brown, blue, and green). As such, they do not have the innate authority that metallics do (whether by telepathic might as of a queen or the social deference given a bronze) but they are universally respected and generally well-liked in their Weyrs. Browns are regarded as steady, dependable dragons with a tenacious work ethic and superior physical stamina. Though not quick or clever enough to catch a mating gold, they routinely catch the smaller green females, and they are the only non-metallic dragon with the physical stamina to last out a full six-hour Threadfall, making them invaluable in the fighting wings as officers. Though most of the Wingleadership positions go to bronzes and their riders, any Wingleader that is not a bronze will certainly be a brown. Young and unproven or unusually irresponsible bronzes may be Wingseconds as well, but the majority holding this rank are browns. There are too few browns for them to be truly critical to the fighting wings in terms of their combat ability, but their endurance and leadership qualities make them invaluable. Aside from his daring to consider mating with a queen, the brown named Canth was also remarkable in that he and his rider F'nor were the first known pair to travel between to the surface of the planet known as the Red Star. They were severely injured, but survived their wounds. Browns are not given as much attention in the series as golds and bronzes, though, so there are few others named and worthy of mention in canon. In fandom, however, there are many wonderful and remarkable brown-pairs worthy of note - they know who they are. *wink*

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