The Aikatans control most of Pern. A religious group of humans that truly believe that AIVAS was a God, and that the Dragons betrayed him - the Aikatans have all but wiped out the dragon population. Driven from their homes and forced to flee or die, for centuries, Dragons have struggled to survive. Their cousins, the Whers and the Firelizards are believed to be extinct, having been hunted so much that none have been seen for centuries. Dragonriders of murdered dragons have been treated like dirt, and the sympathisers of the dragons have been prevented from gaining any rank.
A New Overlord for the North has ascended the throne - he is said to thirst for dragon blood more than any previous leader. Everything on Pern has changed, and for the dragons, it seems to be for the worst.
Until a plucky blue dragon is contacted by the Holders of Nvaedan - a Hold entirely full of Vyaran believers and Dragon sympathisers. They have a Weyr, abandoned since it's construction that dates back to Landing, and are willing for the dragons to reside there. It takes time, but eventually dragons of all five colours are safely brought to the Weyr, and the old Gold Rises and clutches for her last time. Twenty Five eggs and eleven dragons is all that seems to remain of the Dragon Kin. And they are angry.