Shih Lao was a colonist, a doctor and one of the original eighteen dragonriders of Pern during the First Pass. His dragon was bronze Firth. As the custom of shortening rider names began to develop, Torene decided that nothing could be done about Shih Lao's name; her queen Alaranth promptly named him "S'lao." Whether or not he adopted that name is unclear.
During the Second Pass, records which had been recorded by Dr. Lao were found which indicated that the mortality rate, due to heart failure or stroke, was high in Thread injuries. That was felt to be due to the fact that, on occasion, patients who had received slight scores that were successfully treated would die from the pathological trauma of being scored.
Appearance and personality[]
Prior to Impressing Firth, Shih usually had a pensive look on his face. After impression, he went about with smiles on his face.