Post by Alexias on Mar 1, 2009 18:20:20 GMT -5
Major Holds of Pern
Fort Hold: located to the West of the Northern Continent, is Pern's oldest Hold. It is the location to which the Pern colonists evacuated upon abandoning the Southern Continent ten Turns (years) after arriving on Pern. Colonists Sallah Telgar and Tarvi Andiyar discovered the cave network. In Pern's early history, the colonists established a College at Fort Hold which evolved into the Harper Hall during the Second Pass. The Masterhealer is located at Fort Hold as well. During Threadfall, Fort Hold is protected by dragons from Fort Weyr.
Ruatha Hold: is believed to be Pern's second Hold, although in fact it was the third established. It is located east of Fort Hold. Colonists Peter "Red" Hanranhan and his wife Marvi established the Hold nineteen Turns after the Landing on Pern. Hanrahan's group needed to cross a difficult ford to reach their site from Fort Hold, which led to the new settlement's name: "Rua Atha" means "Red's Ford" in Gaelic. Hanrahan bred horses (runnerbeasts in Pern's idiom), and throughout Pern's history Ruatha has been known for its runnerbeasts. Ruatha also has a reputation for providing the Weyrs many famous dragonriders, particularly including queenriders. Ruatha was one of the Holds conquered by Fax in the Turns before the Ninth Pass. It is protected by Fort Weyr during Threadfall.
Southern Boll Hold: was the second Northern Hold founded, although this fact is not known to modern Pernese. It occupies the southern end of the Boll peninsula in the West of Pern, south of Fort Hold, with the Hold itself located near the peninsula's tip. Colonist Peter de Courcis established Boll Hold in the seventeenth Turn after Landing. He named it after his wife, the recently-deceased Governor Emily Boll. Boll, a hero of the Nathi War as a planetary governor, led the initial Pern colony with Admiral Paul Benden. It is not clear whether the current Hold is in the same location as de Coucis' original settlement. Southern Boll is also under the protection of Fort Weyr.
Benden Hold: is located in the East Coast of Pern's Northern Continent, with its southern reaches extending to the edge of the Nerat peninsula. The last settlers to leave the Pern's Southern Continent established the Hold Turns after the rest of Pern had moved North. They named their Hold after Admiral Paul Benden, a hero of the Nathi War, co-leader of the early colonists with Emily Boll, and original captain of the expedition that brought the colonists from Earth. Benden is best known for its wines. It is protected from Thread by Benden Weyr.
Bitra Hold: is located to Benden's northwest. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed. Avril Bitra was one of the original colonists; she died in disgrace. It seems unlikely that someone would name a settlement after her, but she did have stakeholders rights, so Bitra may have been established by her heirs. Bitra Hold is under the jurisdiction of Benden Weyr.
Lemos Hold: occupies the mountainous territory to Bitra Hold's west, approaching the center of the Northern Continent. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed, but presumably the heirs of colonist Bart Lemos established the Hold. Benden Weyr protects Lemos Hold from Thread.
High Reaches Hold: lies on Pern's Northwest Coast, in the wintry High Reaches Mountains. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed. It is under the protection of High Reaches Weyr.
Nabol Hold: is located in the center of Pern's Northern Continent. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed, but presumably the heirs of colonist Nabhi Nabol established the Hold. Nabol Hold's primary industry is mining, and it is often regarded as an unpleasant place by other of Pern's inhabitants. Fax, self-styled Lord of Seven Holds, was Nabolese. Nabol is also under the protection of High Reaches Weyr.
Tillek Hold: occupies the Tillek peninsula on the Northern Continent's West Coast, south of High Reaches Hold and west of Fort. Colonist Zi Ongola founded Tillek Hold in the twenty-second Turn after Landing, but the Hold went nameless for at least three Turns until the death of Jim Tillek. Tillek has been one of the colony leaders and captain of one of the ships that brought the colonists to Pern. Tillek also established Pern's first fishing fleet and maintained contact with the genetically enhances dolphins the colonists brought with them. Modern Tillek produces wines, but they are not as well regarded as Benden Hold's; they have been described as acidic and very unpleasant. High Reaches Weyr fights Threadfall over Tillek Hold.
Keroon Hold: sits in the prairie east of the center of Pern's Northern Continent, south of Bitra and Lemos Holds, west of the Nerat Perninsula.The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed, but presumably the Hold was established by or named in honor of Ezra Keroon. Keroon captained one of the colony ships from Earth and served the colony as a scientific advisor. Keroon Hold is known for its livestock, particularly its runnerbeasts. Keroon is under the protection of Igen Weyr.
Ista Hold: occupies the whole of Ista Island, a large, partly desert island to the Southwest of the Igen Hold coast. The name Ista comes from the initials of the four families that settled there. Due to its temperate climate and low humidity, Ista, like the American Southwest, has served as retirement destination for those suffering from the symptoms of old age. Ista Weyr, on the island, has traditionally been a place for the recuperation of injured dragons and riders. Ista Hold is protected from Threadfall by Ista Weyr.
Igen Hold: is a largely desert region in the South of Pern's Northern Continent. Although on the eastern half of the continent, Igen Hold has a long western coastline. During the Ninth Pass, sandworms infesting Igen's plains were discovered to offer some protection from Thread. Most of Igen Hold is protected from Threadfall by Ista Weyr, with parts of the Hold's rural north flown by the nearby Igen Weyr.
Nerat Hold: occupies the Nerat Peninsula on Pern's East Coast, south of Benden Hold. It is separated from Keroon Hold to the west by Nerat Bay. With its extensive coastlines on both the ocean and the bay, fish are Nerat Hold's main product. It is under the protection of Ista Weyr.
Telgar Hold: is situated at the northern end of the longitudinal center of Pern's Northern Continent. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed, but presumably it was founded by Pern colonist Telgar (née Tarvi Andiyar) and named in honor of his wife Sallah Telgar. Most of Telgar Hold is protected by Telgar Weyr, although Igen Weyr flies Thread over the southern portion of the Hold.
Crom Hold: is located in the low mountains west of Telgar Hold, north of Nabol and Ruatha Holds. The primary industry of Crom Hold is mining, and in the Ninth Pass the Masterminer is located there. A group of miners established Crom Hold near the end of the Second Interval. It is protected by the dragons of Telgar Weyr.
Note: Later Established Holds include Paradise River, Southern and Cove Holds, the last of which became home to the famous Master Robinton when he grew older in age, after his heart began to act up.
In addition to the various products mentioned above, every Major Hold save Lemos, Crom, Telgar, and Nabol have substantial seacoasts, so fishing and other maritime industries are important throughout Pern.
What is a Hold?
The Holds of Pern are where the majority of people on Pern live. There are three sizes of Hold: Major, Minor, and Cothold. Major Holds are ruled by a Lord and Lady Holder, and their family. The remainder of the residents are staff and workers who run the hold, and professional crafters. The Headwoman is in charge of the inner hold, and looks after all of the workings inside, while the Steward runs the outdoor parts of the hold. Major Holds tithe a portion of their produce to the nearest Weyr in return for protection from Thread.
Minor Holds used to be beholden to a Major Hold, and tithe to them in return for protection from Thread and other dangers. They are run by a person who bears the title of Holder, and are home to smaller numbers of people than Major Holds.
Cotholds are small, family-run holds, and usually all those who live there are family or close friends. 'Family' on Pern generally means an extended family of several generations and branches, as opposed to the nuclear family common in Western societies on our own world.
Each hold is responsible for the discipline of its wrongdoers. Most times the Lord Holder will make the wrongdoer pay restitution and service to the wronged party. The next level of punishment is incarceration. Death penalty can also be used in response to heinous crimes. One of the greatest punishments is to be named holdless. This is where a person is stripped of all rank and status and thrown out of the hold. The most severe punishment of all is exile, usually to the island archipelago known as the Eastern Ring Islands. The reason this is the most severe punishment is because the holdless have nowhere to go during Threadfall and have no other human contact. It is established in Dragon's Fire that the holdless are marked on their foreheads with an indelible dye for identification.
Fort Hold: located to the West of the Northern Continent, is Pern's oldest Hold. It is the location to which the Pern colonists evacuated upon abandoning the Southern Continent ten Turns (years) after arriving on Pern. Colonists Sallah Telgar and Tarvi Andiyar discovered the cave network. In Pern's early history, the colonists established a College at Fort Hold which evolved into the Harper Hall during the Second Pass. The Masterhealer is located at Fort Hold as well. During Threadfall, Fort Hold is protected by dragons from Fort Weyr.
Ruatha Hold: is believed to be Pern's second Hold, although in fact it was the third established. It is located east of Fort Hold. Colonists Peter "Red" Hanranhan and his wife Marvi established the Hold nineteen Turns after the Landing on Pern. Hanrahan's group needed to cross a difficult ford to reach their site from Fort Hold, which led to the new settlement's name: "Rua Atha" means "Red's Ford" in Gaelic. Hanrahan bred horses (runnerbeasts in Pern's idiom), and throughout Pern's history Ruatha has been known for its runnerbeasts. Ruatha also has a reputation for providing the Weyrs many famous dragonriders, particularly including queenriders. Ruatha was one of the Holds conquered by Fax in the Turns before the Ninth Pass. It is protected by Fort Weyr during Threadfall.
Southern Boll Hold: was the second Northern Hold founded, although this fact is not known to modern Pernese. It occupies the southern end of the Boll peninsula in the West of Pern, south of Fort Hold, with the Hold itself located near the peninsula's tip. Colonist Peter de Courcis established Boll Hold in the seventeenth Turn after Landing. He named it after his wife, the recently-deceased Governor Emily Boll. Boll, a hero of the Nathi War as a planetary governor, led the initial Pern colony with Admiral Paul Benden. It is not clear whether the current Hold is in the same location as de Coucis' original settlement. Southern Boll is also under the protection of Fort Weyr.
Benden Hold: is located in the East Coast of Pern's Northern Continent, with its southern reaches extending to the edge of the Nerat peninsula. The last settlers to leave the Pern's Southern Continent established the Hold Turns after the rest of Pern had moved North. They named their Hold after Admiral Paul Benden, a hero of the Nathi War, co-leader of the early colonists with Emily Boll, and original captain of the expedition that brought the colonists from Earth. Benden is best known for its wines. It is protected from Thread by Benden Weyr.
Bitra Hold: is located to Benden's northwest. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed. Avril Bitra was one of the original colonists; she died in disgrace. It seems unlikely that someone would name a settlement after her, but she did have stakeholders rights, so Bitra may have been established by her heirs. Bitra Hold is under the jurisdiction of Benden Weyr.
Lemos Hold: occupies the mountainous territory to Bitra Hold's west, approaching the center of the Northern Continent. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed, but presumably the heirs of colonist Bart Lemos established the Hold. Benden Weyr protects Lemos Hold from Thread.
High Reaches Hold: lies on Pern's Northwest Coast, in the wintry High Reaches Mountains. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed. It is under the protection of High Reaches Weyr.
Nabol Hold: is located in the center of Pern's Northern Continent. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed, but presumably the heirs of colonist Nabhi Nabol established the Hold. Nabol Hold's primary industry is mining, and it is often regarded as an unpleasant place by other of Pern's inhabitants. Fax, self-styled Lord of Seven Holds, was Nabolese. Nabol is also under the protection of High Reaches Weyr.
Tillek Hold: occupies the Tillek peninsula on the Northern Continent's West Coast, south of High Reaches Hold and west of Fort. Colonist Zi Ongola founded Tillek Hold in the twenty-second Turn after Landing, but the Hold went nameless for at least three Turns until the death of Jim Tillek. Tillek has been one of the colony leaders and captain of one of the ships that brought the colonists to Pern. Tillek also established Pern's first fishing fleet and maintained contact with the genetically enhances dolphins the colonists brought with them. Modern Tillek produces wines, but they are not as well regarded as Benden Hold's; they have been described as acidic and very unpleasant. High Reaches Weyr fights Threadfall over Tillek Hold.
Keroon Hold: sits in the prairie east of the center of Pern's Northern Continent, south of Bitra and Lemos Holds, west of the Nerat Perninsula.The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed, but presumably the Hold was established by or named in honor of Ezra Keroon. Keroon captained one of the colony ships from Earth and served the colony as a scientific advisor. Keroon Hold is known for its livestock, particularly its runnerbeasts. Keroon is under the protection of Igen Weyr.
Ista Hold: occupies the whole of Ista Island, a large, partly desert island to the Southwest of the Igen Hold coast. The name Ista comes from the initials of the four families that settled there. Due to its temperate climate and low humidity, Ista, like the American Southwest, has served as retirement destination for those suffering from the symptoms of old age. Ista Weyr, on the island, has traditionally been a place for the recuperation of injured dragons and riders. Ista Hold is protected from Threadfall by Ista Weyr.
Igen Hold: is a largely desert region in the South of Pern's Northern Continent. Although on the eastern half of the continent, Igen Hold has a long western coastline. During the Ninth Pass, sandworms infesting Igen's plains were discovered to offer some protection from Thread. Most of Igen Hold is protected from Threadfall by Ista Weyr, with parts of the Hold's rural north flown by the nearby Igen Weyr.
Nerat Hold: occupies the Nerat Peninsula on Pern's East Coast, south of Benden Hold. It is separated from Keroon Hold to the west by Nerat Bay. With its extensive coastlines on both the ocean and the bay, fish are Nerat Hold's main product. It is under the protection of Ista Weyr.
Telgar Hold: is situated at the northern end of the longitudinal center of Pern's Northern Continent. The circumstances of its founding have not been revealed, but presumably it was founded by Pern colonist Telgar (née Tarvi Andiyar) and named in honor of his wife Sallah Telgar. Most of Telgar Hold is protected by Telgar Weyr, although Igen Weyr flies Thread over the southern portion of the Hold.
Crom Hold: is located in the low mountains west of Telgar Hold, north of Nabol and Ruatha Holds. The primary industry of Crom Hold is mining, and in the Ninth Pass the Masterminer is located there. A group of miners established Crom Hold near the end of the Second Interval. It is protected by the dragons of Telgar Weyr.
Note: Later Established Holds include Paradise River, Southern and Cove Holds, the last of which became home to the famous Master Robinton when he grew older in age, after his heart began to act up.
In addition to the various products mentioned above, every Major Hold save Lemos, Crom, Telgar, and Nabol have substantial seacoasts, so fishing and other maritime industries are important throughout Pern.
What is a Hold?
The Holds of Pern are where the majority of people on Pern live. There are three sizes of Hold: Major, Minor, and Cothold. Major Holds are ruled by a Lord and Lady Holder, and their family. The remainder of the residents are staff and workers who run the hold, and professional crafters. The Headwoman is in charge of the inner hold, and looks after all of the workings inside, while the Steward runs the outdoor parts of the hold. Major Holds tithe a portion of their produce to the nearest Weyr in return for protection from Thread.
Minor Holds used to be beholden to a Major Hold, and tithe to them in return for protection from Thread and other dangers. They are run by a person who bears the title of Holder, and are home to smaller numbers of people than Major Holds.
Cotholds are small, family-run holds, and usually all those who live there are family or close friends. 'Family' on Pern generally means an extended family of several generations and branches, as opposed to the nuclear family common in Western societies on our own world.
Each hold is responsible for the discipline of its wrongdoers. Most times the Lord Holder will make the wrongdoer pay restitution and service to the wronged party. The next level of punishment is incarceration. Death penalty can also be used in response to heinous crimes. One of the greatest punishments is to be named holdless. This is where a person is stripped of all rank and status and thrown out of the hold. The most severe punishment of all is exile, usually to the island archipelago known as the Eastern Ring Islands. The reason this is the most severe punishment is because the holdless have nowhere to go during Threadfall and have no other human contact. It is established in Dragon's Fire that the holdless are marked on their foreheads with an indelible dye for identification.