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Our Holds are all currently NPC since, let's face it, Holds are hard to keep going when people would rather play with dragons. When we have sufficient membership to maintain one, we'll take a vote on which Hold the members are most interested in opening up. Also, if you see that we've missed anything, or if you have a minor Hold bouncing around in your head and would like a blurb on it, speak up. Players make this world.
Fort Hold. Ruled by Lord Barol, the full brother of one of Fort's ex-Weyrwoman, Masena, Fort Hold is in many ways worse than Fort Weyr. Without the restraint forced by the presence of dragons and responsibilities to defend the land, Barol can take his ideas further. He is, frankly, a bully, and a sometimes homocidal one at that. His Hold is prosperous, so the Council does not question him, but safety comes only from toeing the line.
Southern Boll. Located in the comfortable sub-tropics, South-Boll has the benefits of barely-existant winters without the scorching heat of more southernly summers. Few PCs have come from here as yet, so it has little character of its own.
Ruatha (NPC, unplayable). Ruatha is ... Ruatha. The place of legends. The place of runners. The place we're not going to play in. Your persona can come from here if you wish, but really, why? Trust us, being Ruathan-born doesn't make your character more special, or more likely to Impress.
Fort Seahold. Currently ruled by young Andolon, warder for the adolescent Lady Zoa and her infant nephew Zaran. The line of Holders at this wealthy Hold claims kinship to those of Fort, Nabol, and High Reaches. It is the most important trading port on the peninsula, and customary port of call for ships heading north or south.
Ferndale Hold. Ferndale is a heavy transportation center between Fort and Ruatha. And they definitely capitalize off of their trees. The current Lord Holder is trying to play politics with Lord Barol and their other neighbors since he fears Barol will not support him in Council. They've had a few go to the Weyr and Impress, but nothing special to note. Residents from here are usually a cheerful, hardworking sort.
Bending Stream. Bending Stream isn't really worthy of the name "Hold," and doesn't claim to be. It's a collection of cotholds clustered together in the elbow of a winding stream that must travel many a mile more before it becomes a river. It has no Holder; anything requiring a single leader is handled by an elected Headman. Its residents travel mostly to and from market, and rarely any other time. Some have been Searched, and a few have Impressed, but most Searchriders overlook it.
Crafthalls Nearby: Fort Harperhall Containing Healer Hall
Leadership:Lord Holder Barol & Lady Holder Lepra
Barol's Bloodline is a mix of Fortian, Crom, and Ruathan. Lepra is a mix of
Lemos and Nabolese.
Location: Fort Hold is a road and stairs away from the Weyr, situated on top of the mountain range nearby in the middle of the peninsula accomodating South Boll, Ruatha, and Fort on the western side of the northern continent. Down a ways from it is Fort Sea Hold.
Climate: Fort Hold has a temperate climate, like that of the Weyr. In the winters, it snows and otherwise, it’s quite akin to seasons in the mid to northern United States. In the heat of summer, it’s very hot, though.
History: Fort Hold is the first Hold of Pern. It was originally designed to hold the evacuees from Landing after the they volcanic eruption. It was cut from the mountain face and the natural caverns were used blatantly by the stonecutters. It quickly became overcrowded, though, and people began leaving. First to create Ruatha Hold, then South Boll, then other Holds as time passed. Fort was the seat for the Oldtimers for a long time, and continues to be one of the most traditional Holds on Pern. Throughout the Turns, it’s remained one of the most showy places as well. Of course the Bloodline is carefully maintained and it’s probably one of the most easily tracked out of all the Holds. It’s been careful to keep descendants to the Lord Holdership direct. Otherwise the Hold has come through its hard winters and hot summers intact even if Lord Barol maintains a rule of terror there now.
Building Info: Fort Hold’s main Hold is cut directly from the palisade behind it. There are natural caves the stonecutters used in construction of the place. Leading up to the gates is the ramp, complete with the slant and steps. The main Hold has gates, then a courtyard, then the Hold itself. Once you enter the Hold, you find yourself in the entry that leads to the Great Hall. There are living quarters everywhere, though the Lord Holder’s apartments are something else entirely. Metal spiral staircases came from the colony ships. The offices are located on the first floor, obviously. The Hold’s main doors are solid copper, and each window is outfitted with metal shutters. There are natural caves used for storage. Fort cotholds are also made of pure stone wit slate roofs. Fort’s heating system is thermal, like the Weyr. Artesian wells and surface water allow for plumbing for sinks and baths. Natural chimneys provide ventilation. The beasthold is situated within ground level caves.
Economy: Fort Hold has grain fields and also manufactures many fabrics. These are made of cotton and sisal. Varieties include: velvet, denim and terry cloth. Clothing may be fur lined, weaved of grasses and decorated with gold and silver leaf or stones. They’ve also got a small vineyard.
Transportation Info:Fort Hold’s roads are made to resemble the Roman roads of Terra. They have drainage trenches, are stone, but have cobbles up near the Hold. The road to the Weyr is made of gravel and takes a day’s ride to reach the Weyr by runner. The tithe trains use it also. There are roads from Fort to Ruatha, to South Boll, and to Fort SeaHold. It’s also not far from Ferndale.
Population:Within the Hold, there are approximately 750-900 people, but within its territory there are more than 10,000 looking to the Hold’s administration.
Crafthalls Nearby: Weavercraft Hall, Glasscraft Hall, small minecrafthold
Leadership:Lord Holder Haybon & Lady Holder Kolia
Haybon's Bloodline is a mix of Southern Boll, Nerat, and Keroon. Kolia came
to him from Benden, though she has some Lemos blood in her.
Location: Southern Boll is at the southern part of the western peninsula. It’s reachable by water at Hold Gar and by road for people and runners, so naturally many come here to vacation, see the Weaverhall, or to visit and stay.
Climate: Best described as tropical. It’s hot, humid, and breezy.
History: Southern Boll was established by Governor Emily Boll to the South of Fort for its lovely climate. It thrived thanks to the enormous growth of vegetation as well as the help of the stonecutters to create habitable buildings for the holders to live in. Things continued easily for the Southerners, until they experienced a typhoon, cutting back population slightly in the Second Pass. They got through the sometimes hard weather though, and continued to branch out with minor holds and cotholds. It was here that the northerners first started to find flit eggs. And thus, Southern Bollers started to search for the little creatures to sell. They found a viable market but when the eggs started to disappear, the flitters started laying elsewhere and the number of pets dropped off. There are still more flits here than Fort and the other northern Holds, though, except for Nerat and Ista. Things continued much of the same until Lord Holder Haybon’s father took hold. He began construction to extend the Hold all the way to the ocean so they would have water access for ease of trading and travel. Haybon has continued this dream, though it has been hard going. Many wonder if it will ever happen, but this Lord Holder will certainly keep trying or his descendants will.
Building Info: Thanks to the stonecutters, the main Hold is also stone. Furniture is mostly metal supports with vines twisted around them like wicker. Leather slings and hammocks are often seen in the climate and for chairs. The beasthold is huge and there are outside kitchen areas to keep the heat from causing exhaustion covered with stone awnings. Of course, there’s glass everywhere as well as rich tapestries, curtains, and rugs. The Hold is made up of three buildings situated on a courtyard. The Main Hold is where the Great Hall is, as well as stores, the dining hall, the Lord Holder’s offices, and the drudge’s quarters. The two smaller buildings are for living quarters, one for crafters and transients, the other for Holders. They’re equipped with plumbing and a ventilation system that is thanks to the hydropower plants hidden beneath the Hold.
Economy: What is it that Southern Boll can’t provide? They’ve got numerous amounts of tropical fruits and other food stuffs that seem to pop up out of the ground. Medicinal herbs and rare cooking herbs can also be found here. They have sand the glasscrafters take advantage of, respectable stones the minecrafters send elsewhere, and of course wines, teas, and fruit liquors. The weaverhall is the fashion seat of Pern, as well.
Transportation Info: Southern Boll is actually a very isolated Hold, but that may change thanks to Lord Haybon’s efforts. The roads there are terraced, meaning wagons don’t go the full way there. Right now, people on ship weigh in at Hold Gar, north of South Boll, then make their way to the Hold on foot.
Population: Due to the weather, the population of Southern Boll is one of the largest on Pern, despite its isolation.
Crafthalls Nearby: Beastcrafthall
Leadership:Lord Holder Kitel & Lady Holder Berelia
Kitel's Bloodline is a mix of Ruathan, Crom, and Telgar. The Lady Holder
came to him from High Reaches Hold, but her mother was from Igen Hold.
Location: Ruatha is two days ride from Fort Hold. It’s a day from Ruatha River Hold, south of it. If one goes north, they’d likely reach Nabol by road, though it would be plenty of time before they did. Ferndale is right nearby, though and the two Holds are constantly in contact.
Climate: Ruatha does have cold winters like Fort, but its summers are warm and breezy, a lovely combination for the huge runner gathers it holds during that time.
History: Founded by Red Hanrahan after Fort Hold became too crowded, Ruatha Hold became a center for veterinary research and breeding. It was a planned Hold and has room for plenty of expansion and still does. Hanrahan’s daughter, Sorka, became the first Weyrwoman of Pern at Fort Weyr, his grandson the first Weyrleader of Benden Weyr, and later Ruatha Hold contributed many more dragonriders to the ranks of the Weyrs. Lord Alessan’s sister, Impressed gold, as well as his descendant, Lessa, rider of gold Ramoth and Weyrwoman of Benden Weyr. Ruatha’s people went with Fort’s dragons to found Benden Weyr after things became crowded in Fort Weyr. Hanrahan continued his breeding programs, providing the livestock to feed Fort Hold. Then turns went by and the plague came. Lord Alessan was able to save the runners he’d bred for racing. This began Ruatha’s racing history that continues until this day.
Building Info: Buildings are stone as with the other Holds in the region. There are caverns used for the beasthold, storage, and other things such as cold keeping for the meat. The road comes up to a wall and gates with a tower overlooking the courtyard behind. There are large stables, as well as a kitchen complex separate from the Hold, but connected by a walkway. Ruatha’s women’s quarters are over the kitchens. The Hold also boasts several mini craftholds. As with many Holds, there is a den for the watchwher near the main doors, to the left of the ramp leading to them from the courtyard. Ruatha’s additions over the turns are done on the outside. Inside, its warrens aren’t as elaborate as Fort’s but they are built into the mountain. It has drum heights on the side of the mountain like Fort and it boasts a racetrack built by Lord Alessan.
Economy: Ruatha’s sole living is made off of its runnerbeasts and other livestock, though the smaller crafts do contribute a bit to things. The lush valley fed by the river is able to provide them with ample agricultural opportunities, even if they get most of their vegetables and cultivated food from Fort Hold, trading meat back instead.
Transportation Info: There’s a road from Fort Hold and another leading north to Nabol. Ruatha can also be reached by the river, though there are rapids to beware in places when it’s storming. And of course Ferndale is right below Ruatha River Hold.
Population: Ruatha can hold much more than it does like most of the major Holds, but it currently houses about 600 people.
Crafthalls Nearby: It houses the Seacraft and Fishercraft, though there is a woodcraft hall to support the Seacraft in its shipbuilding.
Leadership:Lord Holder Andolon & Lady Holder Zoa
Zoa's Bloodline is a mix of Fortian, Nabolese, and High Reaches. Her nephew,
Zaran, will Hold when he’s old enough.
Location: Fort Sea Hold is located southwest of Fort Hold. It’s directly on the harbor. Roads lead from it to Fort Hold and South Boll, but many come there by ship from Tillek, South Boll, and High Reaches.
Climate: Ocean breezes keep things cool here, and breezy. Life does get harsher when winter comes, forcing the water to get icy cold at times. All in all, though, Fort Seahold has desirable weather, for a seaman who lives there.
History: As people branched out of Fort Hold, the harbor area
quickly grew. Established as the main shipping point for Fort Hold, Tillek
Hold, South Boll, and other Holds along the way, more and more people came
to work there. As the population grew, housing was built to accommodate the
people. They even built great shipbuilding caverns and shipyards in addition
to the docks, piers, and moorings that are commonplace here. Time passed and
the fishers and seacrafters set up permanent Halls, giving their support to
establish Fort Seahold as an independent holding. The Conclave approved the
motion and the Hold became independent in its own right.
Centuries later, Lady Zoa’s father was injured in a shipping accident and
she awaits her nephew to come of age. The Conclave approved the young
Andolon to Hold as warder for Zaran, even as he finds himself falling fast
in love with Lady Zoa.
Building Info: Like Fort Hold, the buildings here are almost completely made of stone. Windows are outfitted with metal shutters. However, some of the buildings overlooking the harbor are curiously newly made to be entirely of glass on the sides for a beautiful view as people dine. The docking caverns and areas where drying timbers are stored are underneath the Hold, with access to the harbor. The cliff face that the Hold sits atop provides access to the caverns below by a natural stair that has been safely improved with railings. The shipyards are carved out of another side of this cliff face, connected to the docking caverns by a passageway. They are large indeed with wooden supports in the ceilings. The Hold’s buildings are set up in three floors, with two main buildings connected by a main corridor between them. The first building houses the dining hall, kitchens, stores, living quarters, and healer area. The second is where the Harbormaster’s apartments, the Lord Holder’s apartments, administrative offices, crafter quarters, and the beasthold are. The fire heights are easily visible and the drum tower is on the roof of the first second building.
Economy: Obviously, Fort Seahold is home to the shipping industry it shares with Tillek. However it’s also known for its delicious seafood it ships to inland holds such as Fort and Ruatha.
Transportation Info: Usually people get here by sea, but there is a land road from Fort Hold and South Boll.
Population: Fort Seahold has a large transient population due to its shipping business. As such, the Hold could support up to a thousand folks at a time, even if there are only about 700 tops there at once. In the winters, its population usually heads south to South Boll or elsewhere. In the summers, though, it’s a thriving place to be.
Crafthalls Nearby: A small woodcraft hall
Leadership:Lord Holder Jartor & Lady Holder Reswene
Jartor's Bloodline is a mix of Fortian, South Boll, and Tillek. Reswene is
of Istan stock, surprisingly.
Location: Ferndale is north of Fort Weyr, between it and Ruatha, situated at the base of the mountain range. The same distance from the east coast as the Weyr is.
Climate: Due to the mountains, Ferndale does have cool winters, but the winds aren't horrible since the mountains tend to shield the Hold from them. Summers and springs can get pretty festive thanks to the ocean breezes and great trees, which are also easy for crops.
History: Ferndale was originally a cothold beholden to Ruatha
Hold. Of course, over the turns, the Fort Holders claimed it was closer to
their lands. It switched hands, as the cotholders married into different
families and different bloods. Finally, after the woodcraft hall was built
nearby, things began to change. Ferndale now had a commodity to trade: their
skybrooms and the other great trees nestled around the foothills. Trade
increased, the Hold began to make a profit. They also worked with the
Ruathan runnerline since they were still beholden to Ruatha. As the turns
passed, though, Ferndale began to become a stop on the road to Ruatha from
Fort and vice versa. The holders capitalized on it by having gathers and
increasing output from Hold crafters. Elaborate displays certainly attracted
the crowds. And Ferndale began making a name for itself. It wasn't long
before the Conclave voted to make it a Hold in its own right. Ferndale had
expanded into a modest holding after all, and had the potential to become as
large as its neighbors.
The oldest gentleman of the family who had settled the cothold was chosen as
Lord Holder. His name was Toclin. Then the right was passed through his
sons. Ferndale did expand, as well as the woodcraft hall nearby. Now Lord
Jartor keeps his holders, crafters, and staff safe from thread, as will his
son after him. Or at least he hopes he has a son.
Building Info: Ferndale's main hold is hewn stone, though the expansions that come out of the mountains are wood, with a metal roof and shutters for every window, as well as metal doors. There is no courtyard like Fort, though Ferndale can boast of an expansive underground water reservoir pumped up from the caverns below the mountains. The Hold itself is four stories, though the storage caverns are basement level, which is below it, connected by a passageway that goes underground into the mountain itself. Outside of the mountain, there are several buildings. Cotholds, the beasthold, a runner station, and even a small smithworks for runner shoes, harnesses, and the like are all outside of the main hold, looking upon the road that leads to the main entrance. There are fields for farming behind the beasthold, convenient since the manure is used for fertilizer. The main thing, though, is their drumtower is not on top of the Hold's fireheights, but is situated on the mountain, like Fort's. It can be reached by a set of stairs cut into the mountainside and weathered by turns of feet.
Economy: The main source of money for Ferndale is its skybroom trees that it allows the woodcrafters to harvest. They also use their abundance of arable land for excess farming, so they do sell produce and other food products, shipping by land or sea. They trade nominally with Fort for fish, since their fleet isn't exactly self sufficient yet. They trade with Ruatha to augment their own breeding program. And when it comes to South Boll, it's all about the weavers' new cloths and styles. They've even been able to sell the moss that gathers in their trees to the healer hall as a remedy.
Transportation Info: One can get to Ferndale by land or sea. Though, if you arrived by sea, you'd still have to walk or take a runner on land to get there. It's near to Fort Weyr, Hold, and Seahold, Ruatha Hold, and South Boll Hold. And of course, if one get can get a ride adragonback, riders are always welcome.
Population: Ferndale only has about half the population the Hold itself could hold. This is due to numerous residents traveling to the nearby Holds and staying as well as their isolatedness during parts of winter. They're trying to entice holders, though for the future.
Crafthalls Nearby:Small Fishercraft operations
Leadership:Headman Orsan
Location:Upriver from Fort Seahold
Climate: Bending Stream has pretty good weather except in winter. However, winters are milder here than at Fort Hold and the Weyr. They receive only mild amounts of snow.
History: Bending Stream is a cluster of cotholds that have been around for Passes now. They started with a small fisher family that wanted to take advantage of the milder weather, placement to the water, and easy access to the Seahold for supplies. Little by little, it has grown, but you will find the members of that first family have somehow been looked to. They have the biggest house.
Building Info: Cotholds here are made of stone rocks piled and mortared togeher on the outside, with stone roofs, but with wooden walls on the inside and flooring. They are usually one floor, but very wide and spread out, added to as the family grows. They are simply affairs, with only water barrels to store water. Glows are used, the beastholds are inside the cothold, usually holding one bovine, one porcine, and maybe an ovine or two. Goats are common. They also have a small meetinghouse where they settle things and have harper lessons for the children.
Economy:The economy here is small and subsistent. They grow enough to eat, they fish enough to eat, and they trade or barter for what else they might need. There are no surpluses here. The people do well enough to survive, but often depend on each other for small emergencies such as a lack of herbals or thread. Even though they are near to the Seahold, they have only grown slightly in the last few turns, allowing them to have a small trading market of their own.
Transportation Info: Usually, travelers from the Seahold will follow the river until it turns into a stream. It's two candlemarks walk from there.
Population: The population could grow, but it is likely it will not. These people do not live often and new people do not come in often. There have been rumors of inbreeding but it seems they have enough coming in from the Seahold and travelers that things are allright.
All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright© Anne McCaffrey 1967,2005, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author.
The Dragonriders of Pern® is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited.