The Holds of Pern

[Administrator]

The Holds of Pern

Benden Weyr
- Benden Hold
- Nerat Hold
- Ista Hold
- Igen Hold
- Bitra Hold
- Keroon Hold
- Lemos Hold

Fort Weyr
- Fort Hold
- Ruatha Hold
- Nabol Hold
- Tillek Hold
- Southern Boll Hold
- Crom Hold
- Telgar Hold
- High Reaches Hold

Selenitas Weyr
- Selenitas Hold
- Southern Hold
- Blossom Hold
- Hyphen Hold
- Lighttower Hold

[Administrator]

Old Benden Territory

Benden Hold
Lord Holder Tyreminoar, Lady Holder Syrialenai
Lord Heir Minoasyr

Located on the East Coast of the Northern Continent, Benden Hold’s territory extends southward until it reaches the Nerat peninsula, having quite a good region that runs along the coast. The seas tend to moderate the climate, making for an exceptional territory for farming. Though many produce is found from the Benden Hold area, the Hold is best known for its wine, boasted as being the best on Pern and producing the common saying ‘Smooth as Benden wine’. This wine, produced in the Vintner Crafthall located within Benden territory, is the main export of the region, and much sought-after by all, as well as being one of the major items tithed to Inverness Weyr.

The Lord Holder, Tyreminoar, had he Impressed a dragon, would likely have fit perfectly into the Weyr that his lands are Beholden to. Harsh, high-handed, paranoid, and with a manipulative streak, he’s very much of the opinion that men are the dominant sex. However, with the new laws set down by the Summit, Lord Holder Tyreminoar has become less of a total tyrant… at least publically. He is still high-handed, manipulative and a male chauvinist, but the laws keep his harshness and paranoia in check. His Lady, Syrialenai, is still the meek, mild, and tame woman she was, and continues to keep most (if not all) her opinions to herself. By law, women overall are treated better in all of Benden Hold’s territories, including the Hold Proper itself. Though it will take turns for the misogyny to really start to vanish. Even among the men, rules have been changed, and the ‘higher class’ is no longer allowed to legally participate in murder, rape and thievery without punishment. Hierarchy still depends largely on how close one is with Lord Tyreminoar however.

Major Exports: Wine
Crafthalls: Vintner Hall

Nerat Hold
Lord Holder Ruahnorne, Lady Holder Aroliana

Nerat is primarily coastal, though the inland region is blessed (or cursed, depending on perspective) with dense rain forests that produce a large amount of wood. There are dozens of smaller holds throughout the region of Nerat, making up the majority of the population: from wooding communities in the forests to the flourishing fishing industry near the beaches, acting as port holds for exporting to the other side of the continent and to the South. Because the most major exports are wood and fish, which are relatively ‘common’, Nerat would not be described as a very wealthy area, but they manage well enough and individuals from there do not go hungry.

The atmosphere at Nerat is perhaps, the closest thing that one might see in a Southern Hold. Their interaction with the riders is relatively slim, due to their woods, this has created a far less ‘oppressed’ community, with women being treated considerably better than elsewhere in the north. While they’re still forbidden from major positions of power, rape and murder is almost entirely unheard of in Nerat, and arranged marriages are far less common. In the Hold proper, women tend to occupy the positions of kitchens staff, babysitter, or drudges. Due to the Summit, females are now allowed to be crafters though in some households it is still looked down on. The changes in laws have given the Lady Holder a voice in the matters of the Hold. The Lord Holder, Ruahnorne, is known for being a womanizer, though in comparison to other Lord Holders, he’s actually very polite. He has only two known children: his daughter with his lady, Ruliana, and a son with a drudge called Rusahre. However now that both his children have left and impressed ( Ruliana very much against his wishes) he is in the process of trying to create a new heir and Ruliana and Rusahre have been properly disowned.

Major Exports: Fish, Wood
Crafthalls: Farmcrafthall
Bloodlines: R'ahre of Blue Ahth - Adoptable, Ruliana of Green Amalath, Weyrbrat Riaren

Ista Hold
Lord Holder Midolan, Lady Holder Fiorela

Arguably one of the most tropical locations on the Northern continent, Ista is well known for boasting the Glasscraft Hall. The major exports of the Hold are fruits – tropical citrus fruit in particular – and coastal shellfish. Because of its location, Ista has very little contact with the mainland and is considered more of a tropical resort than an actual place of habitation. The inhabitants frequently sport dark tans and most of them are used to extreme heat – cold weather is a foreign concept. The general demeanor is significantly more mild than most of Benden’s territory. There are a lot of indoor gardens that make this hold an exceptionally beautiful one to behold.

It is standard practice in Ista for parents to arrange marriages, and women are still raised to expect this. The new Summit laws prevent the selling of daughters, and has put a stop to the culling of infertile women, making it not worth the punishment. The average age of betrothal in Ista is sixteen and women who refuse to be married are looked upon with intense disfavor. If they are just simply a lost cause in the matter, are encouraged to leave the Hold and become a Crafter, at least that way they will still be useful to the family. Although many in Ista still consider men to be superior to women, the overall treatment of their womenfolk has improved to tolerable levels.

Major Exports: Fish, Citrus Fruits
Crafthalls: Glasscraft Hall
Bloodlines: Tenlie of Green Rajnith

Igen Hold
Lord Holder Dyodian, Lady Holder Vyriella

Sporting a long western coastline, Igen Hold is well-known for being a desert Hold, and indeed the terrain has become immortalized in sayings such as ‘It won’t matter a grain of sand in Igen’. Because of these sands, which cover almost the entirety of the Hold, as well as the scorching temperatures, growing anything is difficult. Instead, Igen’s main export comes from the Tanning Crafthall located there – located neatly in what has to be the hottest region on Pern that lacks humidity. Igen Hold is also known for the sandworms located there, providing some level of protection against Thread should it reach the ground, though there’s very little for Thread to burrow into.

The current Lord and Lady Holder of Igen are Lord Dyodian and Lady Vyriella, and despite all the changes with the ending of the war, the atmosphere at the High Hold can still be best described as ‘lazy’. Perhaps it’s the heat, but the Lord Holder simply can’t be bothered to care too much about his Holders, interfering only when necessary. This lack of control leads to two distinct classes of Holders – the powerful higher Holders, and the poorer, lower Holders. Perhaps the only real difference is that the “upper class” women and the “lower class” women are now treated on average, a lot better than they were before the Summit. Women are now protected from rape and beatings, forcing men to either chill out or be punished for their actions. Though arranged marriages are still common. The richer of Holders almost invariably treat the poorer like they are beneath their view, and the sentiment is returned wholeheartedly. Fortunately, the actual scuffles and brawls are few, likely given the heat of the Igen area. Less fortunately, Igen Hold’s state does not seem likely to change, given that the heir, the young Lord Vyollan, is just as lax as his parents are.

Major Exports: Glass, livestock
Crafthalls: Tanner Hall

Bitra Hold
Lord Holder Raluran, Lady Holder Sirrei
Lord Heir Dinal

Bitra claims the smallest territory of all the Holds under Benden's previous jurisdiction. Located in the northwest, just southeast of Benden Weyr itself, it actually is closer in distance to the old Benden Weyr than Benden Hold. Founded by a pirate and always know for gambling, Bitra has begun to slowly turn around from the cesspit it once was. Martial law is still in effect, but there are now laws governing all the gambling and other shady activities that used to run rampant. Unlike Benden or Keroon, there is little to regulate the temperatures of the mountain fastness. Winters are harsh, freak storms are common, and the population is only just beginning to regulate itself again. Though Bitra takes most of its earnings - and pays most of its tithes - through its gambling houses (where Benden dragonriders had always been more than welcome), its small array of mines, and the well regulated brothels that have replaced human trafficking.

Sexism is not a problem for Bitra, it never has been, man and woman do what they can to survive. The Hold itself is wealthy, but with all the profit from the gambling houses filtering directly into Lord Holder Raluran's coffers, although now with the Summit’s Laws he is forced to give back to his people. And the human trafficking? Its been put to a stop. Brothels still remain, but have been cleaned up and institutionalized, having such a long history it was decided that the Hold could not simply go cold turkey.

Still, little is known of Lady Holder Sirrei, though her children can sometimes be seen with their father; she is rumored to be a woman of very poor health. Bitra hold absolutely hates Inverness Weyr however and only acknowledges the Weyr at all during times of threadfall. Inverness has been working tirelessly since it's founding to improve Bitra hold and cleanse it. However it is a slow and agonizing process mired deep in political drama. As such most parts of Bitra still are destitute and terrible places to reside in.

Major Exports: Jewels; coal; firestone

Keroon Hold
Lord Holder Lafelodan, Lady Holder Mirialle

Located on the southern coastline west of the Nerat peninsula on the Northern Continent, Keroon Hold is relatively warm for being part of the North. A Terran prairie is perhaps the most accurate description of the terrain there. Think long, waving grasses underneath a bright blue sky and a sun high in the sky. Add a few herdbeasts and runners, and perhaps a fence separating neatly-plowed rows of sprouting greens, and you’ve basically got Keroon Hold. With the Beastcraft Halls located within Keroon territory, this region is well-known for produce, farming methods, their runnerbeasts (which, according to most knowledgeable Beastcrafters, do not quite measure up with the Ruathan stock) and herdbeasts, and taming methods for those beasts, and herdbeasts and vegetables make up both trade and their tithe to the Weyr.

Led by the Lord Holder Lafelodan and his Lady Mirialle, Keroon Hold is an odd mixture of Southern and Northern customs; they’re coastal and southern enough to have a few trade routes that take their goods to the South. Lord Lafelodan pushes his Holders to the limit as far as work goes, insisting that they work the land, their runners, and themselves as much as they can. Generally, no slacking is tolerated, even from the women, who are no longer completely restricted from Crafthalls. They are also now allowed to be working outside, though most of the older generations typically stay inside as mothers, drudges, and childsitters. The punishments at Keroon have been changed to fit the crimes, but are strictly enforced. It’s said that some runners feel the whip less than some of the Holders. Exile is usually the worst consequence delivered, though murder of a man will always result in the death penalty. Rape is no longer looked over, and the consequences for it are the same as that for thievery. Justice, but a twisted form of it, to be sure…

Major exports: Livestock
Crafthalls: Beastcraft Hall

Lemos Hold
Lord Holder Krasoret, Lady Holder Esawyn

Occupying a very mountainous region to the west of Bitra Hold and Benden Weyr, the Lemos High Hold is located neatly high on a mountaintop, arguably the Hold with the highest elevation on Pern. The reason for its odd elevation isn’t quite known, though it’s thought to be that it overlooks Lemos’s huge expanse of forests. Well-known for their hardwoods, Lemos Hold is home to the Woodcraft Hall, and exports an incredible amount of woodwork, as well as untreated wood, all around the North, though their trading doesn’t reach the Southern Holds. Another of their main exports comes from the mountains themselves; a large assortments of precious and semi-precious jewels as well as rock that can be crafted into weaponry and other useable forms, is found here and tithed along with the hardwoods.

The atmosphere at Lemos can still be best described as nauseatingly polite after the war. There’s a good deal of stress placed on common courtesy among men, and women; now that they are considered people too, are expected to be extremely proper in the public eye. All conversations tend to being sickly sweet, bordering on dangerous and offensive while still being uttered in completely polite, conversational tones; those at Lemos Hold learn to be careful, for back-stabbing, public humiliation, affairs, and more are quite commonplace.

These manipulative, underhanded techniques come straight from the Lord Holder, Krasoret, renowned in his Hold for being a very dangerous man, even though he comes off as polite, warm, pleasant, even affectionate towards his wife, Esawyn, and their daughter, Eraryet. There is nothing that is done in Lemos Hold without a reason behind it.

Major Exports: Wood, stone
Crafthalls: Woodcraft Hall
Bloodlines: Kaegan of Gold Millieth, Mi'rah of Bronze Kierjaarth, Weyrbrat Kai

Updated 5-2-2012 by Tashe

[Administrator]

Old Fort Territory

Fort Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Kazoreled, Lady Holder Ralirim
Lord Heir Kazarim

Fort Hold is still as stern, organized and meticulous as it ever was. Everything is spotlessly cleaned – always – and visitors are always met by the same people: the Headwoman and a pair of men assigned as her wards. Visitors are treated with civil hospitality, which means they are offered shelter and places to sleep. The actual holders are taught from a young age how to fight and a lot of Dragonriders come from this hold; or used to. They are not at all happy with the Summit and the disposal of Fort Weyr. Everyone – women and men alike – is educated at Fort Hold and it is extremely rare to find someone who is not capable of reading. Most also have a basic knowledge of at least one craft as well.

The Lord Holder Kazoreled attained his position shortly after the death of Kamerai and D’loro at Fort Weyr. Shrewd and a businessman, he keeps Fort extremely busy while maintaining an extremely good relationship with both the MasterHealer and the MasterHarper; as a result, Fort Hold is actually one of the more wealthy northern holds, and it receives imports from all over Pern. It’s not uncommon for even the most poor of its cotholds to have extra amounts of food, and virtually every family has their own runners for travel. Weather is mild, leaning toward cold, particularly in the winter, and most of the inhabitants of Fort Hold have significantly paler skin than the rest of Pern. Dark hair and dark eyes are also common features, though fairer combinations are not unheard of.

Attached to Fort Hold are Healer and Harper Halls. The two Halls have radically different atmospheres. It’s rare to find a female Harper in the Harper Hall and most are submissive, meek and shy, mimicking the behavior of women from Benden Weyr rather than Fort territory. On the flipside, the Healer Hall is very progressive and has an almost equal number of both sexes as its inhabitants. Healer Hall trains Beasthealing as well and began to train dragonhealing after the summit decided to limit crafters in the Weyrs,

Major Exports: Healing herbs; grains; livestock
Crafthalls: Harper Hall, Healer Hall

Ruatha Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Tuhmykl, Lady Holder Ijukah
Lord Heir Jumykl

Ever since the War ended, Ruatha Hold has grown with leaps and bounds. Their territory has expanded back to what it once was and their buildings are no longer semi-permanent dwellings that didn’t take much to rebuild. Lord Tuhmykl also has become more aggressive in driving out bandits, aided by the wealth that the Runners were now bringing in again, he has been able to raise a substantial Holdgaurd. With the boom in success, Ruatha now is able to solidly meet the tithing level AND have substantial leftovers to make sure it's people are fed. Although many of the Holdfolk are still slightly mistrustful of Dragonriders, everyone understands the need for Inverness’s protection from thread. So they more than dutifully support the Weyr whenever possible.

Although life has been hard for the people of Ruatha, Lord Tuhmykl and Lady Holder Ijukah (who is the daughter of the Nabol Lordholders) have made Ruatha one of the most progressive Holds in the north. Women and men are treated no differently from one another, this stems from a life where everyone is needed to survive, especially in the coldest months of the Turn. Arranged marriages are uncommon in Ruatha, and the women are allowed to choose what they would like to do, though it is rare to see a woman in any sort of higher position. And, although the uneasy alliance between Ruatha and Nabol continues to exist, Ruatha as stopped sending refugees back to Nabol and instead started simply turning them away.

Major Exports: Runners

Nabol Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Geremorn, Lady Holder Quayana

Nabol Hold occupies the center of the Northern continent. The terrain there is quite odd, being very flat, extending in all directions away from the Main Hold, which rests on what is possibly the only hill in the region. However, it’s not grassy in any way, actually being very rocky with only the sparsest, toughest pieces of grass and vegetation surviving the harsh landscape. Not at all pretty, but understandable: Nabol Hold sports a few of the most profitable mining camps on Pern, surpassed only by Crom Hold, but they seem to prefer to mine for coal as opposed to firestone, the latter done only grudgingly and only enough to pass for a decent tithe.

For the longest time, Nabol has been viewed by the other Holds as being despicable, and even now it still is. Even though the Summit had passed new laws, Lord Geremorn almost blatantly refuses to follow any of them. Women are still treated like dirt. They are never allowed to be anything but Drudges and they tend to be so broken by the time they are married off that they don’t protest their existence. Even the Lady Holder of Nabol, Quayana, is not exempt from this, generally ignored or abused by Lord Geremorn. The Nabol bloodline is treated like the nobility they are (outwardly, at least), for the Lord Holder Geremorn is well-known for his ruthless, backhanded killing of anyone who might present the slightest challenge to him; it’s actually safest to be a lowly mine worker.

Within the Hold, it’s almost encouraged for the higher-ranked of Holders to attack and attempt to overtake others; those who served under fallen Holders are usually massacred, raped, or turned into slaves and Drudges. Inverness, unable to deal with both Bitra and Nabol at the same time, have mostly left Nabol alone in favor of straightening out the destitute Bitra. Plans are they will move on to this hold once the other can stand alone and meet the Summit’s laws without much trouble.

Major Exports: Metal; jewels

Tillek Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Brilland, Lady Holder Sorellen

Located in the Tillek Peninsula on the West Coast of the Northern Continent, Tillek Hold is a located in quite an advantageous position. With access to a large stretch of sea, as well as relatively fertile land that is usually always occupied with growing produce. A good deal of land is used for grapes to be used to make Tillek wine, though this wine is nowhere near the quality of Benden Hold’s wine, being described as ‘acidic’ by most. However, it’s duly cheaper and sells quite well for those who cannot afford to indulge in Benden wine. This is one of Tillek’s major exports and tithes. The Fishing Crafthall is also located within Tillek Hold’s territory, so fish is also tithed and traded in abundance.

The Lord Holder Brilland and his Lady, Sorellen, are something of an anomaly in the North; most Holders were very much surprised when Brilland inherited Lordship a few Turns ago. Though he was the eldest son of the late Lord Byranid, he was quite spoiled and unaccustomed to Lordship – and, as thus, goes about doing things in a very clumsy, high-handed manner. But ever since the Summit, Lord Brilland has been… well lets say, kicked into shape. The riots that once commonly broke out now happen less and less, making the streets a slightly safer place to be for those who have to be out there daily to sell their wares. Lady Sorellen, emboldened by the new Summit laws, has stepped up to help take back control of the Hold with an ironfist. Lady Sorellen is undoubtabley the most powerful Ladyholder in the Northern Holds, most of the decisions made by the noble pair are hers, like they have always been. Rebuilding their Holdgaurd, crime has been cut back to normal level and women have been elevated to better statuses. Many women Holders look up to Lady Sorellen as a role model. Abuse of animals, children and women has also been nearly abolished. The Hold and all the cotholds have begun to work in sync with one another once again, thanks to Brilland and Sorellen.

Major Exports: Wine; grains; vegetables; fruit; fish
Crafthalls: Fisher Hall

Southern Boll Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Lodren, Lady Holder Treiana

Southern Boll's tropical climate yields a vast variety of resources - and weather patterns. Though the holding is relatively small in terms of area, it boasts anything from rainforests, to temperate forests toward the central region of the peninsula, to swamplands. The higher class holders within Southern Boll are at an uneasy truce, seeking to gain lands and riches through trade and cunning rather than violence. They are also quick to come together against any outside threat - of which there is little, generally, at least of the human variety. They do often have to help each other during the virulent rainy season, and in the event of a hurricane, which tends to decimate the region. Main exports are cotton and silk, although Southern Boll also produces a vast quantity of spices and rice.

The richness of the Hold is shared fairly equally amongst the higher ranking holders, and even the relative 'poor' generally enjoy a better lifestyle than the rest of the northern continent. Politics and trade rule the day in Southern Boll, and Lord Holder Lordren is a savvy businessman if ever there was one, playing the region neatly so as to keep most of the power in his corner. He also heavily pads the tithes to Inverness Weyr, and Southern Boll enjoys open trade and (relatively) friendly relations with Fort Hold despite their rather standoffish attitude toward outsiders. Because of the Summit, women are allowed to have some voice in Southern Boll - though a woman is considered subpar if she can't weave or cook, and will never become a wife to the higher ranking holders. Daughters are no longer ‘bartered’ as part of business deals, but arranged marriages are still quite a common practice in this wealthy Hold.

Major Exports: Wool; silk; cotton
Crafthalls: Weaver Hall
Bloodlines: Eikane of Gold Eikask

Crom Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Erfakke, Lady Holder Kimilsae

Crom Hold, until about half a century ago ruled by two distinct lines rather than one, was unified with the birth of Lord Holder Erfakke just before the dragon wars began. His hold on the region is particularly weak, and the more powerful of the lordholders beneath him force his hand this way and that to fuel their own squabbles. For several months out of the turn Crom Hold is virtually cut off from the rest of Pern, the mountain passes snowed in with almost perpetual blizzards. Their loyalty to Inverness Weyr is tentative at best, but Lord Holder Erfakke maintains a steady flow of firestone (when the weather permits) just in case. It's his only real contribution to the stability of his holdings.

The supply of jewels keeps the Hold in money, and the Minecraft Hall prefers the location because it grants it relative autonomy from either Weyr, even though they technically fall under Inverness. Notably, this is the one Hold that fully accepts polygamy in the north and even encourages it - accidents are common, and there would be many women (bound to serve out their days by the hearth in abject drudgery) who would die without a husband to provide for them. It is a status symbol, how many wives a man can support in Crom – but because of the Summit Laws, it has become basically uncommon to see women who sport bruises or are treated unfairly in public. But that just means that the men have to be more careful about where they lay their hands on their women.

Major Exports: Firestone; jewels
Crafthalls: Miner Hall

Telgar Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Derasis, Lady Holder Vaterai

Telgar Hold used to stand as the landward portal between Benden Weyr's dominion and Fort Weyr's. However with the war that time is over as both weyrs now lay abandoned. Igen's deserts stretch at their southern borders and Lemos looms above them to the east. The relatively dry climate is ideal for growing wheat and grain, as well as vegetables that require less precipitation, and wild runners are prevalent amongst the vast steppes that stretch out from the foothills. The Central Hold stands as a great stone fortress, guarding the mouth of the only river that crosses through Igen territory. Controlling the river means relative peace with their southern neighbors. A proud people, the Telgar are known for their unfailing loyalties, their unwavering hospitality, an unhealthy obsession with honor and an emphasis on filial loyalty that goes beyond the mere sharing of blood. The mines they maintain in the foothills yield some of the highest quality metals, and the Smithcrafthall prides itself on turning out journeymen of incomparable skill.

Lord Derthan passed away soon after the Dragon War ended, and was followed in death closely by his Lady Kyriasis, leaving the position to his oldest son Derasis and his wife Vaterai. Lord Derasis is nearly the spitting image of his father in regards to his political beliefs. He adores his wife and, despite the mutterings of his holders, embraced most of the changes the Summit laid down in law. Women are treated better in public, though most of the politeness is often thinly veiled threats. But within the confines of the private rooms it is common practice for men to dote on their wives and train up their sons to do the same.

Men in Telgar are rated by the purity of their bloodlines, the order of their birth, the strength of their arm, their skill in riding runners, and the loyalty they give to the head of their family, who in turn directs that to the Lordholder. To besmirch a man's honor is to find yourself in a duel, and family feuds are commonplace over some slight that has been long forgotten. That much at least, has not changed.

Major Exports: Grain, metals, vegetables
Crafthalls: Smithcraft Hall
Bloodlines: Zemaren of Brown Zemask

High Reaches Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Wurenton, Lady Holder Lyannis

Northern and cold, High Reaches Hold boasts numerous towers as its central feature. Once beholden to High Reaches Weyr, until the Weyr was wiped off of Pern by an attack from Fort, they are now in the control of Inverness. The most prominent feature of High Reaches is that, geographically, it is one of the coldest regions on Pern and visiting it is often unpleasant for those not accustomed to the weather. It snows in the winter and much of the region is covered in ice; summers are mild, but still more chilly than most of Pern. The end result is that the majority of High Reaches’ exports come in the form of fishing and they provide the most fish in the world – specializing in exotic cold water fish that are prized world round. Winter berries and coal are also major exports, the former being unique to the High Reaches region. Winter berry wine is considered an excellent dessert treat by most connoisseurs.

The atmosphere at High Reaches is… bleak and… passive, almost. Most of the Hold is still addicted to the same herbal substances that High Reaches Weyr was addicted to, and the result is the population being an almost zombie state. They are extremely indifferent to strangers, with the attitude of live and let live, often appearing disinterested as a result. It’s rare for people at High Reaches to bother getting joined and most families consist of half-siblings, rather than sharing both parents. Commitment is almost unheard of. Most men will ‘share’ their wives and daughters with one another – simply because women are viewed as property rather than individuals. The Lord Holder is an extremely wealthy man as he controls the drug industry that fuels High Reaches Hold – but all of his wealth is squandered in Bitra, leaving High Reaches as a relatively poor, if blissfully oblivious Hold.

Major Exports: Coal; winter berries

Updated 5-2-2012 by Tashe

[Administrator]

Selenitas Territory


Selenitas Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Rocest, Lady Holder Asmorn
Lord Heir Rosmorn

Easily the largest in the south, Selenitas Hold boasts expansive vineyards that produce rose wine that is said to rival Benden’s during a particularly good turn. The region is one of the most beautiful: grassy fields and plains make up the majority of Selenitas’s core territory, though the edges of the holding have dense jungles with trees so large that those unfamiliar with the area often turn to stare. The climate is mild, due to being closer to the equator, and frequently very rainy. The hold boasts many farms – both those that house livestock and vegetable/grain farms. Altogether a very fertile area, Selenitas Hold is a booming region that provides the majority of Selenitas Weyr’s candidates as well as their food stores. They also host many Gathers that even northerners come to visit, simply for the festivities.

The relationship between Selenitas Hold and Selenitas Weyr is extremely good: the Hold is very supportive of the Weyr, even sending relief workers during times when the Weyr has been attacked. And Selenitas Weyr supports the Hold by providing extra protection and support – it’s a relationship of mutual benefit that the Lord Holder is eager to keep. Over-all everyone is treated as equals at Selenitas Hold, and women crafters are common – this is a favored place for most northern crafters to request because of the treatment of everyone. Most of the population has nice homes and fine belongings – truly, Selenitas Hold is a lovely place to grow up. Firelizard pets are frequent here.

Major Exports: Fruit; vegetables; grains; livestock

Southern Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Klanimor, Lady Holder Oli
Lord Heir Caristo

Controlling the area in and around the abandoned Southern Weyr, Southern Hold is a sprawling community that enjoys the interface between jungle and sea. The majority of the hold’s profits comes from its logging and fishing industries, both of which are fairly stable from Turn to Turn. The hold is also a port, and since it has access to resources in the jungle and the ocean, as well as those coming in by sea from other holds, it will very rarely struggle. The main hold is also the home of a minor healing crafthall. Though it is much smaller than the primary Healer Hall in the north, it is the largest of its kind in the south and therefore turns out a decent amount of apprentices and junior journeyman. The crafthall also grows herbs and produces and collects other healing supplies, making them an important asset to the Weyr.

Unfortunately, this asset is not a willing one, for while the hold is not openly rebelling against the Weyr, it does take quite a bit of charisma and persuasion to convince them to tithe. The people generally are an honest and hardworking, if very serious, lot, and they seem to take offense to sending their hard-earned products to the Weyr. Their relations with the Weyr might be somewhat boosted by the fact that this hold is the former home of goldrider Savitri, but despite their pride in that, the hold very much prefers to keep the Weyr out of their business. Riders will find stiff civility and probably very little else here, though some individual holders are certainly more friendly to the weyrfolk than others. Southern Hold has few Gathers as well, though they are splendid events on the rare occasion that they are hosted.

Major Exports: Fish; healing herbs; wood
Crafthalls: Minor Healing Hall
Bloodlines: Cezine of Green Brennath (deceased), Weyrbrat Calerin

Blossom Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Tentieon, Lady Holder Kilisto
Lord Heir Tenkilion

A relatively small hold in the South, Blossom is noted for its modern architecture, with wood domiciles similar to the original layout of Selenitas Weyr. Flowers naturally grow over the majority of the buildings in trailing vines, offering rich, vibrant color. There are several vineyards at the hold, which produce both true wine and other fruit wines that are sold and traded throughout Pern. In addition to the vineyards, Blossom sports one of the largest lakes in the south and houses the Lake Dolphin Crafthall as a result. In excellent standing with Selenitas Weyr, Blossom is an avid supporter of technological advancement and also peace. This hold frequently holds Gathers. The Lord and Lady Holder are both extremely popular, and the Lady Holder frequently allows her firelizard Sasha's clutches to be shared amongst the children of the Hold.

Of all the holds beholden to Selenitas, Blossom is the smallest. However, the silk produced at the hold is of the finest quality, as are the wines, making it also one of the richest. Blossom holders are generally very welcoming of Selenitas riders and will treat them with utmost respect and courtesy as due their rank.

Major Exports: Wine (Red/Rose/White), silk, fruit, vegetables
Crafthalls: Lake Dolphin Hall

Hyphen Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Quentian, Lady Holder Jinny
Lord Heir Quinnian

Hyphen controls a moderate-sized mountainous region most well-known for its prominent mines. Though their primary exports are Opals and Firestone (the latter being of particular value to the dragonriders of Selenitas), this hold also is well-known for coal and other mineable resources. Hyphen is by far the biggest mining community on the southern continent. The actual Hold itself has a very no-nonsense, work hard and rest easy attitude that alienates it from the more outgoing areas of the South. The relationship Hyphen maintains with Selenitas Weyr is rocky at best, but was improved drastically by Shmee’s Impression of Aslath. The Holders still maintain a lot of tension toward dragonriders and will actually go out of their way to be cold – not impolite, but definitely unfriendly – to any who happen to visit. Dragonriders are not given room and board when they visit Hyphen Hold and tithing is sparing at best – they rarely send anything but the worst of their crops. Only Firestone is sent in bulk but fortunately for Selenitas, that’s exactly what is needed.

People from all over Pern do come to visit Hyphen Hold though for one thing and one thing only: the hot springs that the Hold boasts. Naturally heated waters make these pools exceptional and Hyphen is quite wealthy from northern holders coming to visit solely for these. The Hold boasts numerous guestrooms for just this purpose and combined with the typically milder climate than the rest of the South (it never gets too hot or too cold thanks to the region), it’s one of the most popular vacation spots. Hyphen Hold hosts very few Gathers, but when they do, they’re usually exceptional.

Major Exports: Firestone; coal; metals; jewels

Lighttower Hold[/size]
Lord Holder Phraiken

Lighttower Hold gets its name from the massive light towers that edge the coast of the region that Lighttower controls. Roughly five dragonlengths apart, these Lighttowers shed light over the ocean, making the port Hold an excellent place for ships from the northern continent to dock. The entire Hold is “gray” in coloration (and indeed, this is one of the Hold’s colors) and is made up of many elegant towers that make it as an architectural marvel. Even the ground is unique: paved stones in dark and light shades create a gradient that can be enthralling to look at for those who are new to Lighttower. The region itself is a grassy, elegant, fielded area that is highly fertile: grains are a major export of Lighttower. The edge of Lighttower’s territory also is home to very dense forests that make up their wooding industry, but their biggest export comes from the numerous ports that arguably could put any other port city to shame: the docks are internal, similar to the layout of Half-Circle, only on a much larger scale. Truly an impressive sight to behold.

Unfortunately, despite its glory of being the most impressive port Hold on all of Pern, Lighttower is one of the gloomiest places in the South. They have very little contact with the Weyr. Even with Phrenimanst’s death and the succession of his son Phraiken, the young man has much of the same attitude toward Dragonriders that his father had. The attitude toward Selenitas is unwelcoming at best. Though they tithe, begrudgingly, there is otherwise very little contact with dragonriders and they only tithe the bare minimum of their children that is allowed. Their attitude is considerably better about women now, Lighttower allows female crafters into their Hold as well as allows their women to become one, but they still will not tolerate women in a position of power (other than the Lady Holder). Arranged marriages are frequent, but they are always done for the families best. For most Southerners, going to Lighttower is like stepping onto another planet: it’s that different.

Major Exports: Fish; wood; grains

Updated 5-2-2012 by Tashe