FAQ / Triad History / NPC Locations
Last updated 20th July 2006 by Eimi
Topaz Sea Hold (beholden to Dolphin Cove Weyr)
NOTE: In the Third Turn of the present Pass, Topaz Sea Hold was destroyed by a devestating storm. While many of the residents have returned to rebuild, many are still refugees, nearly all the buildings that once stood were wiped away, and it will take Turns before it will be re-established as a major Hold. This information is from before the destruction of Topaz Sea Hold
HISTORY
Topaz Sea Hold was founded ten turns before the end of the Ninth Pass, originally just a minor hold settled by a younger son of the local Lord Holder. The main Hold was farther inland, founded midway through the Ninth Pass. Just over ninety turns into the Interval, a massive earthquake leveled the original Hold. None of the Bloodline there survived, and the Conclave voted to allow Topaz's holder, as a now distant cousin of the deceased Lord Holder, to become Lord Holder. Rather than rebuild, he petitioned for the Hold's central point to become the Sea Hold, which was granted. The increased incomes allowed the new Lord Holder to expand and build a proper Hold building, the current 'castle hold'. The Hold has remained in the same Bloodline continuously.
LOCATION
Dolphin Cove Weyr is 500 miles (804 kilometres) away from Topaz Sea Hold. Emerald Falls Hold is approximately 1700 miles (2,735 kilometres) overland. The journey by water is longer, but takes less time than overland travel between the two Holds.
BUILDING INFORMATION
The main hold is an elegantly designed three-story stone building. Many outbuildings share a common area with the Hold. It was built when Thread was thought to end forever, and large group quarters no longer needed. Designed from castle plans in the AIVAS files, it has four-story towers at each corner, their slate-capped turrents of distinctive black slate. It is lavishly decorated, with detailed tapestries, paintings, and elegantly carved wooden furnishings, all the trappings of a wealthy Hold. The Steward's residence was the original Hold, where the founding family lived until the castle-Hold was built.
TECHNOLOGY LEVEL
Refrigeration is an important concept for Topaz Sea Hold residents, though the technology is only present in the larger minor holds and Topaz Sea Hold itself. Cotholds and individual buildings around Topaz Sea Hold use a mixture of saltpeter to chill drinks and make ice, but meats are either used when fresh killed or bartered from the large refrigerated stores in a larger Hold's kitchens.
Electricity is reserved for refrigeration and some minor climate control for areas such as the Infirmary. Due to the warm climate, there is little need for heating rooms.
FEMALE POLICY
When the current Lord Holder inherited the Hold, Topaz Sea Hold's policy was like any other Southern Hold: women were not allowed to craft. When the Lord Holder opened his Hold to Search, the Southern Craftmasters revoked all his crafters, including two well-established crafthalls. Rather than bend to their will, Jaryd negotiated with the Northern Halls instead, gaining new crafters for both his empty Halls and the Hold itself. Since most crafters based at the Hold are Northern-trained, women in the crafts are encouraged.
POPULATION AND PLAGUE EFFECTS
Topaz Sea Hold was hit fairly hard by the initial wave of plagues, since its seaport nature brought many visitors through the area. Open policy to immigrants from other Holds has kept its population from the worst decimations of the southern plagues. About 600 people live in either the Hold building itself or in buildings sharing its common area. Because of the climate making food production easier, there are a dozen minor holds and four large seaholds beholden to Topaz Sea Hold. They range from 200-300 in population. Cotholds dot the landscape, housing family groups from 20 to 50 in size.
ECONOMY
The economy is based on the seaholds along its coastlines and the farmholds and orchards that populate the interior. Some herdbeasts are kept, but mostly for personal use in each hold or cothold. They trade sugarcane, fruit, rice, and fish to the rest of Pern. Additionally, they grow pithin, a fibrous plant used for papermaking.
Several skilled craftsmen are contracted to produce items for local use. Each crafter is given a workshop and living space, with other perks to the job depending on their contract. Non-crafters are often assigned to assist crafters with their duties and apprentices are generally provided. A smithy, woodshop, tannery, and small weavers workbuilding all have specific quarters and work areas.
As a seahold, Topaz Sea Hold has a considerable fleet of ships, most built by locals. Topaz Sea Hold occasionally contracts with the Seacraft when a particularly large vessel is needed. During Fall, small and medium craft are sailed into a nearby cavern, but the largest craft are sailed out of harm's way. The fishermen are skilled at negotiating the islands of the area, finding plenty of fish for consumption and trade. A common chore for older children is to wander the beaches for spiderclaws and small shellfish.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
The Hold has enough seacraft to qualify for a small fleet, and the seaport is very active in all seasons so long as no hurricanes threaten the harbour. Due to the busy nature of the harbour, the Hold has its very own Harbourmaster, a Master Seacrafter. Additionally, a large stable is kept, with enough room to house and feed over two dozen mounts plus the Lord Holder's family's runners.
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HISTORY
Topaz Sea Hold was founded ten turns before the end of the Ninth Pass, originally just a minor hold settled by a younger son of the local Lord Holder. The main Hold was farther inland, founded midway through the Ninth Pass. Just over ninety turns into the Interval, a massive earthquake leveled the original Hold. None of the Bloodline there survived, and the Conclave voted to allow Topaz's holder, as a now distant cousin of the deceased Lord Holder, to become Lord Holder. Rather than rebuild, he petitioned for the Hold's central point to become the Sea Hold, which was granted. The increased incomes allowed the new Lord Holder to expand and build a proper Hold building, the current 'castle hold'. The Hold has remained in the same Bloodline continuously.
LOCATION
Dolphin Cove Weyr is 500 miles (804 kilometres) away from Topaz Sea Hold. Emerald Falls Hold is approximately 1700 miles (2,735 kilometres) overland. The journey by water is longer, but takes less time than overland travel between the two Holds.
BUILDING INFORMATION
The main hold is an elegantly designed three-story stone building. Many outbuildings share a common area with the Hold. It was built when Thread was thought to end forever, and large group quarters no longer needed. Designed from castle plans in the AIVAS files, it has four-story towers at each corner, their slate-capped turrents of distinctive black slate. It is lavishly decorated, with detailed tapestries, paintings, and elegantly carved wooden furnishings, all the trappings of a wealthy Hold. The Steward's residence was the original Hold, where the founding family lived until the castle-Hold was built.
TECHNOLOGY LEVEL
Refrigeration is an important concept for Topaz Sea Hold residents, though the technology is only present in the larger minor holds and Topaz Sea Hold itself. Cotholds and individual buildings around Topaz Sea Hold use a mixture of saltpeter to chill drinks and make ice, but meats are either used when fresh killed or bartered from the large refrigerated stores in a larger Hold's kitchens.
Electricity is reserved for refrigeration and some minor climate control for areas such as the Infirmary. Due to the warm climate, there is little need for heating rooms.
FEMALE POLICY
When the current Lord Holder inherited the Hold, Topaz Sea Hold's policy was like any other Southern Hold: women were not allowed to craft. When the Lord Holder opened his Hold to Search, the Southern Craftmasters revoked all his crafters, including two well-established crafthalls. Rather than bend to their will, Jaryd negotiated with the Northern Halls instead, gaining new crafters for both his empty Halls and the Hold itself. Since most crafters based at the Hold are Northern-trained, women in the crafts are encouraged.
POPULATION AND PLAGUE EFFECTS
Topaz Sea Hold was hit fairly hard by the initial wave of plagues, since its seaport nature brought many visitors through the area. Open policy to immigrants from other Holds has kept its population from the worst decimations of the southern plagues. About 600 people live in either the Hold building itself or in buildings sharing its common area. Because of the climate making food production easier, there are a dozen minor holds and four large seaholds beholden to Topaz Sea Hold. They range from 200-300 in population. Cotholds dot the landscape, housing family groups from 20 to 50 in size.
ECONOMY
The economy is based on the seaholds along its coastlines and the farmholds and orchards that populate the interior. Some herdbeasts are kept, but mostly for personal use in each hold or cothold. They trade sugarcane, fruit, rice, and fish to the rest of Pern. Additionally, they grow pithin, a fibrous plant used for papermaking.
Several skilled craftsmen are contracted to produce items for local use. Each crafter is given a workshop and living space, with other perks to the job depending on their contract. Non-crafters are often assigned to assist crafters with their duties and apprentices are generally provided. A smithy, woodshop, tannery, and small weavers workbuilding all have specific quarters and work areas.
As a seahold, Topaz Sea Hold has a considerable fleet of ships, most built by locals. Topaz Sea Hold occasionally contracts with the Seacraft when a particularly large vessel is needed. During Fall, small and medium craft are sailed into a nearby cavern, but the largest craft are sailed out of harm's way. The fishermen are skilled at negotiating the islands of the area, finding plenty of fish for consumption and trade. A common chore for older children is to wander the beaches for spiderclaws and small shellfish.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
The Hold has enough seacraft to qualify for a small fleet, and the seaport is very active in all seasons so long as no hurricanes threaten the harbour. Due to the busy nature of the harbour, the Hold has its very own Harbourmaster, a Master Seacrafter. Additionally, a large stable is kept, with enough room to house and feed over two dozen mounts plus the Lord Holder's family's runners.
See Also: No articles yet
Referenced By: No articles yet