The Hold is made of stone and metal, as most are, but this one was carved almost thoroughly by hand. Though higher technology is available through the connections with Alabaster and the other Kshau Protectorate Holds, the workmanship of the Hold is flawless. Designed by a brilliant crafter generations ago, the Hold is a sprawl within a mountainside. The exterior is tiered with what crops will grow in the hard clime of the area, as well as sporting long stretches of flat racing land. All of those lands are ready to be covered by the unique "metal cloth" that is being developed at Alabaster, but the area usually defended the old fashioned way, by Dragon.
The Paveh Family is well known for bringing up Harpers, Healers and Riders, as well as racers and those with a soft spot for Runnerbeasts and gambling. Their fortunes await during race season, as people are brought on dragon back to the popular racing events. It could never be said that the Paveh line doesn't know how to throw a party!
Lady Holder Viridia passed her will onto the current Lord Holder, Darkhanis, several years ago. She knew many things, most of which died with her. But her well kept secrets now reside with him. She was a healer of some renoun, a pleasant enough woman but with schemes in her mind and the will to fulfil them. This will power is a driving force among the inhabitants of Paveh Hold.
In this Hold women and men alike are chosen for Crafts that in other Holds and Halls they are refused. Everyone does something to further the hold's interestes, and to that end the literacy rate in the Hold is remarkably high.
The Hold itself is elegant inside, if a bit dark in places. There are whole walls devoted to a dark, thick glass which cannot be Threadscored, perhaps the key to Viridia's secrets lay in its creation, since it cannot be duplicated. These skylights and their rooms offer a thrilling pasttime while Thread falls around it.
The main hall of the Hold is very long and high, though very narrow, and has a single smooth topped stone table running most of its length. There are actually catwalks in the heights of this room for drudges to run food from one side to the other in crowded situations. At the head of the room is a large pair of stone and wooden chairs, meant for the Lord Holder and his current Lady (or the Lady and her lord?) to preside over typical events within. Tapestries decorate the high walls, and in themselves tell the story of the Hold.
Beyond this huge room are several kitchens, and the drudge area. Even the drudges are offered beautious weyrs to reside in, though they are smaller and usually hold more than a couple at a time. The private rooms of this Hold often sport running water, forced through forged pipes and the rare plastic tubing, throughout the Hold. Heating is still done the old fashioned way, however.
The Craft Halls within the Hold are masterpieces of carving. Each room blossoms from the next in an almost organic way. Most of the Craft rooms are as brightly lit as they can be that deep within a mountainside.
The Hold supports perhaps two thousand people, when Thread is falling it rises to about 2500. Outside the Hold's walls there are a small number of cotholds and minor Holdings but none compare to the main Hold.
Runner stables are often dug from the sturdy side of the mountain, and are always attended. There are no mistakes or thieves tolerated around the runners of this Hold! Most of the steeds are bred as racers, but enough of them plough fields or do heavy moving that they are also kept as draft horses. Show and race runners dominate the land in times of no Thread.
View the Racing lands and folk
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