Ruatha
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.
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.