Holdless

Holdless was a term that was applied to anyone who did not reside in a hold, hall or weyr. This included traders, who were holdless by choice, as well as Shunned, who were holdless as punishment.

Description

A Pernese citizen could become holdless for any number of reason. Some would become Holdless by choice, in order to escape difficult conditions or an unwillingness to participate in the rules of a Hold. A person who was formally Shunned was forbidden from receiving aid from any organization, usually as a punishment for criminal activity, essentially forcing the Shunned person to become Holdless. Traders were also Holdless, in that they did not settle in one location, but rather traveled between Holds on certain routes, bring goods to smaller holds.

Those who were Holdless had difficult lives. Forced to survive alone, the Holdless person's most immediate danger was Thread, forcing them to obtain shelter where ever it was found. Caves were common shelters for Holdless individuals. In some cases, however, a Holdless person would be able to find shelter and settle in another hold.

History

Third Pass

As the Third Pass approached, Masterharper Murenny and Master Harper Zist worried about the Holdless problem with the imminent approach of Thread. They were afraid that the Holdless and Shunned would resort to desperate means to gain shelter against Thread.

Eighth Interval

Several holders became Holdless when Fax began his conquest of several holds. This included Dowell and his family.

When Thella of Telgar Hold was denied the title of Lady Holder after her father's death, she left the hold and acquired a band of Holdless, who stole what they needed to set up their own shelter. Thella called herself "Lady Holdless".

Ninth Pass

Menolly was holdless for a short time after leaving Half-Circle Sea Hold and before she ended up at Benden Weyr and the Harper Hall. Piemur was holdless when he ended up in the Southern Continent.

Many Holdless were housed in the caves of Igen.