Post by Kaya on Jun 27, 2012 12:07:35 GMT -8
The fields of Stormy Plains extend for miles, their openness rivaled only by the openness with which the inhabitants of the Hold determine what, exactly, is a legitimate way to make money. It’s not that there are any large-scale crime organizations left (though it took the efforts of both the current Lord, and his father before him, to remove the presence of such groups) but rather the small scale activities which inevitably result when an entire generation has grown into adulthood considering crime to be a veritable Craft in itself.
The main Hold lies about 200 miles from the ocean, along Muphar river, which bisects the main Hold. Additionally, there is a small port at the mouth of the Muphar river, from which heardbeasts are taken by ship to Golden Flight, Dragon Ridge, and, of course, to Rainbow Mists Weyr. The weather there is hot and humid, and though there are frequent thunderstorms the sun doesn’t disappear for long. These thunderstorms, when they fall far enough upstream, can cause the river to flood, so most houses in the main hold are built on short stilts. The main source of income for many citizens is tied into the production of herdbeasts for draft purposes and as a food source for dragons and people. Most people that are not part of this overarching industry are farmers, typically growing either rice (near the coast) or some combination of squashes, melons, peppers, tomatoes, and root vegetables. There are also people who grow grains and hay, but since most of that goes to feed the local herdbeasts and runnerbeasts, it is more directly tied into the production of those animals. Stormy Plains is host to both one of the Beastcraft Halls (the other is in Melisong) and to the Tanner Hall.
The criminal industry has been drastically cut back. The penalties for criminal activity reflect the absolute dedication Lord Famoran feels towards the task of bringing the Hold back to a more law-abiding status. Some of that dedication stems from his father’s death at the hands of one of the more powerful crime rings.
In contrast to the near past, the history of Stormy Plains Beast Hold was tamely boring until the 7th Turn of the 11th Pass (Turn 3015). At that time, the control of the Hold passed with the death of the Lady Ophelia into the hands of her closest living relative, an inexperienced great-nephew by the name of Fortel. Fortel tried to learn how to be a Lord Holder, but being a rather weak-willed man, he was unable to control the depredations of the local criminals, who then formed together into large organizations behind charismatic leaders and started to actively partake in activities that they never would have dared in the presence of a stronger Lord Holder.
The crime rings reigned supreme for another thirty-three Turns — three Turns into the rule of Fortel’s son Alernos — until Lord Alernos had strengthened the guard enough to begin a major crackdown. Three Turns later, the crime rings decided that they had had enough; it was time to send a strong message to Lord Alernos’s 13 Turn son, Famoran. The rings arranged for Alernos’s murder, and generally let it be bruited about that they had done so. In retrospect, the move was something of a mistake. The 13 Turn old Lord got a message all right, but it wasn’t the one that the crime rings had intended to deliver. Within sevendays, the crackdown had grown to proportions far beyond what might have been expected. In the end, the crime rings were forced to withdraw from the two main cities and areas surrounding. However, Stormy Plains still has to maintain far larger numbers of guards than any other comparably sized Hold.
The current Lord of the Hold, Famoran Telakes, is a man of many sides. He doesn’t like compromising what he believes to be right, but is willing to listen to others and understand where they are coming from on an issue. At this same time, if he knows that a compromise will not be possible, or will not be honored by the other side he is more than capable of utilizing whatever methods are necessary to obtain a desired end.
The current Lady of the Hold, Meralla, is a reflection of Famoran’s more gentle, good-natured side, and she shares her brother’s enjoyment of family trees, often teasing her husband into gales of laughter by comparing him to his great-grandfather, the Journeyman Tanner. This teasing usually comes after Famoran has returned from accompanying a herdbeast-drive, along with members of the guard.
The watchrider is G’rend of Brown Sumith.
[written by Ghost]
