Fort Hold is the oldest Hold on Pern, established by Paul Benden and Emily Boll. It was an attempt to consolidate the human population of Pern, in order to more efficiently use the diminishing resources and better defend lives. It was built somewhat haphazardly, as a cave system on the Northern Continent was made suitable for human habitation. The population continued to grow rapidly in the early days, resulting in a fever epidemic which killed thousands, including Emily Boll.