Holds are settlements formed as shelters against Thread. Carved from cliff faces they are watched over by a Lord and Lady Holder, whose duties are to see that all are cared for, that supplies are set aside for the lean years of a Pass, and that all are treated fairly. It should of course be noted that this is not a complete list of all the settlements on Pern; many Minor Holdings are not listed in the Atlas of Pern, and as such, the Minor Holdings currently known are the ones that have played a part in one of the Pern novels published thus far.