The Holderkin are a puritanical group originally from Karse (two generations ago) who live on the southeastern border of Valdemar. Holderkin society is patriarchal. Men are the heads of the family, their authority is absolute. Women are submissive in all aspects of life. Families are polygamous, with several wives to each husband. The FirstWife is in charge of all the Underwives and the children. The widowed mother of the head of the household has a specially honored place in the family. At age thirteen, daughters are either married or sent to the temples to be devotees of the goddess.