The Place of the Touched

The Place of the Touched is a central location and community on Xcheamo and a center of learning and communication for the Lupa. It was first built as a place for those with astral abilities to go for group learning, and later became a place where anyone could go to learn, although it keeps it original name. It is a sprawling complex of halls, rooms, apartments, and other needed facilities for the support of hundreds of people situated over a pack size area of land. There are more people at the Place of the Touched than in any other community at any given time.

History

The inception of the Place of the Touched came about in early Lupa history at a time when it was no longer possible for the immortals to spend a lot of time traveling to teach others, and the Touched wanted to be able to come together to learn and meet people they often spoke to astrally. The original structures and grounds were planned by Urvenis, who oversaw its creation. He also had enough foresight to insist on including certain luxuries for the immortals, like private baths and larger quarters, that Moon and Altairtax wouldn't have asked for, but that they would eventually need in order to continue fulfilling their duties as people multiplied and things got busier.

The Place of the Touched died off during the long period of time when there were no immortals acting as Leaders, and then was "rediscovered" at Restoration. During much of this time, it was considered haunted, creepy, or bad luck, and no normal people went there.

Geography

It is located in the middle of livable land, close to the Gathering Field. It has extensive gardens and orchards, several irrigation ponds and streams, and there is a large lake and waterfall some distance behind it. It is located north of the Gathering Fields and east of the nearest gate.

Purposes and Uses

Moon, Altairtax, and Zaira all teach classes in several subjects, and all four have certain duties in keeping the place running. Jaxmin usually runs and mediates any meetings among Leaders and tradespeople, as well as maintaining all major correspondence and reports relating to leadership. As many of them as are available run Placements every afternoon, but either Moon or Zaira must be there in order for them to take place.

One of the newer additions to the Place of the Touched after Restoration is the addition of a program which places orphans with new families. Like most things at the Place of the Touched, the program is run by volunteers under a more permanent coordinator, and great care is taken in helping these children find adoptive parents. The idea for the program originated shortly after Restoration with a young man that had first found a home on xcheamo with Zaira and Jax, and he went on to care for others and eventually head the program in a similar manner. The orphan placement program has a few residential apartments and a common public room with an "office" nestled in off to the side.

The history of the Lupa as a people are held here in the records rooms, which are housed under the great hall, and are maintained by and under Altairtax' supervision. He wrote most of the historical records now held there. There is also a small room containing personal records only, mostly those of the immortals and heads of trades who resided at the Place of the Touched.

Inhabitants

Moon, Altairtax, Zaira, and Jaxmin live here permanently as Leaders after the Restoration, as well as anyone who joins the permanent staff. This is Miara Mitsuki's home when on xcheamo, and she has an apartment with those of the permanent staff. The Place of the Touched has a representative from almost every trade, and the metalworkers and cooks are based here. Any ambassadors or visitors from other races also live here, although not the Mongoostigers living in the "tigertown" during the era of its' existence.

The permanent staff at the Place of the Touched are responsible for organizing, cleaning, laundry, kitchen work, and any other behind the scenes work needed to keep the place running. Most people staying there to learn also help out on a regular basis, and it's also not unusual for the immortals to help–when they have time. The staff are the ones who really get to know the immortals personally, and are headed by the steward.

Permanent staff include the steward, general workers, cooks, teachers, a metalworker, the astral healer, construction and wood workers for repairs and upkeep, a tailor, a tanner, a potter, gardeners for both the gardens and orchards, and makers of plant goods like toiletries and medicines.