Touchstones

A Touchstone is a large (2m tall) piece of crystal or rock that is "linked" to a similar artefact at a remote location.

When activated by a member of the Djinn, up to seven humanoids that are simultaneously touching the item are (almost) instantly transported to the other linked crystal or rock. Such travel is one-way and so these "touchstones" are often called either "dispatchers" or "receivers" based on their function.

The Touchstone network in the Empire is a relatively new innovation, established after the Magi of Gebbezra set up a mutal defence and trade treaty with the Empire in 1206IC. At present there is one "dispatcher" and one "receiver" touchstone at each of these locations:

• Anstruth (Academia)
• Almanae (Erganth)
• Cauldron (Forgelands)
• Isirpa (Chundria)
• Laiscol (Lichenburg)
• Specularum (Karameizante)
• Toratium (Thorast)
• Tul-Verbost (Byzantrium)
• Zakharr (Gebbezra)

All of these link to dispatcher/receiver touchstones in Cinnibar, the Imperial capitol in Dominus. Hence, if someone wanted to travel from Isirpa to Zakharr then they would need to use a dispatcher to Dominus first and then a second dispatcher to Gebbezra.

Access to these touchstones is given to the public, and although the high cost of travel (usually about a centari) places this outside of the means of most people, it is now a vital asset to merchants and adventurers.