Leper Moat

The Leper Moat is a leper hospital/colony located in the poorest section of the Mashiqi Market Quarter of Jeharoa. It is administered by the Vestals of Porcia and the Seneshals of Elenea; two priesthoods devoted to serving the poor and ill with the kindness of the Mother Porcia and the diligence of the Faithful Elenea.

Purpose / Function

Because Jeharoa is a pilgrimage site, infectious diseases and other ailments are persistent and strike with alarming frequency. While the rich and middle class can afford to seek out a priest or healer for a modest fee, most of the city’s poor and many of the traveling pilgrims can’t. As a result, they suffer in silence. 
Lepers in particular are ostracized and forced to remain in this compound. However, life for a leper is not awful. The lepers are provided with books and many acolytes come to lead them in prayer. There are celebrations and parties and some lepers even produce art and crafts to be sold in the market.

History

The Leper Moat is run by the Vestals of Porcia and the Seneshals of Elenea. The leader of the acolytes is Liat ban Shem, a local woman who’s father Shem ban Kapa, is cursed with leprosy and lives in the compound. More and more, the Moat is under threat by the Pilgrims, who sometimes see the Moat as a sign of sinfulness within the city. Others think it is unsanitary to have a hospital within the city walls. Yet the Moat remains open because the Pilgrims fear that if the Moat closes, the poor will go to the Amaranthine Sepulchre, where they will be treated by supposed Qartagonian sympathizers.

Type

Hospital

Parent Location

Mashiqi Market Quarter

Owner

Liat ban Shem

Characters in Location

• Liat ban Shem