Prior to the Bal'met Saga, the cities of Ashtan and Shallam were home to many orphans. Most of these children, as they tell adventurers, had lost their parents through unfortunate incidents, such as storms, and spent their lives wandering the streets. Both cities set up organisations to take in orphans, the Loving Hearts Orphanage, the Basilican choir, and later the Te'Serran Academy in the Citadel of Light.