Hall of Childhood

At the centre of each family segment, these are where the children live and learn from age five to thirteen. All are given a crystal when they join the hall, which they use during their lessons. They are looked after by the Family Aunties and see their parents and siblings at regular intervals.
At age thirteen, the children can choose to leave and take up a menial task within the family, or remain in the Hall for another two years to hone their skills and take part in the Phoenix Designation Ceremony to choose their future role within the Family. Those who leave early either have little skill with the crystal, and so would end up at the bottom of the list of children in their year, or whose parents are unable to contribute enough to the Family to pay for their continued residency there.
Within the Hall, there are rooms for the children, the older ones in separate rooms and the smaller ones in dorms, as well as classrooms, suites for the aunties and a communal dining room and other facilities. Each year group has its own relaxation area where the children spend their time between lessons.