The Temple of Sargos

"...a new house for the god of the city. It's pillars will rise high; it's flame will burn bright."

— Dynasty King Parolacus

Formerly the temple of the sea god Auromon, the Temple of Sargos is an ancient and proud structure in Thripia dedicated to the city's patron deity, the sun god Sargos. It is owned and maintained by the magi of the Cult of Sargos who oversee rituals, celebrations and sacrifices within. As well as this, the temple is used for education and healing as well as being one of Thripia's chief centers for philsophical discussion, rivaled by the School of Philosophy, and is known to train in the Oracular Arts.

Apperance

The temple is located on the north side of the city, near to the Meleatte River, the coast of the Western Sea and the First Bridge. It's centralized location allows for worshipers all throughout Thripia to visit. The building itself is constructed atop a small artificial hill up which stairs ascend to a large circular chamber which is multiple stories tall though consists of only one room. It is surrounded on all sides by pillars which uphold a gold-plated, domed roof tipped with a spire. This is the central chamber of worship within which a statue of Sargos stands along with his altar fire. There, offerings may be placed and prayers made into the flame. The rest of the temple, which extends outward and is dwarfed behind the central chamber, consists of living quarters for the magi, the High Magi and God's Wife's private chambers, forums for philosophical and theological discussion, printing and copying rooms occupied by scribes as well as facilities for teachers and apothecaries.

Function

The Temple of Sargos is Thripia's chief center for religious worship and ritual. It is intended to serve as a place where mortal mankind may find mediums between themselves and the immortal divine world. The gods, it is thought, grant favor in their dominions to those who honor them and live in a way befitting their blessings. The role of the magi is to guide and counsel the people on how best to achieve a respectful relationship with the immortal realm. In the temple's case, Sargos is of course the focus of this instruction. He is the sun god and the chief of the gods, associated with war, the arts and destiny itself. As such, his supremacy is evident.
As well as providing guidance to the city, the magi also perform many rites and rituals in the temple to please Sargos. This includes, first and foremost, his daily honoring in which the Magi of Ceremonies meet in the central chamber and light the altar fire at dawn, casting into it written prayers and speaking aloud greetings to the sun god. The Caretaker Magi will then thoroughly clean his statue. This is done every day and is thought essential; the temple is first opened to the public once the honoring is complete. The magi also regularly perform animal sacrifices, typically once a month or in times in which they may beseech their god, in which the animal in question, usually an aurochs, is first paraded down the streets to the temple, brought before the altar and then killed with its throat slit. The blood is collected in a bronze bowl before being disposed of in the altar fire.
Citizens also often come to the temple to make use of its trained Oracles that the cult employs who they pay to drink their ichor and, with their skill, interpret useful or directed visions of the future. As well as this, the temple offers the services of apothecaries, tutors, scribes and other experts. Likewise, the magi themselves may be sought for counsel not just in matters of the divine, but for advice or guidance in the troubles of daily life. Offerings of all kinds are expected to be left for Sargos upon a visit to the temple, varying depending on the personal wealth of the individual, and can include food, ichor, jewelry or donations of coin to the magi.

Type

Temple / Religious complex

Parent Location

Thripia

Owning Organization

The Cult of Sargos