Although once considered a suborder of the Temple of
Thoth, this temple, which was set up to guard
dark knowledge and dark artefacts, has long since
drifted from neutral alignment to evil and now has more in common with
the Temple of Harmakhis.
Noone knows whether the priests still think they worship an aspect of Thoth
but the altar in the temple in dominated by the Baleful Eye of Morg,
a massive 16 foot tall idol of
a giant eye supported by three legs.
The priests of Thoth themselves are banned from discussing the Hellbridge Temple with
outsiders.
Unlike the rituals of the Temple of Harmakhis much is known about the worship in the Hellbridge
Temple although little is comforting. The temple itself is a thing of dark beauty. Large
serpentine pillars support the high ceiling of the
sanctuary, which can easily seat over 200, not including
the regular clergy and guards and the 20 or so vestal virgin dancers.
The eye itself is
covered with bronze which is again covered with gold
plate. The supporting legs are made of silver
encrusted with 400 opals. Beneath
this opulent covering, it is rumored, is contained
Morg’s
eye,
which legend says still possesses the
power
to dominate
any creature within its view.
Nobody
living has tried to free the eye and confirm
the
rumor.
Duting ceremonies worshippers file into the temple in pairs wearing the purple
hooded robes of the sect and chanting prayers. Once
inside they purchase small red candles for 1 gp and
continue into the sanctuary. During the ceremonies 20
acolytes wearing red robes over
their armor sit chanting in the front row while a priest
leads the sacrifices through the east door and the dancers
enter through the west door. Torture implements rest on
a stone before the altar where sacrifices are ritually
tortured and finally killed while the dancers dance ritual
dances and the clergy lead worshippers through ritual
chants. During the ceremony drugged candles in silver
candlestick holders emit fumes that
heighten the pain endured by sacrifices. The temple uses
21 criminals and slaves for sacrifices each week.
The large altar is made of
green
stone and is crossed with serpentine grooves.
Blood
runs off through the grooves leaving the altar
free
of any stains. A jade dagger always rests on the
altar
when it is not in use.
The temples’ hegemony is protected by the
Covenant of Rain by order of the Overlord and is the
special place of worship for the Assassins’ Guild.
The temple provides weather services for the City
State, and shows little respect for its worshippers, except
for its berserker guards.