No Shadow Shall Stand Against His Light.

The credo of the worshippers of Hyperion is echoed everywhere in the god’s chief city. Lying on Aegea’s southwestern shore, dominated by the largest of his domed temples, it is said you can never be lost in Ilium. The temple rises above all else, like a second, smaller sun. It stands at the center of everything, with all roads running towards it.

Broad plazas, marked by obelisks, act as markets and centers of gossip as well as commerce. More temples are found here, often to the other gods, but Hyperion is most loved in this city, and that is forever apparent. His knights are often seen walking the streets, on their way to whatever duty presses them. His priests and priestesses are similarly common, their yellow robes setting them apart. Only occasionally does one glimpse an Inquisitor, robed in brown and almost always alone.

If one is fortunate enough to attend prayers at the great temple they might spy the Hierarch, the head of the faith, and the voice of the god in this world.

His visage is never far as Ilium’s coin is the Hierarch, and stamped with the likeness of the high priest.

There have been, in recent years, some discussions among the princes of the other poli, questioning the Hierarch’s role in temporal affairs. They whisper that his power has grown too great and too concerned with affairs of the world and not of faith. These never get far beyond whispers however. Since the death of the moon and the fall of Phoebe’s towers, there is no counter to the Knights of Hyperion, no dissenting voice loud enough. Nor, many would say, should there be. The knights wield the god’s fire, and with it, are able to drive back the Grief. Some would argue that the knights are the source of the problem, as they killed the moon, but none would dare to say such in Ilium.

Map and art by Jake Shandy: https://jakeshandy.com/

Dark Moon, Shallow Sea by David R. Slayton available October 31, 2023 from Blackstone Publishing