Bonisagus’ Temple of Mercury
Between the Aventine and Palatine Hills, in a half abandoned and ruined part of the Eternal City lies a completely dried out well. There is a stone fence around the courtyard where it stands and a small other building upon the property. The building is clearly much more modern, yet entirely empty. Inside the well, there is an invincible ladder, sturdy and robust. Descending down the well initially seems futile, as there is no opening at the bottom. Though this too is a trick. The northern section is illusory, and can be walked through. Doing so leads the explorer to an underground cave and temple.
The temple is one of the oldest in Rome. Though not much remains of it in 1220. It was constructed in 495 BC, dedicated to an unknown soldier Marcus Letorius, a primus pilus. It was situated outside one of the larger markets of Rome, thus the Pontifex Maximus and the merchants' guild shared control and the preservation of it. The temple was quite small compared to many others - or at least this chamber of it. Marcus Aurelius would fund repairs of the temple during his reign. And in the 8th century, Bonisagus would find the well half buried and long forgotten. He descended into it and found the temple and a secret cache of the Cult of Mercury’s rituals.
The underground chamber is the cella of the temple, though part of its peristasis remain as well. Instead of the usual columns, the temple’s architrave and roof is held up by four herms. Each depicting mercury, but damaged heavily. The architrave is engraved with roosters, tortoises and a proud ram. The walls have cracks and the roof is replaced with earth and stone.
The statue of Mercury is located in the centre of the cella. It's made of marble and depicts the god naked and holding his caduceus, though the other arm has been broken. The temple has a few frescos along the walls and floor. Depicting Maia, Mercury’s divine mother, and priest sacrificing cows to her. Lares are also depicted. And naturally Mercury himself.
The temple was very important to the Cult of Mercury despite its lack of grandeur. This was due to its location in the capital. The Cult could centralise around the capital, but more importantly Rome was the centre of the ancient road network. Thus rites in the temple could affect any other location in the empire. The temple was thus of vital importance to the Emperor and Cult alike. Even the well was significant and sacred, as during Mercuralia, merchants would sprinkle water on their heads from it.
Once the cella must have been filled with votives, texts, and other trophies. Indeed, when a young Bonisagus first descended down the well this is what he found - some of these relics are still kept in the Great Library of Durenmar. In 1220 however it’s empty, if not for visitors. Hermetic historians and Mercurians akin sometimes travel to the site. The land of the well was purchased by a magi and donated to the Roman Tribunal by Notatus himself. Since then it has been kept intact and, to the best of the tribunal's ability, secret.