Elagabalium
Heliogabalus was emperor of Rome until his assassination in 222 AD. Part of the Severan dynasty, Heliogabalus was not a native Italian. Instead hailing from a city called Emesa, of the Phoenice province. His four years as emperor would be filled with scandals and strife.
In his hometown, Heliogabalus had since early youth served as head priest of the sun god Elagabal. He did not give up this worship as he arrived in Rome, quite the opposite. During the Winter Solstice of 220 he declared that Elagabal was the true chief deity of the Roman pantheon, and should be honoured as such. A perceived usurpation of Jupiter’s traditional claim. Though sun worship had increased throughout the Empire, the citizens of Rome wasn't ready for this drastic change. Heliogabalus’ devotion to Elagabal, also known as Helios, Sol Indiges or Sol Invictus remained unpopular.
Heliogabalus had a lavish temple called the Elagabalium built on the east face of the Palatine Hill to house Elagabal’s form, who was represented by a black conical baetylus he had taken with him from Emesa. The stone was believed to have been sent from heaven, and it was adorned with rough engravings of the sun. Each summer solstice it would be patrolled on a golden chariot throughout Rome.
Heliogabalus' piousness towards his own god was paired with an utter disrespect towards the traditional Roman deities, going so far as to marry a Vestal Virgin. His debauchery and lustfulness renown throughout Rome. He was deeply unpopular. Like so many other Emperors the Praetorian Guard eventually assassinated him. Jupiter was reinstated, Elagabalium was destroyed and Elagabal sent back to Emesa. Yet the holy stone never arrived, indeed it never left Italy.
Heliogabalus faithful servants, those who would later become the Cult of Sol Invictus instead brought it to a second Elagabalium. This time away from cities and pomp. This second temple remains a central part of the cult and their mysteries to this day, by the cult's modern faction within House Jerbiton.
The Invicti’s have a complicated relationship with Heliogabalus. He was clearly deeply initiated into their mysteries; historians detail his ritual circumcision and other public ordeals.Yet his debauchery and willingness to compromise with “pagan elements” makes others believe he was a traitor to the True Sun. The most popular interpretation is that a lot of what has been recorded about his sex life is libel, and can be safely dismissed.
The second Elagabalium is within a divine regio with a single level of 6. West of Perugia, close to Lake Trasimeno lies an seemingly abandoned hill. This is all that exists of the great temple on the mundane level. Entering the temple is only possible at dawn and dusk, and is done with a simple hymn to Elagabal. Inside the regio the temple is of a classic design with many sun frescos, centering the holy baetylus. A holy relic with 4 Faith Points in it. One of the highest episkopos within the cult cares for the temple and usually lives within it. This is the centre for the Invicti’s activities within the Roman Tribunal, where they historically have many enemies. They are careful to keep the site's location secret, though long term this is likely impossible. The Cult has at least one unlikely ally within the Tribunal, the mysterious Lady of Games and her Nightwalkers share their ambition of routing the Faeries of Italy once and for all.