| Kind | Temple |
The greatest temple dedicated to the demigod Ashanot is the Temple of Ashes. The body of the demigod is sealed inside a stone coffin, placed at the center of the temple and known as the Stonepyre becouse it produces an ever burining flame. The priests of the temple continuosly place wood on top of the stonepyre to create a great bonfire that illuminates most of the structure.
Come faithful, to warm by the Stonepyre,
bring your burining desires,
and Light a Candle to Ambition.
Map of the Temple of Ashes
The Structure
The temple proper is a circular structure made of stone, with a big pit at its center, where the Stonepyre is placed. This main room is used for prayers and offerings It has no ceiling and the wall presents twelve symmetric arcs. This room is referred as the Pyreroom, similar rooms are a common sight in temples of Ashtar and related demigods, but they usually do not contain living fires, only embers.
All other zones of the temple were built later and linked to the arcs of the Pyreroom. A thick layer of ash covers the area around the temple, the priests clean the corridors but removing it from the fenced enclosings is forbidden.
Burning Grounds
As is common in temples of Ashtar, the Temple of Ashes is a place where bodies are burned and funeral cerimonies known as Burning of Flesh are celebrated. The Burning Grounds are located in the fenced enclosings to the north-east and south-west.
Corridor of Ambitions
The corridor to the north is named Corridor of Ambitions. It is a custom for faithful to Ashanot to come to the temple before taking on a difficult endeavor, here they light a candle using the flames of the Stonepyre and leave it in the corridor and exit from the gate at its end. If someone does so, the candle will keep burning until their mission is concluded or they are dead. This custom is also known as Lighting a Candle to Ambition.
Accomodations
The accomodations of the temple are divided in three. In the western wing of the temple live the priests, while in the easter the initiates. Of recent construction, a small structure on the south-west is used by guests and refugees.
Environment
The air around the temple is warm but dry and extremely clean despite the ash and smoke. Lands around the temple are mostly sterile but the ashes of the temple acts as a fertilizer. The inhabitats of the near villages are permitted to take and use the ash for their fields but selling it is forbidden.
Crows
Crows, sacred animal of Ashanot, are attracted by the Temple of Ashes, many of them live in the branches of the garden trees and a birdbath has been constructed in the north-western enclosure.