Sophocos

The Tower of Sophocos is a structure which has stood since time immemorial in central Kharadamat, near the north bank of the Pravy river. For millennia it has served as the spiritual centre of Ritualist religious philosophy, although the logic behind its significance varies considerably between different Ritualist sects.

Physical Structure
Sophocos appears identical to the other great Towers that dot Aeras, except in three important particulars. First, Sophocos is missing its top half. Second, it lacks the lethally potent magical field which surrounds the other Towers and prevents all approach. Third, a massive staircase of stone blocks spirals around the structure, leading to the top. Each of the 1,001 steps is a block the height of a man. Climbing this stairway is a daunting, even dangerous, feat, but very much possible.

Religious Significance
Sophocos and its steps are one of the only features common to the wildly disparate sects grouped under the banner of Ritualism – indeed, Ritualism is often described as “Sophocism”. Most Ritualists believe in the significance of a mythical ascent of Sophocos by one or more pilgrims, rulers or deities, who thereby came into power or wisdom. The 1,001 Steps are often equated or associated with trials or rituals necessary for this spiritual ascendance.

Many Ritualists in turn believe that they themselves can win knowledge or salvation by ascending the Steps of Sophocos. Some see this journey as a metaphor, with the steps representing actions (often esoteric rituals) which groups or individuals can undertake to improve themselves. In these interpretations the physical tower serves as a symbol of the process of self-improvement, or even as a potential distraction from the true ascent.

Conversely, many others see the physical act of climbing Sophocos as holding great significance. For this reason Sophocos is a major centre of pilgrimage, and a thriving community of Ritualists surrounds it. In a region which for a thousand years has been divided between Ritualist and Wardenite groups, the vicinity of Sophocos has always been a Ritualist stronghold. Over the years cranes and pulleys have been erected to facilitate the ascent, and pilgrims are charged tolls to climb the structure. For some sects physical ascents are viewed as optional, whereas for others, such as the Zamitilaat Karim, the climb should be made at least once by every worshipper. Many famous religious leaders, including Zatanai, Hanaa and Sarah bint Shakira, are reputed to have made the ascent and received revelations of cosmological truths.

A small number of Ritualists believe that there is a physical Sophocos of great significance, but that it is not the same as the structure in Kharadamat. Often the location of this “true Sophocos” is thought to be unknown or somewhere all but impossible to reach.