The Moderasia of Treft

It is often observed that Treftans are an irreligious people, or if they have a religion, it is the worship of their own strange governance. This is because where citizens of other realms respond to the pealing of bells by attending churches, the Treftans go from assembly to assembly of their precious Senex. While it is true that the Plenipotentiary Democracy is greatly concerned with their political system, they are at least nominally observant members of the Church of Westrun. However, if there is something religiously unique to Treft it is their philosophy -- "Forge the mind; temper the body and guard the virtuous soul." To aid them in that end, the citizens of Treft frequently attend the Moderasia.

The Moderasia were once temples to the pagan god Moder, but have all been converted to combination of training hall, civic center, and private institutions of higher learning. While they are not run by the government, each neighborhood has its own Moderasium and each competes with the others in their organized contests that occur during the sunlit hours of the Day of the Satyr. These contests include a unique pairing of wrestling matches and organized debates. Each contestant is judged not only by his ability to prevail on the sand, but to win over the audience on a topic and position which is assigned at random.

The Moderasia are large rectangular buildings built around a center courtyard which is open to the sky and filled with carefully sifted sand. In this central training yard, the members strive against one another dressed only in their horsehair briefs. 

Around the courtyard is a colunnade which opens into several smaller rooms. These include a pool and sauna which are attended by the naked Modesta -- unmarried women who are devoted to the care and training of those who attend that Moderasium. The other areas include an exercise room for calisthenics and a room full of stone weights for building strength. They also have the pit and pendulum for teaching balance. There is a small forum for debates and oratory. They boast a library and lectern where instructors can teach subjects like logic, history and moral philosophy. The Moderasium also typically has quiet rooms for meditation and breathing excercises, and finally, even a small chapel of the Church of Westrun.   

While Moder the Even was revered as a figure of balance and restraint, recognized by his familiar, humble garb; the Treftan image of him saw him as a the quintessential athelete -- strong, agile and lean. His open hands posture is still taken by wrestlers before matches to ceremonially show that they are unarmed.  

But this is only one image found in the Moderasia of Treft. The other is that of the master debater, the image of Moder dressed in toga and holding forth on one topic or another.

The third image common to the Moderasia is that of the devout and humble soul, surrounded by candles and burning incense. Because a Moderasium is believed to provide a trained mind and disciplined body, the spiritual benefit of tranquility is thought to follow.