The Vault of Greed

    Greed's Temple to Mammon stands on a high mountain range. It is said that one can see all the kingdoms of the world from these peaks. The facade is of classical design with gilt pillars, but the building itself is more modern. It appears to have been added on to by varied minds in diverse ages. The temple contains all the amenities one would expect for the center of one of the world's oldest and most established religions, including a state of the art broadcast studio. The Lord of Lucre presides over services every Monday morning, but followers can catch up on the latest message at their convenience, on air or online. Greed is second only to Lust in media exposure.

    The Temple is open to all, but the Vault is only for members. The chamber containing the first great door is modelled on something like classical lines. Made of Tyrian bronze, the Gate of Grasping will open only to those who pay the steep entrance fee. Members from around the world bring many such investments in hopes of profitable returns. After paying, the new Initiate is sprinkled with "gold dust", actually ground-up pyrite, and allowed within. This section is as far as most followers get. The price of admission climbs higher as the Vault gets deeper.

    Deeper within the mountain one comes to a somewhat Baroque chamber lit by a sky-well and ringed with bookcases full of ledgers. This room contains the next door, the Gate of Avarice, made of steel bars covered with silver. Here, would-be entrants must surrender all belief and even opinion to the Great Device. A detailed record of each one's words and deeds is kept, to be used against him if the Device deems it advisable. The policy of the Device is slowly but continually shifting, so that what was acceptable one year is anathema the next. Bent to its will like grass to the wind, the new Adepts enter Avarice and trudge ahead, past exhausted mineshafts that are now used for storage.

    At the end of the long sloping tunnel is the last chamber. The room is artificially lit from the top, where steam from a nearby hot spring is piped in to simulate clouds. The moisture is constantly peeling flecks of sky-blue paint from the cavern ceiling. In contrast, the walls of the grotto are given over to a hideous riot of rococo excess and golden statues. Here one finds the final door, the Gate of Cupidity. Its slender bars are of titanium alloy, coated with gold. A steady rhythmic sound can be heard from behind the doors. One might almost mistake it for the heartbeat of the earth herself. It is thousands of hearts beating in depressing unison, the last sacrifice of Greed's most devoted followers. Having been divested of their final fragment of humanity, the newly Hollowed are given a gray suit and and a beige briefcase. They are then sent forth into the world, conquering and to conquer.

    And yet the hearts drone on in dull monotony: "More... More... More..."