2. The Chapel of Saint Bebrah

The chapel of Saint Bebrah is a small church and the only place of worship in the hamlet of Péripont. When the PCs first visit the church, read the following boxed text. Walking on to the town’s square, you find yourselves in front of the only stone building of the hamlet. The chapel is sober and constructed in the Romanesque style with an imposing gable roof and the town’s typical blackened cedar shake. Its bell tower dominates Péripont, overlooking the square, and a large set of stone stairs built in the shape of a parvise leads to the entry. Narrow stained glass windows can be seen all round the chapel. For a hamlet the size of Péripont this place of worship is quite impressive both in its style and architecture. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Bebrah, Patron Saint of Péripont. This saint is linked to the Common Faith, a monotheist system of beliefs dominant in the Country of Sorgwald. Saint Bebrah is the patron saint of loggers, farmers, herbalists, and perfumers. She is often represented wearing a long silk dress, a crown of flowers, and holding a sickle. When the PCs first enter the chapel, read the following boxed text. Entering the chapel, a pleasant smell of incense catches your nose. Your steps resonate as you walk between two rows of wooden pews. In front of you, a beautiful altar faces the benches while a delicate light, filtered by the stained glass windows caresses the interior of the chapel. A large painted statue of a beautiful young woman wearing a thin dress and a crown of flowers, and holding a sickle stands behind the altar. You immediately feel at peace. The chapel is open from dawn to dusk and everyone, provided they don’t cause problems, is welcome. Two masses are celebrated every day; one in the morning and one in the evening. The Sunday morning mass is the most important and usually the one that reunites most of the townspeople. Father Grigor Father Grigor is the town’s priest. He is the sole representative of the Common Faith in Péripont and has dedicated his life to the Chapel of Saint Bebrah and Péripont’s parishioners. He is in his mid thirties and, after studying at a seminary outside the Country of Sorgwald, he traveled a bit, accomplishing various missions on behalf of the church. He was then appointed priest in this region and ended up becoming the vicar at the Chapel of Saint Bebrah. This man is benevolent, tall, and good looking, with deep blue eyes and a well defined jaw. He loves to smile, but mostly remains in a meditative state. Father Grigor enjoys a great deal of influence with citizens of Péripont and although he refuses to admit it, out of modesty, they will usually refer to him instead of Mayor Mortisse when in need of counseling. The Hamlet of Péripont If Father Grigor is asked about any help the town might need, he will briefly explain Philibert Drekh’s situation. He will ask the PCs to pay him a visit and see how they can help him find his missing wife and son. If the PCs accept and give their word that they’ll help, Father Grigor will give the party a Potion of Cure Light Wounds to help them in their journey. Father Grigor will also seek the player’s help to retrieve a liturgical (and magical) item that was stolen from the church a few months ago. The priest will recount that one morning he found one of the glass windows shattered and the altar opened. An aspergillum (a sprinkler) and an aspersorium (a vase) were suddenly missing. This artifact known as the Sprinkler of Saint Bebrah (see room 10 in The Black Paws Cave for complete detail) is very dear to the church and Father Grigor will greatly compensate the PCs if they retrieve the artifact, giving them a beautiful gold string necklace decorated with various gemstones worth 1400 gold pieces. The priest has no proof of it, but he suspects the barklings to have stolen the Sprinkler of Saint Bebrah since he found traces of small footsteps on the floor while cleaning up the mess. What Father Grigor does not know is that these small footsteps belong to a band of pixies, the same ones that were driven out of the cave by the barklings upon their arrival (see area 24 in The Black Paws Cave). Anyone in need can come to the church to receive magical healing or blessing. Father Grigor can provide one such spell per day and a contribution to the Church of the Common Faith will be expected in return. It is up to the GM to determine the price of such assistance, but it should be no lower than 25 gold pieces for each spell the vicar casts. Father Grigor, Cleric Level 2: AC 11, AB +1, #At 1 fist, Dam 1d3, Mv 40', Sv C2, ML 8, XP 75 CON 13 (+1), WIS 15 (+1) Spells: cure light wounds Equipment: gold necklace with a pendant bearing the effigy of Saint Bebrah HP Mart Mart is a teenager who helps Father Grigor around the church. He is an orphan that was taken under the wing of Father Grigor who plans on sending him to the Seminary when he reaches majority. The assistant takes care of cleaning the church, ringing the bell, and helping out with the service. Mart, Normal Man: AC 11, AB +0, #At 1 fist, Dam 1d3, Mv 40', ML 7, XP 10 HP