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= Session 2: The Chaplain's Warning =

'''Date:''' Day 2 (Dawn)

'''Location:''' [[Kendall Keep]] — Chapel (Location 17)

== Summary ==

The party visited '''[[Father Abercrombie]]''' at the Chapel to learn more about the rumoured Hidden Temple. The priest proved to be far more than a simple clergyman—a former soldier turned warrior-priest who has been desperately trying to warn the Keep's authorities about the growing evil in the hills. He shared extensive knowledge about the Hidden Temple, his suspicions about a spy within the Keep, and gave the party a sacred mission.

== Events ==

=== Meeting Father Abercrombie ===

The party entered the Chapel at dawn and found Father Abercrombie kneeling in prayer before the altar, clad in chainmail. When [[Zeale]] challenged him about the Hidden Temple—and questioned why a priest wears armour in his own chapel—Abercrombie revealed his true nature.

He explained that he was a soldier before taking holy orders, having fought in three campaigns against the Horned Society. He wears mail because St. Cuthbert calls his servants to '''action''', not passive prayer. He has been waiting for the chance to fight the evil he knows lurks in the hills, but [[Devereau]] will not release him from his duties.

=== The Hidden Temple Revealed ===

Abercrombie shared what he knows of the Hidden Temple:

* The temple is called '''Eglalgina''' — "The Everlasting Palace"
* It is dedicated to '''Erishkigal''', goddess of death and the underworld
* It was built into the living rock of the [[Caves of Chaos]], in the "highest place" and "deepest darkness"
* Ancient priests believed they had destroyed it two hundred years ago, but they only '''sealed it away'''
* Someone has now broken the seals

He showed the party an ancient chronicle kept by priests who served the land before the Keep was built, which describes the temple and its sealing.

=== Evidence of Evil ===

Abercrombie described the evidence he has gathered:

* '''Three months ago:''' A shepherd found one of his flock torn apart and ''arranged'' in a ritual pattern, entrails laid out in a deliberate design
* '''One month ago:''' A tinker and his wife vanished from the North Road—no bodies, no blood, only the '''Sign of Erishkigal''' carved into their wagon seat
* Every time he reports these incidents to [[Devereau]], the evidence vanishes before patrols arrive—as if someone is warning the enemy

=== The Suspected Spy ===

When pressed about who might be betraying the Keep, Abercrombie reluctantly shared his suspicions about '''[[Mendel]]''' the scribe:

* Mendel arrived five years ago with references from a noble house in the east
* He asks subtle questions about patrol schedules and traveller movements
* He once asked to borrow the ancient chronicle—Abercrombie refused
* Abercrombie has found the chapel door unlocked when he was certain he had secured it
* There is a "coldness" in Mendel's eyes when he thinks no one is watching

Abercrombie emphasised he has '''no proof'''—only instinct.

=== Asham and Arpad ===

The priest also revealed his suspicions about '''[[Asham]]''' the cooper and his missing daughter '''[[Arpad]]''':

* Arpad disappeared several months ago—officially assumed to have run off with a tinker
* Asham swore she would never leave without word
* After her disappearance, '''Mendel''' visited Asham, ostensibly to offer condolences
* Asham has become a shadow of himself—withdrawn, avoiding others, refusing confession
* Abercrombie suspects Arpad was '''kidnapped by the Temple''' to ensure Asham's cooperation
* Asham may have been coerced into providing information or assistance to the enemy

=== The Sacred Mission ===

Father Abercrombie entrusted the party with:

* A '''silver holy symbol of St. Cuthbert''' — an ancient relic that belonged to one of the priests who originally sealed the temple
* A request to '''place it at the threshold''' of the Hidden Temple if they find it
* A plea to bring back '''proof''' of the Temple's existence so he can convince Devereau to act

=== Next Steps ===

The party decided to investigate further before venturing to the Caves. Abercrombie directed them to:

* '''[[Asham]]''' the cooper (Location 7f) — the grieving father who may be under Temple coercion
* '''[[Devereau]]''' the Castellan (Location 27) — who demands proof before acting
* '''[[Mendel]]''' the scribe (Location 28) — the suspected spy himself

He warned them to be careful what they reveal to Mendel, and to approach Asham gently.

== Session End ==

The session ended with the party standing outside the Chapel in the grey morning light, deciding to visit Asham the cooper first.

== Treasure & Equipment Gained ==

* '''Silver Holy Symbol of St. Cuthbert''' — Ancient relic, to be placed at the Hidden Temple threshold

== Party Status ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Character !! Class !! HP !! Status
|-
| [[Zeale]] || Fighter 1 || 11/11 || Healthy
|-
| [[Mira Ashwood]] || Mage 1 || 4/4 || Healthy
|-
| [[Finnegan Cole|Finn]] || Thief 1 || 6/6 || Healthy
|-
| [[Brother Marcus]] || Cleric 1 || 8/8 || Healthy
|}

== Key Information Learned ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Topic !! Details
|-
| Hidden Temple || Called ''Eglalgina'' (The Everlasting Palace), dedicated to Erishkigal, located in upper caves
|-
| Ancient History || Priests sealed the temple 200 years ago; seals have been broken
|-
| Suspected Spy || [[Mendel]] the scribe — no proof, but suspicious behaviour
|-
| Coerced Ally || [[Asham]] the cooper — daughter [[Arpad]] possibly kidnapped as leverage
|-
| Evidence Problem || All evidence vanishes before patrols arrive, suggesting inside information
|}

== NPCs Interacted With ==

* '''[[Father Abercrombie]]''' — Extensive conversation, received quest and holy symbol

== NPCs Mentioned ==

* '''[[Mendel]]''' — Suspected spy
* '''[[Asham]]''' — Cooper whose daughter is missing
* '''[[Arpad]]''' — Asham's daughter, possibly kidnapped
* '''[[Devereau]]''' — Castellan who demands proof
* '''[[Erishkigal]]''' — Goddess of death, patron of the Hidden Temple

[[Category:Sessions]]
[[Category:Campaign Log]]

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