Father Abercrombie

Father Abercrombie

Father Abercrombie is the Chaplain of Kendall Keep, serving at the Chapel (Location 17). He is a priest of St. Cuthbert and a former soldier who has been trying to warn the Keep's authorities about the growing evil in the Borderlands.

Description

Abercrombie is not what one might expect of a priest. He is broad-shouldered and thick-necked, built more like a blacksmith than a clergyman. His head is shaved bare, and a thick grey beard covers his jaw. His hands are scarred across the knuckles from fights long past.

A heavy mace hangs at his belt, and he wears chainmail even within his own chapel. A wooden cudgel-shaped holy symbol of St. Cuthbert rests against his chest. His eyes are pale blue—the colour of winter ice—and carry an intensity that can be unsettling.

Background

Before taking holy orders, Abercrombie was a soldier. He fought in three campaigns against the Horned Society and watched good men die because those who should have protected them were too busy with politics and theology.

When he found the faith of St. Cuthbert, he swore he would never be a passive priest. He would be a shepherd who could fight for his flock. He wears armour because the Cudgel is not a god of soft prayers—he is a god of action, justice, and the strong arm that strikes down wickedness.

Role

Abercrombie serves as the spiritual leader of Kendall Keep. He is known for his fiery "brimstone" sermons and his conviction that evil is stirring in the Borderlands.

He has been desperately trying to convince Devereau and others that a Hidden Temple exists in the Caves of Chaos, but his warnings have been dismissed as paranoia. Every time he reports evidence of ritual activity, it vanishes before patrols can investigate—leading him to suspect a spy within the Keep.

Statistics

Attribute	Value
Class	Cleric of St. Cuthbert, Level 3
Armour Class	3 (chainmail and shield +1)
Hit Points	22
THAC0	20 (19 with mace +1)
Alignment	Lawful Good
Strength	15
Wisdom	16
Morale	Champion (16)

Spells

1st Level (4 slots): Bless, Command, Cure Light Wounds ×2

2nd Level (3 slots): Hold Person, Know Alignment, Spiritual Hammer

Equipment

• Chainmail
• Shield +1
• Mace +1
• Holy symbol of St. Cuthbert (cudgel-shaped)

What Abercrombie Knows

The Hidden Temple

Abercrombie possesses an ancient chronicle kept by priests who served the land before the Keep was built. From this text and his own investigations, he has learned:

• 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
• Located in the "highest place" and "deepest darkness" (likely the upper caves)
• Ancient priests believed they destroyed it 200 years ago, but they only sealed it away
• Someone has now broken the seals

Evidence He Has Gathered

• Three months ago: A shepherd found his sheep torn apart and ritually arranged, entrails laid out in a deliberate pattern
• One month ago: A tinker and his wife vanished—no bodies, only the Sign of Erishkigal carved into their wagon
• All evidence vanishes before patrols arrive, suggesting someone warns the enemy

The Suspected Spy

Abercrombie suspects Mendel the scribe, though he has no proof:

• Mendel asks subtle questions about patrols and travellers
• He once asked to borrow the ancient chronicle (Abercrombie refused)
• The chapel door has been found unlocked when Abercrombie was certain he secured it
• There is a "coldness" in Mendel's eyes

Asham and Arpad

Abercrombie believes Asham the cooper may be under Temple coercion:

• Asham's daughter Arpad disappeared months ago
• After her disappearance, Mendel visited Asham (supposedly to offer condolences)
• Asham has become withdrawn, refuses confession, avoids others
• Abercrombie suspects Arpad was kidnapped to ensure Asham's cooperation

Relationships

• Fellow servant of St. Cuthbert with Brother Marcus
• Frustrated by Devereau's refusal to act without proof
• Suspicious of Mendel the scribe
• Works alongside Opal (priestess) and Brother Martin (acolyte)

Party Interactions

Session 1

Mentioned by Cob and Jess as someone who has been warning about the Hidden Temple.

Session 2

The party visited Abercrombie at dawn. He shared extensive information about the Hidden Temple, his suspicions about Mendel, and his theory about Asham being coerced.

He entrusted the party with an ancient silver holy symbol of St. Cuthbert that belonged to one of the priests who originally sealed the temple. He asked them to:

• Place it at the threshold of the Hidden Temple if they find it
• Bring back proof so he can convince Devereau to act
• Be careful what they reveal to Mendel