A7 Old Temple of St. Cuthbert

A Beacon of Faith and Righteousness

The Old Temple of St. Cuthbert dominates its little rise of cobblestone with thick white-washed walls, squat domes, and heavy oak doors carved with the Saint’s cudgel and crumpled hat. From its high arched windows, sunlight pours into a nave crowded with worshippers, militiamen, and petitioners seeking justice, healing, or hard truths. Once the city’s primary temple, it now serves as headquarters and training ground for the Church while a grander new cathedral rises closer to the Traders’ Market.

BISHOP HAUFREN’S SEAT
The Old Temple is the working throne-room of Bishop Haufren, Verbobonc’s most powerful cleric and a veteran of Emridy Meadows. Stern, practical, and fiercely orthodox, Haufren oversees doctrine, appointments, and major inquisitions from his chambers here, and his counsel carries great weight in Viscount Wilfrick’s court—even after their political falling-out over Lord Haxx.

Under him, the three orders of the Stalwart Host share the complex:

• Billets guard, heal, and police the faithful.
• Chapeaux handle conversion, preaching, and relic-quests.
• Stars maintain records, doctrine, and investigations of heresy.

APPEARANCE & ATMOSPHERE
Entering through the great doors, visitors find a vaulted entrance hall lined with steel-framed portraits of past Verbobonc bishops; beneath each hangs that bishop’s cudgel, polished and ready as if they might take it up again at any moment. At the far end, an open arch leads into the main sanctuary, its stone pillars etched with blunt Cuthbertine maxims beginning “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.”

Architectural Grandeur and Divine Presence

A Solid and Imposing Structure

• Design and Aesthetics: With its graceful domes and thick, militant white-washed walls, the temple exudes a sense of divine fortitude. The oak doors, intricately carved with the likeness of St. Cuthbert, invite all to witness the strength and compassion of their patron deity.
• Symbol of Goodness: Standing tall over the streets, the temple shines as a beacon of good and righteousness, its high arched windows bathing the interior in sunlight, a reminder of St. Cuthbert's ever-present watch over his faithful.

The Heart of St. Cuthbert's Faith

Clergy and Their Divine Mission

• Archbishop Haufren's Seat: The temple serves as the spiritual headquarters for ArchBishop Haufren, guiding the faithful towards the path of order and discipline.
• Departments of Faith: Housing the three pillars of the church—the Chapeaux, the Stars, and the Billets—the Old Temple remains a center for conversion, doctrinal purity, and the protection of the faithful.

Notable Figures

• Star Priest Joris Debruyne: Known for his zeal in fundraising, Debruyne is committed to the construction of the new cathedral, channeling the contributions of the faithful towards this sacred endeavor.
• Canon Nabil: As the chief cleric, Nabil's leadership is marked by a friendly yet stern demeanor, dedicated to the expansion of the faith and the safeguarding of its doctrinal purity.

Expansion and Legacy

Growth Beyond Walls

With the faith's popularity surging, construction has begun on a larger cathedral near the Traders Market, signaling a new era for the followers of St. Cuthbert in Verbobonc.

The First Army of the Church

• A Formidable Force: The Billet division's standing religious army, led by the Cuthbertine Overseer Branditan, embodies the martial aspect of St. Cuthbert's teachings, ready to defend the faith with zeal and discipline.
• Training and Discipline: Under the stern leadership of Cuthbertine Overseer Branditan, the First Army of the Church has transformed from a group of club-bearing zealots into a disciplined and well-trained military force. Branditan's rigorous training regimen and unwavering commitment to the principles of St. Cuthbert have instilled a sense of purpose and skill in the ranks of the army.
• Composition and Deployment: The army comprises approximately 200 men and women, half of whom are usually stationed at the 'old' church, ready to defend the faith and its followers. This strategic deployment not only ensures the security of the church's sacred grounds but also positions the army to respond swiftly to threats against the faithful in Verbobonc and its surroundings.
• Role in the Community: Beyond its military capabilities, The First Army of the Church serves as a symbol of St. Cuthbert's commitment to justice and protection. The Vigil Wardens of Verbobonc Billet presence reinforces the church's role as a guardian of order, providing reassurance to the citizens of Verbobonc that the forces of chaos and evil will not prevail as long as the faithful stand vigilant.

Mysteries and Rumors

Hidden Knowledge

Beneath the venerable stones of the Old Temple lies a rumored underground library, a vault of rare books and secret religious artifacts, safeguarding the mysteries of the faith for generations to come.

SECURITY & MILITARY PRESENCE
The Old Temple is effectively a small fortress. Between Billets, the First Army of the Church, and patrols of the Vigil Wardens of Verbobonc who coordinate with them, the grounds are rarely unguarded. In times of crisis, the complex can be locked down and the yard used as a mustering point for joint operations with the Mounted Borderers or city watch.

NOTABLE NPCs
• Bishop Haufren – 13th-level cleric, leader of the Church in Verbobonc; stern, politically influential, and currently strained by his rift with Viscount Wilfrick.
• Cuthbertine Overseer Branditan – Commander and drillmaster of the First Army of the Church; turns zealots with cudgels into disciplined soldiers.
• Star Priest Joris Debruyne – Zealous fundraiser and public face for the construction of the new cathedral. Often the first priest adventurers meet.

ADVENTURE HOOKS & USE
• NSQ-02: St. Cuthbert’s Investigation – The Old Temple is the starting point for inquisitorial work, sending PCs to root out cult activity, missing tithe caravans, or heretical preachers.
• Political Tensions in Verbobonc – Haufren’s guarded relationship with Wilfrick, his views on the Free Assembly of the Kron Hills, and his prior support for Lord Haxx make the temple a flashpoint for political intrigue.
• Secrets Beneath the Temple – Rumors of an underground library or hidden reliquary invite dungeon-style exploration under one of the most heavily guarded sites in the city.

Narration entering the Church

The visitor’s entrance, thru the great doors into a large entrance hall. Mounted on the walls are large steel framed portraits of the previous Verbobonc Bishops. Under each portrait is mounted an unique cudgel owned by each. Two oak doors on either side with a open arched entrance at the end that leads to the large temple. On both sides of the arch are Cuthbertine commandments, all of which begin "Thou shalt" or "Thou shalt not." Inside is a life-sized statue of St. Cuthbert , smiling, the great cudgel held high in one hand while the left hand beckoned the doubter and the faithful alike. Growing ferns behind the statue, from which the clerics officiate.An altar is carved from a single piece of bronzewood with billets, star bursts, and the sacred sign of the Crumpled Hat. The painted walls show various marvels performed by St. Cuthbert. Holy scriptures runs above woodwork.To the right a young billet is collecting donations at a door that leads to tables of food and drink where other "Cudgellers" discuss matters of faith and providing no nonsense straight forward advice to commoners grazing the offered food. "'for the church' will go towards building the new temple."Standing to the left is a young Billet in brown robes with a stout cudgel strapped to a belt. He nods at your entrance and speaks, "Welcome to the Church of St. Cuthbert, I am Billet Joris, what brings you to the bastion of humanity and the seal of the stalwart host?"

Infirmary

The smells of herbs and poultices sting your nostrils as you step in. The walls on each side are lined with cots, and the floor—while clean—has soft red stains. On shelves against the far wall lie a multitude of surgical instruments: from varied knives to a rather alarming-looking hacksaw. Pads of cotton and rolls of gauze bandage sit ready beside the tools.