Eldritch Guidance-Intermission XXI

With the recent development of the small town of Coppa nestled within the Agado swampland, this once modest community had experienced remarkable growth, evolving into a settlement almost comparable to a mid-sized city. The transformation began in earnest with the arrival of the Red Church, whose leaders chose the Agado swampland as the site for their primary base of operations. Establishing themselves in Coppa, they undertook a series of ambitious projects to enhance the town’s infrastructure.

The Red Church members initiated the construction of paved roads, enabling easier access to the previously isolated town. They spearheaded efforts to reclaim marshy terrain, turning it into usable land for expansion. New buildings and housing developments sprang up in quick succession, reshaping the town’s skyline and extending its borders. What was once a remote and quiet settlement had now become a burgeoning hub, as Coppa transformed into a sort of holy city for this new mysterious faith.

The town’s rapid evolution was driven by the ever-increasing influx of devotees. Pilgrims, converts, and curious onlookers arrived almost daily, drawn by the allure of the Red Church’s mysterious teachings and practices. The swelling population underscored the town’s newfound significance, solidifying Coppa as both a spiritual sanctuary and a symbol of the Red Church’s growing influence.

The largest wave of newcomers flooding into Coppa originated from nearby communities scattered across the Agado swampland. These individuals abandoned their homes in desperation, seeking refuge and a chance for survival within the growing sanctuary of Coppa. Even before the conflict erupted, the settlements within Agado had faced relentless hardships, barely managing to survive under the unified rule of Gix. However, with the outbreak of war, their plight turned dire.

The communities of Agado had long depended on consistent supply lines from Gix to sustain life in this unforgiving environment. The war shattered these fragile connections, leaving the region in disarray. Famine began to creep across the swampland as food supplies dwindled. While Agado’s swampy terrain permitted limited crop cultivation, the area was never self-sufficient; it relied on food shipments from the fertile Harvest Valley to the north. As supply chains collapsed, the region’s fragile balance was thrown into chaos.

Yet, the scarcity of food was only part of the crisis. The more immediate and deadly concern was the lack of medicine. Agado was rife with venomous creatures, disease-carrying insects, and environmental hazards that bred illnesses uniquely suited to the swamp’s harsh conditions. For these communities, medicine was more essential for survival than normal. Healing magic, though invaluable, had its limits. Some illnesses in Agado resisted magical remedies altogether, requiring specific drugs to cure. Compounding the problem, the region had a limited number of healing mages, rendering magical aid insufficient to meet the soaring demand.

As medical shipments halted, diseases that were once manageable turned deadly. Without access to critical supplies, entire communities found themselves defenseless against common illnesses that preyed on the swamp’s inhabitants.

For those stricken with illness, hope seemed all but lost—until rumors began to spread about the Red Church. Whispers spoke of priests and a saintess capable of curing any sickness, no matter how dire. Understandably, the native inhabitants of Agado were skeptical. They had heard similar promises before, most notably from the Church of Light, which had vowed to heal their ailments but failed to deliver. Yet, for many suffering souls, there was no alternative. Desperation outweighed doubt, and they set out for Coppa, clinging to the faint possibility of salvation.

Upon arrival, their skepticism was met with unexpected compassion. The Red Church welcomed them warmly and, to their astonishment, provided healing for their ailments. Beyond curing common illnesses, The Red Church performed extraordinary acts of restoration. Individuals who had lost limbs experienced miraculous regrowth, and those suffering from chronic conditions found relief. These acts of healing were perceived as miracles, beyond the realm of normal healing magic, igniting awe and reverence among the recipients.

Moved by these experiences, many individuals chose to convert to the Red Church, embracing its teachings and community. The church's reputation as a place of healing and hope spread rapidly, attracting more individuals seeking solace and restoration. This influx of new members greatly expanded the church's congregation.

Returning to Coppa after a recent mission, Thalia, a high-ranking priestess and the commanding head of the Red Guard, strode through the town’s bustling streets. She cut an imposing figure in her ceremonial red robes, their fabric adorned with intricate patterns resembling falling droplets of blood—a design that marked her elevated status within the Red Church. The air around her seemed charged with purpose, her very presence commanding.

Behind her trailed an entourage of Red Church acolytes, their simpler red robes devoid of ornamentation. They followed her in solemn silence, their faces hidden beneath deep hoods that cast shadows over their features. Moving as one, they exuded an aura of quiet reverence, their synchronized presence amplifying the mystique that surrounded Thalia and the Red Church itself.

Throughout the town, life bustled with the movements of ordinary townsfolk going about their daily routines. Amidst the crowd, a smattering of figures in the signature red robes of the Red Church mingled seamlessly with the locals, a testament to how deeply the church had woven itself into the fabric of Coppa. As Thalia walked through the streets, heads turned, and people paused to acknowledge her presence. One by one, they stopped to bow respectfully before resuming their activities, their gestures a mix of reverence and gratitude.

Thalia paused briefly during her stroll, her gaze lifting to take in the striking black-and-red banners that were adorned throughout the town. Each banner bore the symbol of the Red Church: a pattern of crimson droplets, vivid against the dark background. The sight stirred a deep pride within her, and a small, satisfied smile crept across her lips.

Thalia made her way to the heart of town, her destination a towering structure that dominated the skyline: the former town hall, now undergoing a remarkable transformation into a grand cathedral. The building was a hive of activity, with workers in simple red robes hauling heavy stones, hammering nails into timber, and raising new walls to accommodate the church's ambitious expansion.

As she approached the entrance, she motioned for her entourage to remain outside. The silent acolytes obeyed without question, forming an orderly line near the cathedral’s steps as she stepped inside. The interior was still very much a work in progress. Scaffolding lined the walls, and the scent of fresh wood and mortar filled the air. Despite the unfinished state, the sanctity of the space was unmistakable. The soft glow of candlelight flickered against the shadows of the construction, lending the hall a quiet, reverent atmosphere. freёwebnoѵel.com

At the center of it all stood the altar—plain and unassuming, carved from stone and adorned with a simple arrangement of lit candles. It lacked the grandeur like those alters from the Church of Light, but still had a sacred presence to it. Kneeling before the altar was a figure clad in pure white robes, the embodiment of grace and devotion: Saint Steph, known as the Saintess in Red and White. Her serene posture radiated authority and humility in equal measure, her focus entirely on the altar before her.

Thalia’s gaze softened as she took in the sight.

Thalia: “My Lady, I’ve returned.”

Hearing the familiar voice of Thalia, Saint Steph paused her prayers. Slowly, she rose from her kneeling position. Turning to face Thalia, a warm smile spread across her lips, radiating a sense of calm and reassurance.

Steph: “Thalia! I’m so glad you're back and safe” she said cheerfully.

Thalia: “I’ve completed my task, my lady.”

Steph: “Come now, Thalia! You don’t have to be formal with me. We’ve been friends for a long time now.”

Thalia: “Ah, sorry. I’m so used to putting on airs of professionalism in front of other people when I’m around you.”

Steph: “There is no point in that. We are all equal under our god, and words are less important than our intentions,” she said while turning back to the altar to give a brief prayer before turning back to Thalia.

Thalia: “Right,” she said with a smile. “Well then, Steph, I managed to make it to Joxi like you asked.

Steph: “Oh, good. Did you manage to convince them to join us?”

Thalia: “Unfortunately, I have bad news about that,” she said as her expression tunered grim. “It seems that Joxi was attacked by some nameless cult. There were no survivors.”

Steph: “No…” she quietly said, looking sad.

Thalia: “Sadly, with the way Gix is right now, cults in this region have been emboldened. There is no significant force in the region to oppose them other than us, and they are taking advantage of that to prey on people here.”

Steph: “Not much different from us, but we actually intend to give them salvation, not hurt them.”

Steph: “My lad—Steph. Please let me take a force deep into the swamp to rout these demented cultists!”

Steph: “No. Even when Gix was at the height of its power, they were never able to expel the cultist from Agado. I can’t imagine we’ll fare any better. In fact, we might be in a worse position. If you were to take people into the heart of the swamp, you’d be fighting on their terrain. We would lose people and not likely make any ground in removing them.”

Thalia: “Damn it! Oh! Um, sorry! I shouldn’t say that here!” quickly apologizing for swearing in the church.

Steph: “That’s fine. I understand the frustration. Thalia, you should focus on routing out the cultists that may infiltrate our community. That’s where you are best at. One day, we’ll gather all the lost souls in Agado into our sanctuary, where they will be safe and beyond the reach of the false gods.”

Thalia nodded her head in agreement, a solemn expression settling over her features. She brought her hands together in a reverent gesture, bowing slightly and closing her eyes as she began to pray. Her voice was silent, but her heart spoke fervently to the god of the Red Church, imploring that Steph's vision and words would one day be realized. Hope and faith coursed through her, a silent vow that she would do everything in her power to bring this dream to fruition. As the candlelight flickered gently around her, it seemed to echo the quiet determination of her prayerful posture.

Steph: “Speaking of gathering lost souls, there is an interesting group that wants to join our community.”