Here is a description of the scene. The chapel is stone built, sturdy and solid, with a white-washed plaster exterior which reflects brightly in the sun. The chapel has a small bell tower built to one side whose belfry is elevated perhaps 15'ft above the slate pitched chapel roof. In front of the chapel is a small marker of a cross with twin curled serpents coiled around the two beams, a Cadaceus image. The chapel has a single door to the front, along each side several stained glazed windows show various pastoral scenes. The chapel has a single interior room with few items of religious décor, a stone baptismal font, a covered immersive baptismal pool, a wooden ornate communion rail and a large pine altar table. A pair of raised alcoves in the far wall behind the table are empty of iconic fare, a lot of the wooden basic benches have been hacked and panes of glass litter the floor. A side door opens onto a tiled square.
The chapel stands in the left front corner of a designed plaza. To the right corner stands a small single storey farm trading store. You can tell as various wares, food crates, barrels and agricultural implements lie littered along the floor outside. In the far left corner behind the chapel is a two storey cottage which Iggwaytells you houses the four Sisters who serve the mission, (Padre Claude has a personal chamber tacked on the rear of the chapel), . The furthest corner houses a long low building covered in crawling ivy and complimented by a derelict stork nest on one chimney. This is the Infirmary/ Laboratory where local health care services mix with ophiology. (the specific study of snakes). The area in between all this is the only stone paved land around and as such makes an informal gathering ground with dotted trees providing a little respite form the sun. The land surrounding the mission is rutted with trails and marks perhaps where stallholders gather and folk to and fro. More recently scattered arrows and a spear shaft mark the ground. After a distance of about 100'ft in each direction the treeline envelopes the area.
Presently in the middle of the plaza are a number of makeshift tents. Family groups shelter nervously. A pair of female acolytes attend to various needs. A few children playfully skip around while an old farmer type leans on an even older hunting musket. Some men help fill grain sacks to a wall being adapted to give additional height to a linking low stone wall which adjoins the buildings. You note a crossbow here and there and a few pruning hooks sharpened into spears. hope that gives a clearer picture of the scene)
Padre Claude de Lautrere greets old friend Lazarus heartily before greeting the shameness also, though with a less tactile hug"Sister Iggway Gweequay, you have brought such a benevolent gift to us. Your faithfulness shall be richly rewarded. Our prayers may yet be answered at just the right time, we have little to waste and I would want on happier times to greet you both again with more than a humble banquet. But come inside, Captain your men must be thirsty after their trek from the shore" The padre claps his hands and signals for some water to be brought to quench the thirsty and platefuls of basic breads and cheeses are served up.
"We gathered as many folk as we could to seek shelter in numbers but still Pachucapatl sent his tribal warriors to assail our walls last night. Never in my life did they do such a thing but lately they have been more brazen in their assaults and threats. They broke the western windows and clambered inside the very sanctuary itself and took off with the statues of our Beloved Saints. Two men, Francoise and Petitjean of the new settlers went after them but they themselves have not returned since. And I believe that Sister Adelaide is still resident among their long village. Held as a pawn to their vices I dread." Iggway will recognise the name of the cleric sister as a 'community midwife'
The padre pauses a minute to give time for the Captain to take it all in as he surveys the chapels interior and the scene of desecration. "We must do something Captain my friend, I cannot have Sister Adelaide left to their aggravations yet I am unable to leave the compound and my precious flock here."
Lazarus contemplates the situation. "I have your request to provide help to redeem these unfortunates from the natives. I understood many are afflicted by a pox also?"
Padre Claude takes off his skull cap and scratches the sunburnt blisters on his balding head,"Aye, heavens' mercy. It is true we had an affliction of sorts. This new wave of settlers, ship wrecked in fact off the reef came ashore months ago. We thought of growing our trading ability here and the natives even kindly parcelled land off for cultivation. Though it seems they carried an unseen plague which tore through the immunity of the Arawarks. Over time many died horribly, vicious sweats, blistered postulates, coughing up phlegm and blood. I fear some of the settlers still suffer the disease hence the colonial help is all but none existent. I had no choice to save them by calling for covert help."
The party linger about as introductions are made. Siggard greets a local man shovelling dirt into grain sacks. 'Gin' Van de Poel keeps it open for him as he works."Alo zanmi, vwal ou yo yon je akeyi nan pò nou an. ki natif natal yo kouri Amōk yè. Mwen panse ke yo pral tounen pita."
Wandering around the plaza, Zoggrot and Rexlin notice that the infirmary building is boarded up, from the outside. The family groups look miserable, a few sit on cases of personal possessions, bulging bags of clothes and household items.(anyone walking the plaza give me a [4d6] vs intell roll please).
Pascale the Halfling nudges Geoffrey Blood. "You are a good shot, lets get in the bell tower for a better view." She passes you a couple of muskets and throws a grapnel up grip on the wall ledge. It sticks and not bothering to test her weight on it, lithely climbs up.
Grimwald the dwarf goes to fetch the spear sticking in the mud. "A trophy of Monte Verde." he declares waving it and mimicking a native war dance.
any charcter actions, questions and verbals please,
