Article written by Gamemaster Anna Maria Ristori
Dublin, Spring 1979
A black Shamrock approaches the Silver Harp Pub. Here we meet Father Martin O’Donoghue, priest in the capital’s parrish. The holy man enjoying a good glass of beer meets Nicole ”Nicky” Dunne, history college dropout, barista and rock enthusiast. Nicole has reported to the police the mysterious disappearence of her best friend Jenni, lost without a trace. This disappearance, among many others have sparked the interest in the Church, hence sending Father Martin in search for answers concerning ”other forces”, in a rural village far from the Capital.
The party is joined by Seamus ”Four-Clover” Kelly, urban chancer of Travelling Community’s origins. His culture and strong religious believes convince Father Martin to have him investigate into the matter in…
Leighlinbridge
In the county of Carlow, 84 Km from Dublin is the pictoresque village of Leighilinbridge. The village, established by the Normans is a touristic pearl. Medieval buildings, slow life, historical pubs and one of the oldest bridges in the whole Eire gather the attentions of many visitors. But lately, outisiders have reached Leighlibridge for other spiritual reasons: the newly appointed priest of the Saint Kieran parrish has apparently performed a miracle.
Father Martin O’ Donogue, Nicky and Seamus reach the ”Fox Hole” inn, where they are welcomed by the adorable owner, Siobhan. Here they learn about what is truly happening in town: Father Colin Moore, only 29 has risen the community to a whole new level of religious fervor. The talks in the town are many: Suzanne and Clarke Marigold have been apparently blessed by the light of God during their wedding, friends of friends of witnesses speak about a divine light filling the whole parrish. Ever since his arrival in town, Father Colin has lifted the hearts of all the citizens, helping the elders and trying to save the kids from the streets, especially the teenagers that meet at the underground pub ”The Gravekeepers”.
Later that night
Not everything is light and godly in Leighlinbridge though. Father Martin tells Nicky and Seamus about how the reports of the missing people they received somehow track down to the village and Nicky hopes that meeting Father Colin and discovering the truth about the miracles will help her find answers about her friend’s disappearance. On the other hand, Seamus and Father Martin hope to debunk the miracle, deeming it a scam to the good people of Leighlinbridge. Also, something is troubling the nights of the village: hoards of teenagers roam the streets with no apparent police intervention. The locals are concerned about the increasing satanism among the youths, blaming it on the rock music played at the Gravekeepers pub.
During the night, Seamus, Nicky and Father Martin are waken by the mayhem caused by these troubled teens. When Nicky tries to engage in a conversation with them, they dismiss her with a menacing omen: The party is coming to you and it’s not going to be fun.
The Saint Kieran parrish
The next morning, still sleepy and confused by the previous night, the trio meets for breakfast and prepares for meeting with the beloved new priest, even gathering fresh baked goods to give him by the locals. Driving out of the center, they are shocked at the sight of the aftermaths of last night’s shenanigans. The city awakes with trash all over the streets and the words ”The Body of Christ” sprayed in blood red paint all over the town.
In the countryside just outside the city walls we encounter the Saint Kieran parrish, established in the 1500. Upon their arrival, the patron church appears ordinary, old in age but definitely well kept given the presence of the young priest sweeping leaves from the entrance.
Here we finally meet Father Colin Moore, young, handsome and cheerfull who welcomes the trio in his parrish.
The moment Nicky and Seamus step into the church though, need to take a Sanity Roll.
Seamus is suffocated by an invisible choke around his throat, all the air in his lungs get sntached.
Nicky falls on her knees, fully convinced that all the hope in the world is lost.