So, now that the church is more or less completed, join me for a quick visit...
Firstly, according to history books it was built in Gloom Garden back in the years 100-102. I first thought of it as a stone church, but 120 years is not that old, and besides - Gloomville was founded on timber trades. So the church got wooden paneling, while the base might still be brick stones.
Originally there was a stone church in old Windenburg, but it served the Jacobian faith and not Church of Similius, and was bombed during the great war. Church of Similius was given the land that has later become a popular park - Gloom Garden in Gloomville, and built their church there.
The lot is quite rich on content, so there are many reasons top stop by even if you don't care much about the green bars, that is the church's mantra. The church runs a gift shop, and in Summer they run the outdoor café. There is a playground, and a fishing pond. You can arrange a private outdoor wedding, or you can practice your debate skills at speakers' corner. Or you can visit your dead relatives at the graveyard or in the church's crypt, if that's where they rest.
Back in Year 100 Church of Similius claimed to be on the level of the high nobility, politically. That was more or less accepted, but the church was of course never seen as part of the large peerage, and did not achieve all the noble rights either. They are not protected by the Royal Chamber like the noble peerages are. So, although they have their own coat of arms symbol (the plumbob), they do not have the right to flag it on the building. So, they flag the Mazaloom kingdom flag instead.
The inside of the church is quite traditional, although this is no RL religion. They praise the green bars and preaches that nobody needs more than just staying in the green. That's why the interior is rather simple. You won't find massive gold decòr in these churches, a few statues and valuable collectibles, maybe, but no gold.
Their message can't really offend anyone, so most locals don't hesitate stopping by to listen to a speech or two. This is not a community where you get a membership by joining, but of course some locals are more frequent visitors than others.
Even the Priest's household is supposed to be a living example of how little we actually need to live a good life. Antonius Dipperwell was ordained in Year 205 after being trained by the Monastery for 10 years. He is grandson of the Priest who arranged this settlement. Antonius lives in Newcrest with wife and one daughter. Without a son, he might very well be the last Dipperwell, but aged 56 he will probably be around for quite some time.
There are no scheduled services during the week, but Antonius normally hangs around most days, and when the garden gets crowded he might give a speech about the green and the red. Needs vs satisfaction. Lately the focus included individual consume, too.
As this church serves the entire Region 12 (Mazaloom perish), noble families (and some non-noble but wealthy) hold their weddings here. At popular weddings the family will sit in the main room, while curious locals might fill the seats upstairs.
Today only the Priest's wife and daughter are sitting upstairs. According to the traditions they are not worthy of the main room downstairs.
Priest's wife tends the gift shop. Rizhira (Thebe) Dipperwell actually descends from the Baron of Myshuno. Her two brothers died young, and her half sister, Ribra Lynn, became Duchess of Rossie. Ribra Lynn's son will get the Myshuno barony when reaching 25 years old. Rizhira accepted to let go of her Lady title, including all property, clothes and jewelry. She wears this same filthy green dress day after day, with the traditional hair wrap. Boys have a green cap, while wife and daughters use a wrap. It's symbolic, the color green on your mind, so to speak.
In the shop she sells mostly toys, but also picture frames and candles have become popular gifts. All green of course. And customers pay with their green Simoleons, because the church only accepts cash. The church is into business and doing quite well.
Today Priest Antonius preaches about the green bars, and the green plumbob, which is the church's logo. Sometimes it's easier to state an example if you are in the red zone, though. Because green would not have been such a good thing if it wasn't for the red. Every fifth year the annual Green Bars Festival is replaced by the Red Bars Festival.
The church's tower as well as crypt also have stories to tell, and both can be accessed by locals. I'm saving pictures from both high and low for a future article, then Rizhira and daughter Melida will take you to those secluded places in the very late hours...
Stay safe!
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