Ebenezer Baptist Church

From SuspireWiki

Renown: 1

Description

Monolithic proof that not all Baptist churches are small wooden structures, Ebenezer Baptist dates back to the days before Civil Rights, before Reconstruction, and before the War of Northern Aggression. It is of only the highest craftsmanship, its inner ceiling vaulted with beautiful oak paneling and pews of finely crafted cedar with glinting gold hinges that catch any light and reflect it. It is a bastion for the religious in Atlanta’s high society, and has been for well over 150 years.

The church is always open for the penitent that require admittance, and most nights Reverend Anthony Black is there to welcome those seeking admittance and in need of counseling. He is a somewhat serious older man, appearing to be in his mid 60s and known for his onerous fire-and-brimstone sermons every Sunday. He prefers to stay at the church at night, rather than during the day, as the quiet helps him focus and pray, and those that come in are generally more receptive to his teachings.

There is a large churchyard next to the building which was filled up almost a hundred years ago. The family plots there are still tended by their descendants in respectful reverence, and several Mausoleums dot the large and plushly green yard (saving for when the blood-red Georgia clay is recently tilled and starkly contrasts with the plush greenery, marking a recently deceased loved one), attesting to the great craftsmanship (and wealth) of those that built them. It is a quiet site for a quiet section of town, and even its fortress-like stone walls are not impenetrable to those whose thirst for faith needs quenching.

This church, to be noted, and it’s grounds – and specifically the small series of tunnels and catacombs underneath it – was one of those used during the civil war to hide Kindred when Sherman marched through the city, burning everything in his path. He spared the church, and thereby the monsters below it.

Size, Location, and Security

Size 4 (large building, surrounding churchyard, series of underground tunnels and small rooms), Location 0, Security 1 (tough doors, easy to see down the street, belltower)

Benefits

Minor

When one becomes familiar with the Church procedures and the Reverend Black at this basic level, they gain access to the Church library, and can dig around in there for many old articles and histories, as well as just have a quiet place to study.

Church Library (+1 Create Art, Religion, Solving Enigmas; +3 Meditation)

Sizeable

As one’s influence with the Reverend Black grows to this level, he gives access to more obscure texts and can aid a great deal in finding what one is looking for in the old Church archives downstairs.

Church Library (+2 Create Art, Religion, Solving Enigmas; +3 Meditation), +1 Academics, +1 Investigation

Uncontested

At this level the Reverend Black is so comfortable with one’s presence that he unlocks doors that the public does not even know exist. The dark, dank catacombs under the old building can be made available for those that need to retreat out of the sun’s light, and the Reverend knows enough to keep his mouth shut and close the doors come morning, never telling a soul what transpired.

Church Library (+2 Create Art, Religion, Solving Enigmas; +3 Meditation), +1 Academics, +1 Investigation; access to Haven Size 2 for one night