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As you passed through the marketplace, before entering the French quarter, you noticed two buildings that seemed oddly out of place. One was a modest gothic cathedral, the other was a small rectory (priest's residence) just to the north of it. A colonnade passed between the two buildings. Looking at the cathedral, you wondered that it too hadn't yet been "renovated" into something more useful to a town like Stormpoint. Nevertheless, it remained - though it seemed largely unused. In spite of seeming unoccupied, someone had been tending to the grounds and building - there were no overgrown plants or vines to be seen.... all you were struck by was that it appeared abandoned. Whether this was due to the fact that there were no Christians left in Stormpoint, or that they were simply without a priest was something that you would have to inquire after.

Walking up to the cathedral doors, you saw the name carved in the stone:


  

Entering, you found yourself in a small narthex/vestibule. On the right, stairs led to the bell tower; on the left, to the balcony and organ loft. From there, a second set of doors opened into the nave (the place for the congregation to sit). This room stretched some 100 feet to the east, and was about 30 feet wide, the roof arched 40 feet above you. A main aisle led up to the high altar, and there were side aisles along either wall.

Walking down the main aisle, you noticed stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Old Testament on the right, and scenes from the life of Christ on the left. About 60 feet down the aisle, you saw transcepts to your right and left, each 30 x 30. The right transcept had a small altar with a statue of St. Peter next to it, and a large stained glass window of Jesus pulling Peter from the Sea of Galilee on the south wall. The left transcept had a small altar with a statue of St. Paul next to it. The north wall had a doorway that opened to a colonnade that you saw between the cathedral and the rectory.

Looking toward the altar again, you saw a "rood screen" (an ornate wooden screen topped by a gold crucifix) separating the nave from the chancel (the area for the choir's pews). In front the of the rood screen on the left was a large pulpit, in front on the left was a modest lectern (reading desk). The chancel stretched another 20 feet east, before you arrived a communion rail, marking the boundary between the chancel and the sanctuary.

The sanctuary was where you find the high altar. It was white marble, and against the east wall. Carved into the altar's face was the Last Supper. Above the altar was a carved crucifix with angels on either side of it. And on the east wall was a magnificent window showing Christ in priestly garments, with St. Paul on His left, and St. Peter on His right.

~ by Father Selnecker's writer

 

Bishop of Stormpoint~Born in 1543 in Saxony, Germany (on old earth), Father Nicolaus Selnecker has managed to live a rather tumultuous life in religion and politics. Raised a Roman Catholic, he entered the monastery at the age of 16, and received his Doctorate in Theology at the age of 24. Ordained a priest, he was called to teach at the University of Leipzig. He joined the evangelical cause (Lutheran) at the age of 30, and was appointed provost of the university when the reformation of Ducal Saxony was completed five years later. Seven years after that, the radical reformers succeeded in winning the prince to their cause, and Father Selnecker found himself removed from the university and exiled from the territory for defending the physical presence of Christ's Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Altar.

While wandering through 16th century Europe in search of a new position, he was caught up in the "nexus" and found himself in another world entirely. Needless to say, he found the experience less than exhilarating. After months of wandering in search of companions, he met the Lady Samantha, who arranged for him to be installed as the priest of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Stormpoint. As the only cleric in the realm, he is bishop by default, though tries not to think of himself as such. He stands about average height, wears his brown hair (now liberally streaked with gray) shoulder length, and sports a "Van Dyke" mustache and goatee according the style of scholar-priests in Europe from his time. His eyes are slate-blue, and can be cold and gentle by turns. Cautious by nature, and a bit inclined towards being overly suspicious, he carries both the virtues of orthodox Christianity and the faults of all mortals in his character. He can usually be found poking around the cathedral, or at his studies in the rectory next door.

Albrecht Dürer, "Study of Praying Hands" (1508)

"Verbum Dei Manet in Aeternum!"

("The Word of God Stands Forever!")

 

 

The ancient structure of the church having sparked
your interest in the city's history, you decided to visit the library.

 

Care to consult your ?

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