St. Arnold's Church (Brooke Hills)
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St. Arnold's Church |
| St Arnold's Church
Brooke Hills [49,25] Basic Info:
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Description
St. Arnold's Church is a church located in the suburb of Brooke Hills along the border with Shearbank to the east. Before the "Malton Incident" the church cremated its dead rather than burying them... a practice more than a few survivors would like to see started up again. While considered an unassuming church by tourists the church was very popular among locals who valued Saint Arnold's blessing as he is often cited as the patron saint of hop-pickers and brewers. There are many depictions of St. Arnold but he is commonly identified by the mashing rake that he holds in his hand. He is often honored on July 8th with a parade in Brussels to celebrate the "Day of Beer". In Malton this celebration is called "Biertag" (German for "Beer Day").
Saint Arnold was born to a prominent Austrian family in 580 in the Chateau of Lay-Saint-Christophe in the old French diocese of Toul, north of Nancy. He married Doda with whom he had many sons, two of whom were to become famous: Clodulphe, later called Saint Cloud, and Ansegis who married Begga, daughter of Pepin de Landen. Ansegis and Begga are the great great grandparents of Charlemagne, and as such, Saint Arnold is the oldest known ancestor of the Carolingian dynasty.
Saint Arnold was an acclaimed bishop of Metz, France, in 612 and spent his holy life warning peasants about the dangers of drinking stale water. Beer was safe, and "from man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world". The locals are said to have revered Arnold as illness among their families lessened among all who heeded his advice. In 627, Saint Arnold retired to a monastery near Remiremont, France, where he died on August 16, 640.
In 641, the citizens of Metz requested that Saint Arnold's body be exhumed and ceremoniously carried to Metz for reburial in their Church of the Holy Apostles. During this voyage a miracle came to pass in the town of Champignuelles. The tired porters and followers stopped for a rest and walked into a tavern for a drink of their favorite beverage... beer. Regretfully, there was only one mug of beer to be shared among all of them, but throughout the night that mug never ran dry and all of the thirsty pilgrims were satisfied. And very, very... very drunk.
There are four churches in Malton which honor Saint Arnold. The other churches can be found in Rolt Heights, Judgewood, and Roftwood.
Mandate
As a church, St. Arnold's is an ideal shelter for inexperienced survivors seeking to stay off the streets at night. Therefore the building's barricade policy is important, as it promotes keeping the barricades at a level that will allow survivors without Free Running entry. It is for this reason that, similar to hospitals or entry points, churches need to have their barricades maintain at a level lower than most other buildings.
Beer Blessing
From the Rituale Romanum (no 58)
"Bene dic, Domine, creaturam istam cerevisae, quam ex adipe frumenti producere dignatus es: ut sit remedium salutare humano generi: et praesta per invocationem nominis tui sancti, ut, quicumque ex ea biberint, sanitatem corporis, et animae tutelam percipiant. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen."
"Bless, O Lord, this creature beer, that Thou hast been pleased to bring forth from the sweetness of the grain: that it might be a salutary remedy for the human race: and grant by the invocation of Thy holy name, that, whosoever drinks of it may obtain health of body and a sure safeguard for the soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."
Barricade Policy
The building is to be Very Strongly (VS+2) barricaded during times when zombie numbers are fewer than 5 within a 2x2 block grid. An unspoken rule is that survivors assist with the barricades should they ever drop below Very Strongly.
Should zombie numbers rise or reports of nearby resources buildings being overrun be confirmed, then barricades may be raised to Extremely Heavily. At this time Free Running is essential to entering and departing the church. May God have mercy on those poor souls left trapped outside during such a time of strife. Afterwards barricades should be lowered when the danger has passed, so as to keep an open door policy.
Current Events
July 8th, 2007 - The Grove Tour made a special stop-over at St. Arnold's Church with the sole purpose of starting up a Biertag festival here. While lacking the numbers of the main Biertag festival over in Rolt Heights, The Grove more than made up for the lack of guests with their sheer enthusiasm and classic party-hearty style. As the saying goes, "They work hard and party harder."
