Sanctuary of Oropa
The Sanctuary is situated on the slopes of the Alps, at some distance from the town of Biella. Part of the Aosta Valley, with the high and imposing Mount Mucrone overlooking the grassy basin. On the slopes two basilicas have been constructed, occasionally visited by pilgrims. The region has a Divine Aura of 4, which grows stronger around the site’s important and famed relic.
The Madonna Della Oropa is a painted figure of dark pigmented cedar wood, decorated with gold and gemstones. It depict the Virgin Mary, holding the Child Saviour. The Madonna was sculpted by Saint Luke and brought to Oropa by the not-canonised Saint Eusebius of Vercelli. Eusebius was a martyr. He faced significant opposition and even endured exile for his unwavering defence of Nicene orthodoxy.
Fleeing persecution from local Celtic pagans, Eusebius sought refuge in the mountainous Aosta Valley. In an effort to protect the statue of the Madonna from desecration, he concealed it here. He hid it in a cavity of a large boulder. One of the many erratic boulders called masso delle streghe (“Witches' Rock”). What Eusebius didn't know was that this place was the sanctuary where the Celts worshipped a black god of fertility. Still the local women had the custom to rub themselves on the stone to propitiate the birth of a child. Despite this Madonna was not discovered.
When Eusebius later attempted to relocate the sacred image, its weight miraculously increased, thwarting his efforts. Consequently, the statue remained enshrined in the mountains, where it presently oversees a substantial sanctuary. Devout followers interpret the miraculous heaviness of the image as a divine signal from the Blessed Virgin Mary, indicating her desire for a sanctuary to be established in that sacred location.
The statue is housed in the older of the two basilicas. The boulder has become part of the rear wall, and an altar for the Madonna. Three very old oaks grow outside. Our Lady has in her infinite mercy continued to perform the miracles the bould claimed to be capable of in ancient days. Touching it grants a female character a +3 to their next childbirth rolls.
Story Seed: Our Usurped Lady
A mysterious woman arrives at the PCs Covenant. She claims her name is Druantia and is looking for capable people skilled in the mystic arts. She explains confidently that she is the remnant of a Forgotten God taken human form. To recover her powers and might she wishes to reclaim her cult’s home - The Sanctuary of Oropa. In return for aid with this, she can offer insight into the ancient druids and their religion. Could such a story be true? Might a demon be trying to coax them - or perhaps more terrifyingly House Diedne?