Abbey of San Galgano
In 1148, Galgano Guidotti was born the sole hair of a local noble in the Siena region of Tuscany. He was raised as a knight and trained in the ways of war. Galgano grew into a haughty and indulgent man. Well acquainted with vices and violence. Far from the chivalric ideals he was supposed to exemplify. Galgano would come to see the error of his way though. In December of 1180 the Archangel Michael appeared before him. Michael bade him to repent and showed him the path towards salvation. Michael brought the young knight over a vast bridge and crossed a flowery meadow, which gave off an intense and sweet scent, they reached a hill with a round chapel, where Galgano met Jesus, the twelve apostles and the Virgin Mary, who urged him to lead a hermit's life and penance. Galgano vowed to change his way, and the vision faded. He returned to his family’s estate. There he told his family about the revelation but was only scorned and ridiculed. His mother Dionisia urged him to speak with his fiancée before making any sudden decisions.
Galgano Guidotti headed for the nearby castle of Civitella, where his fiancée lived. When the archangel Michael appeared to him again. Taking the reins of the horse, led him to Monte Siepi hill, a few kilometres away. Galgano recognized the place as the one from his vision, though no chapel stood there. Michael told him to climb the hill. When he reached the top the archangel spoke again, inviting him to renounce his loose, easy living. Galgano replied that it was easier said than done, about as easy as splitting a rock with a sword. To prove his point, he drew his blade and thrust at the rocky ground. Miraculously the sword plunged through the stone and buried itself deep within the rock, to the hilt. Recognizing the miracle and its significance, Galgano took up permanent residence on that hill as a humble hermit. He led a life in poverty. He befriended wild animals, fed on wild herbs and slept on the bare ground. His only contact with the outside world was pilgrims who came to him asking for prayers and miracles.
Galgano Guidotti had made many enemies during his life as a scoundrel, and a devil saw it fit to use the most jealous of these men against him, one of which was a monk. The demon gathered three of them and ordered them to steal Galgano’s sword. Yet none of them could move it an inch. For their attempted theft they all met terrible fates, slain by the wolf pack befriended by Galgano. The devil was bested, yet Galgano time on earth came to an end in 1181. The hermit’s burial was attended by three Cistercian abbots, who had gotten lost on their way to Rome and miraculously found the burial. The Bishop of Volterra petitioned the church to canonize Galgano, and in 1185 he was officially recognized as a saint. The hill of Monte Siepi was given to the Cistercian monks. And soon a chapel was constructed near Galgano’s hermitage. Yet many of Galgano's monks came to leave in the following years, scattering over Tuscany, becoming Augustinian hermits.
By 1220, San Galgano Abbey, a Cistercian monastery, is being constructed below Galgano's hermitage. An expansion of the original round chapel. Galgano sword still protrudes out of the rock to this day, it's a relic holding a single faith point. Most of Galgano’s body was lost after his burial, yet his head remains preserved and has since grown golden curls – which also is a relic with a faith point. The bones of the false monk, would-be-thief, tempted by the devil, are also kept at the site. Perhaps unwisely so. The hill has a Divine Aura of 4, centring around the sword.
Story Seed: The Sword in the Stone
The Devil never enjoys being bested and is still angry about failing 40 years ago. The demon has thought up a new plan to remove the sword, which he believes will weaken Saint Galgano and can be corrupted for later mischief. Sadly, for the Order, the devil's new plot involves Philetus, a Verditius magus. As a member of the Confraternity of Roland, Philetus has long been fascinated with magical swords. He has been deceived into believing that the sword of Galgano is actually a magical artifact that could be vital for his studies. To complicate things further, the hill of Monte Siepi used to be a vis source, producing terram vis. Philetus believes that if the abbey could be removed, he could harvest from it once more. He feels utterly justified in his plans and has no idea that the Infernal is involved. His hubris makes it unlikely that he could be convinced of any error. To make things worse: Galgano’s wolf pack still thrives in the region - and they are unlikely to treat a new thief any differently to the last three. Player character might end up on any side of this conflict.
Saint Galgano, Sheet
Divine Might: 25
Characteristics: Int +5, Per +5, Pre +5, Com +5, Str n/a, Stm n/a, Dex n/a,
Qik n/a
Size: 0
Age: n/a
Confidence Score: 2 (10)
Virtues and Flaws: Animal Ken.
Personality Traits: Pious +3, Chivalrous +2, Benevolent +2
Reputations: Saint (Italy) +3, Wise Hermit Knight (Tuscany) +3
Combat: n/a
Soak: n/a
Fatigue Levels: n/a
Wound Penalties: n/a
Abilities: Animal Ken 5 (Wolves)
Powers:
Acknowledgment of Evil, 1 point, Init +10, Vim. See RoP:D page 88.
Grant of Serenity, 1 point, Init –10, Mentem. See RoP:D page 88.
A Farewell to Arms, 3 points, Init -10, Terram. All weapons carried by a group are pulled away from them and plunged deep into the ground. There they are fixed and remain for as long as the saint wishes.
Equipment: Monk’s habit.
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Vis: None
Appearance: A handsome and noble young man. Appearing like the very ideal of a youthful knight, though dressed without any armour or weapons. Golden curly hair. Wearing a habit.