The Chapel of the Guiding Light stands upon a gentle rise near the center of Westbridge, overlooking much of the village and the surrounding farmland. Constructed from local stone with a steep timber roof, the chapel is modest in size but carefully maintained by the townsfolk. A small bell tower rises above the structure, its bell sounding at dawn, midday, and dusk.
Colorful stained-glass windows depict scenes of hope, harvest, community, and protection, casting warm patterns of colored light across the chapel's simple wooden pews. Though not grand by the standards of larger cities, the building serves as one of the most important gathering places in the settlement. The chapel is dedicated to Pelor, the Shining One, whose teachings of compassion, hard work, healing, and community resonate strongly with the farming families of Westbridge.
Villagers regularly gather for worship, seasonal festivals, weddings, funerals, and harvest blessings. During times of hardship, the chapel often becomes a place where residents seek comfort, guidance, and assistance. Its doors remain open from sunrise until late evening, welcoming travelers and locals alike regardless of station or wealth.The chapel is overseen by Father Aldric Thorne, a human priest in his late fifties whose calm demeanor and steady wisdom have earned him the respect of nearly every resident in Westbridge. His silver-streaked hair and neatly trimmed beard frame a weathered face that reflects decades of service to others. Father Aldric arrived in the village more than fifteen years ago and has become a trusted counselor, mediator, and healer. He is known for personally visiting injured farmers, comforting grieving families, and offering practical advice alongside spiritual guidance. Many villagers view him as the moral center of the community. Recently, Father Aldric has found his congregation increasingly troubled by unsettling events occurring beyond the village. Reports of raids, disappearances, and strange creatures emerging from the Dim Forest have led many residents to seek his counsel.
The priest has organized volunteer patrols, encouraged cooperation among neighboring farms, and begun holding evening prayer services for travelers and missing villagers. Though he publicly preaches faith and courage, Aldric privately worries that the growing darkness surrounding Westbridge may be part of a larger threat. In his personal study beneath the chapel, he has quietly begun collecting reports and maps concerning the strange happenings within the forest, believing that the answers may lie hidden among its ancient ruins.

