Heathrow's arrivals doors slide open, releasing Thadeus Jovanović, Elizabeth, Marcus, and Elias into cool London air and the steady flow of pickups.
A woman in a gray-brown V-neck shirt and dark blue overalls raises one hand from beside the curb. She watches the group approach, then steps forward with an easy, practical smile.
Sally Burton
Marcus? There you are. I was beginning to think Heathrow had swallowed you. Sally Burton.
Marcus Thorne
Sally, good to see you. Everyone, this is the family friend I mentioned on the flight.
Sally Burton
Welcome to London. Give me the heavy bags, if you like. My van is just across the pickup area, and I can get you somewhere quiet before we talk business.
Sally turns toward a large white transport van waiting beyond the curb. As the group follows, Elias glances toward Marcus, while Elizabeth keeps close to Thadeus. The first practical step into the investigation is waiting beside the van, along with whatever Sally knows about their route.
✓ Quest Accepted
Arrive at the local hotel
“Thadeus introduces himself and his friends, making sure to thank Sally for her assistance. Thadeus continues, "Do you know where we could stay? We're planning on seeing the sights for a few days." Sally laughs, "Marcus shared you were here looking for castles? Was there something specific you were looking for?" Elizabeth chimes in, "I've got some family ancestry that supposedly extends centuries somewhere in England." Sally looks towards Elizabeth, continuing to smile, "That sounds lovely, dear." Back to Thadeus, Sally responds, "Let's get on the road. I do know a place you rest and relax before your adventure."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -3)
Thadeus Jovanović
I’m Thadeus Jovanović. These are Elizabeth, Marcus, and Elias. Thank you for helping us, Sally. Do you know where we could stay? We’re planning on seeing the sights for a few days.
Thadeus offers his hand. As Sally takes it, the handle of his largest travel bag snaps, dropping the luggage onto the curb with a heavy thud.
Sally Burton
Marcus shared that you were here looking for castles. Was there something specific you were looking for?
Elizabeth Bathory
I have some family ancestry that supposedly extends centuries somewhere in England.
Sally Burton
That sounds lovely, dear. And yes, I know a quiet place where you can rest and relax before your adventure. It has rooms available, though you may need to replace that bag.
Marcus Thorne
That is already more help than we expected, Sally. We appreciate it.
Sally Burton
Then let’s get on the road. We’ll sort the lodging, and you can tell me about these castles on the way.
Director's note
The outside should start looking gloomy, with grey clouds blocking out the sun. It will appear that rain is coming soon
“Elias, Thadeus and Elizabeth hop into the back seats of the van, while Sally jumps into the driver seat, and Marcus jumps into the passenger seat.”
Elias, Thadeus, and Elizabeth climb into the van’s back seats, settling their bags around them. Outside, grey clouds gather over Heathrow, dimming the morning light.
Sally circles the vehicle and slides behind the wheel. Marcus places his satchel at his feet before taking the passenger seat and checking the mirrors.
Sally Burton
Everyone comfortable back there? We’ll get you somewhere warm and quiet before the rain starts.
The doors close with solid thuds. Through the windows, the pickup area blurs beneath a darkening sky as Sally starts the engine.
Marcus Thorne
Sally knows the area well. She should be able to point us toward a good place to stay, and perhaps help with the castle questions.
Elizabeth Bathory
A quiet place sounds welcome. We can organize the next steps once everyone has rested.
The van pulls away from the curb and joins the airport traffic. Raindrops begin to stipple the windshield, while London waits beyond the grey horizon.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether Sally is trustworthy
− Scene Quest Removed
Arrive at the local hotel
“Thadeus asks Sally about the city they are traveling to - Beaconsfield. Sally shares they are going to what is called Old Beaconsfield, which features a wide main street with Georgian, neo-Georgian, and Tudor revival architecture, period coaching inns, and independent restaurants and pubs.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Thadeus Jovanović
Sally, could you tell us about Beaconsfield, the city we’re traveling to?
Sally glances toward the rain-streaked windshield. Grey clouds block the morning sun, turning the motorway and surrounding fields into muted bands of green and silver.
Sally Burton
We’re heading for what people call Old Beaconsfield. It’s the historic heart of the town, and a very pleasant place to spend a few days.
Sally Burton
The main street is wide and lined with Georgian, neo-Georgian, and Tudor revival buildings. The architecture gives the whole place a wonderfully preserved character.
The van follows a broadening road beneath the dark sky. Sally adjusts the wipers as the first scattered drops begin tapping across the glass.
Sally Burton
There are old coaching inns, independent restaurants, and proper local pubs along the street. It is quiet, welcoming, and easy to explore on foot.
Sally Burton
Once you have settled in, I can point you toward the best places to eat and the sights worth seeing. Old Beaconsfield has plenty of history tucked into its ordinary corners.
“Elias asks Sally about her own time in Beaconsfield. Sally responds, "I've spent all of my life here in Beaconsfield. A lot of family travels to London for work, but I hardly find a reason to leave. Imagine my surprise when this one," she points to Marcus, "calls asking to help him and his friends." Marcus grins, "Well, I admit I've also been a little homesick. There's nothing that compares to the lands out here."”
Elias
Sally, have you spent much time in Beaconsfield yourself? What keeps you here?
Sally smiles at the question, keeping one hand steady on the wheel as the van passes hedgerows darkened by the approaching rain.
Sally Burton
I’ve spent all my life here in Beaconsfield. Much of my family travels to London for work, but I’ve hardly found a reason to leave.
Sally Burton
Imagine my surprise when this one calls asking me to help him and his friends.
She points toward Marcus with a small gesture. Beyond the windshield, grey clouds block the sun, and the fields fade into muted green beneath the heavy sky.
Marcus Thorne
Well, I admit I’ve been a little homesick too. There’s nothing that compares to the lands out here.
Elias
A local guide with family roots here could make the archive search much easier.
Director's note
With the weather still cloudy and a sprinkle starting, the party sees Beaconsfield just as Sally described, featuring a wide main street with Georgian, neo-Georgian, and Tudor revival architecture, period coaching inns, and independent restaurants and pubs.
“Thadeus looks outside to see the town proper come into view. As they start to see the older historic structures, his eyes catches a shadowed figured at the edge of a building. Tall, dark, bereft of facial features, he speculates what it is, but keeps it to himself for now.”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled -1)
The van crests a gentle rise, and Beaconsfield comes into view beneath grey clouds. A fine sprinkle begins, stippling the windshield as the town’s historic center gathers ahead.
Wide streets lead between Georgian, neo-Georgian, and Tudor revival façades. Coaching inns, independent restaurants, and welcoming pubs stand beneath darkening eaves, just as Sally described.
Thadeus Jovanović
At the edge of that building, the tall shadow has no visible face. It resembles the figure from Detroit, but distance and rain distort the details.
Thadeus keeps his gaze on the passing structure without drawing attention to it. The shadow remains still for one breath, half-swallowed by brickwork and the dim weather.
Sally Burton
There we are. That is Old Beaconsfield, and the high street begins just ahead. The rain should stay light for now.
The van rolls toward the older town center. Reflections tremble across the wet road, while pedestrians gather beneath shop awnings and the first pub lights glow against the gloom.
Elizabeth Bathory
It has a beautiful character. We should find somewhere to settle before we decide how openly to search for the archive.
“Sally responds, "I know just the place! You'll be staying at The Crafty Fox. It's not the fanciest place in town, but it should suit all of you just fine. And here we are!" Before Thadeus, Elizabeth or Elias can even respond, they realized they've stopped in front of a rustic-looking brick building with a large dark teal wooden door, with a metal knocker. Above the door, there's an old sign, with the words "The Crafty Fox" written in old English. The party steps out of the vehicle and views their surroundings.”
Sally Burton
I know just the place! You’ll be staying at The Crafty Fox. It’s not the fanciest place in town, but it should suit all of you just fine. And here we are!
Before anyone can answer, the van rolls to a stop beside a rustic brick building. A large dark teal wooden door faces the street, fitted with an old metal knocker.
Above the entrance, a weathered sign reads The Crafty Fox in ornate old English lettering. Grey clouds block the sun, and a light sprinkle begins to silver the pavement.
The party steps out of the van, gathering their bags beneath the shelter of the building’s shallow awning. The air smells of wet stone and distant rain.
Elizabeth Bathory
It is charming. I think I could be very comfortable here for a few days.
Across the wide main street, Georgian, neo-Georgian, and Tudor revival façades stand beneath darkening eaves. Coaching inns, independent restaurants, and welcoming pubs brighten the damp historic center.
Sally Burton
Come inside and warm yourselves. The Fox has good rooms, good food, and a quiet corner where you can plan whatever comes next.