Sally leads Thadeus, Elizabeth, Marcus, and Elias through rain-darkened streets, past glowing pub windows and the Georgian facades of Old Beaconsfield. Her easy welcome does not erase the question of trust.
Sally Burton
The records office is attached to the municipal library. I know the archivist, but she will want to hear why the Thorne name brought you here.
A narrow side entrance opens beneath a painted library sign. Sally pauses before entering, glancing at Marcus as though measuring how much of his family history he intends to reveal.
Elizabeth Bathory
And this restricted reference concerning Proserpina? How certain are you that it still exists?
Sally Burton
Certain enough to bring you here. Years ago, an archivist showed me a catalogue entry that never appeared in the public index.
Inside, fluorescent lights hum over shelves of local records. Sally introduces the group to a guarded archivist, while Marcus studies a terminal display and suddenly leans closer.
Marcus Thorne
This phrase. Estate correspondence, final disposition. William used it in private notes. If the catalogue preserved his concealed final line, it may point to an archive.
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover William Thorne's final secret
Director's notewhole tale
Marcus continues to research William Thorne while Elizabeth and Elias observe him. The archivist that greeted them is watching behind her desk, curious about their conversation
“Meanwhile, Thadeus pulls Sally aside in a small reading room. Thadeus asks Sally, "What exactly has Marcus shared with you about our coming to England?" Sally replies, "Just as I mentioned before, you were supposed to find a castle of his ancestors and explore it." Thadeus studies Sally with her response, and believes it to be genuine. "So there's more to it then that, but I'll have to show you something. You have to promise to not share it with another soul."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Director's notewhole tale
Marcus continues to research William Thorne while Elizabeth and Elias observe him. The archivist that greeted them is watching behind her desk, curious about their conversation
“Meanwhile, Thadeus pulls Sally aside in a small reading room. Thadeus asks Sally, "What exactly has Marcus shared with you about our coming to England?" Sally replies, "Just as I mentioned before, you were supposed to find a castle of his ancestors and explore it." Thadeus studies Sally with her response, and believes it to be genuine. "So there's more to it then that, but I'll have to show you something. You have to promise to not share it with another soul."”
SUCCESS (Fair Psychology, rolled +2)
Thadeus guides Sally into a small reading room beside the municipal library, leaving the door ajar. Beyond it, Marcus studies the terminal while Elizabeth and Elias observe him, and the archivist watches from her desk.
Thadeus Jovanović
What exactly has Marcus shared with you about our coming to England?
Sally Burton
Just as I mentioned before, you were supposed to find a castle belonging to his ancestors and explore it. That is all Marcus told me.
Sally answers without hesitation, her voice lowered against the library hum. Her posture stays open, and nothing in her expression suggests she is concealing a second story.
Thadeus Jovanović
Her answer is genuine.
Thadeus Jovanović
So there is more to it than that. I have to show you something, but you must promise not to share it with another soul.
Sally Burton
You have my promise. Whatever you show me stays between us, Thadeus.
Director's note
No one in the background notices the scene with Thadeus and Sally
“Thadeus pulls out his fountain pen from his pocket, and holds it out in his palm. The pen glows blue, pulsing every few seconds. Thadeus speaks, "This is called Peacebringer. This is more than just the pen you see before you. This is a powerful weapon meant to destroy the darkness." Sally looks up at Thadeus, then back to the pen, and has to keep herself from laughing. "Are you serious? What kind of magic talk is that?" Thadeus smiles, then closes his eyes, and concentrates.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Thadeus Jovanović
This is called Peacebringer. This is more than just the pen you see before you. This is a powerful weapon meant to destroy the darkness.
Sally Burton
Are you serious? What kind of magic talk is that?
Thadeus smiles, closes his eyes, and concentrates. The blue pulse steadies in his palm, casting a cool glow across the quiet reading room.
The fountain pen lengthens without sound. Its casing unfolds into a weathered leather handle, while luminous links spill from its base and gather into a heavy morningstar tip.
Sally Burton
That is not a trick pen.
Peacebringer now rests fully formed across Thadeus's palm, glowing light blue. The gold cross on its handle catches the fluorescent light, and the chain hangs motionless.
Sally Burton
Marcus said this was a castle search. He did not say anything about a weapon like that.
“Thadeus concentrates again, and transforms Peacebringer back into its pen form, and holds it in his hand, still glowing blue. Sally looks stunned, asking, "So, what are you people really here for?" Thadeus responds with a question, "Do you really want the truth?" Sally cautiously nods. Thadeus continues, "My dear friend Elizabeth isn't entirely what she appears. You could say we're here to visit family. Not Marcus's, but hers." Sally looks puzzled, asking, "I don't understand, why are you looking for..." Their conversation is interrupted by Marcus, "Thadeus! You need to see this. I...I don't believe this."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Peacebringer contracts beneath Thadeus's concentration. The luminous chain and morningstar fold into the weathered fountain pen, which remains glowing blue in his steady hand.
Sally Burton
So, what are you people really here for?
Thadeus Jovanović
Do you really want the truth?
Sally studies the glowing pen, then cautiously nods. Beyond the ajar door, Marcus continues examining the terminal while Elizabeth and Elias observe him, and the archivist watches from her desk.
Thadeus Jovanović
My dear friend Elizabeth isn't entirely what she appears. You could say we're here to visit family. Not Marcus's, but hers.
Sally Burton
I don't understand. Why are you looking for...
Marcus Thorne
Thadeus! You need to see this. I... I don't believe this.
“Thadeus and Sally run out of the reading room to Marcus appearing light-headed, Elias sliding a chair underneath him before he collapses to the floor. Thadeus looks at the monitor, dumbfounded by what he's seeing. It's a wedding photo, dated 1910, with a happy couple dressed in wedding attire of that period. Their faces are unmistakable - William Thorne is holding the hands of his bride, her face slightly hidden under her veil. Elizabeth recognizes the face, and she starts to go pale. Thadeus mutters under his breath, "So that's the connection. The bride is Erzsebet Bathory."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
Thadeus and Sally rush from the reading room. Marcus sways beside the terminal, his face drained, as Elias slides a chair beneath him before he collapses.
Elias
Easy, Marcus. Sit down. Breathe.
The monitor displays a wedding photograph dated 1910. William Thorne, unmistakable in formal attire, holds the hands of his veiled bride beneath the soft grain of the old image.
Thadeus stares at the screen, dumbfounded. The bride turns slightly toward the camera, revealing features preserved in Elizabeth's family history.
Elizabeth Bathory
No. Not here. Not in William's records.
Elizabeth recognizes the face and goes pale. Marcus grips the chair, light-headed, while Elias remains beside him and Sally watches the photograph in stunned silence.
Thadeus Jovanović
So that's the connection. The bride is Erzsebet Bathory.
Quest Complete
Discover William Thorne's final secret
Skill Upgrade: Psychology Fair→Good