The archivist leaves her desk and approaches without a word. The terminal still displays William Thorne’s wedding record as her shadow stretches across the reading room.
She stops beside the table and opens her mouth. Sharp fangs replace ordinary teeth, gleaming beneath the fluorescent lights as a wet hiss breaks the library’s silence.
Sally dives behind the nearest desk. Elias grabs Marcus and pulls him down beside her, interrupting the research and leaving the terminal unattended.
Thadeus and Elizabeth remain between the archivist and the others. Elizabeth’s posture changes, restrained power gathering behind her stillness as the creature’s gaze fixes on her.
Elizabeth Bathory
Do not come any closer.
The Archivist
The Bathory name was buried for a reason. You should have left the records untouched.
Behind the desk, Marcus stares toward Elizabeth, understanding dawning beside his fear. The archivist lowers her shoulders and bares her fangs again, waiting for the first move.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the group’s immediate safety
“Thadeus closes his eyes and concentrates on bringing Peacebringer out to its real form. The Archivist lunges at Thadeus. Elizabeth jumps in front of Thadeus, grabbing the archivist in the air, and tossing her to side, crashing into a bookshelf. Elias directs Marcus and Sally back outside to the van.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +2)
Thadeus closes his eyes and concentrates. The fountain pen brightens in his hand, unfolding into Peacebringer’s weathered leather grip, luminous chain, and heavy morningstar tip.
The archivist lunges across the reading room, fangs bared. Elizabeth steps between them, catches the attacker in midair, and hurls her into a bookshelf.
Elizabeth Bathory
You will not touch him.
Books burst from the shelves as the archivist crashes into them. Peacebringer hangs fully formed from Thadeus’s hand, its blue radiance washing over the scattered pages.
Elias
Marcus, Sally, outside. Move now. Get to the van and stay down.
Elias hauls Marcus upright and guides him toward the side entrance. Sally follows close behind, crouched low as they retreat through the rain-dark doorway.
Elizabeth squares herself between Thadeus and the wrecked shelves. The archivist rises amid fallen books, glaring past her at the glowing weapon.
“With Peacebringer ready, Thadeus gives it a mighty swing towards the Archivist. The swing lands true, crushing her mid-section. The hit causes the archivist to grab her stomach, then cry out as she bursts into blue flame, before turning to ash. Thadeus turns to Elizabeth, "Did Marcus save a copy of those records?" Elizabeth nods, adding, "We can discuss it more with him later. We've got to get out of here." Thadeus agrees, and the two of them run outside to Sally, Marcus and Elias, already waiting in the van. Sally yells, "I'm pretty sure I hear police on the road. We need to leave now." Thadeus and Elizabeth hop in the van and race away from records office.”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled +1)
Thadeus swings Peacebringer with all his strength. The morningstar strikes the archivist squarely, crushing her midsection and driving her backward through scattered books.
She clutches her stomach and cries out. Blue fire races across her body, consuming her until she collapses into a mound of ash beneath the fluorescent lights.
Thadeus Jovanović
Did Marcus save a copy of those records?
Elizabeth Bathory
He did. We can discuss it more with him later. We have to get out of here.
Thadeus Jovanović
Agreed.
Thadeus contracts Peacebringer into its fountain-pen form and follows Elizabeth through the side entrance. Rain strikes their faces as they run toward the waiting van.
Sally Burton
I’m pretty sure I hear police on the road. We need to leave now.
Thadeus and Elizabeth climb inside. Elias pulls the door shut as Sally accelerates from the records office, tires hissing over the wet street while Marcus guards the copied records.
Maintain Sally’s trust
Quest Complete
Pursue Erzsebet in London
Skill Upgrade: Investigation Good→Great
Quest Complete
Secure the group’s immediate safety
Skill Upgrade: Athletics Fair→Good