The group returns discreetly to The Crafty Fox, leaving the records office behind. Storm-muted light filters through two small windows onto dark green checkered carpet and dark brown wood.
Around a round lobby table, Marcus spreads the copied records beside the wedding photograph. Elizabeth sits close to Thadeus, while Elias watches the entrance and the rain.
Marcus Thorne
William married Erzsebet in 1910. My family records never mentioned her, but this photograph is unmistakable.
Elizabeth Bathory
She would have been young by then, but already moving through circles where ordinary records could be erased or altered.
Marcus turns through handwritten copies, tracing references to estate transfers, sealed correspondence, and a property near Beaconsfield. Elias leans over his shoulder, following each connection.
Elias
This notation appears more than once: the bride’s presence was to remain private. Someone was protecting Erzsebet, or protecting everyone from her.
Marcus Thorne
There is one more reference here. A private meeting at The Crafty Fox, dated three weeks after the wedding.
Behind the reception desk, the archivist is absent, leaving only a quiet clerk who glances toward the table. Marcus places one final page beside the photograph and looks to the group.
“Thadeus pulls out his phone and calls Marla. She answers, and Thadeus explains that he needs her to pull up records on William Thorne, specifically any mention of a wedding in England around 1910.”
SUCCESS (Good Computers, rolled +0)
Thadeus steps away from the lobby table and pulls out his phone. Rain taps the windows while Marcus continues sorting William’s notes beside the wedding photograph.
Thadeus Jovanović
Marla, I need you to pull up records on William Thorne, especially any mention of a wedding in England around 1910.
Marla Brewer
Got it. I’m searching the English marriage indexes and matching the names against the date. Stay with me.
The call stays quiet for several seconds. Elizabeth watches Thadeus closely, while Elias keeps his attention on the entrance and Marcus turns another copied page.
Marla Brewer
I found it. William Thorne appears in a 1910 English marriage record, and the listed bride is Erzsebet Báthory.
Marla Brewer
I’m sending you the record now. The date, location, and both names are visible, though some of the file is restricted.
Thadeus’s phone vibrates with the received record. The confirmation settles beside the photograph, giving the group a second documented link between William Thorne and Erzsebet.
✓ Quest Accepted
Earn Sally's trust in the group's true mission
“Thadeus looks at Marcus, who appears to be losing his grip on reality, "Hey, are you alright?" Marcus looks sharply up at Thadeus, "How the hell do you think I am? My family, are...descendants of vampires?!? I'm pretty far from okay. Am I...?" Marcus's voice trails off, his head now buried in his hands. Elizabeth leans down towards Marcus and places an arm over his shoulder attempting to comfort him. Thadeus looks on, both shocked and satisfied, seeing Elizabeth's compassion.”
Thadeus Jovanović
Hey, are you alright?
Marcus Thorne
How the hell do you think I am? My family are descendants of vampires?! I’m pretty far from okay. Am I...?
Marcus’s voice trails away. He folds forward, burying his face in both hands as the copied records and wedding photograph remain spread across the table.
Elizabeth Bathory
Marcus, breathe. You are here with us. Whatever your family did, it does not decide who you are.
Elizabeth leans down and places an arm across Marcus’s shoulders. Her touch is careful and steady, offering comfort without forcing him to look up.
Thadeus watches them in silence, still absorbing the revelation. Elizabeth’s compassion is unmistakable, and the evidence now confirms a connection her family tried to bury.
Marcus Thorne
Am I one of them?
“Sally, seeing her friend distraught, also comes over to Marcus to comfort him. Thadeus walks over to Elias, who is seated in a dark green leather seat. Thadeus shows Marla's messages to Elias and asks, "What do you think? I knew what we would be facing with Erzsebet, but do you think William could be a threat?" Elias shrugs, "I think we have to prepared for anything. We should ask Sally if there are any churches nearby."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +4)
Sally leaves the reception desk and crosses to Marcus. She lowers herself beside him, resting a steady hand on his shoulder while the rain ticks against the windows.
Sally Burton
Marcus, breathe slowly. Your family history is not a verdict against you. You are still yourself.
Marcus lifts his face, shaken but listening. Elizabeth remains close, while Sally’s calm presence gives him room to steady himself without pressing for answers.
Thadeus crosses the lobby to Elias, seated in a dark green leather chair, and shows him Marla’s messages confirming William Thorne’s 1910 marriage to Erzsebet.
Thadeus Jovanović
What do you think? I knew what we would be facing with Erzsebet, but do you think William could be a threat?
Elias
I think we have to be prepared for anything. We should ask Sally if there are any churches nearby.
Elias studies the record again, then points toward a local street map near the desk. It marks St Mary and All Saints, an old church only a short walk away, with parish archives still maintained.
“Thadeus thanks Elias for his insight and walks back to Elizabeth, Marcus and Sally. Marcus appears to have calmed down for the most part. Thadeus asks Sally about the church Elias pointed out on the map, St. Mary and All Saints. He asks her about when it was built and its history.”
SUCCESS (Great Investigation, rolled +2)
Thadeus Jovanović
Thank you for your insight, Elias.
Thadeus leaves the map with Elias and returns to Elizabeth, Marcus, and Sally. Marcus sits upright now, breathing evenly, though the wedding photograph still troubles his face.
Thadeus Jovanović
Sally, Elias pointed out St. Mary and All Saints. When was it built, and what is its history?
Sally Burton
St. Mary and All Saints began as a medieval parish church, with foundations dating back centuries. Much of the present structure was rebuilt and expanded after later fires and renovations.
Sally moves to the street map and traces the church’s location with one finger. Rain softens the windows behind her, while Marcus listens from the table.
Sally Burton
The oldest surviving work is in the stonework and tower. The church has served Old Beaconsfield through wars, changing families, and generations of local records.
Elizabeth Bathory
Then its parish archives may preserve names that private family records tried to erase.
Director's note
The hotel receptionist is observing Thadeus and Sally
“Thadeus pulls Sally aside, away from the rest of the group. Thadeus looks at Sally, his pleasant disposition missing from his face, "I'm sorry for what you were exposed to at the records office. My friends and I have had many run-ins with the supernatural, and we're expecting things to only get more dangerous. I think it would be best for you and Marcus to stay here away from the danger." Sally considers his suggestion, then looks back up to Thadeus, "I'm afraid I can't do that." Thadeus looks back at Sally stunned, when she continues, "Seeing how much this has Marcus torn up, and how serious this is, you'll need all the help you can get. I'm with you, as I'm sure Marcus is too."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Thadeus draws Sally aside near the lobby windows, away from Elizabeth, Marcus, and Elias. The clerk behind the reception desk watches them while rain threads down the glass.
Thadeus Jovanović
I’m sorry for what you were exposed to at the records office. My friends and I have had many run-ins with the supernatural, and we expect things to become more dangerous. I think you and Marcus should stay here, away from it.
Sally Burton
I’m afraid I can’t simply stand aside. Seeing how much this has torn Marcus up, and how serious this is, you’ll need all the help you can get.
Thadeus looks stunned. Sally holds his gaze, then glances toward Marcus, who remains seated beneath the troubled wedding photograph.
Sally Burton
But I understand what you’re asking. Marcus and I will remain here at The Crafty Fox, where we’re safer. I’ll help from here, and I won’t follow you into danger.
Her decision settles the immediate question. The receptionist lowers her eyes to the desk, pretending to organize papers while listening to every word.
Sally Burton
You’ll still have our help, Thadeus. Just not as another pair of bodies for the monsters to target.
Protect the group's secrets from the archivist
Quest Complete
Earn Sally's trust in the group's true mission
New Gift: Trusted Negotiator