Thadeus and Elias stand before St. Mary and All Saints, while rain beads on the weathered stone and the church tower rises above Old Beaconsfield.
Sally and Marcus remain behind at The Crafty Fox, preserving their safety and the secrecy surrounding William Thorne’s records. The old entrance shows centuries of repairs.
Elias
Look at the hinges and the side passage. If there is a parish office or clergy entrance, it should be around back.
Elias studies the doors, carved lintel, and narrow windows with practical concentration. A brass plaque lists parish offices, though its lettering has faded beneath years of weather.
Before Elias can try the nearest door, an older pastor steps from the vestibule. He carries a ring of keys and regards them with cautious, courteous interest.
Pastor Whitcombe
Good afternoon. I noticed you examining the church. Are you looking for the parish office, or have you come regarding something more particular?
Elias
We were hoping to speak with someone about the church’s history, and whether it still safeguards holy tools or protective implements.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the church's protection for the group
“Thadeus offers his hand out to the pastor, introducing himself and his friend Elias.”
Thadeus Jovanović
Hello. I’m Thadeus Jovanović, and this is my friend Elias.
Thadeus offers his hand across the threshold. Rainwater glistens on his sleeve as the pastor shifts his keys and accepts the greeting.
Pastor Whitcombe
A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jovanović. Elias. I’m Pastor Whitcombe. Please, come in out of the rain.
The pastor steps aside, opening the vestibule wider. Cool stone, old wood, and the faint scent of candle wax greet them beneath the church’s quiet tower.
Elias
Thank you, Pastor Whitcombe. We’re researching local records and the church’s older protective traditions.
Pastor Whitcombe
Then you may find our parish history useful. I can show you the office and explain what remains in our care.
He gestures toward the side passage, his guarded expression easing into courteous curiosity. Elias nods, and the three proceed into the church.
“Thadeus and Elias observed the inside of the church, its interior made up of ornate fixtures. The pews look centuries old, but well-kept. The pastor directs them to his office, filled with all of the trinkets one would expect from a religious figure, as well as file cabinets that appear heavily worn from use. Thadeus asks the pastor if he can share the history of the church, avoiding mentioning William Thorne or Erzsebet Bathory for the moment.”
SUCCESS (Great Investigation, rolled -2)
Thadeus and Elias pass beneath the church’s carved archway. Ornate fixtures gleam above them, while centuries-old pews rest polished and orderly beneath the muted afternoon light.
Pastor Whitcombe leads them through a side passage into his office, where devotional trinkets crowd the shelves and heavily worn filing cabinets line one wall.
Thadeus Jovanović
Pastor Whitcombe, would you share the history of St. Mary and All Saints with us?
Pastor Whitcombe
Gladly. The parish began in the medieval period, though fire, war, and renovation changed much of what stands today. The tower and foundation remain our oldest work.
He opens a cabinet and retrieves a bound parish history. The drawer groans loudly across the office, and Whitcombe pauses, studying Thadeus’s careful wording.
Pastor Whitcombe
We have preserved baptismal rolls, marriage registers, and private donations recorded by successive rectors. Some families shaped this parish more than they realized.
The pastor places the history book and several catalogued registers on his desk, granting them access while his newly sharpened caution remains plainly visible.
“Does the Pastor have experience with the supernatural or the occult?”
NO, AND WORSE (Likely, rolled 94)
Pastor Whitcombe opens the first register, but his confidence falters. Several pages have been cut cleanly from the binding, leaving ragged stubs and a faint smell of damp ash.
Pastor Whitcombe
I have no experience with the occult. None. Our records concern ordinary parish life, not vampires, curses, or secret protections.
He turns another volume toward them. Its cover bears the same erased catalogue mark Marcus found, while dark moisture spreads across the desk beneath it.
Pastor Whitcombe
But this morning, I found these books locked in the vestry. I did not put them there, and the key has been missing for decades.
A dull knock sounds from inside the wall behind the filing cabinets. Whitcombe freezes, keys trembling in his hand, as dust sifts from the old stonework.
Pastor Whitcombe
That has never happened before. Please tell me you have not brought something here.
Elias
We may have brought the question. Whatever is answering it was already waiting.
“Elias escorts the pastor away from the wall of filing cabinets, while Thadeus pulls out Peacebringer, morphing it into its sword form. Thadeus cautiously steps towards the wall, waiting to see if something emerges from it.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
Elias
Pastor, come with me. Away from the cabinets, please. We can investigate this without leaving you beside the wall.
Elias guides Pastor Whitcombe toward the office doorway, keeping himself between the pastor and the filing cabinets as another muted knock travels through the stone.
Pastor Whitcombe
Yes. Quite right. I would prefer to observe from somewhere less directly involved.
Thadeus draws the glowing fountain pen and concentrates. Peacebringer unfolds into a blue-lit sword, its solid blade casting cold color across the registers and damp desktop.
Holding the sword ready, Thadeus advances cautiously toward the wall. Dust settles around his shoes while the filing cabinets stand silent against the ancient stone.
Elias
I have him clear. Take your time, Thadeus. We are watching the passage and the office.
At arm’s reach, Thadeus stops before the cabinets with Peacebringer angled toward the masonry. The knock does not repeat, but a hairline seam remains visible in the dust.
“Thadeus places his hand near the seam and feels a rush of cold air hit him. Thadeus turns to the pastor, "Does your history of this church include secret passages?" The pastor, fear capturing him, can only shake his head no. Thadeus feels for a loose brick in the wall, and hears a soft click, as a section of the wall slides away, revealing a dark spirl stairwell leading downwards. Thadeus looks again to the pastor, "Would you mind walking with us?" With great reservation, the pastor agrees, and follows Thadeus and Elias down the stairwell.”
SUCCESS (Great Investigation, rolled +0)
Thadeus places his hand near the seam. A rush of cold air slips through the wall, stirring dust across the registers and raising gooseflesh along his arm.
Thadeus Jovanović
Does your history of this church include secret passages?
Pastor Whitcombe’s face tightens with fear. He can only shake his head, clutching his keys as the silence presses around the hidden seam.
Thadeus runs his fingers over the masonry until one brick shifts beneath his touch. A soft click answers, and a section of wall slides inward.
Beyond it, a dark spiral stairwell descends into the foundations. Cold air rises from below, carrying the smell of damp stone and old earth.
Thadeus Jovanović
Would you mind walking with us?
Pastor Whitcombe
I would mind very much. But I will come. This is my church, and I should know what lies beneath it.
With great reservation, Whitcombe follows Thadeus through the opening. Elias brings up the rear, and together they descend the narrow stair into darkness.
✓ Quest Accepted
Uncover the purpose of the hidden stairwell
“Thadeus, Elias and Whitcombe find their way to the bottom of the stairwell. It's near total darkness, except for the light coming from above at the secret entrance. Thadeus feels for an opening, and instead here's another soft click. The walls around him light up with torches not previously seen, illuminating a small corridor that seems to go on for miles. Elias speaks up, "Before we go any further, Pastor, do you have any holy tools, like holy water? We may protection further ahead." Thadeus stops, looks back at Elias and agrees. They wait on the pastor's response.”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled +0)
The stairwell ends beneath the church. Near-total darkness surrounds Thadeus, Elias, and Pastor Whitcombe, with only the entrance above offering a fading strip of light.
Thadeus feels along the foundation for an opening. Another soft click answers, and concealed torches flare along the walls, revealing a narrow corridor that seems to stretch for miles.
Elias
Before we go any farther, Pastor, do you have holy tools, such as holy water? We may need protection ahead.
Thadeus Jovanović
I agree. We should have that protection before proceeding.
Thadeus stops and looks back toward Elias and Whitcombe. The newly lit corridor waits ahead, its stone floor disappearing into a distance the torches cannot fully measure.
Pastor Whitcombe
There is consecrated water in the vestry, and a small silver crucifix kept for emergency rites. I can retrieve both from the cabinet above.
Whitcombe produces a sealed glass vial and silver crucifix from a concealed compartment in his satchel, placing them in Elias’s waiting hands before facing the corridor.
Quest Complete
Secure the church's protection for the group
Skill Upgrade: Investigation Great→Superb
+ New Item Acquired
Consecrated water vial
+ New Item Acquired
Silver crucifix