Pastor Whitcombe leads Thadeus and Elias back up the concealed stair and through the church, carrying the locked volumes while the consecrated water and silver crucifix remain close at hand.
Sally and Marcus remain at The Crafty Fox, preserving their safety and guarding the copied records. Inside the vestry, lamplight pools across old cabinets and worn parish registers.
Pastor Whitcombe
These are the ordinary records, kept by successive rectors. Births, marriages, burials, donations. Nothing unusual should be hidden among them.
Whitcombe sets the locked volumes beside the registers but does not open them. Damp has darkened their page edges, and the erased catalogue mark resembles the one found in the parish history.
Elias
The mark is not accidental. Compare the dates, names, and handwriting before we disturb anything else.
Elias places the silver crucifix within easy reach and uncaps the consecrated water. Whitcombe turns through the ordinary records, his finger stopping beside several entries from 1910.
Pastor Whitcombe
Here. William Thorne appears in the marriage register, but the bride’s name has been scraped away. Someone wanted this page forgotten.
✓ Quest Accepted
Earn Pastor Whitcombe’s confidence in interpreting the church’s hidden records
“Thadeus has Elias step away from the pastor. Thadeus stares intensely at the pastor, "How did you know the name William Thorne? We didn't mention him." The pastor's face goes pale white. Thadeus adds, "You better explain yourself quick." Beside Thadeus, Peacebringer's glow intensifies, as if its communicating agreement with Thadeus.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Thadeus motions Elias away from Pastor Whitcombe. Elias retreats beside the vestry door, keeping the crucifix and consecrated water within reach while the pastor faces Thadeus alone.
Thadeus Jovanović
How did you know the name William Thorne? We never mentioned him.
Thadeus holds the pastor’s gaze. Peacebringer’s blue glow intensifies beside him, washing the scraped register and Whitcombe’s tightening hands in cold light.
Thadeus Jovanović
You better explain yourself quick.
Whitcombe’s face goes pale. He raises both hands slowly, careful not to reach for the locked volumes or the register.
Pastor Whitcombe
Because I saw the name before you arrived. It was written beneath the scraped ink, visible only when the lamplight struck the page at an angle.
Pastor Whitcombe
I should have told you immediately. William Thorne came here in 1910 with Erzsebet Báthory, and the former rector recorded a warning beside their names. The missing pages were removed to conceal what followed.
Director's note
Peacebringer can only be held by those of good intent. If it picks up on evil or ill-intent, it will burn the user
“Thadeus's glare towards Whitcombe intensifies, "Alright Pastor. I think we should test your faith." Thadeus concentrates his thoughts, changing Peacebringer into its fountain pen form, still glowing bright blue, and holds it out to Whitcombe. "Hold this pen, and this will tell us what we need to know."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Thadeus Jovanović
All right, Pastor. I think we should test your faith. Hold this pen, and it will tell us what we need to know.
Thadeus’s glare hardens as Peacebringer contracts from its luminous sword into a glowing blue fountain pen. He extends it across the vestry table.
Pastor Whitcombe
You believe this can judge me?
Whitcombe reaches for the pen with visible reluctance. His fingers close around the weathered grip, and the blue radiance brightens across his knuckles.
Nothing burns him. The light remains steady, cool against his hand, while the consecrated water trembles faintly in its open vial.
Pastor Whitcombe
It is not condemning me. It is waiting for the truth.
Pastor Whitcombe
I have hidden records, yes. But not to serve Erzsebet. I was afraid of what the truth would bring to this church.
“The Pastor hands Peacebringer back to Thadeus. Satisfied, Thadeus puts Peacebringer back in his pocket. Thadeus relaxes his face, causing the pastor to audibly sigh in relief. Thadeus asks, "That weapon is very selective of whomever holds it. Please forgive my intensity. Elias and I have seen some truly evil things, even with church walls." Whitcombe attempts to look annoyed, but a slight smile creeps across his face, "Think nothing of it, son. I don't think I want to imagine what evil it is you've seen. Let's get back to this record on William Thorne." Thadeus waves Elias back towards himself and the pastor, as the pastor opens his records back up.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +4)
Pastor Whitcombe
The pastor carefully returns Peacebringer to Thadeus, then exhales as the weapon leaves his hand. His shoulders loosen, though he keeps watching it.
Thadeus slips Peacebringer into his pocket and relaxes his expression. Whitcombe audibly sighs in relief, attempting an annoyed look before a reluctant smile appears.
Thadeus Jovanović
That weapon is very selective of whomever holds it. Please forgive my intensity. Elias and I have seen some truly evil things, even with church walls.
Pastor Whitcombe
Think nothing of it, son. I don't think I want to imagine what evil it is you've seen. Let's get back to this record on William Thorne.
Thadeus waves Elias back toward the table. Whitcombe reopens the register and lays the locked volume beside it, his caution softened into cooperation.
Pastor Whitcombe
Here is the warning. The former rector wrote that William and Erzsebet were received privately, then directed toward a sealed church passage.
Beneath the scraped marriage entry, lamplight reveals a second notation: a parish key was entrusted to William Thorne, and never returned.
Quest Complete
Earn Pastor Whitcombe’s confidence in interpreting the church’s hidden records
Skill Upgrade: Psychology Good→Great