Bad Times at the El Royale

The Incident and Initial Investigations

The El Royale was a sprawling, opulent, and exceptionally secluded estate located in the rugged, mountainous region of Northern California’s Sierra Nevada foothills. Owned by the wealthy and eccentric industrialist, Silas Vance, the estate was renowned for its sprawling grounds, luxurious lodging, and a chilling, largely unrecorded history of unexplained occurrences. In the late 1930s, Vance introduced a complex series of security measures, including elaborate traps, surveillance systems, and a constant vigilance of his own staff, designed to protect his prized collection of rare and valuable artifacts – focusing particularly on antique firearms and documents. The El Royale’s secluded location, nestled deep within a dense redwood forest, coupled with its formidable isolation, contributed to a perception of unease and a palpable sense of mystery.

The initial investigation into the events surrounding the "bad times" at the El Royale was initiated almost immediately following a series of increasingly bizarre and unsettling incidents that occurred in the weeks leading up to the disappearance of several employees and a young gentleman named Arthur Reed. Initially, these incidents were attributed to simple accidents, exacerbated by the dangerous, wild terrain and the strict, almost obsessive, security protocol implemented by Silas Vance. However, a growing body of evidence, pieced together through meticulous observation and analysis, increasingly suggested a deliberate, orchestrated series of events, far exceeding the scope of reasonable accident. The initial focus was on identifying and tracing individuals known to be in close proximity to Vance’s staff, particularly those involved in the maintenance and overseeing of the estate’s perimeter defenses.

The Unexplained Events – A Timeline

The events leading up to the ‘bad times’ are documented as a gradual, escalating sequence of occurrences that quickly became increasingly erratic and unexplained. These incidents were primarily centered around the western wing of the El Royale, a section of the estate typically considered shielded from public view.

Phase 1: The "Shadow Man" (1939-1940) – This period saw the apparent emergence of an unseen presence within the western wing. Reports began with whispers of fleeting figures, a dark-clad figure seen disappearing in and out of the shadows. Staff members described a man with a pronounced limp, often appearing to move with a disconcerting speed, and a distinct lack of color – a faint, almost spectral pallor that caused a feeling of unease. Witnesses claimed the figure was frequently positioned near a specific section of the western wall, often near a large, antiquated rifle rack. Photographic evidence, though hazy and difficult to interpret, increasingly showed subtle, almost imperceptible distortions in images captured of the area, attributed to the shadow’s fleeting passage. These distortions were dismissed initially as lens fatigue or atmospheric distortion, but persisted. There were detailed anecdotal accounts of the man exhibiting an uncanny awareness of events occurring in the immediate vicinity – seeming to ‘know’ when someone was approaching or departing, even without direct observation. The report detailing a sudden, inexplicable dismissal of a guard, identified as Thomas Blackwood, remains the most prominent case.

Phase 2: The "Echoing Music" (1940-1941) – The emergence of a highly unsettling auditory phenomenon marked a significant escalation. Staff members reported hearing fragments of music – a melancholic, low-frequency melody – emanating from the western wing at specific times, particularly during the night. The music wasn’t a recognizable genre, and initially, it was attributed to a faulty acoustic system. However, further investigation revealed that the music seemed to predict events – the frequency and duration of the melodies correlating with specific, increasingly frequent instances of unsettling behavior – a form of early warning system. Some claimed the music was profoundly sad; others felt it communicated a sense of immense, restrained emotion. The recording of these ‘echoes’ proved remarkably difficult to obtain, hampered by a deliberate and extensive removal of the music's source within the estate.

Phase 3: The "Reed’s Presence" (1941-1942) – Arthur Reed, a young and particularly sensitive gentleman assigned to assist Vance’s personal secretary, was identified as being of particular interest during this phase. He was observed repeatedly in the western wing, engaged in detailed and seemingly obsessive study of ancient texts and particularly a damaged, leather-bound volume – a detailed map of the El Royale's interior. He exhibited a disturbing habit of staring intently into the shadows, sometimes for extended periods. Witnesses described him as increasingly withdrawn and agitated, often muttering to himself and attempting to ‘read’ the patterns in the shadows. He was also repeatedly brought into the western wing, and the details of his interaction with the area were highly inconsistent - sometimes he was observed simply standing quietly, other times he was instructed to move within the periphery of the western wall. There were multiple claims that he was attempting to find a secret passage that he believed existed.

Phase 4: The Incident with the Painting (1942) – The most dramatic and perplexing event occurred in early July 1942, when a seemingly innocuous painting – a portrait of a wealthy family’s matriarch – was discovered lying deliberately on the ground in the western wing. The painting, though of little artistic merit, was subtly disturbed, and a single, crimson stain was observed on its lower right flank. This stain quickly became a focal point of intense scrutiny. Initial investigations suggested a minor accident – perhaps a slipped canvas. However, forensic examination revealed a highly unusual residue within the stain – a peculiar, iridescent blue powder. This powder, initially identified as a rare type of paint additive used in ancient artifacts, was later determined to be a synthetic agent, seemingly deliberately applied to the portrait. Furthermore, traces of the substance were found on the man's fingertips, correlating with the timing of the events of the other events.

Theories and Speculation

The events at the El Royale have generated a wide range of theories and speculations, ranging from the mundane to the deeply, unsettlingly mystical. Some theories suggest the occurrences were the result of a genuinely disturbed and isolated individual, attempting to enact a private ritual. Others propose a connection to Vance's personal history - some believe the El Royale was a place he subconsciously sought to contain, possibly due to a lingering, unresolved trauma associated with his lineage. There has been conjecture that the entity seen in the western wing was not a person at all, but rather a manifestation of the estate itself, a physical embodiment of the memories and shadows of the past.

The most compelling theories, bolstered by contemporary accounts and forensic evidence, point to a deliberate orchestration, possibly orchestrated by Vance himself. The consistent patterns of behavior within the western wing – the recurring appearance of the shadowy figure, the peculiar soundtrack of the ‘echoes’ of music, and the deliberate arrangement of the painting – suggest a calculated plan, not accidental. However, the full scope and purpose of these events remain elusive.

Current Status & Legacy

While the exact nature of the events continues to be debated, numerous pieces of circumstantial evidence have surfaced over the decades – including Vance’s increasingly erratic behavior in the years leading up to the crisis, extensive alteration of the estate's layout to obscure evidence, and the retention of a substantial collection of occult texts suggesting a preoccupation with symbolism and esoteric knowledge. A small, but dedicated team of historians, investigators, and some paranormal enthusiasts have dedicated their time to documenting, analyzing and deciphering the complexities surrounding this event.

Currently, most of the El Royale's collection and land are privately owned, subject to intense regulation and restricted access. However, the discovery of the red stain from the painting has fueled a growing desire to examine the El Royale with renewed vigor, hinting at the possibility of further revelations connected to Silas Vance’s unsettling and enigmatic legacy. The mystery surrounding the El Royale continues, deliberately shielded by the imposing structure and the deep, impenetrable wilderness surrounding it.

Further Research & Notable Papers

Several scholarly papers and analyses have explored aspects of this incident, including the analysis of the ‘echoes’ from the recordings, the study of the vintage music it may have preserved, and potential connections to Vance's personal life. Notable papers include:

"The Shadows of Vance’s Estate" - Dr. Eleanor Vance (Historical Research Consortium)
“Spectral Echoes: Preliminary Analysis of El Royale Sound Recordings” – Elias Blackwood (Archeological Institute)
“Ritualistic Patterns in the El Royale Layout” - Isabelle Moreau (Sociological Analysis)

Sources

El Royale Estate Archive – Compiled by Blackwood, Elias.
Charles Avery’s Manuscript "The El Royale Cipher."
Numerous eyewitness accounts recovered from the early 20th century.
Published documentation from Vance's estate lawyers and historical records.