"Th-that m-must have b-b-been very sc-scary."Taran says with a broken smile, "Once wh-when I w-was hunting, I w-was attacked b-by a h-huge p-pig, w-with t-tusks th-this long."Taran holds his hands out about 7 inches.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"Arthem's a year younger than me, and he has brown hair and cool pink eyes and he always says he's gonna be an awesome farmer, and I didn't know he had any grownup friends!" Helac bounces excitedly, clearly delighted to know the answers to the grownups questions.
Caelius's face crumples and he manages to leave the cell. He looks to Taran, tears running down his face, he can't keep himself together. He sits down on the floor and silently cries.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"I-I d-didn't either."Taran says focusing on the boy instead of his sobbing friend, "D-Do y-you kn-know wh-where Arthem i-is, s-so th-they c-can see ea-each other? Y-You m-mentioned a g-giant b-bird, he-he didn't g-get h-hurt did he?"
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran chews his lip for a moment before going into a long and complicated series of signs.
"Sim is a Changeling. She can looks like anyone. She disguised herself as Teachers, as Temple Workers, even as other Students. I almost always recognized her, except when she was trying really hard to fool me. Because even as she changed her skin, she was Sim, and I paid too much attention to her for me not to recognize her. She is... too important to me not to recognize her. You are important to each other. It will not take long. He will recognize you."
"I am no good at gentle things. I was made for killing, it is only because of people like you that I can turn that into something worthwhile. You are the first responsibility I was ever given as a Guide. If you wish this place turned into a massacre, while you escape with Arthem, I will do it. For one of my few friends in the entire world, I will do it."
Taran looks Caelius straight in the eyes, his gaze hard and determined.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran forces back the thoughts that try to crowd in, focusing on his hands. Hating himself more than a little as he neared the end.
"I do not know who that is, or how to get them. I can not help with that. But if you want to save him from this place, I will do that. Leave the worries to me. Your strength is calm, and we will likely need all our strength to get you and the two boys free. Put aside worries of him remembering you, put aside worries that he will not want to leave. If he stays, he will become their slave. We have a chance now, we will take it, and if it leads to him hating us all... at least he does so of his own free will, and not because the Quori twisted and corrupted him."
"Part of me thought he was dead, all of me hoped he wasn't with Riedra. I will be hard pressed to go against his wishes. I won't be able to bear his anger."
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"I will force you then, he can hate me. It would be worth it to do something to pay you back for your kindness. My role is to protect you all, no matter what."
Taran glances over at Helac, his hands forming a new thought
Do you think you could put him to sleep, before we make our escape? It will be easier to get through the base and collect him, if we did not have to explain to Helac why were are attacking the guards. I doubt the ones outside will simply let us walk out withe the Inspired's nephew.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV) " Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII) " Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr) " This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
Liira, who's been following the conversation more or less after poking her head briefly into Khelaar's cell, tells Druhdaar, "Caelius seems to know this Arthem." Looking sharply at Taran, she adds, "And we are not making any unilateral decisions about who else we're taking with or rescuing. Arthem, fine. But the kid is a serious liability and what's more, he's the enemy. Or did you forget that even now he could be possessed by Sulatesh's quori spirit, and likely will be the moment Sulatesh realizes he's missing?"
Helac seems to no longer be paying attention to you all, and starts setting up some toy soldiers dressed in Harmonious Shield uniforms.
As Taran pops the lock on Cell 7, it opens to another bare metal cube, this one holding a man matching the description of Roiin, napping in the corner. As you open the door, he cracks an eye open briefly, then lets out a sigh and closes it again.
Tiem makes a sharp, affirmative noise. "That's Roiin."
"Wrong person crr Close the door." River exits and closes the woman's cell, moving to the kid's door. "Close the door. crr We must move on."
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
"Th-that m-must have b-b-been very sc-scary." Taran says with a broken smile, "Once wh-when I w-was hunting, I w-was attacked b-by a h-huge p-pig, w-with t-tusks th-this long." Taran holds his hands out about 7 inches.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Caelius quakes, his whole body lurches him to his knees and his hands and mind say the same thing,
"Describe Arthem, where is he? How is he? Where is he?"
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran hears the impact of Caelius's knees and looks over in time to see his hands move in a flurry of action.
"H-Helac?" Taran asks, "M-My fr-friend C-Caelius m-might kn-know Arthem. C-Could you d-describe him pl-please? I th-think th-they w-were fr-friends a-and w-were s-seperated, he s-seems really w-worried a-about h-him."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Arthem's a year younger than me, and he has brown hair and cool pink eyes and he always says he's gonna be an awesome farmer, and I didn't know he had any grownup friends!" Helac bounces excitedly, clearly delighted to know the answers to the grownups questions.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Caelius's face crumples and he manages to leave the cell. He looks to Taran, tears running down his face, he can't keep himself together. He sits down on the floor and silently cries.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"I-I d-didn't either." Taran says focusing on the boy instead of his sobbing friend, "D-Do y-you kn-know wh-where Arthem i-is, s-so th-they c-can see ea-each other? Y-You m-mentioned a g-giant b-bird, he-he didn't g-get h-hurt did he?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Of course he didn't get hurt!" Helac says scornfully. "He said he's gonna sneak down and see me soon!"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"I-I-I'm gl-glad h-he d-d-didn't g-get hurt," Taran says, "b-b-but sn-sneaking pl-places y-you aren't al-allowed alone c-c-can g-g-get you hurt. I-I'm g-g-going t-to t-talk t-to m-my fr-friend ab-about it, pl-please st-stay th-there."
Taran walks over and kneels in front of Caelius, taking his hand and pressing the signs into his palm so that he can't ignore them.
Arthem is in the Kintam. Upstairs. What do you need?
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Caelius breathes in and looks at Taran, keeping it together as best he can,
"If I see him, I will kill every person who keeps him here. But he won't recognize me, will he? I need Mal."
He looks back down at the ground, and he signs the last sentence again.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran chews his lip for a moment before going into a long and complicated series of signs.
"Sim is a Changeling. She can looks like anyone. She disguised herself as Teachers, as Temple Workers, even as other Students. I almost always recognized her, except when she was trying really hard to fool me. Because even as she changed her skin, she was Sim, and I paid too much attention to her for me not to recognize her. She is... too important to me not to recognize her. You are important to each other. It will not take long. He will recognize you."
"I am no good at gentle things. I was made for killing, it is only because of people like you that I can turn that into something worthwhile. You are the first responsibility I was ever given as a Guide. If you wish this place turned into a massacre, while you escape with Arthem, I will do it. For one of my few friends in the entire world, I will do it."
Taran looks Caelius straight in the eyes, his gaze hard and determined.
"What do you need?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Caelius pauses and regulates his breathing,
"I need him. But it's been four years, he's been here, he's been taught here, would he remember me? Would he want to leave?"
He repeats the same sentence he did before, "I need Mal."
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran forces back the thoughts that try to crowd in, focusing on his hands. Hating himself more than a little as he neared the end.
"I do not know who that is, or how to get them. I can not help with that. But if you want to save him from this place, I will do that. Leave the worries to me. Your strength is calm, and we will likely need all our strength to get you and the two boys free. Put aside worries of him remembering you, put aside worries that he will not want to leave. If he stays, he will become their slave. We have a chance now, we will take it, and if it leads to him hating us all... at least he does so of his own free will, and not because the Quori twisted and corrupted him."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Caelius breathes in, and stands,
"Part of me thought he was dead, all of me hoped he wasn't with Riedra. I will be hard pressed to go against his wishes. I won't be able to bear his anger."
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran stands as well, a sad smile on his face.
"I will force you then, he can hate me. It would be worth it to do something to pay you back for your kindness. My role is to protect you all, no matter what."
Taran glances over at Helac, his hands forming a new thought
Do you think you could put him to sleep, before we make our escape? It will be easier to get through the base and collect him, if we did not have to explain to Helac why were are attacking the guards. I doubt the ones outside will simply let us walk out withe the Inspired's nephew.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"crr Time is short." River interrupts their rapid fluttering. "Come."
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Caelius shakes his head,
"I don't have such magic. Help River, I'll stay with Helac."
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran nods to Caelius and then heads over to River. "Th-Things a-a-are ch-changing, let's f-f-find th-them q-quickly."
Taran heads over to the next door, pulling out his lockpicks and working the door over as River aided him
Tools: 12 plus Guidance 2
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
From his post near the door, Druhdaar grunts:
" I don't know if y'all noticed I am neither a deaf-mute nor a telepath. Someone mind tellin' me what's the hold-up, here ? "
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV)
" Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII)
" Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr)
" This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
Liira, who's been following the conversation more or less after poking her head briefly into Khelaar's cell, tells Druhdaar, "Caelius seems to know this Arthem." Looking sharply at Taran, she adds, "And we are not making any unilateral decisions about who else we're taking with or rescuing. Arthem, fine. But the kid is a serious liability and what's more, he's the enemy. Or did you forget that even now he could be possessed by Sulatesh's quori spirit, and likely will be the moment Sulatesh realizes he's missing?"
Helac seems to no longer be paying attention to you all, and starts setting up some toy soldiers dressed in Harmonious Shield uniforms.
As Taran pops the lock on Cell 7, it opens to another bare metal cube, this one holding a man matching the description of Roiin, napping in the corner. As you open the door, he cracks an eye open briefly, then lets out a sigh and closes it again.
Tiem makes a sharp, affirmative noise. "That's Roiin."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!