The Summit Road Campaign Thread

Liira nods and gives the lock on Cell 4 a try.

Lockpicking: 24+1

She pops the lock and nods at River, making sure the kenku is in front of the door and ready before opening it.

The door opens to another bare silver cube. Sitting against the wall in the corner is a dark-skinned eneko dressed in tattered scholar's robes. He looks up, surprised, as you come in. "I already told you," he says in a deep, steady voice. "I didn't learn anything."

"Wrong person. Close the cell." Vishal says, quickly, attempting to stick to his guns before he demands that we save everyone. 

The eneko laughs contemptuously. "You'd think guards would be better at knowing who is in what cell." He closes his eyes.

Taran puts his hand on the door, preventing it from shutting. His eyes are downcast, and his shoulders trembling.

"I-I... I-I kn-know w-w-we c-can't." He says softly his other hand laying softly on his sword hilt, "B-But, i-if w-w-we ar-aren't g-g-going to r-rescue them... it, it w-would b-be cr-cruel to l-leave th-them to b-be t-tortured, r-right? I-It w-would b-be better t-to... sp-spare th-them that... r-r-right?"

Caelius shakes his head,

Taran barely glances at Caelius's gestures, "W-W c-can't s-save th-them all, I-I know th-that, it w-would b-be too m-much, b-but," Taran is shaking like a leaf, even as his hand grips the hilt of his sword, "b-but, I-I-I c-can't... I c-can't l-leave h-him h-here to s-s-suffer wh-whatever th-that madman d-d-does to th-them... I-I c-can d-do it, a-and m-make it p-painless. W-We al-already m-might d-do th-that for the o-others, i-it's th-the b-best ch-choice..."

Caelius tilts his head,

Taran nods jerkily at Mister Caelius, and pulls his blade free from its sheath. Staring down at the glinting edge, he asks, "S-S-Sir, I-I... I c-c-can end it. S-So th-they d-d-don't h-hurt you anymore, s-s-so th-they c-c-can't l-learn a-any s-s-secret y-you are h-h-hiding... I-I c-c-can d-d-do it... sh-should I?"

The eneko opens his eyes and regards Taran thoughtfully. "Ah...you are not guards, are you?" He cocks his head. "A curious illusion indeed. Had I more time, I would be interested in learning how it worked."

Taran shakes his head jerkily, "I-I c-can't convince y-you th-this is r-real." He says quietly, looking at the man with deadened eyes, "B-But i-if it w-w-were real, w-would y-you r-rather d-die th-than c-continue t-to f-face wh-what Sulatesh d-does to you? Sh-should I k-kill you?"

The eneko gives a brief laugh. "Oh, I am perfectly aware of the fact that you are real. There is little point in the illusion of a false alarm rescue mission when one is trying to ascertain if their prisoner learned of weaknesses in one of your shackling monoliths." He rises, eyebrows furrowed thoughtfully. "The question is, why create the illusion you are guards? To get in without arousing suspicion, of course," he answers himself. "And the opening of cells-clearly you do not know who is where, but you are just as clearly not here for a large scale prison break. Which means...ah, of course. The new ones." He smiles and waves his hand. "Off you go. You need not trouble yourself about ending my pain, child."

Taran slumps, tension flooding out of him as his hand slips from the door.

"I-I'm s-sorry, w-w-we a-aren't st-strong e-enough to s-s-save everyone." He says quietly, "I-Is th-there a-anything y-you can t-tell us b-before we o-open the n-next cell?"

The eneko shakes his head. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you much, child. They like to keep us separate, even the harmless little scholars like me. Although..." His voice grows serious. "My name is Iker. Remember it, yes?"

Taran bows, speaking slowly to counter his stutter, "Until my death, Mister Iker."

Then he steps back, and heads for another cell, allowing his companions to close the door if they wish, while he focuses on anything other than the man they can't save.

Thieves Tools: 21

Edit: Advantage because of River and Guidance as well.

Guidance 3

ADV: 17

Taran is able to pop the lock on the next cell (Cell 5).

Caelius bows to Iker before closing his door. He looks like he’s on the verge of tears.

River pokes her head through the cell door once it's open.

Peeking in, River can see that this cell is very different from the other two so far. A mattress lies in the corner, and a playmat scattered with several toys is on the ground. On top of the playmat, holding a large wooden horse with crystal eyes, is an eight year old boy. He looks up with a beaming smile as you enter. "Hello!"

"crr Hello child. crr What is your name?"

"I'm Helac!" The boy beams. "You sound like a bird!" As he speaks and your eyes adjust to the warmer light of the cell, you realize he has the golden eyes of a Chosen.