Shimo eases the service door open, and the narrow corridor beyond stops him cold. A man in Iron Company colors stands inches away, startled by the sudden breach.
The man freezes with one hand hovering near his sword hilt. He knows Shimo on sight, and the recognition lands harder than the open doorway.
Drek
Shimo? By the saints, keep your voice down.
Shimo
Drek
I am not calling for the watch. Not if you step in slow and leave that door where it is.
Behind Shimo, the yard stays busy and loud, but the corridor offers no room to slip away cleanly. Drek glances past Shimo once, then back to him, weighing alarm against survival.
✓ Quest Accepted
Turn Drek to help the infiltration
“I do as drek says and step in the corridor slowly. I'll also signal Wulf and Kaelan to follow my lead and give me chance to settle things non violent. I'll ask if I can close the door once we are all inside since I'm showing grace by following Drek's order along with showing my hand that the infiltration isn't done alone. In hopes to at least show Drek that causing a scene and raising the alarm isn't the best for everyone. I'll state that we don't have to make bad blood between us and that if the alarm is raised, I can't guarantee that my two comrades will stay their hand against the hand that ratted us out. A bit stern, but a needed gambit to at least show we are not gonna back down, but are also willing to compromise with Drek and hopefully Drek catches on the clues that we are showing.”
NO (Likely, rolled 85)
Drek shakes his head slowly, his eyes hardening as he refuses the offer to negotiate. He remains unmoved by the threat, his hand tightening on the hilt of his blade.
“I do as drek says and step in the corridor slowly. I'll also signal Wulf and Kaelan to follow my lead and give me chance to settle things non violent. I'll ask if I can close the door once we are all inside since I'm showing grace by following Drek's order along with showing my hand that the infiltration isn't done alone. In hopes to at least show Drek that causing a scene and raising the alarm isn't the best for everyone. I'll state that we don't have to make bad blood between us and that if the alarm is raised, I can't guarantee that my two comrades will stay their hand against the hand that ratted us out. A bit stern, but a needed gambit to at least show we are not gonna back down, but are also willing to compromise with Drek and hopefully Drek catches on the clues that we are showing.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Shimo steps into the corridor at Drek’s pace, keeping his hands loose and his shoulders open. Behind him, he lifts two fingers in a small signal, telling Wulf and Kaelen to hold and trust his lead.
Shimo
I’ll come in quiet. Shut the door once we’re all inside, and there’s no need to make bad blood here.
Drek
You talk like a man who thinks courtesy can cover for trespass.
Shimo keeps moving, slow and careful, giving the guard room to see he is not alone. The corridor swallows the last of the yard noise behind them.
Shimo
It’s not just me. And if this turns loud, my companions will answer for whoever makes it loud.
Drek
...So that is your hand. Three men, one door, and no appetite for a corpse pile.
Drek
Fine. I won’t sound the horn. But if you want this kept quiet, you speak plain, and you keep your people where I can see them.
For a beat, the corridor goes still except for distant impacts thudding through the stone. Drek’s grip loosens a fraction, not trust, but a wary opening.
Quest Complete
Infiltrate the gatehouse
New Gift: Gatehouse Infiltrator
“I'll start some talk with Drek with " I appreciate your cooperation thus far Drek. You obviously don't fully agree with what the Iron Company is up to nor their way of doing things. The company is full of folks that don't care how many corpses get added under them as long as they get what they want. Take Wulf here, he got imprisoned and was left for dead if we didn't show up to also the state the company plans to leave the town in is gonna be in ruins leaving many lives either lost or messed up beyond repair. You have a good sense since you didn't raise the alarm and even more so chose to hear us out after we've shown our hands thus far. You have self preservation yes, but not to where you'll want to do it at the expense of the innocent. A trait that clearly isn't a thing with the company. I believe in you Drek, you chose to hear us out on top of that I feel it was fate that let us meet so you could have a out from your situation. I hope you understand. " hopefully this appeals to him.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Shimo lets the silence stretch, then answers with steady warmth instead of pressure. The corridor feels smaller now, as if it is listening with Drek.
Shimo
I appreciate your cooperation, Drek. You have a clear eye, and I think you know what the Iron Company is willing to leave behind.
Drek
His jaw tightens, then eases. The words land where boasting would not.
Shimo
Men like Wulf are cast aside the moment they stop being useful. Towns are treated the same way. Ruin, broken lives, and someone else calling it necessary.
Drek
...Aye. I have seen enough of that.
Drek takes his hand off the sword hilt and looks past Shimo, toward the open door and the shadowed yard beyond, weighing his next breath like a debt.
Shimo
You chose not to raise the alarm. You chose to hear us out. That tells me there is still a road out for you, if you want it.
Drek
There is a road, then. But if I take it, I do not do it blind. Tell me what you mean to do once you are inside.
His voice stays low, but it is no longer a guard’s bark. It is a man asking whether he can step over the line without being left alone on it.
“I assure Drek that if he chooses to side with us, he won't be alone. I'll also keep an eye on Kaelen and Wulf to see if they're fine with all this and hope that I'm reaching to Drek's sense of justice. Ill also reinforce my stance for drek with " Drek we all make choices in our lives and deal with the effects that come from them after. Don't you want a better effect for yourself and your conscience? The Iron Company is cruel in their methods and don't care how many are trampled under their foot. Please help us put a stop to them. You wouldn't want your loved ones to have to experience their cruelty as you've seen them do already, so here's the chance to stop this misery from spreading to more innocent people."”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Shimo
Drek, if you stand with us, you will not stand alone. Choices leave a mark, but they do not have to trap you in the worst one.
Shimo
We all live with what we do after. I would rather you carry a better burden on your conscience than keep serving men who crush everyone underfoot. Help us stop that from spreading.
Shimo keeps his voice low and level, while his eyes flick once toward Kaelen and Wulf. Neither man moves to object. That quiet holds the corridor together.
Drek
...You speak like a man who has not forgotten what it costs to be decent.
Drek
Very well. I will not call the yard against you. I will help, and if this goes ill, it is my name beside yours.
Drek steps away from the wall and angles his body toward the open doorway, now a participant instead of a blocker. The air feels less tight at once, though the yard light still cuts hard across the stones.
Wulf
Good. Then tell us where the hall is weakest, and we make this worth the risk.
Quest Complete
Turn Drek to help the infiltration
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Good→Great