Apprentice (Carston)

The Apprentice is a male human mage, found in the Watcher's Keep Illithid Encampment in a cell. 
He is stricken with physical and mental wounds and near death.
== Gameplay ==
In the central part of this illithid dungeon level are several cells that can be investigated. 
One of these is inhabited by a human male, lying prone on the floor, who it appears is seriously abused and wounded, and who's every breath sounds labored and shallow.
Initiate dialogue with the man, and eventually he croaks out a response.
This man is one of Carston's apprentices that took part in the exploration of Watcher's Keep a decade ago. 
This particular mage managed to survive the ordeal, which can be better understood if the party engages in non-threatening and patient dialogue.
Eventually, the apprentice was seized and captured by the illithids, who have systematically tortured him physically and psychically - trying to wrest information from him.
The apprentice knows the secret to opening Carston's glass cage, but he is determined to never let him free.
Whatever secrets the apprentice retains are defiantly not revealed to anyone, but some clues can be had with patient dialogue choices. Being angry or short with him will just hasten his demise, closing off further potential information.
Gain as much information as possible from the apprentice, before he lets slip the mortal coil and perishes before you.
As Carston's former apprentice embraces the darkness, each party member receives and the player's Journal registers the following: 
:Journal entry: Escaping Carston's level
:Much as I suspected, the key to getting off of this level is the Machine of Lum the Mad. I assume that by manipulating the levers, dials, and buttons I can figure out a way to activate the gate to the next level. But before I can experiment with the infernal machine, I'll have to get through that glass bubble of Carston's.
== Gallery ==
OG Aerie Heals Apprentice.png|Aerie sees the barely breathing apprentice prone on the cell floor. She casts a Heal spell upon the wounded victim. No changes are observed, the spell seems to not improve the situation.
Aerie Speaks Apprentice.png|Aerie interjects a comment regarding the apprentice.
OG MF EC 9.png|The bhaalspawn converses with the apprentice, who weakly pleads for mercy, and speaks that he'll never tell of something.
OG MF EC 16.png|The party gently attempts to learn as much about this poor soul's history, and more about Carston. The apprentice is so weak, that after the dialogue, he expires. The player's journal updates.
== Mod gallery ==
:Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere
GORAPR.png|Carston's apprentice - "Using my wits and cunning, I have survived these past ten years in this dungeon, seeking a way out. I have seen Carston grow more and more mad. He summons creatures to amuse himself, so he can watch them suffer."