War Historian, Repy event art, Slay the Spire 2

War Historian, Repy

An academic is trapped in a hanging cage next to a treasure chest.

The academic is muttering about “One-Time-Use Keys” while furiously writing something.

Looks like you can unlock the cage or the chest.
Repy bows in appreciation as you open the cage. He hands you a thick leather tome.

“Those who know not of history are doomed to repeat it. But you seem to know a thing or two about repeats don't you?”
As Repy walks away, you use your spare key to open the chest.
“Not going to free the scholar, Repy? Based on classic philosophy, you would be considered a moral failure. That's right, maybe consider the LIVING PERSON that is locked up next time! It is not as if there is a valuable member of society in a DIRE PREDICAMENT or anything!!”

“Look, okay, see how small this cage is!? Why am I complaining? You've already made your unscholarly decision... oh, what's inside there? Some potions and relics? Isn't that just great. Just great. Really great for you...”

Repy's eyes follow you with disdain as you walk away.
You hear Repy let out a sigh of relief as you pull out the spare key from your pocket.

“You really had me going there”.
Co-op voteOne vote is drawn, applies to all

What you can obtain

Relic
History CourseChoice: Unlock the Cage
Relic
2 randomChoice: Unlock the Chest
Potion
2 randomChoice: Unlock the Chest

Where it appears

Any actHow ? rooms roll ›
Only when
Never rolled as a ? room: the Lantern Key card brings you here

What each choice does

Unlock the Cage

Lose Lantern Key. Obtain History Course.

What the game says
Repy bows in appreciation as you open the cage. He hands you a thick leather tome.“Those who know not of history are doomed to repeat it. But you seem to know a thing or two about repeats don't you?”

Unlock the Chest

Lose Lantern Key. Procure 2 random Potions. Obtain 2 random Relics.

Potion2 randomRelic2 random
What the game says
As Repy walks away, you use your spare key to open the chest.

Unlock the Chest

Lose Lantern Key. Procure 2 random Potions. Obtain 2 random Relics.

Potion2 randomRelic2 random
What the game says
“Not going to free the scholar, Repy? Based on classic philosophy, you would be considered a moral failure. That's right, maybe consider the LIVING PERSON that is locked up next time! It is not as if there is a valuable member of society in a DIRE PREDICAMENT or anything!!”“Look, okay, see how small this cage is!? Why am I complaining? You've already made your unscholarly decision... oh, what's inside there? Some potions and relics? Isn't that just great. Just great. Really great for you...”Repy's eyes follow you with disdain as you walk away.

Unlock the Cage

Lose Lantern Key. Obtain History Course.

What the game says
You hear Repy let out a sigh of relief as you pull out the spare key from your pocket.“You really had me going there”.

Which option to take

  • The chest is more raw value: two relics and two potions in one stop.
  • Take History Course when your deck plays one premium card every turn, such as a large multi-hit attack or a big block skill, because a free replay each turn is worth more than a coin-flip relic pair.

How it plays

  • Both options spend a Lantern Key.
  • Unlock the Cage: frees Repy and gives History Course, from turn two onward, at the start of each turn it auto plays a free copy of the last Attack or Skill you played on the previous turn.
  • Unlock the Chest: opens a reward screen with two random potions and two random relics, rarity rolled like any reward.
  • In single player, if a second Lantern Key is still in your deck after the first choice, the other option appears and the spare key pays for it.
  • In multiplayer every key is removed at once and the group votes on one choice.

Changes by version

  1. 2 Oct 2025ChangeThe Lantern KeyInternal playtest
    Changed Lantern Key event: guarantees first Act 3 unknown room is War Historian, Repy event
  2. 21 Aug 2025Bug fixInternal playtest
    Fixed issue where players weren't receiving a reward from the War Historian, Repy event

Internal playtest notes are from before the Early Access release. Names and numbers in them can differ from the game today.

Purchase today
If you haven't bought Slay The Spire 2 yet, it's time. Support the devs, they made an amazing game.Get it on Steam