NPCYour resolve is firm, and your mind and soul unflinching. The Nothingness has no power over you. Your eyes follow the thread toward the golden giant. It is not until you get close that you realise that the radiant image is a lie. The gilt flakes away, and the stately body is twisted out of shape as its limbs grow extra joints, mutilating the marvellous figure... A beastly fanged face with a repulsive wormlike tongue turns to you. Its eyes, burning with Nothingness, penetrate your soul. Thoughts, secrets, wishes, goals — nothing is spared as the abomination rummages inside you like a predator gutting its kill.
NPCThe Choirmaster's voice sounds inside your mind. "I... cannot see them. I cannot read their minds. I cannot see into their lair. I see only images, fragmented and sinister. Forgive me, Lord Captain, but we took this risk in vain."
YOU"What are we dealing with? Some kind of defensive measure? Sorcery?"
NPC"Not sorcery. Something else. I have never encountered... minds like this before. Something about them is... wrong."
YOU"What are we dealing with? Some kind of defensive measure? Sorcery?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not tolerate failure. Continue!"
NPC"It's no use. I canno—"
NPCThe Nothingness cackles and croaks, "I see you." It assumes a vague shape: a man shrivelled by age and infirmity, his eyes alight with an alien purple flame. "You have been looking for me..."
NPCYou sense the attention of something else, something beyond this entity... the Ruinous Powers. The ritual has made your soul, marked as it is by the curse of the warp, more vulnerable than ever before. You can feel the daemons clawing at the thin veil, hungering to reach you.
NPCA blind man clad in green appears between you and the croaking Nothingness, shielding you. "What manner of abomination are you? I cannot sense you. You are not of the warp. What is your twisted nature?"
NPC"I cannot sense you either. But... I know you. I heard you were going to seek me out. My ears are everywhere. I was ready." The age-worn voice is like a deep wail echoed by a throng of smaller voices. Civilisations and star clusters lie buried at the bottom of the being's pale eyes, which are aflame with hunger. Your mind feels cramped inside your skull, and you can hear the bone creaking.
YOU"Did the ritual work after all?"
NPC"No, this is not my ritual!" Panic rings in the Choirmaster's voice inside your mind. "This is his spell! An invasion of our minds! While I was seeking it with my power, it found us with its own! And I... cannot stop it! I cannot force it out of our heads!"
YOU"Did the ritual work after all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get it away! Attack!"
NPC"How? I cannot sense it, I cannot..."
NPC"You are my prey!"
end of branch
YOU"Stop the ritual now!"
NPC"I'm trying! If it can influence me..."
NPC"You are my prey!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get it away! Attack!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop the ritual now!"continues where this line first appears above
NPCA blind man clad in green appears between you and the croaking Nothingness, shielding you. "What manner of abomination are you? I cannot sense you. You are not of the warp. What is your twisted nature?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Finish the ritual."
NPC"Yes, Lord Captain. I will now—"
NPCThe Nothingness cackles and croaks, "I see you." It assumes a vague shape: a man shrivelled by age and infirmity, his eyes alight with an alien purple flame. "You have been looking for me..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not tolerate failure. Continue!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Finish the ritual."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 15
NPC(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 15
Zacchary Weisz(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 8 of 15
NPCThe longer you listen to Weisz, the more convinced you become that the warp manifestation was not caused by the conniving of the Ruinous Powers, but by the efforts made to discover an incredibly alien mind. Such an unnatural mind could belong to a dangerous xenos.
YOU"Are you familiar with this symbol?"
NPC"No. It could be the emblem of some cult on this ship, but I seldom leave the chapel and have never come across it before."
YOU"Are you familiar with this symbol?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Inform the Master-at-Arms of everything we saw. Let her search the plasma drive chambers and find the mutants and the old man for me."
NPC"We sacrificed some of the soundness of our minds to the Immaterium today. I hope it was not in vain and will help Your Lordship/Ladyship. I..." He winces in pain. "I still cannot believe we survived this."
NPCWeisz slowly unclenches his hand, and a cloud of frost rises from it, revealing his Aquila, now bound in purple psychic ice. He whispers, "The Immaterium has touched it... the holy symbol of the Protector of Mankind." He pauses, then adds in a gloomy voice, "I do not know if this is a symbol of our victory over the horrors of the warp, a trophy claimed in battle... or a grim portent left by the wicked spawn of the Sea of Souls."
YOU"A symbol of faith shining through the breath of the Immaterium is a good omen. I shall wear it."
NPC"Nothing can shake Your Lordship/Ladyship's spirit. May this Aquila bring you good fortune. I will have a new one delivered to me immediately." He looks at the Aquila with sorrow. "If only everything that the Immaterium takes from us was so easy to replace..."
end of branch
YOU"It is a symbol of my victory. Give it to me if you are unable to see this inspiring trophy for what it is."
NPC"Nothing can shake Your Lordship/Ladyship's spirit. May this Aquila bring you good fortune. I will have a new one delivered to me immediately." He looks at the Aquila with sorrow. "If only everything that the Immaterium takes from us was so easy to replace..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Anything touched by the warp must be disposed of."
NPC"Of course, Lord Captain. The tainted item will be destroyed. I will have a new Aquila delivered to me immediately." He looks at the Aquila with sorrow. "If only everything that the Immaterium takes from us was so easy to replace..."
end of branch
YOU"I will go to the plasma drive chambers myself, find the old man, and have a conversation with him."
NPC"We sacrificed some of the soundness of our minds to the Immaterium today. I hope it was not in vain and will help Your Lordship/Ladyship. I..." He winces in pain. "I still cannot believe we survived this."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Inform the Master-at-Arms of everything we saw. Let her search the plasma drive chambers and find the mutants and the old man for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will go to the plasma drive chambers myself, find the old man, and have a conversation with him."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 9 of 15
NPCThe warp manifestation and Weisz's confusion may indicate that a powerful servant of the Ruinous Powers is lurking on the ship, wielding hitherto unseen sorcery.
YOU"Are you familiar with this symbol?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Inform the Master-at-Arms of everything we saw. Let her search the plasma drive chambers and find the mutants and the old man for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will go to the plasma drive chambers myself, find the old man, and have a conversation with him."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 10 of 15
Zacchary Weisz(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 11 of 15
NPCWhen the Choirmaster speaks of his fallen students, there is lingering pain in his voice. His words reflect more than just a terrible memory — they are heavy with the bitterness of personal loss, or of guilt that eats away at the soul.
YOU"What in the Throne's name just happened?"
NPC"That... thing took the shape of an old man and attacked me. I do not know what it is, but it is neither human nor a psyker. It is something else. Its power is foreign and inimical to me, like a shadow that obscures the shine of the Immaterium's chaotic energies. I was unable to read the abomination's thoughts... and it seemed to find me no less strange than how strange it was to me. Thus, it attacked, for any strangeness is a threat."
NPC"It had clearly been warned that we would be performing a dangerous ritual. That we would be vulnerable. So it sought to sabotage us by attacking my mind. And my mind almost got us all killed."
YOU"What in the Throne's name just happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You still managed to discover the evil we were seeking."
NPC"No, Your Lordship/Ladyship." Weisz shakes his head grimly. "The ritual proved incapable of extracting anything of value. This evil chose to reveal itself and attack. Our enemy is confident and bold, and so it did not hide — it struck first. Suspiciously brazen..."
YOU"What in the Throne's name just happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You still managed to discover the evil we were seeking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you feeling, Vistenza?"
Vistenza VyattThere is a feverish gleam in Vistenza's eyes and a smile plays on her lips, but her face is strikingly pale. "I wouldn't dream of complaining, Your Lordship/Ladyship — it was an inexpressible bouquet of emotions. I must say, such exhilaration was missing from the languid molasses of my court life. But the greatest of all is our intoxicating victory. It was... incredible! If I close my eyes, I can still see your silhouette standing there, radiating power and confidence." The governor sways slightly, either from weakness or out of sheer emotion.
YOU[Gently support Vistenza's elbow] "Are you unwell? Please allow me to help."
Vistenza VyattShe lightly leans on your arm. "Oh, please do not be worried — I have been to social gatherings that were more exhausting than this ritual." Vistenza laughs softly, but the weariness in her eyes contradicts her words.
YOU[Gently support Vistenza's elbow] "Are you unwell? Please allow me to help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are your thoughts on the ritual?"
Vistenza Vyatt"Master Weisz has spoken at length about the risks, and I have seen first-hand the level of skill and stamina the rite demands. But I am certain that the benefits we may derive from it are worth all the dangers. And for a discerning mind, such a ritual presents a treasure trove of possibilities."
YOU[Gently support Vistenza's elbow] "Are you unwell? Please allow me to help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are your thoughts on the ritual?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You deserve a reward for your excellent performance."
Vistenza Vyatt"Your praise alone is a priceless gift, and as a faithful servant of the dynasty, I must not desire anything more." A coy spark lights up in her half-closed eyes. "And yet it would be a grave discourtesy on my part to reject your generosity."
YOU"Be my guest and rest properly before your return to Janus. I will see that the Factotum attends to your every whim."
Vistenza VyattVistenza presses a manicured fingernail to her lips, looking intrigued. "I have very refined tastes, but I'm sure your ship holds many delights that will revive my weary spirit... I cannot wait to see what the flagship of the Rogue Trader has to offer."
YOU[Gently support Vistenza's elbow] "Are you unwell? Please allow me to help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are your thoughts on the ritual?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You deserve a reward for your excellent performance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Frown] "Vistenza, Vistenza... You may know a few things about how to grow turnips, but rituals are definitely not your forte."
Vistenza VyattVistenza recoils as if you had cuffed her, but instantly regains her composure and responds with impeccable politeness, "I am exceedingly regretful at having failed to meet Your Lordship/Ladyship's expectations. I will welcome any opportunity to redeem myself in your eyes."
YOU[Gently support Vistenza's elbow] "Are you unwell? Please allow me to help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are your thoughts on the ritual?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You deserve a reward for your excellent performance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Frown] "Vistenza, Vistenza... You may know a few things about how to grow turnips, but rituals are definitely not your forte."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the matters at hand."
Vistenza Vyatt"Of course, Your Lordship/Ladyship." Vistenza offers you a graceful curtsy.
YOU"What in the Throne's name just happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You still managed to discover the evil we were seeking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you feeling, Vistenza?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Those things seemed to know you."
NPCWeisz lowers his head further. "The insidious spawn thrive on confounding one's reason. They donned the faces of those I once held dear. My apprentices. All of whom perished... the previous time I performed this ritual. They have haunted me ever since — in my dreams, in the warp, everywhere. The Immaterium abominations who devoured their souls have been tormenting me with shame and regret, and now they have come for my sanity as well."
YOU"What in the Throne's name just happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You still managed to discover the evil we were seeking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you feeling, Vistenza?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Those things seemed to know you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was that old man a mutant? One of those we were looking for?"
NPC"Even if not, there was nothing more chilling we could have possibly found. An inhuman thing in human form. A true sacrilege against the Emperor. Its mind is strange, like an insect's or a parasite's, but... I saw images in the minds of those around it. Currents of energy. A blue glow. The clanging of metal... Could be the plasma drive chambers? That is where I would start searching for signs of corruption... and a worm tormenting a star." Weisz touches his cheek, which is smeared with blood that is trickling from under his blindfold. He uses the blood to sketch a perfunctory image: a many-beamed star with a fat, fanged creature coiled in front of it resembling either a larva or a serpent.
YOU"Was that old man a mutant? One of those we were looking for?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the matters at hand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Remove a ring from your hand] "This is a token of my favour, Vistenza. Let all who see it know that you have earned my trust and occupy a special position among my noble subjects."
Vistenza VyattShe puts on the ring without hesitation and brings her hand to her chest. "I will wear it always and never take it off. To be favoured by your grace and elevated above the other nobles in your protectorate is a priceless boon."
YOU[Gently support Vistenza's elbow] "Are you unwell? Please allow me to help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are your thoughts on the ritual?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You deserve a reward for your excellent performance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Frown] "Vistenza, Vistenza... You may know a few things about how to grow turnips, but rituals are definitely not your forte."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the matters at hand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to nurture your thirst for knowledge. Take some tomes and scrolls from the chapel for your personal collection."
Vistenza Vyatt"You are ever so generous! Then I shall ask Master Weisz to arrange a little tour so that I may select texts that interest me." Vistenza directs a winsome smile at the Choirmaster, but her charm is shattered by Weisz's almost palpable coldness.
YOU[Gently support Vistenza's elbow] "Are you unwell? Please allow me to help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are your thoughts on the ritual?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You deserve a reward for your excellent performance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Frown] "Vistenza, Vistenza... You may know a few things about how to grow turnips, but rituals are definitely not your forte."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the matters at hand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Choose a couple of Astropaths to serve you. I'm sure they will prove useful to your research."
NPC"But Lord Captain—" No sooner does Weisz begin to object than he is interrupted by Vistenza.
Vistenza Vyatt"Thank you for this truly generous gift. You will not regret it — I will ensure that your Astropaths work for the prosperity of Janus." She bestows a radiant smile upon the Choirmaster. "I assure you, your subordinates are fortunate indeed. They shall live in my palace, where they will want for nothing."
NPC"I will pray that my Astropaths do not forget their duty to the Emperor while they are being showered with your largesse."
YOU[Gently support Vistenza's elbow] "Are you unwell? Please allow me to help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are your thoughts on the ritual?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You deserve a reward for your excellent performance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Frown] "Vistenza, Vistenza... You may know a few things about how to grow turnips, but rituals are definitely not your forte."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the matters at hand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Frown] "Vistenza, Vistenza... You may know a few things about how to grow turnips, but rituals are definitely not your forte."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the matters at hand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You deserve a reward for your excellent performance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Frown] "Vistenza, Vistenza... You may know a few things about how to grow turnips, but rituals are definitely not your forte."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the matters at hand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are your thoughts on the ritual?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You deserve a reward for your excellent performance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Frown] "Vistenza, Vistenza... You may know a few things about how to grow turnips, but rituals are definitely not your forte."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the matters at hand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Those things seemed to know you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was that old man a mutant? One of those we were looking for?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you feeling, Vistenza?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Those things seemed to know you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was that old man a mutant? One of those we were looking for?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You still managed to discover the evil we were seeking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you feeling, Vistenza?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Those things seemed to know you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was that old man a mutant? One of those we were looking for?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 12 of 15
NPCThe Choirmaster seems deeply frightened by how deviously the Ruinous Powers overcame him the last time.
YOU"What in the Throne's name just happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You still managed to discover the evil we were seeking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you feeling, Vistenza?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Those things seemed to know you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was that old man a mutant? One of those we were looking for?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 13 of 15
NPC(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 14 of 15
NPCThe temperature inside the chapel is dropping. Every breath turns into a cloud of vapour. The Astropaths' resonant voices blend together, following the pattern of the melody playing in the hall. Every now and then, muffled moans are heard coming from the thrones of the junior Astropaths.
NPC(sequence)
Cassia"The Immaterium is restless." Cassia's voice sounds stifled, as if she is fighting for air. "The colours are darkening... No! They are beginning to boil!"
end of branch
NPCYou hear an interloping voice in your head, like an echo of a distant echo. "Your Lordship/Ladyship... I sense... Strangeness... Non-minds... They do not seem human-like... How strange... They are akin to... insects... Parasites! I cannot read them, and that is... wrong! Look!"
NPCA dark veil clouds your vision, only to be succeeded by a blinding light a moment later.
HeinrixA hand is laid on your shoulder. For a second, a golden flash breaks through the ruthless white light, and you hear a fragment of a sentence: "...brace yourself..."
NPCThe great whiteness is the ship with its multitude of minds, of which you are one. A shadow of utter Nothingness winds its way across the blinding white.
NPCThe Nothingness turns into a beast's fanged mouth. Its boundaries spread out as though trying to devour you. Your instincts are screaming, "Run! Run and hide!"
NPCYou hear the Choirmaster's voice coming from a distance, but cannot make out a single word. Your gaze slides along an iridescent thread that has crossed the Nothingness. Something shining is towering behind it: a golden giant frozen in place like a statue. A sudden jolt of fear distracts you from that image. Your thoughts turn back toward the Nothingness and its kaleidoscope of absences: no colour, no emotion, no thought. In its furthest depths, there is something crawling...
YOU[Avoid peering into the Nothingness]
YOU[Peer into the Nothingness]
NPCBalanced on the brink, your gaze falters and slides down into the depths. Billions of pitch-dark non-minds stare back at you. A shapeless mass of wrongness. Purple worms of aberration encased in carapaces of otherness.
NPCThe Choirmaster's voice sounds inside your mind. "I... cannot see them. I cannot read their minds. I cannot see into their lair. I see only images, fragmented and sinister. Forgive me, Lord Captain, but we took this risk in vain."continues where this line first appears above
NPCYou hear the Choirmaster's voice coming from a distance, but cannot make out a single word. Your gaze slides along an iridescent thread that has crossed the Nothingness. Something shining is towering behind it: a golden giant frozen in place like a statue. A sudden jolt of fear distracts you from that image. Your thoughts turn back toward the Nothingness and its kaleidoscope of absences: no colour, no emotion, no thought. In its furthest depths, there is something crawling...continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 15 of 15
NPCThe Choirmaster awakens with a sharp breath. "Lord Captain. We... are still alive. The God-Emperor has protected us this time, but... Curses, did I not warn you?" The old man shakes his head dolefully. His pale fingers are clutching the Aquila adorning his belt.
NPCA moment of silence, then words of prayer stream from his lips in a monotone, like a quiet lament, a dirge for the departed, a bitter confession. When he continues speaking, his voice is full of strength: "Yet we escaped disaster. The warp did not take our souls, and there are far fewer casualties this time."
YOU"What in the Throne's name just happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You still managed to discover the evil we were seeking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you feeling, Vistenza?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Those things seemed to know you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was that old man a mutant? One of those we were looking for?"continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
NPC"I feared that inviting Lady Vyatt would prove to be a fatal error on our part. Never before have energies of... another nature been entwined with the Choir's harmony." The Choirmaster is clearly anxious, choosing his words carefully. "By the Emperor's grace, we survived. But I urge you to remain vigilant: there are perilous currents in the ocean of knowledge."
end of branch
NPC"And it is primarily thanks to you, Your Lordship/Ladyship. Your telepathic prowess became a pillar of the chorale's shifting consonance. I must confess I have not encountered such powerful psionic weaving in a long time. You have a rare gift."
end of branch
NPC"Master Herimon's assistance was instrumental, Your Lordship/Ladyship. He was able to not only protect my mortal body, but also to skilfully blend the timbre of his psionic sound into the harmony of the chorale. I regret that he was not at my side for the last rite."
end of branch
NPC"And we were doubly fortunate, given the vulnerability revealed in Mistress Tlass's soul. We nearly became the latest chilling legend of the Koronus Expanse — the ghostly vessel in whose groaning bays roam unquiet souls."
end of branch
NPC"Nor can I fail to thank you, Your Lordship/Ladyship, for the favour you have shown the Choir. Your gifts to the chapel have bolstered the soul of every Astropath, given them the strength to fight, extending another lifeline in the darkness."