ChirurgeonA man of indeterminate age bows his head. His robes are spotless, and his rigid collar constricts his throat. The unsettling smell of medicine hangs in the air, and the man's pale eyes look bleached. "Greetings, Your Lordship/Ladyship. Your Chirurgeon Majoris is at your service."
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."
ChirurgeonForius takes one look at your hand and immediately produces a syringe from the folds of his robe. "Ordinary vesticula scarabis, or 'void leprosy,' in common terms. Still in the early stages. One injection will suffice."
YOU"So you have the cure, yet the disease continues to roam free aboard my ship?"
Chirurgeon"Void leprosy is born where sanitary canons are spurned. Rid the ship of grime and serfs who propagate it if you wish for the disease not to return."
YOU"So you have the cure, yet the disease continues to roam free aboard my ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Lettard."
ChirurgeonHe shrugs indifferently. "A straightforward case."
YOU"So you have the cure, yet the disease continues to roam free aboard my ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Lettard."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, you earn your keep, at least."
ChirurgeonHe shrugs indifferently. "A straightforward case."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now, to other matters."
Chirurgeon"What would you like to discuss?"
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"
Chirurgeon"I do not make confessions, Your Lordship/Ladyship. My faults are diseases for which a cure is yet to be discovered, and mortal wounds that can be remedied only by new methods of the chirurgeon's craft. Why confess when one should be searching for a solution? For this reason, I choose to spend my time on work that pleases the Emperor, not on words."
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."
Chirurgeon"So I have heard. Well... Marius complained about his shifts, and any healer who cannot dedicate themselves to their work completely is a healer not worth having around. I have no regrets about him."
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"
ChirurgeonForius raises his chin haughtily. "Treating the Lord Captain is a job for the best medicae practitioner on board. Which is me."
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."
Chirurgeon"My job is to save lives. Heal wounded officers, develop vaccines for onboard epidemics, discover new methods of healing. However... I spend most watches listening to patients about their many qualms, managing the junior medicae officers, and dividing the afflicted into those who matter and those who do not. A rather... irritating addition to my duties as Chirurgeon Majoris."
YOU"Not the most compassionate of healers, are you?"
Chirurgeon"Compassion has nothing to do with the healer's trade. I prefer conversing with diseases rather than their carriers. Patients are... aggravating."
YOU"Not the most compassionate of healers, are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What sort of new methods?"
Chirurgeon"There are many. I am ever in search of solutions to dangerous afflictions. My latest work involved studying a particularly lethal disease that devours the person's flesh and skin. It has already claimed a dozen lives, but their deaths were not in vain: I have learned much about the enemy, and the vaccine will soon be ready for testing."
YOU"Not the most compassionate of healers, are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What sort of new methods?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."
Chirurgeon"I hope I have satisfied your curiosity."
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"
Chirurgeon"I was the master healer on a world that belongs to the Chorda dynasty. I had managed to cure someone who was considered doomed. Not because of their illness, but because a certain self-important priest had tried to cure them with a prayer and failed. After I put him to shame, he started spreading rumours that I owed my skill to the influence of the Ruinous Powers. I sought refuge under Lady Theodora, who expressed an appreciation for my talents and welcomed me and my family on her ship."
YOU"You are not actually a heretic, are you? You serve the Emperor faithfully?"
ChirurgeonHis colourless eyes flash indignantly. "My expertise is the result of hard work and accumulated wisdom, not some paltry sorcery! I employ my craft to save His children. That should serve as a better proof of my innocence than any show of piety."
YOU"You are not actually a heretic, are you? You serve the Emperor faithfully?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are the customs of Chorda worlds truly so uncompromising and blind to reason?"
Chirurgeon"'You teach a man to read, you raise a bright heretic,' I believe was one of the favourite local sayings. As for demonstrating the superiority of knowledge over the advice of holy ecclesiarchs, well... that kind of defiance was sure to put my life at risk."
Chirurgeon"Naturally, House Chorda still has need of people like me — educated and capable of intellectual thought. However, anyone who is permitted to learn does so under strict supervision. I have heard Lady Incendia's ship has a dedicated compartment for sages and keepers of knowledge that more resembles a prison than a librarium."
YOU"You are not actually a heretic, are you? You serve the Emperor faithfully?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are the customs of Chorda worlds truly so uncompromising and blind to reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Faith can work miracles and cure those who are beyond treatment. This cannot be denied."
ChirurgeonHe grimaces wearily. "And neither can one deny the fact that miracles are rare. The belief that prayer can relieve a person of illness enables false hopes. Those who prefer healing themselves with reverent words still end up on my table — so that I can perform an autopsy rather than a procedure."
YOU"You are not actually a heretic, are you? You serve the Emperor faithfully?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are the customs of Chorda worlds truly so uncompromising and blind to reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Faith can work miracles and cure those who are beyond treatment. This cannot be denied."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It was rather careless of you to get involved in that case."
Chirurgeon"I would not have become a chirurgeon if I was afraid of death. It is an unavoidable side effect of my profession."
YOU"You are not actually a heretic, are you? You serve the Emperor faithfully?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are the customs of Chorda worlds truly so uncompromising and blind to reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Faith can work miracles and cure those who are beyond treatment. This cannot be denied."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It was rather careless of you to get involved in that case."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There is something else I wish to discuss."
ChirurgeonHe nods, brushing away invisible specks from his white gloves.
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"
Chirurgeon"Are you interested in a general report on the ship as a whole or in hearing about how your immediate subordinates are faring?"
YOU"Give me a general report."
Chirurgeon"There has been an outbreak of a highly contagious disease in Bay LD-A14, but the complaints from the workers there have been few — despite the many pathologies, the people continue working without interruptions. A curious case, which I will study thoroughly."
YOU"Give me a general report."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The senior officers. What kinds of complaints do they have?"
Chirurgeon"The Master Helmsman's headaches caused by his faulty implants, the High Factotum's occasional indigestion, the Master-at-Arms's combat wounds that can hardly be considered life-threatening..." Forius folds a finger dismissively for every officer he mentions. "Vapid cases that I am obligated to manage as Chirurgeon Majoris. At least the Infernus Master does not waste my time and simply comes to pick up ointments for his burns."
YOU"Give me a general report."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The senior officers. What kinds of complaints do they have?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now, to other matters."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now, to other matters."continues where this line first appears above
Chirurgeon"I am currently not aware of any epidemics or other large-scale threats to the lives of the crew... or anything more serious than normal, at least. Minor outbreaks are part of the natural decline process. The medicae are occupied with treating both industrial and combat injuries as well as dealing with sporadically occurring ailments."
YOU"Give me a general report."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The senior officers. What kinds of complaints do they have?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now, to other matters."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The senior officers. What kinds of complaints do they have?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now, to other matters."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."
end of branch
YOU"There is something else I wish to discuss."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It was rather careless of you to get involved in that case."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There is something else I wish to discuss."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Faith can work miracles and cure those who are beyond treatment. This cannot be denied."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It was rather careless of you to get involved in that case."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There is something else I wish to discuss."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are the customs of Chorda worlds truly so uncompromising and blind to reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Faith can work miracles and cure those who are beyond treatment. This cannot be denied."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It was rather careless of you to get involved in that case."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There is something else I wish to discuss."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What sort of new methods?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above
Chirurgeon"I appreciate that you were strict with him. Marius's example has taught the other medicae officers that their responsibility is to focus on their work, not distract the Lord Captain with inane fantasies."
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, you earn your keep, at least."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now, to other matters."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Lettard."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, you earn your keep, at least."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now, to other matters."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above
ChirurgeonForius examines your face and hands critically, then gives a satisfied nod. "No scars. The consequences of your charge through fire have been successfully remedied. Very good. I will make note of it in the journal."
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 3
Chirurgeon"Your Lordship/Ladyship?"
YOU"I am in need of treatment. I have developed a rash of some sort down on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One of your subordinates by the name of Marius approached me. He expressed his desire to become a missionary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Were you the one who treated my burns?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about your responsibilities."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to serve on my flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is the crew's health?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all."continues where this line first appears above