Infernus"Do I even need to say it? The moment you came aboard, Lady Theodora perished. So did her Arch-Militant, as well as half of the senior officers and a quarter of the Infernus Guild along with the previous Infernus Master. What's worse: rations don't taste as good anymore, fire burns hotter, and that sinister look in your eyes — like you're about to put a curse on someone!" Einrich grins. "It's what the voidsmen say, so it must be true."
YOU"What if I were to put a curse on you this very instant?"
Infernus"That would be a sight! I've never seen a real curse before. My niece would be thrilled to hear all about it."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"
Infernus"Safe and sound, thanks to you. Nemi has been going on and on about how great and noble you are. You're her new idol. Meanwhile, Mia just snorts and says she thought you'd be taller. She's trying very hard to pretend she's not impressed with the whole acquaintance thing."
Infernus"Life has been tough for those two. I take care of them as best I can, but at that moment, I was powerless. There is only one other time I ever felt so helpless. Thank you for standing up for them. I will never forget this. Ever since Elsie died, they are all I have left."
YOU"Elsie?"
Infernus"Elsinora, my wife. She died saving the ammo depot, back in Lady Theodora's time." The smoke from the lho-stick mercifully obscures Einrich, hiding the traces of emotion on his face.
YOU"Elsie?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't mention it."
InfernusEinrich smirks. "I most respectfully disagree, Lord Captain. I will, because I can."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."
Infernus"I am just a humble labourer in charge of putting out fires and dealing with emergencies, but everyone calls me the Infernus Master. I guess this is because I answer for them with my life."
YOU"With your life, you say?"
Infernus"That's right. Picture flames roaring, all the ship's systems have failed — including the artificial gravity — you can't make out anything because of the red-hot debris, and you know an explosion is coming. It's a nightmare, but it's your job to evacuate the panicked crew, eliminate the cause of the fire, and get the compartment back in working order."
Infernus"Of course, the job description doesn't allow me to risk my life now." He smiles sadly. "It is all about management these days, sending the boys and girls into the fire. But it's all nonsense, and if the going gets tough, I won't leave them there alone."
YOU"With your life, you say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What kinds of emergencies does the Infernus Guild deal with?"
Infernus"Oh, there are many! Accidents due to external factors, for example — hits from enemy guns or collisions with hollow objects like the wreckages of other ships. There are plenty of internal causes as well, from system malfunctions and short circuits to problematic cargo. A couple years ago, something blew up in the hold. Nearly burned it to a crisp. And then there's sabotage. That Voigtvir snake did a lot of damage to the ship."
YOU"With your life, you say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What kinds of emergencies does the Infernus Guild deal with?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A labourer? Then why are you lounging on the bridge?"
Infernus"The simple answer is because nothing is on fire. As head of the Infernus Guild, I'm mired in the officers' routine of reports and discussions. There are several compartment upgrades and refurbishments on the agenda right now, and I have to make sure that fire safety protocols are followed everywhere. Rest assured, I'll scurry back to the technical bays to do manual labour as soon as all the paperwork is done."
YOU"With your life, you say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What kinds of emergencies does the Infernus Guild deal with?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A labourer? Then why are you lounging on the bridge?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have other questions."
Infernus"Ready to answer them all."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"
Infernus"Sounds like the start of an interesting conversation!" He looks you directly in the eye. "No, I have not."
YOU"The orphans on the ship have already been provided with the bare essentials, have they not?"
Infernus"The bare minimum, yes. I sometimes check in on our little ragamuffins. They don't have it easy: no parents, and they live like new recruits in an infantry regiment. Please, Your Lordship/Ladyship, do not neglect the children."
YOU"The orphans on the ship have already been provided with the bare essentials, have they not?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are some destined to perish in the warp while others must go on living?"
InfernusEinrich takes a long puff, burning up half the lho-stick in one go. "I don't know, Lord Captain. I simply don't know. Too many good men have been devoured by the damned warp, and it will never be sated. It's hard to think about it."
YOU"The orphans on the ship have already been provided with the bare essentials, have they not?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are some destined to perish in the warp while others must go on living?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clearly, you prefer private confessions."
Infernus"You are right: I'm used to talking about important things in heart-to-heart conversations." Einrich flashes you a genuine smile. "Like the one we are having right now."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"
Infernus"Perhaps because I live under the constant threat of an agonising death by fire, I have a repressed, uh, what's the word? Self-preservation instinct. Or maybe I just relish every minute I get to breathe lho smoke instead of cinders. I humbly apologise for my manners, Lord Captain." Einrich continues to smile without a shred of embarrassment.
YOU"Do not forget that I am your master/mistress. Is that understood?"
Infernus"Ain't that the truth. You are in charge of the ship, and I am your servant. I wouldn't have it any other way."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"
Infernus"Not in the usual way. My ancestors wronged yours and were appointed inferni as a result. Hard labour, deadly risks, plenty of opportunities to atone. Those criminals have been dead for generations, but we are still serving their time. Maybe we will find redemption one day."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."
Infernus"What interests you the most? Our duty, our state-of-the-art equipment, or our vibrant traditions?"
YOU"How is the Guild organised?"
Infernus"The Infernus Service is split into different brigades according to duties. The heart of the Guild are, of course, our liquidators — tough guys with nerves of steel, who put out fires and pull people from the flames. Others are repairmen, dealing with problems like jammed doors, fuel leaks, or broken vents. And then there's the walking inspectors, who check the decks to make sure that nothing is blocking any passages or access to communication lines."
YOU"How is the Guild organised?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"State of the art equipment? That sounds interesting."
InfernusThe Infernus Master smiles guiltily. "That was a bit of a stretch, I'm sorry. There is no state-of-the-art equipment; the risks of ruining it in a fire are too great. We get by using human resources and the most common items available: respirators, fire extinguishers, and flame-retardant uniforms. Let's face it, the lives of the inferni are not worth much. It's more important that we save the machines and minimise damage to the ship."
YOU"How is the Guild organised?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"State of the art equipment? That sounds interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What traditions?"
Infernus"We have plenty of those, like the reminders." Einrich rolls up his sleeve, revealing a tattoo inscribed over an old burn mark. "When you survive a particularly hopeless accident, you get a tattoo on your scar. You can always tell an experienced infernus by their ink. It's like a badge of honour of sorts."
YOU"How is the Guild organised?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"State of the art equipment? That sounds interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What traditions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me how you got your 'reminders.'"
InfernusHe points to a tattoo on his right forearm: "This one is from the time plasma leaked from the outer aft circuit. Imagine yourself clinging to the hull outside, thermal cutter in one hand and a magnetic clamp in other. Azure flames burst from the breach, the kind that can incinerate you in a second. All that separates you from death is a flimsy rope and a void suit more ancient than Holy Terra. And yet the price I paid was nothing compared to my comrades..." He slowly moves the augmented fingers of his right hand.
Infernus"As for this one..." The look he directs at his left hand is full of bitterness. "I got this one in the ammo depot where my wife Elsinora died. There was a fire, and the flames were getting close to the ammunition. And I don't mean autogun rounds — these were macro-cannon shells."
Infernus"We put out the fire as best we could, but we were losing. Suddenly, Elsie took my hand, kissed me, and then ran straight into the blaze and activated the emergency blast door. We stayed outside while she... vented the compartment." Einrich gives a tender smile, gazing at the smoke. "It was quite a story."
YOU"How is the Guild organised?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"State of the art equipment? That sounds interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What traditions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me how you got your 'reminders.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am sorry for your loss, Einrich."
InfernusHe nods gratefully and takes another puff.
YOU"How is the Guild organised?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"State of the art equipment? That sounds interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What traditions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me how you got your 'reminders.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am sorry for your loss, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have learned all I need."
Infernus"What shall we talk about?"
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."
Infernus"Never let your fire go out, Lord Captain — I mean, no!" Einrich hurriedly waves his hands. "That's just a stupid little guild in-joke. Seriously, if you see an infernus next to a naked flame, run."
end of branch
YOU"I have learned all I need."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am sorry for your loss, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have learned all I need."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me how you got your 'reminders.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am sorry for your loss, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have learned all I need."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What traditions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me how you got your 'reminders.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am sorry for your loss, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have learned all I need."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"State of the art equipment? That sounds interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What traditions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me how you got your 'reminders.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am sorry for your loss, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have learned all I need."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
Infernus(sequence)
Infernus"I hear that you too have had to deal with injustice and badmouthing in your time. I hope people will stop judging you for your past mistakes in less than a couple of centuries." Einrich gives you a sympathetic smile.
end of branch
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is fine. I enjoy having informal conversations."
Infernus"I'm glad you feel that way. Life is too short to waste it on ceremonies. It is better to present yourself as you are, immediately."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take the lho-stick from Einrich and draw a puff] "You are an interesting person, Einrich."
InfernusChuckling, the Infernus Master takes out a new lho-stick and lights it. "Not half as interesting as you are, Lord Captain!"
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clearly, you prefer private confessions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are some destined to perish in the warp while others must go on living?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clearly, you prefer private confessions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have other questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A labourer? Then why are you lounging on the bridge?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have other questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What kinds of emergencies does the Infernus Guild deal with?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A labourer? Then why are you lounging on the bridge?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have other questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't mention it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It seems that several of the ship's bays are due for depressurisation, as a disciplinary measure."
InfernusHe shrugs. "It might cure loud mouths, but not loose lips. People talk, and they still would — just maybe a little quieter."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ludicrous nonsense."
Infernus"Don't let it get to you. They'll get bored of it soon enough."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 6
InfernusThe Infernus Master nonchalantly lights a lho-stick from a thermal cutter and spreads his arms in a welcoming gesture. "Einrich Monteg, at your service." He smells of cinders and lho, his face is sooty, and his belt is laden with a number of heavy tools. You would have taken him for a labourer if it weren't for the greasy and ragged officer's uniform.
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
Infernus(sequence)
InfernusHe narrows his eyes, studying your face, then says with visible relief, "It's only tales after all. You just don't look like a bringer of woes to me."
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 6
Infernus"Lord Captain, a pleasure to see you again! I see you've kept the Arbitrator on board..." Einrich casts a glance in Solomorne's direction and shakes his head. "Don't get me wrong, our ship's enforcers are heavy-handed enough as it is, but the Arbites are notorious for their brutality. I've told my inferni to steer clear of the esteemed Proctor and his dog if they can help it — just to be on the safe side. In other words, we're treating your new ally with the utmost fear and respect."
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 6
Infernus"The Lord Captain himself/herself! To what do I owe the honour?"
YOU"What was that about a 'bringer of woes'?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are your sister and niece doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remind me who you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you made a confession lately?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aren't you being a little too relaxed in front of your Lord Captain?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be in the service of the von Valancius dynasty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me more about the Infernus Guild."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is enough for now, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above