DeathYou have heard many stories about death cults such as this one. These devoted, holy assassins of the Imperium have turned death into a form of worship of the Emperor. They are exemplary slayers, invisible executioners, and the scourge of traitors, heretics, and fallen souls. Many righteous people honour them as votaries of the faith, while others see their fearsome rituals as frenzied spectacles touched by madness.
YOU[Examine the cultists]
DeathThe cultists are all voidborn. Their lithe, sinewy bodies are clad in light armour, which allows them to move with an acrobat's nimble grace and strike with an assassin's swift surety. Their red-and-black vestments are adorned with sharp spikes and ritual jewellery. Where time and training have worn their garments threadbare, you can make out patterns of bleeding lacerations.
YOU[Examine the cultists]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the captives]
DeathThe prisoners cower beneath the weight of your gaze. Blood drips down the tear-stained faces of the captured officers, technomats, and workers. A word has been carved into each of their foreheads with meticulous precision: "Traitor." "Heretic." "Apostate." "Renegade." The cuts have been diligently and regularly reopened to prevent healing.
Kibellah"These renegades committed treachery against their Domin. Their lips once praised the name of Kunrad Voigtvir, but it is your name they will whisper as they cross over to the other side."
YOU[Examine the cultists]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the captives]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Interesting. So, a death cult watches over my crew — they who honour the Emperor through killing, who devote their every deed to serving Him. Sacred executioners."
Kibellah"Domin'[Name]... has discerned our essence. This is a great honour for the Bloodspun Web. We have woven the bays of this ship together with the threads of our faith for many years. We keep the greatest relic — His Tarot, through which He sends us His blessed revelations. We obey the whispers of the Undying One. This is our service to Him. This is our service to you."
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"
Kibellah"The Tenets of the Web teach us to read the threads of the future and understand the hearts of others. When a soul is filled with the poison of corruption, we know its time has come. We bring liberation. Three strikes. Three rebukes. One blade. This is how we serve the Undying One. This is how we serve you and your flagship."
KibellahHer gaze is perfectly still. "But there are others. The virtuous martyrs who contravene His design without realising it. Those who have come too close to faltering or committing an apostasy, but have not erred yet. We present such souls to the Undying One."
YOU"You kill innocent people?"
Kibellah"We do not desire their death. We do not seek them out in the darkness. They come to us." Kibellah closes her eyes for a moment. She takes a deep breath. "And we usher them from this life if His sacred Tarot reveals that the Emperor wishes to accept these martyrs."
YOU"You kill innocent people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mentioned 'the Tenets of the Web.' What are they?"
Kibellah"Our laws and teachings. Our philosophy and way of life. Our art of combat and spiritual dogma. The Tenets are the Bloodspun Web itself."
Kibellah"Humanity owes its existence to the Undying Emperor's sacrifice. It is He who protects us from a darkness of terrors. Hence, each of us has a duty to serve Him. And..." Kibellah says with purpose, "...a duty to die for Him. To act otherwise is to waste the life that has been given to us by the Undying One — to become a thief. We help others understand this. We help them to live and die righteously."
YOU"You kill innocent people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mentioned 'the Tenets of the Web.' What are they?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have my blessing. May your blades bring swift death to the Emperor's enemies!"
KibellahThe eyes of the cultists burn bright with righteous fervour. "The Bloodspun Web will not forget your words, Domin'[Name]. They are the wisdom of the Tenets and the benediction of our duty."
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"
Kibellah"I am the Second Spinner of the Bloodspun Web. The honour of this title is bestowed only upon those who have ushered more souls than—" Kibellah stops abruptly. She touches a slender finger to the fresh wound on her hand, and paints the symbol of a lock across her lips in blood. "It is shameful to speak of one's own deeds. I am here to become your shadow, not to make boasts."
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"
Kibellah"We were not there when the blessing of death was granted to Domin'Theodora. Our failure brought shame upon the Bloodspun Web. We could not stand before you until we restored our honour. We tracked down the traitors and sliced open their bodies. Then we washed the flagship's bulkheads in their blood in a sacred act of ritual purification."
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"
Kibellah"So you may offer the souls of these traitors as a gift to Him." Kibellah touches her sharp blade reverently to her lips. The captives tremble in fear at the sight of the weapon. "You have the authority to order their execution. Their blood will bind us together through Him. For the God-Emperor, the Undying One, is death itself. The Undying One is duty itself."
Kibellah"Give the order, Domin'[Name]. Let a spinner of the Bloodspun Web undergo the test of a sacred trial." The others echo her words from beneath their bone masks: "Undergo the test."
YOU"Give weapons to the traitors. It is time for Kibellah to prove herself."
Kibellah"A dagger that has not sliced through sinew is nothing more than a toy." Kibellah motions to the other cultists. They release the captives from their restraints and place weapons in their hands. "Let the final dance begin."
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YOU"I will judge the traitors myself."
Kibellah"Then I will tell you of the treacherous blood that runs through their veins."
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YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give a bloodthirsty smile] "Continue to serve me, dancers of death. But henceforth, let my name be upon your lips when you shed blood!"
Kibellah"Your name upon our lips." The cultists make two thin cuts along the corners of their mouths, sealing the vow with word and blood.
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I find it outrageous that such important members of my crew are dressed in rags! They are to be given food, wine, and new garments immediately!"
High Factotum Janris DanrokThe High Factotum nods as his plump fingers rapidly tap the screen of his data-slate.
Kibellah"We must not seek that which is not ours. We must smother our worldly desires. Thus do the Tenets guide us, and thus we follow them. However..." Kibellah's voice remains calm, but you notice a ripple of excitement pass through the other cult members. They are clearly flattered to be the subject of the Rogue Trader's attention and generosity. "The Bloodspun Web would not dare to cause offence by refusing the Domin."
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Instead of helping those who may soon stumble, you offer them... death?"
KibellahShe stares at you in bewilderment. "We follow His design. We claim those marked by His omens. We submit to His will. How could it be otherwise?"
YOU"You kill innocent people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mentioned 'the Tenets of the Web.' What are they?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have my blessing. May your blades bring swift death to the Emperor's enemies!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give a bloodthirsty smile] "Continue to serve me, dancers of death. But henceforth, let my name be upon your lips when you shed blood!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I find it outrageous that such important members of my crew are dressed in rags! They are to be given food, wine, and new garments immediately!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Instead of helping those who may soon stumble, you offer them... death?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I disapprove of your practices... but I am not going to ban them. For now."
Kibellah"We lament having incurred your anger, Domin. And we hope that you may yet understand: there is no fault in our service — before Him, or before the crew of this vessel."
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let it henceforth be known that the Bloodspun Web is forbidden from killing without my permission."
KibellahThe cultists glance at one another uneasily. "Would you cast down your sword at the enemy's feet in the heat of battle? How can we be an instrument of the Undying One's will if you forbid us from serving you through the Tenets?"
YOU"I have spoken."
Death"Have we transgressed? Have we caused offence?" The worried cultists whisper among themselves and the sound of their anxious voices fills the hall. "What will we do now? What service can we offer Him?"
KibellahKibellah claps her hands twice. The sound echoes off the ancient walls of the deck, and the cultists fall silent. "We are the threads that bind the darkness. We are here to serve you. If you command us to set aside the rites of sacred slaughter... then it is our duty to obey."
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are right. I will wield you as a sword against my enemies."
Kibellah"As the Tenets ordain. As honour demands."
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod curtly] "I find that acceptable."
KibellahThe cultists do not blink or look away as they stare at you.
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I disapprove of your practices... but I am not going to ban them. For now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let it henceforth be known that the Bloodspun Web is forbidden from killing without my permission."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod curtly] "I find that acceptable."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have my blessing. May your blades bring swift death to the Emperor's enemies!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give a bloodthirsty smile] "Continue to serve me, dancers of death. But henceforth, let my name be upon your lips when you shed blood!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I find it outrageous that such important members of my crew are dressed in rags! They are to be given food, wine, and new garments immediately!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Instead of helping those who may soon stumble, you offer them... death?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I disapprove of your practices... but I am not going to ban them. For now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let it henceforth be known that the Bloodspun Web is forbidden from killing without my permission."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod curtly] "I find that acceptable."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mentioned 'the Tenets of the Web.' What are they?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have my blessing. May your blades bring swift death to the Emperor's enemies!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give a bloodthirsty smile] "Continue to serve me, dancers of death. But henceforth, let my name be upon your lips when you shed blood!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I find it outrageous that such important members of my crew are dressed in rags! They are to be given food, wine, and new garments immediately!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Instead of helping those who may soon stumble, you offer them... death?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I disapprove of your practices... but I am not going to ban them. For now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let it henceforth be known that the Bloodspun Web is forbidden from killing without my permission."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod curtly] "I find that acceptable."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
Death(sequence)
DeathA ringing sound fills your ears, deafening the noise of the world around you. Time goes still. A voice whispers seductively in the back of your mind. "How interesting... Devout assassins who believe themselves to be instruments of a higher power. They revel in violence, and cannot tell the difference between bloodthirst and piety. They follow their faith blindly, unaware of how closely they tread to corruption and depravity. Look at them. They stand on the edge of a precipice. The smallest push will send them plummeting into the abyss. You could be their downfall. All you have to do... is push."
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DeathYour heart is filled with awe as you gaze at the cultists. You recognise this feeling. You have experienced it before — when you walked through the scorching flame and survived. The eyes of your grim guests burn bright with sacrificial fervour. They serve the God-Emperor with whole-hearted faith and devotion.
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YOU"Who are you?"
Kibellah"We are the spinners of the Bloodspun Web. Our cult holds the bays of your flagship together with the threads of our faith. We are an instrument of retribution, the silent blade sworn in service to the Undying Emperor. We guide those whose time has come, and usher them to the other side." A murmur runs through the gathered crowd. "Death cultists!"
YOU"What exactly does a cult like the Bloodspun Web do?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about yourself, Kibellah. Are you the leader of the Bloodspun Web, or its herald? Or its servant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you waited so long to reveal yourselves to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod toward the captives] "Why have you brought this rabble to the upper decks?"continues where this line first appears above
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Kibellah"Apostates led astray by the Final Dawn. These traitors chose to tarnish the honour of their families. Only their blood can wash away the shameful memory of their betrayal."
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YOU"Interesting. So, a death cult watches over my crew — they who honour the Emperor through killing, who devote their every deed to serving Him. Sacred executioners."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Interesting. So, a death cult watches over my crew — they who honour the Emperor through killing, who devote their every deed to serving Him. Sacred executioners."continues where this line first appears above
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YOU"Interesting. So, a death cult watches over my crew — they who honour the Emperor through killing, who devote their every deed to serving Him. Sacred executioners."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
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DeathEverything about these people unsettles you. Their manner of speech and the sinister grace with which they handle their blades is enough to make your blood run cold. You cannot help but feel a growing unease as you witness their tattered, blood-stained clothes, hear their whispered chants, and feel the weight of their cold, impassive stares. They do not look like any servants of the Emperor you have ever met. However, your officers treat them with cautious reverence, and speak about their prowess in whispers of admiration.
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YOU"Interesting. So, a death cult watches over my crew — they who honour the Emperor through killing, who devote their every deed to serving Him. Sacred executioners."continues where this line first appears above
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DeathThose on the deck watch in awe as the final figure moves gracefully into a ceremonial pose. Some of the officers whisper in excitement, while others murmur prayers to the God-Emperor.
KibellahThey fall silent as a tall young woman steps forward. She moves toward you soundlessly, the dim light casting shadows across the mask which conceals her face. "The Undying Emperor commanded us to spin a web of blood around His children, and we obeyed. We obey still." The masked cultists repeat the words in a mournful whisper, "We obey still."
Kibellah"Domin'[Name] von Valancius, death has whispered your name." The woman's slender finger has been fitted with a metal claw. She points it in your direction, and gazes at you from behind her bone mask with the cold, grim eyes of an assassin. "We disown Domin'Theodora. We renounce our oath to her." She pulls out a sinister curved blade, and similar weapons suddenly appear in the hands of her motionless companions.
Kibellah"And now we give the gift of our blood to you. It is the gift of death." Their blades sing through the air, and rivulets of crimson flow onto the deck. The young woman bows her head reverently as she hands you a heavy parcel. The others bow their heads as well. They seem unconcerned by the blood that trickles down their fingers. "Death has whispered your name. The followers of the Tenets of the Web swear fealty to their new overlord and offer proof of their devotion."
Kibellah"We give you a blade — the Silent Verdict. The Undying One has chosen you to wield this instrument of death. We give you one of our own — Kibellah. She will be your shield and shadow. And we give you the blood of these traitors — the Tenets of the Web will purify their souls."