CultistThe scars all vary in length, width, depth, and shape. However, you notice a pattern in the way the scars are aligned, as well as a series of faded symbols on the man's rough skin. Death cultists bear similar marks on their bodies.
YOU"Your eyes always return to that blood symbol. What do you know about it?"
Cultist"It's a symbol of the Bloodspun Web. I come here every watch, but it hasn't been here before now. I guess today must be a special day." He smiles strangely.
YOU"Your eyes always return to that blood symbol. What do you know about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"
Cultist"A dead man. I lost my name years ago. I've been just another dead man ever since."
YOU"Your eyes always return to that blood symbol. What do you know about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You look like you are about to take your own life. Are you having a rotten day?"
Cultist"My whole life has been rotten. And I only have myself to blame. I've tried to change things, fix things. But I always ended up here, so eventually, I accepted the truth."
YOU"Your eyes always return to that blood symbol. What do you know about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You look like you are about to take your own life. Are you having a rotten day?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the man's scars]
YOU"You know the symbols of the Bloodspun Web. You bear similar scars. Are you a spinner?"
Cultist"I was. But I failed to complete my final assignment, so I was... exiled from the cult."
Cultist"The Vizsier told me to kill the one who would be at a certain junction of the utility tunnels at a certain hour. I went to the appointed spot. Then I waited. An hour. Two. Five. The junction was still empty. Nobody came. After hours of waiting, I finally realised: the person at the junction had been me the whole time. It was my turn to go to the Undying One. But I was... afraid. I couldn't do my duty. I ran."
YOU"So the spinners simply let you go? They made no attempts to find you and kill you?"
Cultist"There was no pursuit. I thought I'd see their black blades the very next day. Instead, years passed without them taking my heart. I tried starting a new life, but the terror never stopped eating away at me. When I got truly desperate, I went to the temple of death myself. But no one there would speak to me. When I gave them my name, they just whispered, 'Sebreid has gone to the Undying One.' They looked through me like I wasn't even there. I've lived like this for twenty years. Like a coward. Like a dead man."
YOU"So the spinners simply let you go? They made no attempts to find you and kill you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You were ordered to die? For what reason?"
CultistThe man looks at you. "But some would choose to leave the righteous path. These earned penance in due time: her whip sings vengeance on renegade menace. Her blades pass sentence. For cowards seek to hide their hearts, but death makes no pretendence; it takes what it is due in essence." He stops, then adds hoarsely, "The third verse of the Song of Trailing Blood. The Vizsier recited it to me before sending me on my final assignment. I didn't realise at the time that it was my judgement."
Cultist(sequence)
CultistAnother verse, another step along the trail of blood. The riddle is trivial: it is time for death to take what it is due, and the Vizsier is waiting expectantly for you to carry out the sentence he passed years ago.
end of branch
Cultist"There were plenty of reasons. I sowed death. I offered Him the souls of the most pleasing men and women I could find because it kindled my passions. I killed well-off crewmen who didn't deserve their wealth, and I took their thrones. I killed enforcers who looked into my eyes without fear — because I wanted to be feared! I revelled in bloodshed. I betrayed the Tenets. I realised it, but I couldn't help it... because I enjoyed it."
YOU"So the spinners simply let you go? They made no attempts to find you and kill you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You were ordered to die? For what reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do not sound particularly remorseful."
Cultist"I've spent years in remorse. I'm tired of it."
YOU"So the spinners simply let you go? They made no attempts to find you and kill you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You were ordered to die? For what reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do not sound particularly remorseful."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you killed any more innocent souls since you ran?"
Cultist"No. I've been afraid to touch my own knife since that day. Thought it might just stab me on its own... But the temptation is always there."
YOU"So the spinners simply let you go? They made no attempts to find you and kill you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You were ordered to die? For what reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do not sound particularly remorseful."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you killed any more innocent souls since you ran?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a coward and a butcher of the innocent. I will purge my ship of your existence."
CultistThe man does nothing to stop you. He even leans closer to the rails, accepting his fate with a smile on his face. "The Undying One is death."
KibellahKibellah stares at the remains of he who was once her brother in service. "Truly, it is better to die for Him than to live for yourself. This, he forgot."
end of branch
YOU"I will not judge you, nor will I decide your fate. Farewell."
Cultist"No! What about the symbol? The portent? You... you were supposed to..." The man's tired eyes fill with horror that quickly turns into hysteria. His knees buckle, and he staggers heavily before falling onto the tracks with a pitiful cry. "No! Help!"
KibellahKibellah stares at the remains of he who was once her brother in service. "Truly, it is better to die for Him than to live for yourself. This, he forgot."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are disgusting. I will not grant you the release you crave so much. May you live on in suffering, fearful of every shadow."
Cultist"No! What about the symbol? The portent? You... you were supposed to..." The man's tired eyes fill with horror that quickly turns into hysteria. His knees buckle, and he staggers heavily before falling onto the tracks with a pitiful cry. "No! Help!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"As the Emperor's anointed, I hereby overturn the Vizsier's verdict. The cult ruined your life, and for what? For a few mere killings?"
Cultist"You... you're right, Lord Captain! The Vizsier taught me to serve. To kill. I did what I was chosen to do... and they punished me for it. They've kept me living in fear almost my whole life!" The man's colourless eyes fill with malice. "Thank you for opening my eyes. It's time for Sebreid to return... and for the dead man to disappear, along with his creators."
KibellahKibellah appears behind you and watches the man leave. "He severed souls from bodies before their fated time. Not because he honoured death, but because he enjoyed killing. He did not have that right. No one does."
end of branch
YOU"You are a coward and a butcher of the innocent. I will purge my ship of your existence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not judge you, nor will I decide your fate. Farewell."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are disgusting. I will not grant you the release you crave so much. May you live on in suffering, fearful of every shadow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"As the Emperor's anointed, I hereby overturn the Vizsier's verdict. The cult ruined your life, and for what? For a few mere killings?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you killed any more innocent souls since you ran?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a coward and a butcher of the innocent. I will purge my ship of your existence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not judge you, nor will I decide your fate. Farewell."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are disgusting. I will not grant you the release you crave so much. May you live on in suffering, fearful of every shadow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"As the Emperor's anointed, I hereby overturn the Vizsier's verdict. The cult ruined your life, and for what? For a few mere killings?"continues where this line first appears above
Cultist(sequence)
Jae"Vicious ashmag! You used people's faith in the Exalted One to justify abusing the power that was given to you!"
end of branch
Idira"Oh, you poor thing, I think I'm gonna cry. You couldn't stop slicing people up! That must have been so hard for you! Even my whispers have nothing to say to a pathetic tale like that. I bet they're thinking, 'What a lousy, self-absorbed sack of scum!'"
end of branch
YOU"You do not sound particularly remorseful."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you killed any more innocent souls since you ran?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a coward and a butcher of the innocent. I will purge my ship of your existence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not judge you, nor will I decide your fate. Farewell."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are disgusting. I will not grant you the release you crave so much. May you live on in suffering, fearful of every shadow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"As the Emperor's anointed, I hereby overturn the Vizsier's verdict. The cult ruined your life, and for what? For a few mere killings?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You were ordered to die? For what reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do not sound particularly remorseful."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you killed any more innocent souls since you ran?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a coward and a butcher of the innocent. I will purge my ship of your existence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not judge you, nor will I decide your fate. Farewell."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are disgusting. I will not grant you the release you crave so much. May you live on in suffering, fearful of every shadow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"As the Emperor's anointed, I hereby overturn the Vizsier's verdict. The cult ruined your life, and for what? For a few mere killings?"continues where this line first appears above
Cultist(sequence)
Yrliet"If Humankind followed its own Paths as the Children of Asuryan do... this mon-keigh would be one who has lost his Path."
end of branch
YOU[Leave] "I doubt that you can be of any help to me."
CultistHe bows half-heartedly. "I can't even be of any help to myself."
end of branch
YOU[Look at the man's scars]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the symbols of the Bloodspun Web. You bear similar scars. Are you a spinner?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I doubt that you can be of any help to me."continues where this line first appears above
Cultist(sequence)
Heinrix"If this were an interrogation, I would welcome such a response. But in this case we are merely wasting our time."
end of branch
Abelard"You dare insult the Rogue Trader with your impudence? Your body may already be covered in scars, but your tongue seems to be asking for more."
end of branch
YOU"You look like you are about to take your own life. Are you having a rotten day?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the man's scars]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the symbols of the Bloodspun Web. You bear similar scars. Are you a spinner?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I doubt that you can be of any help to me."continues where this line first appears above
Cultist(sequence)
CultistThe man's faded eyes go wide as he notices Kibellah. His voice quivers: "You... Have you come to take me to the other side?"
KibellahKibellah briefly studies the man's face, then turns away. "I do not know you. Death's gaze is not upon you."
CultistThe man lets out a dull groan and turns to look at the symbol again. "But then why... why is it here?"
end of branch
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You look like you are about to take your own life. Are you having a rotten day?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the man's scars]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the symbols of the Bloodspun Web. You bear similar scars. Are you a spinner?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I doubt that you can be of any help to me."continues where this line first appears above
CultistBut spinners are constantly renewing their wounds, while this man's look long since healed.
YOU"Your eyes always return to that blood symbol. What do you know about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You look like you are about to take your own life. Are you having a rotten day?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the man's scars]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the symbols of the Bloodspun Web. You bear similar scars. Are you a spinner?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I doubt that you can be of any help to me."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 21
Cultist(no text)
YOU"Your eyes always return to that blood symbol. What do you know about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You look like you are about to take your own life. Are you having a rotten day?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the man's scars]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the symbols of the Bloodspun Web. You bear similar scars. Are you a spinner?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I doubt that you can be of any help to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So the spinners simply let you go? They made no attempts to find you and kill you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You were ordered to die? For what reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do not sound particularly remorseful."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have you killed any more innocent souls since you ran?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a coward and a butcher of the innocent. I will purge my ship of your existence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not judge you, nor will I decide your fate. Farewell."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are disgusting. I will not grant you the release you crave so much. May you live on in suffering, fearful of every shadow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"As the Emperor's anointed, I hereby overturn the Vizsier's verdict. The cult ruined your life, and for what? For a few mere killings?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 21
Cultist(no text)
Cultist(sequence)
end of branch
Entry point 9 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 10 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 11 of 21
Cassia(no text)
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 12 of 21
Idira(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 13 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 14 of 21
Cultist(no text)
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 15 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 16 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 17 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 18 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 19 of 21
Cultist(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 20 of 21
CultistA sinewy middle-aged man watches the bustle of the bay with a detached expression. Every so often, whenever his eyes linger on the blood mark inscribed nearby, his face changes strangely and his hands clench into fists.
CultistJust as you begin to hear the rumble of an approaching train, the man's gaze turns toward the tracks. He leans forward...
YOU"What do you think you are doing?"
Cultist"What? I... I didn't..." The man starts and almost falls, but manages to keep his balance. In the dim lumen light, you notice old scars scattered all across his body. The scars seem vaguely familiar.
YOU"Your eyes always return to that blood symbol. What do you know about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You look like you are about to take your own life. Are you having a rotten day?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the man's scars]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the symbols of the Bloodspun Web. You bear similar scars. Are you a spinner?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I doubt that you can be of any help to me."continues where this line first appears above
Cultist(sequence)
PasqalPasqal's vox-synthesiser springs to life with an indignant binharic trill. "I am registering this unit's intention to use the train tracks for purposes other than those intended by their design. I categorically demand that the unit's self-disposal be carried out using methods that do not violate the Catechism of Maintenance and Operation."
end of branch
YOU"Abelard, do something!"
AbelardAbelard barks out, "In the name of the dynasty, I command you to step away from the edge and explain the misdeed you were about to commit!"
Cultist"What? I... I didn't..." The man starts and almost falls, but manages to keep his balance. In the dim lumen light, you notice old scars scattered all across his body. The scars seem vaguely familiar.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not even think of marring the underside of my train with your entrails!"
Cultist"What? I... I didn't..." The man starts and almost falls, but manages to keep his balance. In the dim lumen light, you notice old scars scattered all across his body. The scars seem vaguely familiar.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Observe silently]
CultistThe man freezes a step away from oblivion, listens, then recoils and goes still once more.
YOU"What do you think you are doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do something!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not even think of marring the underside of my train with your entrails!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Observe silently]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 21 of 21
CultistThe man's wandering gaze turns to you as if he is expecting a question of some kind.
YOU"Your eyes always return to that blood symbol. What do you know about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You look like you are about to take your own life. Are you having a rotten day?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the man's scars]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the symbols of the Bloodspun Web. You bear similar scars. Are you a spinner?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I doubt that you can be of any help to me."continues where this line first appears above