ForemanWith the first spoonful comes the immediate urge to regurgitate the disgusting sludge. The heave is followed by dizziness, yet you stoically persist and force a slimy chunk of something indeterminate down your throat. The crowd is gawking at you, wide-eyed.
YOU[Address the crowd] "Glory... to the Emperor... who nourishes us..."
ForemanYour words echo in absolute silence, which lasts only a moment before the starving poor erupt into prayers to you and to Him, tears glistening in their eyes.
The Foreman"The Lord Captain himself/herself has tried our food and found it worthy! Remember to be grateful for any nourishment, as it is a blessing!" The Foreman bellows and roars while discreetly interposing himself between you and the crowd of ecstatic commoners, who look like they might otherwise swarm and accidentally trample their overlord in a frenzy of adoration.
The Foreman"Lord Captain, I beg another second of your attention. Please accept this humble gift from us, the common people of the bay, for all the good you do us. The most precious thing we could get for Your Lordship/Ladyship."
end of branch
YOU[Take no risks and say nothing]
The Foreman"The Lord Captain himself/herself has tried our food and found it worthy! Remember to be grateful for any nourishment, as it is a blessing!" The Foreman bellows and roars while discreetly interposing himself between you and the crowd of ecstatic commoners, who look like they might otherwise swarm and accidentally trample their overlord in a frenzy of adoration.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 7
ForemanUntil now, you would have struggled to imagine the taste of rotten grox meat seasoned with bad eggs, sour wine, dirt, and engine oil. Now you understand it perfectly. You regurgitate your stomach's contents back into the bowl, cursing your decision in agony.
Foreman(sequence)
Jae"There, now, shereen, don't rush it. Let your body work."
end of branch
Abelard"An outcome most unanticipated, was it not?" Abelard thumps your back caringly as you fight off another wave of nausea.
end of branch
The ForemanThe Foreman raises his voice to the crowd. "What are you lot looking at? Off you go before I close up the vat for a week!"
ForemanThe grins on the worn-out faces turn to sour grimaces as the crowd disperses and the queue reforms.
The Foreman"Lord Captain, I beg another second of your attention. Please accept this humble gift from us, the common people of the bay, for all the good you do us. The most precious thing we could get for Your Lordship/Ladyship."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 7
Foreman(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 7
Foreman"The day the Lord Captain wandered into our slum will be remembered in legends." The broad-shouldered man raises a hand in greeting. His old prosthetic creaks plaintively as it takes the weight of his body.
Foreman"The locals and the enforcers call me the Foreman. I have no other name. You might say I'm in charge here, in this hole of a place."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"
Foreman"Much better, and we appreciate your care! We have half as many hungry and sick these days. May the Emperor bless you for the mercy you've shown us."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"
Foreman"Watching one of my workers take a beating. I feel sorry for the lad, but there was nothing I could do." The Foreman smiles wryly, showing his yellowed teeth. Almost all of the front ones have been knocked out. "I've stuck my neck out in the past. Not doing it again."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."
Foreman"They toil day in and day out for the glory of the ship. The rest of the time, they do their best to survive, faced with hunger, the more deranged of the enforcers, void leprosy, fires, floods, noxious fumes..." The Foreman lists these on his fingers, although he has fewer than nature's average to work with. "In a word, it's a decent enough life. If you work, you survive. If you freeload, you... also survive, if you're clever. Well, and if the God-Emperor wills it."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"
Foreman"Believe it or not, this soup made from mouldslime and technical drain water has been simmering here in this vat for at least two hundred years nonstop! See the growth on the walls over there? We harvest it, dry it, and use it to season the soup. If we're lucky, the smell attracts a void rat, and someone gets to have meat in their bowl." The Foreman points a finger proudly toward the vat. "It's for those who can't even earn a ration card. I feed them in exchange for services or favours. Sometimes it pays off, and sometimes it doesn't."
Foreman"My people keep an eye out for workers trying to eat two bowls in one sitting. One is enough to fill your stomach for an entire watch. Some complain about the taste, of course... Ingrates."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."
ForemanHe opens and closes his mouth in astonishment. "Lord Captain, you've just helped some good families survive. I'll divide the cards among them and be sure to tell them that it was Your Lordship/Ladyship who did them this good turn."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"
The Foreman"I don't think that's a good idea. Mouldslime... is something of an acquired taste. Takes two years, maybe three for your stomach to get used to it."
YOU"Pour me a bowl! I know what I am doing."
The Foreman"As you wish." The Foreman hands you a bowl of hot, viscous sludge. The smell... could be worse... probably.
Foreman(sequence)
Heinrix"While I will certainly be able to rid your body of the consequences of this decision, I cannot say the same for your mind."
end of branch
Jae"May the Exalted One help you, shereen. I will hold your cloak... if you need me to."
end of branch
Cassia"I am going to be sick..."
end of branch
Pasqal"Substance analysis complete. The outlook is... dim. It is recommended that you dispatch authorised units to locate an appropriate successor."
end of branch
Eogunn"Rogue Trader, I have the enteral injector at the ready. Nuncius is poised to assist if there is an urgent need to extract this... nutrient from your stomach."
end of branch
ForemanA bubble rises out of the soup and bursts with a malodorous squelch. You can feel your noble insides protest against the crime you are intent on committing. It is still not too late to come to your senses.
YOU"Many fine delicacies have a foul smell and an unsightly appearance. Onward, to culinary discoveries!"
YOU"I am not touching that!"
The ForemanThe Foreman breathes a sigh of relief. "The last thing we need is to poison the Lord Captain, Emperor forbid."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"
Foreman"The cultists don't let people like me in on their rites and mysteries. I'm grateful to them for their service to the God-Emperor, but... to be honest, I can't get behind their love of death. I'm much too fond of living."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]
The Foreman"Lord Captain, I beg another second of your attention. Please accept this humble gift from us, the common people of the bay, for all the good you do us. The most precious thing we could get for Your Lordship/Ladyship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
ForemanThe first spoonful hits you hard, but you ate worse as a rookie in the Guard. Once you get accustomed to the salty taste and gloppy texture of the soup, the crowd watches in awe as you finish the whole bowl and lick the spoon at the end. Out there in the trenches, they call food like this "tolerable."
YOU"This is some good grub. I approve."
The ForemanThe Foreman's voice breaks the stunned silence: "The Emperor has sent us a Lord Captain who walks beside his/her people! From here on out, this vat is blessed!" The crowd explodes with cheers, and the spoon that you just used starts trading hands as if it were a holy relic.
The Foreman"Lord Captain, I beg another second of your attention. Please accept this humble gift from us, the common people of the bay, for all the good you do us. The most precious thing we could get for Your Lordship/Ladyship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"No seconds, thank you."
The ForemanThe Foreman's voice breaks the stunned silence: "The Emperor has sent us a Lord Captain who walks beside his/her people! From here on out, this vat is blessed!" The crowd explodes with cheers, and the spoon that you just used starts trading hands as if it were a holy relic.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will follow your advice and not take that risk."
The ForemanThe Foreman breathes a sigh of relief. "The last thing we need is to poison the Lord Captain, Emperor forbid."continues where this line first appears above
Foreman(sequence)
Abelard"Lord Captain, you must be joking, surely?"
Idira"As if. He/She's serious as a void kraken."
end of branch
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
ForemanThe mention of rules makes the Foreman wince a little. "We spend every day doing honest work with a prayer on our lips, as the Lord Captain's faithful servants ought to. We don't grumble about the slashed rations. We don't weep for our loved ones who were taken away to work in other bays. We respect our stern enforcers, as... ferocious as they've been. We are obedient and seek to be useful."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Foreman"It's a strange life, Your Lord/Ladyship. Diseases have been on the rise in this bay but fewer people are dying of them. That's... a good thing, right? The hunger's abated. Our esteemed enforcers have been tossing some kind of meat into the vat. It's just that... I sometimes hear something bang against its walls. There can't be anything alive inside, can there? Forgive me. I'm just a fool who hears things."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
ForemanYou recognise the shaggy red beard and the keen black eyes. This is the man who was watching you during your encounter with the enforcer and the station worker.
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 7
Foreman"Are you all right, Lord Captain? Those cutthroats didn't hurt you, I hope?" The man's prosthetic leg has been shot, and it carries his weight awkwardly.
YOU"What in the Throne's name was that?"
Foreman"I'm... not sure. Perhaps those freeloaders believed in the tales of Nemesite. As it happens, I've complained to that bast— to Captain Frensoe about some idiots who've been painting pictures on the walls, inciting people. And what did he say? 'I've got everything under control.' Had I known it would come to this, I'd have nabbed those sods and thrown them into the pestilence pit myself! And now we'll be pestered by enforcers to no end, void damn it all."
YOU"What in the Throne's name was that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Nemesite?"
Foreman"Just a story they tell around here. There's this chap they say wanders the lower decks helping the poor who can't earn a living for themselves, and standing up to the officers and enforcers in defence of the weak. Except he's just a story and nothing more."
YOU"What in the Throne's name was that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Nemesite?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will be speaking to Captain Frensoe about what happened."
Foreman"Well, in your case, he'll certainly hear you out and not..." He grins and indicates his broken ribs. "You know."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are in charge here, you will answer for what happened."
Foreman"Throne blast it... Fair enough, Lord Captain. It's what I'd have done to myself." He sinks heavily to his knees, looking solemn and gloomy. You hear terrified whispers.
YOU"Any last words?"
ForemanHis stern gaze sweeps the slums. "Let my repentance be a lesson to each of you faithless dogs! We must serve the Lord Captain with our words and our deeds and our lives — but our nature is corrupt and we have failed in our service! I repent and commit myself into His Lordship/Her Ladyship's hands."
ForemanWhispers of reverent awe can be heard from every level of the slums. Hundreds of eyes converge on you and the kneeling Foreman, who bows his head, half-closes his eyes, and prays quietly.
YOU"Any last words?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see you are indeed loyal to my ship and my house. Get up and continue your service to me by giving guidance to the locals."
ForemanThe Foreman's dark eyes widen. Shouts of encouragement can be heard from the crowd as he gets up clumsily and gives you a hurried nod. "I will, to be sure, Lord Captain! I serve the dynasty! Glory to House von Valancius!"
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your death will be a lesson to others."
end of branch
YOU"I see you are indeed loyal to my ship and my house. Get up and continue your service to me by giving guidance to the locals."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your death will be a lesson to others."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened is of no concern to you. Carry on with your duties."
ForemanHe nods hurriedly.
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will be speaking to Captain Frensoe about what happened."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are in charge here, you will answer for what happened."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened is of no concern to you. Carry on with your duties."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Nemesite?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will be speaking to Captain Frensoe about what happened."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are in charge here, you will answer for what happened."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened is of no concern to you. Carry on with your duties."continues where this line first appears above
Foreman"The locals and the enforcers call me the Foreman. I have no other name. You might say I'm in charge here, in this hole of a place."
YOU"What in the Throne's name was that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Nemesite?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will be speaking to Captain Frensoe about what happened."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are in charge here, you will answer for what happened."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened is of no concern to you. Carry on with your duties."continues where this line first appears above
ForemanYou recognise the shaggy red beard and the keen black eyes. This is the man who was watching you during your encounter with the enforcer and the station worker.
YOU"What in the Throne's name was that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Nemesite?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will be speaking to Captain Frensoe about what happened."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are in charge here, you will answer for what happened."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened is of no concern to you. Carry on with your duties."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 7
Foreman"This is an honour for us, Lord Captain."
YOU"How is your life under the new rules I set?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I saw you near the marketplace. What were you doing there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me what life is like for the workers on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you cooking in that vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Give the Foreman a pile of ration cards] "Hand these out to the people. You'll know who needs them most."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Give me some of that soup. Let my servants see that any food is a great blessing!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seek the Bloodspun Web's temple. Do you know where it is?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above