ShipConfessorTraitor — Rogue Trader Dialogue Archive

Entry point 1

KibellahKibellah extends a finger topped with a metal claw toward Confessor Adalbert. "The divination has revealed that you stand beside the enemy Nemesite. Speak only the truth before the Domin and the Undying One."

Confessor AdalbertAdalbert meets Kibellah's words calmly, with almost majestic resignation. "A defender of the people and a tyrant's minion are two faithful servants of opposing ideas, two souls that have rejected everything else for the sake of duty. I now truly see that your collision with him was inevitable."

Confessor AdalbertAdalbert shifts his gaze to you and lets out a mournful sigh. "I was warned about your visit, [Name]. As well as its purpose."

YOU"Who alerted you to my visit?"

Confessor Adalbert"My son, the protector of those whose blood you feed upon, whose hard work has paid for your content life on the upper decks of this ship."

YOU"Who alerted you to my visit?"

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YOU"I demand an explanation, Confessor. This instant."

Confessor Adalbert"Your pet tormentor who extols death is right. I know Nemesite, and I assist him. Just like him, I am your enemy, [Name]." Adalbert raises his voice, and in the soft tenor, you hear notes of accusation as deep as rolling thunder. "And I am also the enemy of your cruel regime, where life is dirt under the enforcers' feet, where a man has nothing to eat, writhes in fear, and knows no hope!"

Jocasta SauerbackSauerback clenches her fists until her knuckles crunch. "You treasonous impostor! To think that I listened to your sermons and was anointed by your hand. You will choke on your words along with the teeth I am about to knock out!" Adalbert dignifies her with neither a word nor a glance.

YOU"And you were so good at moaning about the servants he killed..."

Confessor Adalbert"I grieved for them, but... they were unreliable. They could have compromised us. They had to die, but the fault for their deaths lies with you and your enforcer dogs, for fear of whom we are forced to hide."

YOU"And you were so good at moaning about the servants he killed..."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You are not even trying to lie. This is commendable."

Confessor AdalbertAdalbert shrugs, his kindly face growing harder. "Why would I? If the dogs have come looking for blood, they will not leave without a kill. Such is your vicious nature."

YOU"And you were so good at moaning about the servants he killed..."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You are not even trying to lie. This is commendable."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, you are a heretic, then?"

Confessor Adalbert"No. Heresy is what you and your fellow bloodsuckers believe in. The Ecclesiarchy has turned faith into a whip to drive the powerless, the aristocracy has turned it into a shield to cover their transgressions, and the enforcers have turned it into a club with which to beat those who dare to raise their voices. Your faith is an instrument of lies and suppression, and I renounced it long ago. My faith promises salvation, not thraldom."

YOU"And you were so good at moaning about the servants he killed..."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You are not even trying to lie. This is commendable."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, you are a heretic, then?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Any rebellion is a strike against the Imperium, to the advantage of the enemies of Humanity. Repent, for there is no fate worse than to be deprived of His light."

Confessor"I am bathed in His light as never before! You worship lies, while the true Emperor desires otherwise for his children!" It takes an effort for him to regain his composure. "Your light is darkness, [Name]. And I am sorry you are unable to see the truth."

YOU"Who alerted you to my visit?"

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YOU"I demand an explanation, Confessor. This instant."

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YOU"Do you serve Nemesite or do you command him?"

Confessor Adalbert"I follow him as he once followed me. Nemesite is my son, if not by blood then in spirit. I took him in as a wilful child, and I fostered the best in him... a passion for justice, the indomitable flame of a fighter, and unyielding determination. I have been preparing him for years."

Kibellah"You have raised a living instrument that serves a purpose without question." Kibellah speaks cautiously, as if not entirely sure of her judgement.

Confessor Adalbert"Such is his purpose: to be the hope, to break the shackles, to end the centuries of torment that have passed aboard this ship. A great sacrifice for a great cause." He falls silent, looking at Kibellah expectantly. "You should be familiar with his ways, except that instead of a sower of freedom, you were raised to be an executioner's sword."

YOU"Who alerted you to my visit?"

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YOU"I demand an explanation, Confessor. This instant."

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YOU"Do you serve Nemesite or do you command him?"

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YOU"What else were you lying about?"

Confessor Adalbert"One last confession? Why not?" He frowns and pulls back his collar, as if he were short of breath. "I am not Adalbert. That was the name of an initiate from a clan of confessors who passed away from disease many years ago. I was born in squalor on the lower decks, and at the behest of the M—" He falters, as if he wanted to add something else.

Confessor Adalbert"And it was by the Emperor's command that I took Adalbert's place through deception, pretending to be him. The dead man had inherited much influence and many thrones from his clan, which hastened my successful rise through the ranks. But it was not for wealth and power that I did this! I accepted the burden of hard work to empower the common people, to pave the way for liberation from oppression and injustice. And my part is almost done."

KibellahKibellah whispers to you, "I sense no lie in his voice or bearing, Domin'[Name]. He feels and welcomes death with open arms. The moment favours us. We must learn more. He who betrayed his oaths will not deliver Nemesite to us, but from his words we may divine knowledge of our enemy."

YOU"How did your deception go unnoticed?"

Confessor"You were not there for those years of pestilence. Confessors attended every deck and died in multitudes. New ministers were recruited in every port, at every station. Their names and faces blurred together, and we recognised our kin only by their robes. No one who knew Adalbert's true face survived that time. The Emperor saved me from being exposed."

YOU"How did your deception go unnoticed?"

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YOU"Your 'liberation' is rooted in betrayal and bloodshed."

Confessor Adalbert"This is a war, [Name]. The war for our liberation, and we are willing to die and to kill for it, because our enemy is brutal and deaf to our pleas. You have deserved it." He resolutely places his hand over his heart.

Jocasta SauerbackSauerback reacts to his gesture with due suspicion, sharply gripping her weapon, prepared to eliminate any threat to you.

YOU"How did your deception go unnoticed?"

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YOU"Your 'liberation' is rooted in betrayal and bloodshed."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, Nemesite is just a man? Excellent. It is harder to kill a legend."

Confessor Adalbert"The words of a tyrant inebriated with power and impunity." He smiles bitterly. "Nemesite is an idea. And you have the arrogance to believe you can kill an idea made flesh. It is better this way, so keep underestimating him."

YOU"How did your deception go unnoticed?"

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YOU"Your 'liberation' is rooted in betrayal and bloodshed."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, Nemesite is just a man? Excellent. It is harder to kill a legend."

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YOU"Are you hoping he will save you now?"

Confessor Adalbert"No, we decided otherwise. I am not worth him risking his life, so do not expect to capture him through me. My son has no attachments, for they would only make him weak. He will gladly sacrifice himself for his dream of liberty and equality, and I must do the same. I only grieve that, thanks to your efforts, I cannot be near my son and ease his burden."

Kibellah"Attachment makes us weak." Kibellah's whisper is barely audible, and you see her face grow more dismal still. "You made a weapon out of him, just as he made a weapon out of you."

YOU"How did your deception go unnoticed?"

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YOU"Your 'liberation' is rooted in betrayal and bloodshed."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, Nemesite is just a man? Excellent. It is harder to kill a legend."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Are you hoping he will save you now?"

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YOU"Any last words, Adalbert?"

Confessor Adalbert"The shackles will fall, and there will be nothing left of your tyranny. Nor of you." Adalbert speaks without hatred. His even voice is that of a martyr on his way to glory.

YOU"For betraying the faith, I hereby excommunicate you from the Emperor's light and name you an abomination! And now — die, heretic."

Confessor Adalbert"You seem to have mistaken my humility in the face of death for submission." Adalbert smiles weakly. "It is not for you to decide my fate. I will make the choice myself — I will surrender my life in the fight for our future. I will die, but I will take you with me." He clicks his fingers, and the initiates who have been standing humbly around turn in your direction, their white robes opening to reveal a variety of weapons. "For Nemesite, brothers and sisters! For freedom!"

Jocasta Sauerback"Lord Captain, this is an ambush! They have been waiting for us!" Sauerback's shout hits your ears, drowning out hurried footsteps and the clanking of gun plasteel.

end of branch

YOU"Impostor Adalbert, I, Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, sentence you to death for treason!"

YOU"You are responsible for the deaths of countless people. The time has come for a reckoning."

YOU"To separate a family would be cruel. You and your son will see each other soon enough."

YOU"Despite your crimes, I will keep you alive. Sauerback, arrest the traitor."

YOU"Kibellah, it was you who found him. Therefore, it is up to you to pass judgement."

KibellahKibellah takes a step forward and makes a straight, sharp sweeping gesture, as if crossing Adalbert's figure or severing an invisible thread. "Death has whispered your name, betrayer of vows. The judgement of the Undying One awaits you."

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

YOU"Any last words, Adalbert?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Are you hoping he will save you now?"

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YOU"Any last words, Adalbert?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, Nemesite is just a man? Excellent. It is harder to kill a legend."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Are you hoping he will save you now?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Any last words, Adalbert?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your 'liberation' is rooted in betrayal and bloodshed."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, Nemesite is just a man? Excellent. It is harder to kill a legend."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Are you hoping he will save you now?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Any last words, Adalbert?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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YOU"What else were you lying about?"

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YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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YOU"I too desire a better life for my subjects. The path to that need not be violent — let us make peace and change life on the ship together."

ConfessorTortured doubt lingers on the confessor's face for a moment before being superseded by his former conviction. "Even if your intentions are pure, you are too tainted... Poisoned. No, the matter is clear — you or us. Peace and coexistence are impossible."

YOU"Who alerted you to my visit?"

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YOU"I demand an explanation, Confessor. This instant."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you serve Nemesite or do you command him?"

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YOU"What else were you lying about?"

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YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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YOU"Face the facts — you are no champion of justice. You are a manipulator who raises himself up by standing on the corpses of others. I am not judging you. On the contrary, I could use a man of such talents. Together we could accomplish a great deal..."

ConfessorHe shakes his head, looking crestfallen. "I almost pity you — such blind conviction that nothing matters more than power... I will prove that not everyone is as flawed as you."

YOU"Who alerted you to my visit?"

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YOU"I demand an explanation, Confessor. This instant."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you serve Nemesite or do you command him?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What else were you lying about?"

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YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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YOU"I see."

Confessor"I doubt it. People like you only ever see what they want to see."

YOU"Who alerted you to my visit?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I demand an explanation, Confessor. This instant."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you serve Nemesite or do you command him?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What else were you lying about?"

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YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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Confessor(sequence)

ArgentaArgenta's eyes flash. "Betrayer of the faith! Your blasphemous words will perish with you!"

end of branch

Yrliet"Even when it is fighting injustice, your kind only manages to foster more evil in its midst."

end of branch

Idira"You holy people are all bloody hypocrites!" Idira spits at the confessor's feet. "You go on about how rotten we are, but take a knife and scratch your surface a little — and we'll find the worst heretic of all!"

end of branch

YOU"Any rebellion is a strike against the Imperium, to the advantage of the enemies of Humanity. Repent, for there is no fate worse than to be deprived of His light."

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YOU"I too desire a better life for my subjects. The path to that need not be violent — let us make peace and change life on the ship together."

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YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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YOU"I see."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, you are a heretic, then?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Any rebellion is a strike against the Imperium, to the advantage of the enemies of Humanity. Repent, for there is no fate worse than to be deprived of His light."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I too desire a better life for my subjects. The path to that need not be violent — let us make peace and change life on the ship together."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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YOU"I see."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You are not even trying to lie. This is commendable."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So, you are a heretic, then?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Any rebellion is a strike against the Imperium, to the advantage of the enemies of Humanity. Repent, for there is no fate worse than to be deprived of His light."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I too desire a better life for my subjects. The path to that need not be violent — let us make peace and change life on the ship together."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

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YOU"I see."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you serve Nemesite or do you command him?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What else were you lying about?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I demand an explanation, Confessor. This instant."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you serve Nemesite or do you command him?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What else were you lying about?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Attack] "Die, traitor!"

continues where this line first appears above