NoblePeering into the nobleman's face, you realise that the stretched skin is his own. You see no scars or stitches. It appears this is merely his way of improving his looks and imitating people of higher standing.
YOU"What is going on here?"
Frightened NoblemanThe victim sucks in a ragged breath. "He's a tailor from the lower city! He's gone mad! He thinks I'm wearing the face of his brother, my valet!"
Man with ScissorsThe attacker visibly loses his cool. "Admit it! You killed him and took his face so you could wear it instead of a costume! I haven't heard from my brother in a moonlife!"
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the victim's face]
NobleThe noble lord's features are stretched and distorted. The edges of his neck, forehead, and cheeks are fastened at the sides with fine gold thread.
YOU"Proctor, I think you ought to put an end to this disorder."
Solomorne"Only because you asked." Solomorne gives Glaito a sign and the cyber-mastiff launches himself at the attacker. Powerful metal paws pin the man to the ground, preventing him from moving.
Frightened Nobleman"This madman bribed the guards so that they would ignore my cries! I'm sure they'll be singing a different tune when they find out the Celestial Lord/Lady had to intervene personally!"
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"
Solomorne"The Adeptus Arbites does not waste words on passing rabble. And besides, my methods were warranted — at the sight of an Arbitrator with a cyber-mastiff, he should have immediately laid down his weapon and fallen to his knees."
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."
Man with Scissors"They're parasites. They tear whoever they want into pieces. These scum squeeze into a person's skin like it's a suit that's two sizes too small, splitting the seams in the process." The vigilante stares at you without blinking, his eyes glassy.
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."
Man with Scissors"Do not be deceived! Look closer: this scoundrel is simply hiding his stitches. He thinks he can trick an expert tailor, but it's a wasted effort."
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."
Frightened NoblemanThe nobleman eyes his attacker fearfully. "It's very simple, Your Celestial Highness. His younger brother has a way with clothes. I noticed him when I was looking for new servants, and I sent the boy to apprentice under a renowned dressmaker in the upper quarters. I thought I would make him my valet, you see. But then, this fool decided that I took his brother, not because of his talent, but to use him for my rejuvenation. Why would I even need a new face? I haven't even worn out my own yet!"
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]
Man with ScissorsNot a single muscle twitches on the attacker's face. "Play your games all you want. My mission will not change."
Frightened Nobleman"Th-thank you for intervening, Your Celestial Highness!" The nobleman lays his hand on his heart and bows low to you. As soon as you step aside, the guards barrel toward the scene.
end of branch
NobleThe moment you step aside, guards rush onto the scene.
end of branch
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]
Frightened NoblemanThe nobleman's eyes go wide. "I don't understand! I am of noble blood — a scion of the governor, or as good as! I wanted to help a gifted commoner and instead, landed myself in trouble for it — and you would brand me an impostor for that? You can't brand me! It's... it's not fair!"
Man with ScissorsNot one muscle twitches on the attacker's face. His relentless gaze is fixed upon the nobleman. "Play your games all you want. My mission will not change: the scoundrel will die."
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The tailor is going to jail. Immediately. Guards!"
Frightened Nobleman"Th-thank you for intervening, Your Celestial Highness!" The nobleman lays his hand on his heart and bows low to you. As soon as you step aside, the guards barrel toward the scene.continues where this line first appears above
NobleThe moment you step aside, guards rush onto the scene.
end of branch
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."
Man with ScissorsThe attacker does not seem to hear you — he leans over his victim and begins to carefully peel the skin away from the nobleman's face.
end of branch
Frightened Nobleman"But Your Highness..."
Man with Scissors"You can wriggle; you can run; you can cower behind others' backs. But there is no hiding from justice. It will pierce you right through, like a needle. Just give it time."
end of branch
YOU[Kill the vigilante] "It seems your vengeance ends here."
NobleWith a swift and elegant movement, you cut the attacker's life short.
Frightened Nobleman"Th-thank you for intervening, Your Celestial Highness!" The nobleman lays his hand on his heart and bows low to you. As soon as you step aside, the guards barrel toward the scene.continues where this line first appears above
NobleThe moment you step aside, guards rush onto the scene.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."
Man with ScissorsThe attacker clamps a hand over the nobleman's mouth and the sharpened scissors easily pierce his flesh. A second later, the dead man slips to the ground, and the killer looks up at you with a mad glint in his eyes. "You cut a fine figure, though you're not from Thassera. Let me go, and I'll stitch the entire world in your image."
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The tailor is going to jail. Immediately. Guards!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the vigilante] "It seems your vengeance ends here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
Noble(sequence)
Ulfar"It would be folly to let a possessed man roam free. He would drown this place in blood and poison it with his foul butchery."
end of branch
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
Frightened Nobleman"Skin suits and splitting seams? Preposterous! Your brother was rewarded for his talents with the best assignment he could hope for — maybe he just decided he wanted nothing to do with you anymore!" The nobleman's voice cracks: he is on the verge of tears. "Your Celestial Highness, if such were your will, you could send servants to the dressmaker this very moment and find this man's brother alive and well!"
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
Noble(sequence)
Cassia"His words are soaked in grey, with flashes of copper desperation breaking through. But of the swampy muck of deceit... I see nothing."
end of branch
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
MaiveYou hear a ripping sound: without hesitation, Maive tears off a piece of her richly embroidered dress, and hastens to tend to your wound. You catch her enquiring glance: "May I dress it?"
YOU"Dressing it would be great, thank you."
MaiveThe young woman nods sheepishly and starts carefully treating the cut. It is still throbbing with pain, but the profuse bleeding has stopped.
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There is no need. It will heal on its own."
Maive"As you wish, my lord/lady. You're so courageous!" Maive's eyes are beaming with admiration.
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get your rags away from me!"
Maive"Yes, my lord/lady... I'm sorry..." The young woman steps meekly aside, covering the unsightly tatters of her ruined dress with a gesture made to seem casual.
YOU"Solomorne, was it wholly necessary to set Glaito on him? There are ways to deal with criminals besides violence!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Thassera's rotten elite."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man has never undergone the local facial replacement procedure. He is wearing his own face."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about this valet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the vigilante]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Off with you, tailor. And ensure that I never set eyes on you again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Tailor, you may finish what you started."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Intervene and free the victim]
YOU[Pointedly look away, giving the attacker an opportunity]
Man with ScissorsThe attacker clamps a hand over the nobleman's mouth and the sharpened scissors easily pierce his flesh. A second later, the dead man slips to the ground, and the killer looks up at you with a mad glint in his eyes. "You cut a fine figure, though you're not from Thassera. Let me go, and I'll stitch the entire world in your image."continues where this line first appears above
Noble(sequence)
Cassia"Blackness has utterly enshrouded this man. How can one dispense righteous punishment in such blinding darkness?" Cassia shudders and looks away.
end of branch
YOU[Examine the victim's face]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Proctor, I think you ought to put an end to this disorder."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Intervene and free the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pointedly look away, giving the attacker an opportunity]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 8
NobleYou capture the scissors and deftly plunge them into the attacker's knee. Sensing his tormentor's grip weakening, the victim slips free and hides behind you.
Frightened Nobleman"This madman bribed the guards so that they would ignore my cries! I'm sure they'll be singing a different tune when they find out the Celestial Lord/Lady had to intervene personally!"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 8
NobleYou try to grab the scissors, but the attacker is faster. You have to put yourself in harm's way to save the victim. Fortunately, the wound from the tailor's scissors is not fatal, and the rescued nobleman quickly hides behind your back.
Frightened Nobleman"This madman bribed the guards so that they would ignore my cries! I'm sure they'll be singing a different tune when they find out the Celestial Lord/Lady had to intervene personally!"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 8
Noble(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 8
NobleThe nobleman's visage is twisted in a grimace of terror. It is difficult to tell whether he has another person's face sewn onto his own or not — or if he bears any family resemblance to the attacker.
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the victim's face]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Proctor, I think you ought to put an end to this disorder."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Intervene and free the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pointedly look away, giving the attacker an opportunity]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 8
Solomorne(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 8
Noble(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 8 of 8
Frightened NoblemanIn the wavering torchlight, you see a glint of steel. One of the jacket-clad young men is pressing a blade against the other's ribs. A mask lies discarded at the attacker's feet. Noticing you, the trembling victim cries out, "Your Highness! Save me!"
Man with Scissors"Do not interfere, outsider. This man deserves to be punished, along with all of Thassera's rotten elite. They see people as just things to be worn. Let him look me in the eye and find out what it feels like to be cut to pieces." You realise that the weapon pressed against the victim's body is none other than a pair of expertly sharpened tailor's scissors.
SolomorneSolomorne casts an indifferent glance at the pair. "Local folk and their strange amusements — they're not worth our time."
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the victim's face]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Proctor, I think you ought to put an end to this disorder."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Intervene and free the victim]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pointedly look away, giving the attacker an opportunity]continues where this line first appears above