PriestYou notice a marked difference between the builds of the quarrelling men: the older priest's body is gaunt, unlike that of the smooth-faced youth. Also, the younger priest has the melodious voice of a singer, while the old man's speech is clear and powerful.
YOU[Look at the two priests]
YOU"I need to ask you a few questions first in order to identify the impostor."
PriestThe old priest gives you a reserved nod. Meanwhile, the younger one turns his entire body to face you, like a student being evaluated.
YOU"What, would you say, is the role of knowledge in the Imperium?"
Young Priest"There are no barriers to learning the word of the Emperor and to conquering all that He has given unto us. Have you read the manuscripts of our scribe, Gorgorius Falt? I hear he has left his craft behind now... but his research shines on with the light of true worship!"
Old Priest"Knowledge depraves the soul, as does reading letters that are not meant to be read." The old priest furrows his brow at the young man's passionate words.
YOU"What, would you say, is the role of knowledge in the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What awaits the Emperor's servant after death?"
Old PriestBoth priests ponder the question for a while. The older is the first to speak up: "Should they serve faithfully, the Emperor will preserve their soul in His halls."
Young PriestThe young priest gives you a broad and sincere smile. "It is customary on Thassera to believe in sacred reincarnation. Thus, the worthy may serve the Emperor for all eternity!"
Priest(sequence)
Kibellah"This fool says he yearns for everlasting service? He does not hear the Undying One laughing quietly at his words. It is not this man's destiny to serve Him for eternity. It is to leave meekly when He whispers, 'It is time.'"
end of branch
PriestIt is beyond obvious to you as a true adept of the precepts of the faith that the young man's words are heresy. The path of every righteous soul ends at the foot of the Golden Throne, and there is no greater reward in death than to behold its light.
YOU"What, would you say, is the role of knowledge in the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What awaits the Emperor's servant after death?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"By what name are the warriors born from the blood of the Emperor's sons known?"
Young Priest"The Heralds of the Celestial Master. Gods among men!" The young preacher's eyes are alight with awe.
Priest(sequence)
UlfarUlfar shoots the young man a stern look but limits himself to a sad shake of the head.
end of branch
Old Priest"The Emperor's Angels. They descend upon the land to smite down His enemies." You see respect in the old man's eyes... and fear.
YOU"What, would you say, is the role of knowledge in the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What awaits the Emperor's servant after death?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"By what name are the warriors born from the blood of the Emperor's sons known?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."
PriestThe priests look at you with reserved curiosity and apprehension.
YOU"I think I will ask a couple of questions after all."
PriestThe old priest gives you a reserved nod. Meanwhile, the younger one turns his entire body to face you, like a student being evaluated.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the old priest]
Old PriestThe old man grits his teeth and turns to the young priest. "My blood may be fouler than coal, but at least I've earned my robes!"
end of branch
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the young priest]
Young PriestThe smile vanishes from the young man's face. He gasps indignantly, "Why... well, yes, I did skip the lectorium once or twice, it's true... But I am still a proper noble! I swear it on my honour!"
end of branch
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"By what name are the warriors born from the blood of the Emperor's sons known?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."continues where this line first appears above
Priest(sequence)
CassiaCassia shakes her head. "Their judgements are like the two sides of a single coin. There is value in both, but neither one constitutes the whole."
end of branch
YOU"What awaits the Emperor's servant after death?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"By what name are the warriors born from the blood of the Emperor's sons known?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Religious doctrines are not my strong suit."
PriestThe two priests shift their attention back to each other. A long pause follows.
Young Priest"Just look at him, my lord/lady! He is stuffing himself like a pig! What sort of noble behaves like that?"
Old Priest"A better sort than this so-called preacher, this fat-faced brat whose head can't hold more than one litany at a time!"
YOU"I think I will ask a couple of questions after all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the old priest]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the impostor's brand on the young priest]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 10
Young Priest(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 10
PriestYou have encountered many variations of the God-Emperor's cult in your time, but never have you heard of reincarnation after death. A religious teaching such as this seems strange and exotic, even for a nondescript, half-forgotten planet like Thassera.
YOU"What, would you say, is the role of knowledge in the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What awaits the Emperor's servant after death?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"By what name are the warriors born from the blood of the Emperor's sons known?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 10
PriestJudging by the expressions of the two debating priests, you can easily believe that the one would indeed welcome his long-awaited rest, and the other a chance at eternal service.
YOU"What, would you say, is the role of knowledge in the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What awaits the Emperor's servant after death?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"By what name are the warriors born from the blood of the Emperor's sons known?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 9 of 10
PriestApart from their age, the two men before you look fairly similar. All servants of the Ecclesiarchy are as one in their indomitable faith.
YOU[Look at the two priests]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to ask you a few questions first in order to identify the impostor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Religious doctrines are not my strong suit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."continues where this line first appears above
Priest(sequence)
Jae"May I, shereen? If there is one thing life has taught me, it's how to read people." Jae looks the two men over. "This one, his face so fresh and glossy, is like a nice, fat grox — you can't gain all that weight overnight. And his voice — a true delight! I'll wager people must stand in line for a chance to confess to 'his holiness' in private. Who cares how many holy texts he knows by heart?" Jae's smirk causes the young priest to blush profusely. "As for the old man — he's acting exactly like a half-dead Footfall vagrant who has just stumbled upon a proper meal. His robes might as well be hanging from a long stick. But I will bet a bottle of Calixian wine that he is earnest in his faith — if only because folks like him have no other choice!"
end of branch
Entry point 10 of 10
Young PriestThe two men in clergy robes are bickering loudly. The older of the pair is eating with great appetite, while the younger one watches him in disgust. "Your overindulgence is pure hypocrisy! A true servant of the faith would have abstained."
Old PriestThe old priest shoots his companion a glance over the plate. "A true servant of the faith must keep his strength up so that he may offer the God-Emperor not just words but deeds as well."
Young PriestThe young man flushes when he notices your gaze. "Celestial Lord/Lady, how fortunate is your arrival! Only you can solve this conundrum and decide which of us is the true clergyman of noble birth and which is the arrogant impostor."
YOU[Look at the two priests]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to ask you a few questions first in order to identify the impostor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Religious doctrines are not my strong suit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to pass my verdict."continues where this line first appears above