NobleShe believes her own words, just as the rest of them believe theirs.
YOU"Explain to me what exactly is going on here."
Lady in a Golden MaskThe lady in the golden mask curtsies gracefully. "Your Celestial Highness, we have exposed one of the impostors. There he is — the one in the jacket — still clinging to his facade. You ought to brand him, quickly!"
Finely Dressed WomanThe woman who has been keeping her distance now steps closer and whispers to you, "My Celestial Lord/Lady, I'm begging you to listen to me! This man is a member of a noble family! He is being slandered!"
YOU[Look closely at the man]
YOU[Address the young woman] "Why are you standing up for him?"
YOU[Address the man] "What can you say in your defence?"
Man in a Jacket"My Celestial Lord/Lady knows how ruthless court intrigues can be. My f-family only recently attained its lofty status, and many here are opposed..." he stutters, his teeth chattering in fear.
YOU[Look closely at the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the young woman] "Why are you standing up for him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "What can you say in your defence?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "Are you aware that your servant is trying to protect you, Sir Timeus?"
Man in a JacketThe old man adjusts his mask in surprise. His eyes scan the crowd again and come to rest on the finely dressed young woman. "That's Renka, my house servant. What is she— Protecting me, you say? She has no idea what game she's got herself mixed up in. Forgive me, my girl..." His lip quivers as he grips his cane more tightly and breathes in deeply, before suddenly taking a step back.
Man in a Jacket"Here she is, the real impostor, the house girl Renka! She admitted it herself to the Celestial Lord/Lady!" the old man spits and points his finger at Renka, who shrinks away in fear. "How could you schemers even think of deceiving our supreme benefactor?"
YOU[Look closely at the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the young woman] "Why are you standing up for him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "What can you say in your defence?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "Are you aware that your servant is trying to protect you, Sir Timeus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn to the crowd]
NobleTheir vulturous gazes shift to you in anticipation of your verdict.
YOU"Explain to me what exactly is going on here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you truly believe this man to be a commoner in disguise?"
Lady in a Golden MaskThe loudest among the onlookers exchange glances. The woman's golden mask bobs as she offers a deep curtsy. "Most certainly, Your Celestial Highness! His plebeian nature is apparent to every self-respecting aristocrat."
YOU"This man is a noble. Why are you so intent on painting him as otherwise?"
Lady in a Golden MaskThe lady in the golden mask clears her throat: "There is not a word of a lie in what we have said. This travesty of a nobleman was granted his privileges less than a hundred years ago — a family of upstarts who have elevated themselves through peddlery. For any trueborn noble, he is no different from a masquerading peasant."
YOU"Explain to me what exactly is going on here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you truly believe this man to be a commoner in disguise?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man is a noble. Why are you so intent on painting him as otherwise?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to brand the impostor."
NobleThe nobles around you hold their breath as they try to read the direction of your gaze.
YOU[Hand the data-brand to the servant] "I call on this young woman to make the decision in my stead."
Finely Dressed WomanThe young woman freezes and squeaks out, "I obey my lord/lady's will! I..." Her voice suddenly calms. "I know this man well and can dispel all your doubts." You notice the old man breathe a sigh of relief when the data-brand is put into her hands.
Finely Dressed Woman"This is my former house servant... Timo... dressed as a noble! He is good, but he could never fool the true nobility." The young woman deftly marks the man, who is frozen in horror, and pushes the data-brand back into your hand. Vengeful sparks play in her eyes. The woman in the golden mask graces her with a patronising nod.
end of branch
Finely Dressed Woman"This is Baron Timeus Highfoot, a noble lord. I know this because I am his servant — they just gave me this pretty dress." She gestures at her gown. "I should be the one being branded." Before you can react, she awkwardly places the mark on her wrist and returns the data-brand to you.
NobleThe girl sniffles and and smiles at the grey-haired gentleman in the doublet. He averts his eyes. The woman in the golden mask scoffs and withdraws into the gaping crowd.
end of branch
YOU[Place the data-brand on the woman in the golden mask]
Lady in a Golden MaskThe nobles gasp, while the woman stamps her foot and starts flailing her arms. "How... dare you! I am a descendant of a noble line! I will complain to the governor about this!" You hear a few laughs — the people gathered here seem to appreciate the sheer absurdity of anyone trying to threaten you with such a complaint.
end of branch
YOU[Place the data-brand on the young woman in the fine dress]
Man in a JacketThe young woman's face turns pale as marble behind her half-mask. She casts a seething look at the man in the jacket, then lowers her eyes. The man, meanwhile, sighs with relief and says, "Thank you. I knew that no intrigue could fool the Celestial Lord/Lady."
end of branch
Man in a JacketThe young woman's lip curls with a mixture of joy and fear. She glances briefly at the man in the jacket, then gives you a bow. The man sighs with relief and says, "Thank you. I knew that no intrigue could fool the Celestial Lord/Lady."
NobleThe girl sniffles and and smiles at the grey-haired gentleman in the doublet. He averts his eyes. The woman in the golden mask scoffs and withdraws into the gaping crowd.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the data-brand on the man in the jacket]
Man in a JacketThe old man looks you in the eye and grasps his cane, his last support, until his knuckles turn white. "I am an honourable servant of the Imperium. However, if my Celestial Lord/Lady deems me unworthy... I shan't say a word in protest." You hear his accusers murmuring in approval behind your back.
end of branch
Noble(sequence)
AbelardA tired sigh escapes Abelard's chest. "Thassera has more in common with Dargonus than I first thought."
end of branch
YOU"I am ready to brand the impostor."continues where this line first appears above
Noble(sequence)
Yrliet"Kae-morag!" There is burning indignation in the look Yrliet gives the old man, her hand reaching for the blade hanging from her belt... But then, she goes still for a moment, puzzlement etched onto her face, before regaining its usual air of indifference. "Betrayal comes as naturally to you mon-keigh as breathing. But... it does not concern me. Continue rotting away in your dishonourable existence — I will have no part in it."
end of branch
YOU[Turn to the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "Are you aware that your servant is trying to protect you, Sir Timeus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn to the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you truly believe this man to be a commoner in disguise?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man is a noble. Why are you so intent on painting him as otherwise?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to brand the impostor."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 9
Noble(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 9
NobleThe old man is terrified. His hands are clutching an expensive cane bearing an intricate family coat of arms.
YOU[Look closely at the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the young woman] "Why are you standing up for him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "What can you say in your defence?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "Are you aware that your servant is trying to protect you, Sir Timeus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn to the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 9
NobleThe people around you are shouting, their masks blurring together, making it difficult to focus on any details.
YOU[Look closely at the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the young woman] "Why are you standing up for him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "What can you say in your defence?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "Are you aware that your servant is trying to protect you, Sir Timeus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn to the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 9
Noble(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 9
Finely Dressed Woman"I..." she whispers quietly. "I'm just a commoner in a fancy dress, m'lord/m'lady. This man is my master. I know I'm supposed to be playing the part of a rich girl, but... I've served many lords, you see, and Sir Timeus is the only one who treats his servants with gentleness. I want to protect him from these cruel people."
YOU[Look closely at the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the young woman] "Why are you standing up for him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "What can you say in your defence?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "Are you aware that your servant is trying to protect you, Sir Timeus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn to the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 9
NobleThe woman is not lying, but neither is she being completely candid. The way she looks at the accused speaks of an old, inappeasable hatred, the kind one shows to one's true enemy.
YOU"Explain to me what exactly is going on here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you truly believe this man to be a commoner in disguise?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man is a noble. Why are you so intent on painting him as otherwise?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to brand the impostor."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 9
Finely Dressed WomanTerrified, she drops her gaze and purses her lips. "I... I just pity him, my lord/lady."
YOU[Look closely at the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the young woman] "Why are you standing up for him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "What can you say in your defence?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the man] "Are you aware that your servant is trying to protect you, Sir Timeus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn to the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 9 of 9
Man in a JacketA few nobles have gathered around an older man in a fine jacket. His eyes dart back and forth between them. "I come from an honoured dynasty! You can't..." He keeps trying to approach someone, but they all recoil from him as if he were a leper.
Lady in a Golden MaskThe mob's instigator, a lady in a golden mask, exclaims furiously, "Oh, listen to the songs of this poor wretch! He thinks that the bath they gave him makes him look like a nobleman!" Upon noticing you, the crowd parts. In a peevish voice, the woman drawls, "We ask that our Celestial Lord/Lady brand this peasant!"
NobleAmong the hushed crowd, you single out a young woman in a half-mask and a gorgeous dress who is watching intently from the side.
YOU"Explain to me what exactly is going on here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you truly believe this man to be a commoner in disguise?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This man is a noble. Why are you so intent on painting him as otherwise?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am ready to brand the impostor."continues where this line first appears above