NPC"Yes, he seemed to... retreat into himself all of a sudden, and he started snapping back at people, saying sarcastic, scathing things. His jokes were simple before, but now, there is always a nasty bite to them. And he's started exploding at every little thing and ordering me about... My own brother..." Having said all this, she freezes in fear, turning white as a sheet. "Apologies for my lack of restraint..."
SolomorneFor a brief moment, a deep wrinkle cuts across Solomorne's forehead. "So, your brother is not his usual self. This world is a tangled web indeed."
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"
NPC"I dare not complain, my Celestial Lord/Lady. Lesser nobles such as myself sometimes receive punishment for angering our lords, but that is good, in a way. I think it makes me cleaner and brighter on the inside and helps me to better serve the God-Emperor, the holder of the Key to all Destinies." Maive makes the sign of the Aquila and turns a reverent gaze upon you.
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"
NPC"Forgive me if I've said something wrong, my lord/lady. Preacher Antiochus said that the God-Emperor holds the Key to all Destinies in His celestial hand. He Himself sits at the very top of the Great Tower of Humankind, from there gazing out over the worlds and stars of His domain. He sees all, knows all, and a bloody tear rolls down His cheek when He reads our shameful thoughts and deeds in the annals of our lives."
NPC"But those who strive, who do not let the seed of evil into their hearts, He will reward with a new destiny, a new life, higher and better than the one before — with a turn of His Key, he unlocks the dungeon of their souls. I live in hope that, one day, He will come to my door." Maive's smile is one of sad resignation.
Solomorne"How fascinating. And what are you going to do to get a better destiny?"
NPC"I... can hope. Pray earnestly, try to be virtuous and diligent. And if I manage to please the Celestial Lord/Lady, then maybe, just maybe, the Emperor will take notice."
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"
NPC"In the time of darkness, the God-Emperor walled up the Tower of Humankind against fiends and monsters to keep it safe from evil. But evil had already planted its seed in thousands upon thousands of human souls. He locked them in the dungeon of the Tower, so that they might first eradicate the evil in their thoughts. All our lives, we atone for our transgression against the God-Emperor. And after death, we return to His judgement. But that is our burden to bear, my lord/lady. When I see you and realise that before me stands His anointed, one blessed by His godly hand — there is no one happier than I!"
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."
NPCYou speak the words that have sounded countless times from your lips, echoing off the walls of cathedrals, and Maive listens in fright and awe. "Could it really be true? There is no Tower, and all people's destinies are preordained? Forgive me, my lord/lady — if you say so, then it is the truth. I will relearn how to pray and believe, I swear!"
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"
NPC"Oh, he is a wonderful person! So considerate and generous... but, of course, his venerable age has taken its toll. He behaves oddly from time to time. But we all have our quirks, don't we?"
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"
NPC"Well... he gave me a lovely thassertium necklace just before you arrived. Strange, is it not? To bestow such a treasure on someone of the lower nobility... And I also noticed that we have been conversing more of late, and it's been... easier. Sometimes, I think he knows me better than I know myself."
Solomorne"So, the governor has never favoured you like this before? Perhaps the appointment to escort the Rogue Trader also came as a surprise?"
NPCMaive blinks in astonishment. "That is so, my lord judicator. I still wonder why the God-Emperor saw fit to bestow such a tremendous honour upon me."
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"
NPC"He is... the best among all the court servants." Maive looks down, but you catch the fear in her eyes. "He always knew how to make the noble lords laugh. But at first, Daen's jokes were just funny pranks and puns. Those were wonderful, almost impossible times..."
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."
NPC"What would you like me to do, my Celestial Lord/Lady? I was taught how to dance and sing..."
YOU"Sing me your favourite song."
NPCMaive nods apprehensively, then closes her eyes and begins. With great care, she sings a passage from some local hymn about how the Emperor, who holds the Key to all Destinies, locked the heavens against invisible monsters and enemies of Humanity. Her voice, though trembling with nerves, is surprisingly pleasant to listen to.
YOU"What song is that?"
NPC"'The Story of Humanity's Deliverance From Darkness.' It is sung once a moonlife as a reminder of the great deed of the God-Emperor, who used the Key to all Destinies to lock the world away from wicked things. He walled Himself up in the Great Tower of Humankind along with all the people. He could have ascended to the stars, but He chose to stay, for our sake, though we are unworthy. We must remember this deed."
YOU"What song is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That was delightful. Thank you."
NPCA blush erupts on Maive's cheeks. "Thank you, Celestial Lord/Lady! For me, there is no reward greater than your praise!"
YOU"Sing me your favourite song."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Dance for me."
NPCMaive closes her eyes, as if listening to music only she can hear, and begins to sway. Her dance is made up of simple movements, but the grace and ease with which she performs them add to their charm.
NPCWhen she comes to a stop before you in a final curtsy, her cheeks are flushed. "I hope this humble dance was worthy of your eyes, Celestial Lord/Lady!"
YOU"Sing me your favourite song."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Dance for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Teach me to dance."
NPC"Let's give it a try!" Maive smiles cheerfully. "The movements are simple. Watch: you put this foot here, and you stretch your arms out like this..."
NPC"That is excellent, my lord/lady!"
YOU"Sing me your favourite song."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Dance for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Teach me to dance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clean your muck off my shoes until they shine."
NPC"As you command, Celestial Lord/Lady." Maive obediently crouches over your shoes and scrubs them clean with her own dress.
YOU"Sing me your favourite song."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Dance for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Teach me to dance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clean your muck off my shoes until they shine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You call that cleaning? Use your tongue! And don't forget the sole."
NPC"Yes, my lord/lady." Maive throws a despairing glance at you, but dutifully bends down and licks the clods of mud from the soles and heels of your shoes, crawling at your feet until her lavish hem is in tatters. Now your shoes shine like new. Wiping her muddied lips with her sleeve, Maive slowly rises to her feet, staring dully ahead. "How else may I serve you, my lord/lady?"
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."
NPC"As you wish, Celestial Lord/Lady."
end of branch
YOU[Look straight through her]
NPC"My lord/lady? Oh..." Maive catches herself and goes quiet.
end of branch
YOU"Enough. You are boring me."
NPCMaive bites her lip, disappointed. "As you wish, my Celestial Lord/Lady. I apologise for being unable to entertain you properly."
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Maive."
NPC"It is an honour to entertain the Celestial Lord/Lady."
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You call that cleaning? Use your tongue! And don't forget the sole."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. You are boring me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Maive."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clean your muck off my shoes until they shine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You call that cleaning? Use your tongue! And don't forget the sole."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. You are boring me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Maive."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Teach me to dance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clean your muck off my shoes until they shine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You call that cleaning? Use your tongue! And don't forget the sole."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. You are boring me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Maive."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And not a single note in tune! Awful!"
NPC"Oh, how embarrassing! My Celestial Lord/Lady, I apologise for offending your ears!" Cheeks burning with shame, Maive casts her eyes down.
YOU"Sing me your favourite song."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Dance for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Teach me to dance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clean your muck off my shoes until they shine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You call that cleaning? Use your tongue! And don't forget the sole."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. You are boring me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Maive."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very nice."
NPC"It is my pleasure to serve the Celestial Lord/Lady."
YOU"Sing me your favourite song."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Dance for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Teach me to dance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clean your muck off my shoes until they shine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You call that cleaning? Use your tongue! And don't forget the sole."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. You are boring me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Maive."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That was delightful. Thank you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And not a single note in tune! Awful!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very nice."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Dance for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Teach me to dance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Clean your muck off my shoes until they shine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You call that cleaning? Use your tongue! And don't forget the sole."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. You are boring me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, Maive."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 10
NPC"Anyone at court could tell you plenty of stories — the grim and the not so grim. But it's nothing compared to your travails, my Celestial Lord/Lady. You have far better things to do than listen to my tales, believe me."
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 10
NPC(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 10
NPCThough the Thasserians honour the God-Emperor, their interpretation of the Creed verges on heresy. Serving Him is already the reward, and only the desire to serve longer and with greater zeal is worthy of pursuit.
NPC(sequence)
ArgentaArgenta shakes her head. "Serving the Emperor merely to earn a better fate? What a pitiful foundation for faith on Thassera! Missionaries must be sent here to set this world upon the true path, while there is still time."
end of branch
Kibellah"To beg for blessings rather than trials is an insult to the Undying One — such is the truth."
end of branch
Idira"It is plain to see that Imperial zealots have not set foot on Thassera these past centuries. Else you would be singing a different tune: that one must suffer, pray until vision fades, and then suffer yet again."
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 10
NPCIndeed, the saying holds: as many the worlds, so many the paths of faith in the God-Emperor. Thus, it is no surprise that Thasserian doctrine is cast in an almost poetic form.
NPC(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 10
NPC(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 8 of 10
NPC(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 9 of 10
NPCNoticing your gaze, Maive turns to you. "My Celestial Lord/Lady..." She hesitates before continuing. "They say you are the God-Emperor's anointed. Have you... truly seen Him?"
YOU[Lie] "Have I? I have not just seen Him, I have personally advised Him on the ruling of the Imperium."
NPCMaive's eyes are like two moons, shining with wonder and curiosity. She bites her lip in an obvious attempt to restrain herself and not pepper you with more questions. "Pardon me. Did you... wish to ask me something?"
SolomorneSolomorne casts a quick glance around, as if looking for someone, and then nods at you confidently.
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Alas, no. Our God-Emperor resides on Holy Terra, many light centuries from here. To behold Him is a privilege denied to all but a few."
NPCMaive lets out a forlorn sigh. "I wish I could see Him... but I am sure His splendour is so dazzlingly bright that one glance upon His visage is enough to blind a person on the spot. Oh, pardon me. You probably wanted to ask me something, didn't you?"
SolomorneSolomorne casts a quick glance around, as if looking for someone, and then nods at you confidently.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Throw Maive a look of contempt]
NPC"Forgive me, Celestial Lord/Lady... Did you wish to ask me something?"
SolomorneSolomorne casts a quick glance around, as if looking for someone, and then nods at you confidently.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 10 of 10
NPC"My Celestial Lord/Lady? Did you want to ask me something?"
YOU"How do you find living at the governor's court?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You called the Emperor the 'holder of the Key to all Destinies.' Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did the God-Emperor lock people in a dungeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite a sermon to the young woman] "Child, your faith has strayed far from the Imperial Creed, but I will teach you the true dogma."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you think of the governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He behaves oddly? How so?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me about Bluff, the fool. How did he win the governor's favour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something happened, and Daen changed, did he not? That is his name, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are here, show me how the Thasserians entertain their nobles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's continue our walk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look straight through her]continues where this line first appears above