Governor Ruoldo"Your Celestial Highness, apologies for my late arrival! I wasted a great deal of time in idle squabbles with that oaf of a treasurer as he was looking for the shipment chronicle! I only heard about the attack after it had already begun, and the elevator might as well not have been moving at all, it was so slow..."
Solomorne"The treasurer, the elevator — who are you going to blame next, Governor? Are you the ruler of this world or a casual onlooker? You will take measures immediately and restore order, or I will conclude that you are sabotaging the Rogue Trader's visit, either by intent or simply due to your own ineptness."
Governor RuoldoThe governor babbles in fear, "I... I never... thought..." He takes a deep breath. "The culprits. Of course. The culprits will face execution post-haste, my Celestial Lord/Lady."
YOU[Survey the square]
NPCAn oppressive silence hangs over the previously bustling plaza. The people are taking in the carnage, clearly avoiding looking at you but still catching your every word. You notice Maive standing nearby, gazing around her with horror in her eyes.
YOU[Survey the square]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Find those responsible and bring them to me!"
Taddua the Scorched"The condemned mutants broke loose and attacked the townsfolk... It has been a long, long time since anything like that happened, Your Celestial Highness. They must have sniffed out that today is a special day..." The executioner's lip curls, split by a blow during the fight. "The commander was responsible for guarding them. He got careless."
Commander LucraHis armour rattling, one of the knights steps forward. "I am Lucra, commander of the fortress. I can attest that the ungodly mutants were restrained properly. It's the Phesmophorius... The smoke whipped the brutes into a frenzy!"
YOU[Survey the square]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Find those responsible and bring them to me!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, it is either the commander or the executioner, is it? Then I shall now make my decision."
Commander Lucra"My Celestial Lord/Lady, I swear on my life that my knights and I did everything we could to keep you safe! Who could have foreseen that the Phesmophorius, after gorging itself on miscreants, would start driving the mutants mad with its smoke..."
Taddua the Scorched"Lies! The Phesmophorius does not taunt heretics, it fills them with terror! To shift the blame for your own failure onto a sacred weapon of justice is a heinous crime in and of itself!"
YOU"The commander is guilty. Solomorne, carry out the sentence."
NPCIn one precise movement, the Proctor carries out the execution. Lucra falls to the ground with a crash.
Governor Ruoldo"You are our saviour today, Your Celestial Highness. And in gratitude, please accept this personalised sword from my treasury. Fatebringer once decided the outcome of one of our feuds: it killed a rebel leader, and peace has reigned on the planet ever since."
YOU[Accept the gift] "Thank you, Ruoldo."
Governor RuoldoThe governor bows at your feet.
YOU[Accept the gift] "Thank you, Ruoldo."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Accept the gift] "That's all? Some antiquated sword? I expect subsequent gifts to be better."
Governor RuoldoThe governor bows at your feet.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Return the gift] "Solomorne, make a note of this attempted bribery. I have no need of your gifts, Ruoldo."
Solomorne"Done. Continue in this vein, Governor, and your punishment won't be long in coming."
Governor Ruoldo"Emperor forfend that I try to bribe you, Your Celestial Highness! The thought never even occurred to me... Forgive me most graciously!"
Governor RuoldoThe governor bows at your feet.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Maive]
NPCHaving dusted herself off and reassumed a proper bearing, Maive stares off into space. Despite the shock, her lips are pressed together firmly, and her back is impeccably straight.
YOU[Accept the gift] "Thank you, Ruoldo."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Accept the gift] "That's all? Some antiquated sword? I expect subsequent gifts to be better."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Return the gift] "Solomorne, make a note of this attempted bribery. I have no need of your gifts, Ruoldo."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Maive]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It appears your celebration is over, Governor."
Governor Ruoldo"Not in the least! I will not let some beasts ruin everything we have worked so hard to prepare... I suggest we distance ourselves from this place and return to our corner of revelry and peace. By your leave, I will be waiting for you at the head table, Your L— Your— Oh, God-Emperor, give me strength!" Swallowing noisily, the governor hurriedly departs the scene of slaughter.
Solomorne"It amazes me that that idiot just underpaid the tithe and did not somehow lose the whole planet as well." Solomorne pauses, pensively watching the governor leave. "Fine, a feast it is. I am sick of the stench of burnt meat — let's try a change of scenery."
MaiveHer face pale, Maive raises a hand. "My Celestial Lord/Lady, it is only a few steps away. The noble lords are already lifting their glasses in their saviour's honour, awaiting your arrival. Shall we... proceed?"
end of branch
NPCAfter putting herself in order, Maive catches your eye and looks away shyly. Her lips bear a poorly concealed smile of relief.
YOU[Accept the gift] "Thank you, Ruoldo."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Accept the gift] "That's all? Some antiquated sword? I expect subsequent gifts to be better."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Return the gift] "Solomorne, make a note of this attempted bribery. I have no need of your gifts, Ruoldo."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Maive]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It appears your celebration is over, Governor."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe young woman next to you could well be a carved statue, perfect in its lifelessness. The only emotion in her gaze, directed at the smoking Phesmophorius, is ice-cold terror.
YOU[Accept the gift] "Thank you, Ruoldo."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Accept the gift] "That's all? Some antiquated sword? I expect subsequent gifts to be better."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Return the gift] "Solomorne, make a note of this attempted bribery. I have no need of your gifts, Ruoldo."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Maive]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It appears your celebration is over, Governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It appears your celebration is over, Governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Accept the gift] "That's all? Some antiquated sword? I expect subsequent gifts to be better."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Return the gift] "Solomorne, make a note of this attempted bribery. I have no need of your gifts, Ruoldo."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Maive]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It appears your celebration is over, Governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The executioner is to blame for what has transpired. Solomorne, enact the will of justice."
NPCThere is no change in Solomorne's expression as he performs the execution. Taddua the Scorched expires without making a sound.
Governor Ruoldo"You are our saviour today, Your Celestial Highness. And in gratitude, please accept this personalised sword from my treasury. Fatebringer once decided the outcome of one of our feuds: it killed a rebel leader, and peace has reigned on the planet ever since."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There has been enough death. I will order no executions."
NPCThe commander and the executioner stop their bickering and turn their eyes to you in astonishment; they quickly recover, however, and offer you their deepest bows, maintaining a solemn silence.
Governor Ruoldo"You are our saviour today, Your Celestial Highness. And in gratitude, please accept this personalised sword from my treasury. Fatebringer once decided the outcome of one of our feuds: it killed a rebel leader, and peace has reigned on the planet ever since."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hmm... Perhaps your Celestial Lord/Lady would be willing to show mercy... if the guilty worms begged for it at his/her feet."
Taddua the ScorchedTaddua looks at the commander grimly and falls to his knees. "I swear on everything that is holy, on the blood of martyrs and His name — it was never in my thoughts to cause you grief, Your Celestial Highness. Have mercy!"
Commander LucraThe commander quickly kneels in turn. "Truly, our shame will not be washed away until the end of time! We beg for our Celestial Lord/Lady's forgiveness, so that we might serve our lifelong righteous penance!"
Governor Ruoldo"You are our saviour today, Your Celestial Highness. And in gratitude, please accept this personalised sword from my treasury. Fatebringer once decided the outcome of one of our feuds: it killed a rebel leader, and peace has reigned on the planet ever since."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Both stand guilty. Put them to death as your traditions dictate."
Taddua the ScorchedThe executioner freezes, the corner of his mouth twitching. "So, the one who served the Phesmophorius with rigour and zeal must now himself enter its fiery embrace..."
Commander Lucra"I obey Your Celestial Highness..." His footsteps heavy, the commander heads toward the fire-breathing iron beast.
Governor Ruoldo"You are our saviour today, Your Celestial Highness. And in gratitude, please accept this personalised sword from my treasury. Fatebringer once decided the outcome of one of our feuds: it killed a rebel leader, and peace has reigned on the planet ever since."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know, I have not yet had my fill of executions for today... It is the Phesmophorius for the both of you. I demand a spectacle."
Taddua the ScorchedThe executioner freezes, the corner of his mouth twitching. "So, the one who served the Phesmophorius with rigour and zeal must now himself enter its fiery embrace..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Strike the governor] "If it were not for the tithe, you would be the one facing execution!"
Governor RuoldoThe governor staggers back from the blow, barely managing to stay on his feet. A trickle of blood runs down his lip, and he spits out a few rotten teeth onto the stones. "Thank you, Your Celestial Highness! I will never forget the lesson taught to me by the Emperor's own anointed!"
YOU[Survey the square]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Find those responsible and bring them to me!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, it is either the commander or the executioner, is it? Then I shall now make my decision."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Strike the governor] "If it were not for the tithe, you would be the one facing execution!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, it is either the commander or the executioner, is it? Then I shall now make my decision."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Strike the governor] "If it were not for the tithe, you would be the one facing execution!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Find those responsible and bring them to me!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, it is either the commander or the executioner, is it? Then I shall now make my decision."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Strike the governor] "If it were not for the tithe, you would be the one facing execution!"continues where this line first appears above