NPCYou look over to where Solomorne indicated. Glaito lies motionless in the middle of the room. Judging by the flickering lumens on his implants, the dog is still alive.
YOU[Look around]
NPCYou see Bluff through the bars of the cage. The mocking smile on his sinister mask seems to grow even broader, or is it a trick of the light? Maive — as white as a sheet, with a dark abrasion on her face — weeps quietly as she stands stock-still beside the fool.
NPCThere are markings on the floor at your feet: a crooked circle bordered by unholy symbols. Bluff is standing in the centre of an identical circle. You hear a quiet, measured scraping sound and an old man's muttering coming from the depths of the hall — the few words you manage to catch sound nothing like Gothic.
Solomorne"Rogue Trader? Can you hear me?"
NPCYou turn to the voice. Solomorne is trapped in one of the side cells. Apart from a bleeding bruise on his forehead, he appears unharmed.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, are you all right?"
Solomorne"I'm fine." He looks away for a moment and then back at you — under Bluff's unwavering gaze, he cannot communicate any more clearly.
YOU"Maive's necklace is more than just a pretty bauble, I take it?"
NPC"Much more. You see, with the right knowledge, the right tools, and some complex rituals, people can transform a simple, dirty blue pebble from the depths of Thassera into something truly special. However, it's a bit late for you to do anything with that information."
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, are you all right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Maive's necklace is more than just a pretty bauble, I take it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"When I get out of here — you are dead."
Bluff the Court Fool"Enough chitchat. Tavrisk, begin!" Wheezing raspily, the old man with the thassertium eyes spews a torrent of unholy words from his toothless mouth. In response, the markings beneath your cage seem to inhale, and begin glowing with light.
MaiveMaive's gaze leaps from you to Bluff in alarm. Tear-reddened eyes widen as she realises what is happening. "Daen, stop!" Her slight form crashes into the fool, pushing him out of the centre of the circle.
NPCThe world explodes into shards, suffused with a blinding light that burns out your eye sockets, incinerates the air in your lungs, and makes your heart judder in your chest. And finally, darkness descends — impenetrable and absolute, encompassing everything. It cradles you, dissolving everything that was once you. Everything that once was.
NPCYou are bobbing like a boat tossed upon the waves. Colours and sounds meld into a cacophony, stirring up nausea in this exhausted body. You blink — and the patches of colour fall into place — or do they? Across from you, in the cage, you see a frightened, disoriented face — an expression you have never seen in a mirror.
NPCAt your feet lies a gaudy mask that has fallen from the fool's face. Covering his wrinkled visage with both hands, the ugly and enraged governor of Thassera rises hastily on trembling legs.
NPCStaring daggers at you, Ruoldo shrieks, "Seize her! Seize Maive!"
NPCThe guard takes a heavy step in your direction. The look on his face promises nothing pleasant.
YOU"Solomorne, now!"
NPCA sweet, melodious voice rings out — not yours.
Solomorne"Glaito, attack!"
NPCYour head swims, and through the haze you recognise the figure of a guard coming closer and closer with no sign of stopping. Your gaze sweeps over the room, searching for a way out, for a solution, until, somewhere at the periphery of your vision, you notice a streak of scarlet. It is the cyber-mastiff's visors lighting up, giving you a chance to run...
end of branch
YOU[Try to strike the guard]
NPCYou take a swing, and... lose your coordination. Maive's delicate body cannot even muster the strength for a slap.
Solomorne"Glaito, attack!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Scramble back]
Solomorne"Glaito, attack!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's make a deal. Let me out and you can ask for anything except my death."
Bluff the Court Fool"Enough chitchat. Tavrisk, begin!" Wheezing raspily, the old man with the thassertium eyes spews a torrent of unholy words from his toothless mouth. In response, the markings beneath your cage seem to inhale, and begin glowing with light.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How dare you attack me! I am a Rogue Trader!"
Bluff the Court Fool"Enough chitchat. Tavrisk, begin!" Wheezing raspily, the old man with the thassertium eyes spews a torrent of unholy words from his toothless mouth. In response, the markings beneath your cage seem to inhale, and begin glowing with light.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"When I get out of here — you are dead."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's make a deal. Let me out and you can ask for anything except my death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How dare you attack me! I am a Rogue Trader!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, are you all right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Maive's necklace is more than just a pretty bauble, I take it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"When I get out of here — you are dead."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's make a deal. Let me out and you can ask for anything except my death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How dare you attack me! I am a Rogue Trader!"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 24 of 33
Bluff the Court Fool(no text)
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Entry point 25 of 33
NPCThe piercing pain in your head makes it hard to parse Solomorne's cryptic signals.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, are you all right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Maive's necklace is more than just a pretty bauble, I take it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"When I get out of here — you are dead."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's make a deal. Let me out and you can ask for anything except my death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How dare you attack me! I am a Rogue Trader!"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 26 of 33
Bluff the Court Fool(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 27 of 33
Bluff the Court Fool(no text)
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Entry point 28 of 33
NPC(no text)
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Entry point 29 of 33
Bluff the Court Fool(no text)
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Entry point 30 of 33
NPC(no text)
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Entry point 31 of 33
NPC(no text)
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Entry point 32 of 33
NPC(no text)
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Entry point 33 of 33
Bluff the Court Fool"I hope you enjoyed my bloodthirsty menagerie?" You instantly recognise the spiteful voice and the cocky smirk of the fool's mask. The arm that was mauled by the cyber-mastiff at their first meeting hangs limply — he has not even bothered to bandage it.
NPC(sequence)
NPCThere is a gunshot wound in his shoulder surrounded by singed threads. His garish outfit is soaked with blood.
end of branch
Solomorne"Still acting the buffoon? Some people never learn." Solomorne gestures behind his back to the cyber-mastiff, sending him off on a circuit along the wall.
NPCA pulsing light draws your attention — against the far wall, an old man stands behind an ominous-looking altar. The heavily augmented man stares in wonder at the flashes of blue light snaking through the veins of thassertium in the floor and walls. The crystals in his eye sockets gleam and go dark in time with the flashes.
YOU"Perhaps you could start by explaining what that was all about?"
Bluff the Court Fool"Now, now, why so tense? I simply grew tired of you forever wandering about with your retinue. Never a chance for a quiet word face-to-face. Yet I see your fearsome guardian has managed to find his way here as well." The fool sneers as he nods toward the Arbitrator. "And do pardon the… less than gentle reception. These rain-worn mechanisms never fail to disappoint — creaking one moment, failing the next."
YOU"Perhaps you could start by explaining what that was all about?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Bodyguards for a private conversation? Isn't that a bit much?"
Bluff the Court Fool"Times are troubled, as you know. I want everything to go according to plan."
YOU"Perhaps you could start by explaining what that was all about?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Bodyguards for a private conversation? Isn't that a bit much?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The governor is dead. Was it your doing?"
Bluff the Court Fool"Don't be ridiculous — I couldn't swallow a man whole even if I wanted to!" Bluff throws up his arms in an exaggerated fashion.
Solomorne"The lacerax, fool. You unleashed it on the governor — don't try to deny it."
Bluff the Court Fool"It seems 'humour' is not part of the vocabulary of the Emperor's servants. But 'truth' should be. You see, that governor was a fraud, a fake — not worth crying over. The true governor of Thassera stands before you, esteemed guests."
Maive"Daen, come on! Don't say things like that! It's... not right. It's..."
Bluff the Court Fool"Shut up, you idiot! You can't even do as you're told!" The fool tosses a look of utter contempt at Maive.
YOU"Perhaps you could start by explaining what that was all about?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Bodyguards for a private conversation? Isn't that a bit much?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The governor is dead. Was it your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take off the mask. I want to see whom I'm speaking to."
Bluff the Court FoolWrapping his hands around the mask, Bluff begins to slowly pull it away from his face, squirming and sobbing theatrically. Suddenly, the moans turn to gurgling laughter, and the fool removes his hands from the mask. "A jest! You'll have time to examine this face. Very thoroughly."
YOU"Perhaps you could start by explaining what that was all about?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Bodyguards for a private conversation? Isn't that a bit much?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The governor is dead. Was it your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take off the mask. I want to see whom I'm speaking to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was it that Maive should have done, Bluff?"
Bluff the Court Fool"Bring you here, to the Altar of Change, and not ask questions. So simple, but she couldn't even manage that."
Solomorne"And I, according to your plan, was supposed to die." Solomorne raises the palm of his hand that holds the invisible mark of the data-brand.
Bluff the Court Fool"Exactly. I don't need you. But don't worry, I've planned for this as well. Tavrisk, are you ready?" Bluff smirks, clearly enjoying his imaginary power — or is it real?
SolomorneSolomorne turns slightly away from the fool and makes a series of furtive hand signals — telling you to stall while the cyber-mastiff gets into position.
Tavrisk the Sculptor"The preparations are complete, my lord." Barely able to take his eyes off the dark altar, the sculptor hobbles toward the edge of the balcony.
YOU"Thassera is not your homeworld, is that right?"
Bluff the Court Fool"I see you've already found me out, eh? That's right, I was born and raised on Idex, the greatest world in all the Imperium! I'll never forget that mix of plasteel and ferrocrete, the glitter of proud spires — and the eternal humiliation of my... appointment."
Solomorne"Why were you sent to Thassera?"
Bluff the Court Fool"To serve the Imperium faithfully and honestly, why else? Our all-knowing Administratum benefits if the feudal throne is occupied by someone with an intelligence level higher than a grox's. A golden shove for all my diligent service on Idex. I packed my bags and came here to govern this backwater. What a joke..."
YOU"Thassera is not your homeworld, is that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are the real governor, why bother masquerading as the fool?"
Bluff the Court Fool"It is simple: Who would ever take a poor, pitiful jester seriously? Who would even spare him a glance? Beneath this fool's cap, my hands were free, and I could devote myself entirely to preparing for our... grand finale. And to conceal the tracks of my little mischief..."
Bluff the Court Fool"I found a replacement. 'Ruoldo' wanted to play at power, and I graciously let him. Shame he didn't rule for long." Bluff's jeering laughter carries no hint of pity.
Bluff the Court Fool"And all of it for this one day... this exact moment!" The elation in his voice sounds almost maniacal.
YOU"Thassera is not your homeworld, is that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are the real governor, why bother masquerading as the fool?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose the irregularities with the tithe were part of your plan, too?"
Bluff the Court Fool"Oh yes. One small part of the grand design. To be precise — the first bait you had to take. Which you did — with commendable zeal."
Bluff the Court Fool"The concept was simple: disrupt the shipment and provoke a response. An ingenious trap that the Arbites walked right into. But fate granted me a special boon: you were caught in my net along with them, [Name]."
Solomorne"You didn't trap anyone — you shot yourself in the foot. Only an idiot would think they could outmatch a Rogue Trader and a Proctor together."
YOU"Thassera is not your homeworld, is that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are the real governor, why bother masquerading as the fool?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose the irregularities with the tithe were part of your plan, too?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your scribe Gorgorius Falt left some intriguing notes behind. In them, he appears to be describing the switching of... bodies? Is that part of your plan?"
Bluff the Court Fool"You are perceptive, aren't you? My previous experiments were failures. You have met some of them, actually, including Falt himself. Remember the crazy mutant by the Phesmophorius? His brains turned out to be a bit of a complication." Mocking laughter erupts from behind the mask, making the fool's body shake all over. "But do not fret. This time, it will work."
YOU"Thassera is not your homeworld, is that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are the real governor, why bother masquerading as the fool?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose the irregularities with the tithe were part of your plan, too?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your scribe Gorgorius Falt left some intriguing notes behind. In them, he appears to be describing the switching of... bodies? Is that part of your plan?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Altar of Change?"
Bluff the Court FoolThe fool gestures toward the object in front of the sculptor. "A great artefact, which Tavrisk carved from this planet's unique gift — thassertium. Take a good look at it while you still can."
YOU"Thassera is not your homeworld, is that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are the real governor, why bother masquerading as the fool?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose the irregularities with the tithe were part of your plan, too?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your scribe Gorgorius Falt left some intriguing notes behind. In them, he appears to be describing the switching of... bodies? Is that part of your plan?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Altar of Change?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you grovel before me, I will be merciful and let Solomorne finish you off quickly."
Bluff the Court FoolThe fool chuckles nastily. "You have overlooked one small detail."
Solomorne"What detail? Talk, you bastard!" Solomorne raises his voice and takes a step toward Bluff, clearly trying to draw his attention. Glaito freezes, silently awaiting the signal to attack.
NPCBluff ignores the Arbitrator, his gaze fixed on you — more specifically, on the necklace on your chest. "A lovely piece, isn't it?"
NPCYou see Solomorne's hand signal out of the corner of your eye. Glaito leaps but does not reach the fool — the psyker moves at the same time. A flash of light, and everything goes dark.
NPCYou are surrounded by the smell of old rust. The darkness reluctantly retreats: the pain comes first — throbbing in your head; then the metallic taste in your mouth; and finally the feel of the hard floor, chafing your stinging cheek.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, are you all right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Maive's necklace is more than just a pretty bauble, I take it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"When I get out of here — you are dead."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's make a deal. Let me out and you can ask for anything except my death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How dare you attack me! I am a Rogue Trader!"continues where this line first appears above
NPCBluff ignores the Arbitrator, his gaze fixed on Maive — more specifically, on the necklace on her chest. "A lovely piece, isn't it?"
NPCYou see Solomorne's hand signal out of the corner of your eye. Glaito leaps but does not reach the fool — the psyker moves at the same time. A flash of light, and everything goes dark.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Governor, fool... Or perhaps you're just a madman, Bluff."
Bluff the Court Fool"Do I have to be any one thing?" Bluff chuckles darkly.
NPCBluff ignores the Arbitrator, his gaze fixed on you — more specifically, on the necklace on your chest. "A lovely piece, isn't it?"continues where this line first appears above
NPCBluff ignores the Arbitrator, his gaze fixed on Maive — more specifically, on the necklace on her chest. "A lovely piece, isn't it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Enough talk. I will not listen to another word of this heresy."
Bluff the Court FoolThe fool chuckles nastily. "You have overlooked one small detail."continues where this line first appears above
SolomorneThe Arbitrator gives you a subtle nod: the cyber-mastiff is close enough for a decisive lunge.
YOU"Thassera is not your homeworld, is that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are the real governor, why bother masquerading as the fool?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose the irregularities with the tithe were part of your plan, too?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your scribe Gorgorius Falt left some intriguing notes behind. In them, he appears to be describing the switching of... bodies? Is that part of your plan?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Altar of Change?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you grovel before me, I will be merciful and let Solomorne finish you off quickly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Governor, fool... Or perhaps you're just a madman, Bluff."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Enough talk. I will not listen to another word of this heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you grovel before me, I will be merciful and let Solomorne finish you off quickly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Governor, fool... Or perhaps you're just a madman, Bluff."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Enough talk. I will not listen to another word of this heresy."continues where this line first appears above
SolomorneThe Arbitrator gives you a subtle nod: the cyber-mastiff is close enough for a decisive lunge.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Altar of Change?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you grovel before me, I will be merciful and let Solomorne finish you off quickly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Governor, fool... Or perhaps you're just a madman, Bluff."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Enough talk. I will not listen to another word of this heresy."continues where this line first appears above
SolomorneThe Arbitrator gives you a subtle nod: the cyber-mastiff is close enough for a decisive lunge.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your scribe Gorgorius Falt left some intriguing notes behind. In them, he appears to be describing the switching of... bodies? Is that part of your plan?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Altar of Change?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you grovel before me, I will be merciful and let Solomorne finish you off quickly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Governor, fool... Or perhaps you're just a madman, Bluff."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Enough talk. I will not listen to another word of this heresy."continues where this line first appears above
SolomorneThe Arbitrator gives you a subtle nod: the cyber-mastiff is close enough for a decisive lunge.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose the irregularities with the tithe were part of your plan, too?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your scribe Gorgorius Falt left some intriguing notes behind. In them, he appears to be describing the switching of... bodies? Is that part of your plan?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Altar of Change?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you grovel before me, I will be merciful and let Solomorne finish you off quickly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Governor, fool... Or perhaps you're just a madman, Bluff."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Enough talk. I will not listen to another word of this heresy."continues where this line first appears above
SolomorneThe Arbitrator gives you a subtle nod: the cyber-mastiff is close enough for a decisive lunge.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are the real governor, why bother masquerading as the fool?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose the irregularities with the tithe were part of your plan, too?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your scribe Gorgorius Falt left some intriguing notes behind. In them, he appears to be describing the switching of... bodies? Is that part of your plan?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Altar of Change?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you grovel before me, I will be merciful and let Solomorne finish you off quickly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Governor, fool... Or perhaps you're just a madman, Bluff."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Enough talk. I will not listen to another word of this heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was it that Maive should have done, Bluff?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take off the mask. I want to see whom I'm speaking to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was it that Maive should have done, Bluff?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The governor is dead. Was it your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take off the mask. I want to see whom I'm speaking to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was it that Maive should have done, Bluff?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Bodyguards for a private conversation? Isn't that a bit much?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The governor is dead. Was it your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take off the mask. I want to see whom I'm speaking to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was it that Maive should have done, Bluff?"continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
NPCAt once, you recognise him as the sculptor who offered to carve your visage out of thassertium. The old man does not seem to notice you — all his attention is focused on the strange altar.
end of branch
Taddua the ScorchedTaddua the executioner stands behind the fool and gives you a crooked smile.
end of branch
Commander LucraNearby, Lucra, the fortress commander, keeps a sullen vigil. His hand never leaves the handle of his weapon.