AbelardA powerfully built man among the fighters quickly surveys the battlefield. His face, determined and impassive, recalls those seen on statues of heroes of the Imperium. His gaze remains trained on you as he raises an iron fist: "Arbitrators, secure perimeter, formation 47-55. Glaito, heel."
AbelardThe huge cyber-mastiff immediately stops snarling in your direction and goes quiet at its master's foot, its stillness punctuated only by the thick globules of blood dripping from its metal fangs.
Abelard"Proctor-Exactant Solomorne Anthar of the Adeptus Arbites. State your name and the purpose of your stay on Rykad Minoris." His voice is calm and even, yet his finger remains firmly positioned on the trigger of his weapon.
YOU"Abelard, what makes this man think he can demand anything of me?"
Abelard"His being a member of the Adeptus Arbites, I presume. One might say such a tone is... an attribute of their occupation, Your Lordship/Ladyship." Abelard furrows his brows. "Proctor, before you stands Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, the Emperor's anointed and bearer of the sacred Warrant. As for His Lordship/Her Ladyship's business on this planet, I'm afraid you do not have the authority to demand an answer. I would ask that you treat the Lord Captain with the same respect that you gave Lady Theodora... the late Lady Theodora."
Abelard"So, Theodora von Valancius is dead. I will deliver this tragic news to Marshal Strachs."
AbelardThe Arbitrator bows his head. "I honour the pact your predecessor made with the Adeptus Arbites. I won't keep you any longer."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"
Abelard"Your predecessor made a formal alliance with us. She provided us with a headquarters on Dargonus and supported us in the collection and guarding of the Imperial Tithe on several occasions. We, in turn, assisted Lady Theodora in enforcing the law on the worlds under her control."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."
AbelardSolomorne thumps himself on the chest and humbly says: "I ask your forgiveness and request that you do not base your opinion of the Arbitrators on my conduct."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"
Abelard"Removing obstructions to an official enquiry," the Proctor says without a hint of irony in his expression. "My unit and I came here to investigate the disappearance of one particularly valuable ship, but the mutinous scum got in the way. Now, we are having to deal with them too."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"
Abelard"Only that the governor is failing in his responsibilities." The Proctor's voice is dry, matter-of-fact. "This is a planet-wide rebellion, and it reeks of madness — or worse: of witchcraft. The rebels are blinding both themselves and others, and their ravings are the most insane and unholy thing I've ever heard."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."
Abelard"Not every uprising demands action by the Adeptus Arbites. For now, I am simply assessing the situation, and if our investigation requires that the rebellion be crushed, then we will intervene. Still, the governor had best put a stop to this bedlam. He is not here to just sit and look pretty."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"
Abelard"It's 'about' a tithe ship," he says forcefully. "A vessel loaded to the brim with planetary tithes — amassed over a considerable period — suddenly went dark as soon as it departed Rykad Minoris."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"
Abelard"Resources that every world is under obligation to relinquish for the good of the Imperium. In the case of Rykad Minoris, they include the ceramite and explosive reagents produced on Rykadi Philia, armaglass, medical supplies, and Guardsmen — a living tithe to be recruited into the regiments of the Astra Militarum. Cargo like that is particularly dangerous in the hands of heretics as it can be easily converted into wealth or used for military purposes."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"
Abelard"Fight our way to the local Administratum palace and ascertain whether a fire, or some other disaster, hasn't destroyed the documents related to the investigation — I hope the clerks were smart enough to put the records before their lives. If the Emperor favours us, we will extract the data we need or else interrogate the survivors before we pay our visit to the governor — the questions we have for him are beginning to pile up."
AbelardThe cyber-mastiff lets out a low growl and leans forward somewhere to the side. Solomorne fires a shot in the same direction without even looking. You hear a stifled, gurgling rattle.
Abelard"Arbitrators, eliminate the surviving rebels." He immediately ejects the smoking casing from the chamber and reloads his weapon, ready for combat once more. "Now is not the best time for conversations. We're target practice, standing around like this. Unless you have more questions, I will proceed with my assignment."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"
Abelard"Every citizen of this planet is a suspect, but Governor Medineh is under particular scrutiny. Seizing the sacred tithe requires access to information, resources, and power. The governor fits that profile."
Abelard"Then, there's this rebellion. Convenient. How many records and crucial witnesses do you think will be lost? Some people might call it a 'cover-up.' I do not like how aptly this term describes the present situation."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."
Abelard"That skirmish just now? Glaito didn't even get to show off a tenth of what he is capable of." Solomorne ruffles the dog's neck. "But he is quickly catching up with me for who's killed the most heretics today."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."
Abelard"I must refuse. Our mission and the Marshal's orders take priority, even over a request from an individual as empowered as you."
YOU"What was the nature of the arrangement between the Arbites and Theodora?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."
Abelard"May the Emperor watch over us — that way, this meeting won't be our last."
end of branch
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That you did not know I was a Rogue Trader is irrelevant. Apologise, now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you and your people doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about the situation on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you not supposed to help the governor regain control over this world? I thought that maintaining order was the foremost duty of any Arbitrator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's this about a missing ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What does the stolen tithe entail?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you intend to do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, the governor is a suspect?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Nod at the cyber-mastiff] "That is one fearsome-looking dog. I was impressed by its performance in battle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am on my way to see the governor myself. You and your unit could accompany me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Proctor Anthar? Since I do not recall seeing you among my subordinates, I must assume that we served in different parts of Calixis. I am [Name] von Valancius. I took on Lady Theodora's title after her recent death."
Abelard"So then, the new head of the dynasty is someone who has spent most of his/her life serving the Lex Imperialis. I suppose it is better to receive both good and bad news than just bad. I will be sure to report both of these developments to Marshal Strachs."
AbelardThe Arbitrator bows his head. "I honour the pact your predecessor made with the Adeptus Arbites. I won't keep you any longer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cool it, lawman, and show some respect — the name is Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, and as far as you're concerned, I am untouchable. Do we understand each other?"
AbelardFor a moment, the Proctor's expression changes, as if he had been kicked in the chest. "Unless the Emperor has taken my sanity, Lady Theodora is dead, and her heir is... It does not matter who you were before — I will conduct myself appropriately when dealing with the bearer of the sacred Warrant as is expected of any Arbitrator, including Marshal Strachs."
AbelardThe Arbitrator bows his head. "I honour the pact your predecessor made with the Adeptus Arbites. I won't keep you any longer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am [Name] von Valancius, successor to the recently deceased Theodora von Valancius. I have come to this world on personal business."
Abelard"So, Theodora von Valancius is dead. I will deliver this tragic news to Marshal Strachs."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking to a Rogue Trader, and that is all the information you are entitled to at this moment. I will be asking the questions from now on."
Abelard"A Rogue Trader? Incendia Chorda has no heirs, and I know all of Calligos Winterscale's potential successors by name."
Abelard"So, Theodora von Valancius is dead. I will deliver this tragic news to Marshal Strachs."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not stand in my way. Who I am is no concern of yours."
Abelard"Words won't make me stand aside. Unless, of course, you answer my question."
YOU"Abelard, what makes this man think he can demand anything of me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Proctor Anthar? Since I do not recall seeing you among my subordinates, I must assume that we served in different parts of Calixis. I am [Name] von Valancius. I took on Lady Theodora's title after her recent death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cool it, lawman, and show some respect — the name is Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, and as far as you're concerned, I am untouchable. Do we understand each other?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am [Name] von Valancius, successor to the recently deceased Theodora von Valancius. I have come to this world on personal business."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking to a Rogue Trader, and that is all the information you are entitled to at this moment. I will be asking the questions from now on."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not stand in my way. Who I am is no concern of yours."continues where this line first appears above