PrefectYou manage to land a hit before one of the Arbitrators knocks you off your feet with a stunning blow. You hear an elderly groan nearby — despite your efforts, the prefect is still alive.
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Prefect(no text)
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PrefectThe Arbitrators beat you to the draw — your defiance is punished before you can land a single blow against the prefect.
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PrefectThe prefect's lips press together into a thin line, and it seems that the first real emotion she has ever shown is now breaking through her facade — righteous fury. "I am your protectorate's last hope against the jaws of anarchy, irresponsibility, and complete unravelling! I alone can save this part of the Imperium that had the misfortune of falling into the hands of those whose only motivations are profit, excitement, and feeding their own egos!"
PrefectVultur takes a few trembling breaths as she finally calms down and seemingly becomes conscious of her own outburst. Without giving you another glance, she gestures to the Arbitrators. "Escort the accused to his/her proper place."
PrefectFor a moment, the Arbitrators exchange glances — they may be prepared to take you into custody, but the prefect's furious outburst has not gone unnoticed.
YOU[Allow yourself to be escorted to the trial] "So be it. Let's see what you have prepared for me."
PrefectThe prefect gives a dispassionate nod to the Arbitrators behind you and turns away.
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YOU[Attack the prefect]
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PrefectThe prefect looks you in the eye without blinking. Her lips slowly stretch into a faint smile visible only to you. "Resorting to insults in the face of imminent downfall? How base, von Valancius. Not unlike yourself." She makes a gesture toward the Arbitrators and turns away.
YOU[Allow yourself to be escorted to the trial] "So be it. Let's see what you have prepared for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the prefect]continues where this line first appears above
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PrefectYour taunt hits its mark: an angry grimace passes over the prefect's face. She immediately recomposes herself, but it is too late — you saw how much your words have offended her, and she knows that you caught her reaction.
Prefect"Unsubstantiated conjecture mixed with an inflated sense of self-importance. I am honoured to do my duty wherever His will commands me to be."
YOU"You twisted my report on Thassera to paint me as a heretic."
Prefect"All I did was provide a summary of the results of your expedition — a summary stripped of dubious attributes such as declarations of good intentions and de-emphasised consequences."
YOU"You twisted my report on Thassera to paint me as a heretic."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your only goal has been to get your hands on the tithe from Leethus!"
PrefectVultur sighs. "Not everyone is driven by greed and thrill-seeking, Rogue Trader. I see your position has clouded your mind... Regrettable, but unsurprising — without due discipline in judgement and actions, it is only the most likely terminus."
YOU"You twisted my report on Thassera to paint me as a heretic."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your only goal has been to get your hands on the tithe from Leethus!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You spied on me. You knew of every word I said. How does it feel to sneak glances at one whom you could never hope to become?"
YOU"You wanted to go to Leethus yourself. A foolish mistake, Prefect — your impatience was too obvious."
YOU"Your blatant attempts at manipulation were painful to observe — the crude work of a talentless old crone who thinks herself worthy of judging those who are superior to her in every regard."
YOU"Just admit it: you set me up!"
PrefectThe prefect sighs heavily. "I shouldn't have even tried to hear you out, Rogue Trader..." She gives a nod to the Arbitrators, signalling them to escort you to the accused's stand.
YOU[Allow yourself to be escorted to the trial] "So be it. Let's see what you have prepared for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the prefect]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You spied on me. You knew of every word I said. How does it feel to sneak glances at one whom you could never hope to become?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You wanted to go to Leethus yourself. A foolish mistake, Prefect — your impatience was too obvious."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your blatant attempts at manipulation were painful to observe — the crude work of a talentless old crone who thinks herself worthy of judging those who are superior to her in every regard."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it: you set me up!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your only goal has been to get your hands on the tithe from Leethus!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You spied on me. You knew of every word I said. How does it feel to sneak glances at one whom you could never hope to become?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You wanted to go to Leethus yourself. A foolish mistake, Prefect — your impatience was too obvious."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your blatant attempts at manipulation were painful to observe — the crude work of a talentless old crone who thinks herself worthy of judging those who are superior to her in every regard."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it: you set me up!"continues where this line first appears above
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PrefectYet another, painful crease appears on the prefect's brow. You feel confident that your comment got to her.
Prefect"I simply wished to do what you as Theodora's successor were supposed to do — protect the sacred tithe. There is no point in trying to present my reasonable desire in a damning light."
YOU"You twisted my report on Thassera to paint me as a heretic."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your only goal has been to get your hands on the tithe from Leethus!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You spied on me. You knew of every word I said. How does it feel to sneak glances at one whom you could never hope to become?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You wanted to go to Leethus yourself. A foolish mistake, Prefect — your impatience was too obvious."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your blatant attempts at manipulation were painful to observe — the crude work of a talentless old crone who thinks herself worthy of judging those who are superior to her in every regard."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it: you set me up!"continues where this line first appears above
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Entry point 27 of 27
PrefectPrefect Inscribia Vultur raises her eyes to you. "Rogue Trader von Valancius. Welcome back to the Palace of Justice."
YOU"What is happening on Dargonus? What is the cause of the panic, and why this private conversation?"
Prefect"That is why you are here, is it not? To learn why the world is distressed, why the air is charged with vox-transmissions... Any administrator worth their station would be concerned — disruptions to established processes always lead to... Well, no matter."
PrefectThe prefect peers at your face. Her voice sounds strange — deeper, calmer, less cantankerous than usual. "Have you ever pondered the nature of heresy, von Valancius? Perhaps, to your mind, heresy is merely limited to xenos, warp spawn, and insurgents... But there are other heresies, whose existence is far more easily forgotten: those of negligence, of avarice, of confusion and disorder..."
YOU"What are you getting at?"
Prefect"Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, in accordance with the amendment to Decree 64-98/DF issued by the Adeptus Administratum and the Adeptus Arbites, you stand accused of countless heresies against the sacred tithe and the well-being of the protectorate. All related statements have been formulated and the evidence of your crimes registered — the proceedings will commence as soon as you and your accomplices present yourselves as the accused..." The prefect looks at you with the eyes of a snake. "A trial awaits you, [Name]."
YOU"Who in the void do you think you are?"
Prefect"I am His servant and a votary of the Imperium's prosperity. I cannot stand idly by and watch you trample on the glorious legacy of your bloodline."
YOU"Who in the void do you think you are?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A trial? This is my protectorate! I am the law here!"
Prefect"And it is this conviction that has turned you into a monster that, in its charge toward the abyss, aims to drag the whole realm down with it." The prefect's eyes seem to burn right through you. "The gravity of your crimes is enough to depose your entire dynasty. Do not oppose the law, von Valancius — doing so will only serve to make your situation worse."
YOU[Allow yourself to be escorted to the trial] "So be it. Let's see what you have prepared for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the prefect]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This was all one carefully orchestrated spectacle, wasn't it?"
PrefectThe prefect, who was about to turn away, stops and glances back at you with a fatigued look. "What?"
YOU"You twisted my report on Thassera to paint me as a heretic."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your only goal has been to get your hands on the tithe from Leethus!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You spied on me. You knew of every word I said. How does it feel to sneak glances at one whom you could never hope to become?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You wanted to go to Leethus yourself. A foolish mistake, Prefect — your impatience was too obvious."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your blatant attempts at manipulation were painful to observe — the crude work of a talentless old crone who thinks herself worthy of judging those who are superior to her in every regard."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it: you set me up!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Grab your weapon]
Prefect"I do not recommend this course of action, Rogue Trader. You cannot stop the machine of justice, for its millstones have already been set in motion. Such rashness will only worsen your situation further."
YOU[Allow yourself to be escorted to the trial] "So be it. Let's see what you have prepared for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the prefect]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A trial? This is my protectorate! I am the law here!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This was all one carefully orchestrated spectacle, wasn't it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Grab your weapon]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough of this nonsense! Answer me plainly!"
Prefect"Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, in accordance with the amendment to Decree 64-98/DF issued by the Adeptus Administratum and the Adeptus Arbites, you stand accused of countless heresies against the sacred tithe and the well-being of the protectorate. All related statements have been formulated and the evidence of your crimes registered — the proceedings will commence as soon as you and your accomplices present yourselves as the accused..." The prefect looks at you with the eyes of a snake. "A trial awaits you, [Name]."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Whatever form it may take, heresy always treads quietly, unbeknownst to its ultimate victim. I believe both of us have given some thought to this in recent days."
PrefectThe prefect gives you a different look from before, and the century-old weariness in her eyes dissipates for just a moment. There is surprise and piqued curiosity in her expression, both of which, however, she quickly conceals behind the usual veil of aloofness.
Prefect"Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, in accordance with the amendment to Decree 64-98/DF issued by the Adeptus Administratum and the Adeptus Arbites, you stand accused of countless heresies against the sacred tithe and the well-being of the protectorate. All related statements have been formulated and the evidence of your crimes registered — the proceedings will commence as soon as you and your accomplices present yourselves as the accused..." The prefect looks at you with the eyes of a snake. "A trial awaits you, [Name]."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why were the tithe barges detained?"
Prefect"Due to recent suspicions of the heresy of concealing the sacred tithe, an emergency inspection has been initiated. Until said inspection is complete, the tithe will remain in the custody of the Administratum for a term amounting to 145 planetary cycles and 17 solar cycles according to Dargonus chronometry."
PrefectThe prefect peers at your face. Her voice sounds strange — deeper, calmer, less cantankerous than usual. "Have you ever pondered the nature of heresy, von Valancius? Perhaps, to your mind, heresy is merely limited to xenos, warp spawn, and insurgents... But there are other heresies, whose existence is far more easily forgotten: those of negligence, of avarice, of confusion and disorder..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is the world under attack? Are there any casualties?"
Prefect"No, no physical harm has come to your protectorate during your absence." Vultur shakes her head. "However, the threat of a different kind of heresy looms over the capital."
PrefectThe prefect peers at your face. Her voice sounds strange — deeper, calmer, less cantankerous than usual. "Have you ever pondered the nature of heresy, von Valancius? Perhaps, to your mind, heresy is merely limited to xenos, warp spawn, and insurgents... But there are other heresies, whose existence is far more easily forgotten: those of negligence, of avarice, of confusion and disorder..."continues where this line first appears above