ZarkovYou notice some among the Guardsmen cringing in pain, as if from a headache, or twitching. These people look deranged, ready to snap into violence or dance in delirious joy at any moment.
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"
Vedka DunawskiThe captain-quartermaster meets the colonel's eyes and steps forward. "The 32nd Merov Penal Regiment was requisitioned centuries ago by Rogue Trader Seberian von Valancius. During an expedition to GH-89-717, which is now called Zarkov, the Lord Captain was lost in the roots. His retinue brought the Final Order, boarded the ship, and did not return. We have waited ever since. We have waited for you, Your Lordship/Ladyship!"
Izdrig BatoshskiBatoshski's intense gaze presses against your chest with almost physical force. "The First Call-Up. Our predecessors swore an oath of loyalty to your ancestor, heir of Seberian. We intend to fulfil it. One way or another..."
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"
Izdrig Batoshski"To hold the line until the arrival of the dynastic fleet. As you can see, we have succeeded."
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"
Vedka Dunawski"The greatest!" Dunawski declares in a voice filled with the most profound conviction.
Izdrig Batoshski"We served your hallowed ancestor several centuries ago, lord/lady heir. We honour him for his deeds, but no one living knows him as a person."
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."
Izdrig BatoshskiA predatory grin cracks across the colonel's heavy features. "Some sort of huge, overgrown vine? That was the Drover. That vile thing has the whole Cage under siege."
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"
Izdrig Batoshski"And what does it look like? A vicious, colossal monster. It stretches its tendrils everywhere, trying to devour us. It's been this way for as long as I can remember." Batoshski's cheeks flush crimson, and he falls silent for a moment, waiting for the surge of rage to pass. When he speaks again, his voice is almost calm. "We are simple people. We need to know how to survive an encounter with the Drover, not to understand where it came from."
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"
Izdrig BatoshskiThe colonel grimaces and sweeps a furious gaze over his people. Under his glare, they flinch, straighten their backs, and nod. "No. Not sick. Not really. We're hanging in there. We can't be broken."
Vedka Dunawski"It's the Drover, Your Lordship/Ladyship. Its cry is inaudible but is like a weight pressing down on your mind. It causes pain, nightmares, and drives you mad. Anger, fear... anything is possible. If you give in, you lose control of yourself. Not long ago, one of us snapped and knifed a recruit just because he dropped his rations."
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."
Izdrig BatoshskiBatoshski tilts his head like a beast before a pounce, yet his voice is surprisingly low and calm. "Down below, beneath the outpost, lies his tomb. We don't go there, we don't want to disturb the memory of your ancestor. If you desire to visit the Rogue Trader, you are more than welcome. But the Drover has entrenched itself right beside it, which means going there is certain death."
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"
Izdrig BatoshskiBatoshski scratches his beard in thought. "The Handbook says 'vox-stations,' as you call them, are for inter-regimental communication. My grandfather said he saw the casing of the last one on this world, but the roots swallowed it long ago. So, we have no 'vox-station' here."
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."
Vedka Dunawski"Our elders told us that, back when we still had communications, the channels would go dead whenever Drovers were near. What was it they said...? It 'puts the machine spirits to sleep.' That's it!"
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"
Izdrig Batoshski"Quite right, heir of Seberian, quite right..." The colonel thoughtfully grinds his teeth while staring at you.
YOU"And why don't you drive the creature away from your settlement yourselves?"
Izdrig BatoshskiIzdrig only gives a bitter smile. "Because we aren't fools eager for an early grave, and we aren't the Brother-Generals who drive their men to the slaughter. We endure. We survive. Just as we have for centuries."
YOU"And why don't you drive the creature away from your settlement yourselves?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not intend to waste my time dealing with some creature."
Izdrig Batoshski"No one is asking you to. Make yourself comfortable. With any luck, the Drover will crawl away on its own in a couple of months."
YOU"And why don't you drive the creature away from your settlement yourselves?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not intend to waste my time dealing with some creature."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. I will put an end to this creature."
Vedka Dunawski"That would be a deed worthy of the true heir of Seberian von Valancius"
Vedka DunawskiDunawski's ringing voice makes Batoshski, standing beside her, wince. "Did you all hear that? Von Valancius is with us now! He/She will slay the Drover, endure the Trial Match with the colonel, and accept our oath! The Final Order shall be fulfilled, just as was promised!"
YOU"What? Wait just a moment, that wasn't part of the agreement!"
Izdrig BatoshskiColonel Batoshski lets out a low, guttural growl to catch your attention. "When you return, we fight. That is the law of our regiment. There is no other way."
YOU"What? Wait just a moment, that wasn't part of the agreement!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Trial Match?'"
Vedka Dunawski"Regimental tradition, Your Lordship/Ladyship. To take command, one must best the existing commander in combat. And that man is Izdrig."
YOU"What? Wait just a moment, that wasn't part of the agreement!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Trial Match?'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine, whatever you say. Just tell me where to find this irritating creature so I can end it."
Izdrig Batoshski"Take the lift down. It'll put you right outside that thorny bastard's lair." The colonel exhales heavily, the air hissing from his lungs. His green eyes, clouded by a veil of rage, rake over your face before suddenly softening. "If you want to throw your life away for nothing, I won't stop you, you can leave now. But if you have enough humility to take advice from a local, I'll be waiting for you at my quarters."
Vedka DunawskiCaptain Dunawski gives you a conspiratorial look. "Welcome to Zarkov, welcome to the Cage. Please, Your Lordship/Ladyship, I would ask for a private audience."
Izdrig Batoshski"The welcoming ceremony is over. Regiment, dismissed!" Following Batoshski's command, the soldiers seem to vanish into thin air. Yet dozens of wary eyes continue to track your every move.
end of branch
YOU"Very well. Let's get this over with quickly."
Izdrig Batoshski"Take the lift down. It'll put you right outside that thorny bastard's lair." The colonel exhales heavily, the air hissing from his lungs. His green eyes, clouded by a veil of rage, rake over your face before suddenly softening. "If you want to throw your life away for nothing, I won't stop you, you can leave now. But if you have enough humility to take advice from a local, I'll be waiting for you at my quarters."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine, whatever you say. Just tell me where to find this irritating creature so I can end it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Let's get this over with quickly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Trial Match?'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine, whatever you say. Just tell me where to find this irritating creature so I can end it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Let's get this over with quickly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are incapable of doing it yourselves, I shall be the one to finish it."
Izdrig Batoshski"Commissar talk, heir of Seberian."
Vedka Dunawski"That would be a deed worthy of the true heir of Seberian von Valancius"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you wish to take your oaths, here is my first order: destroy that creature and get me back to my flagship!"
Izdrig Batoshski"We will swear our oaths to you, heir of Seberian, no doubt. But first, we must be certain that the blood of the noble Rogue Trader truly runs through your veins. We may have gone feral, but we haven't lost our wits, and we're accustomed to judging people by their deeds."
YOU"And why don't you drive the creature away from your settlement yourselves?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not intend to waste my time dealing with some creature."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. I will put an end to this creature."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are incapable of doing it yourselves, I shall be the one to finish it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you wish to take your oaths, here is my first order: destroy that creature and get me back to my flagship!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. I will put an end to this creature."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are incapable of doing it yourselves, I shall be the one to finish it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you wish to take your oaths, here is my first order: destroy that creature and get me back to my flagship!"continues where this line first appears above
Zarkov(sequence)
Argenta"Survival is no excuse for cowardice, Guardsman!"
Jae"Yes, yes, shereen, you are right, as always..." Jae catches your gaze and adds in a whisper. "But I will choose survival, thank you."
end of branch
YOU"I do not intend to waste my time dealing with some creature."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. I will put an end to this creature."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you are incapable of doing it yourselves, I shall be the one to finish it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Since you wish to take your oaths, here is my first order: destroy that creature and get me back to my flagship!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
Zarkov(sequence)
Solomorne"Or they are hiding it..." Solomorne surveys those present with a sceptical eye. "Unlikely, though. That would require far too much subtlety for such rabble."
end of branch
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
Zarkov(sequence)
ArgentaArgenta regards the soldier with a bitterness born of witnessing a wound beyond healing. Her voice is thick with solemn fatalism. "It is unbearable to see these soldiers afflicted by one of the most foul and contagious diseases imaginable: fear! Do not catch it yourself, [Name]."
end of branch
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
Zarkov(sequence)
Jae"Hmm... Never heard of such a thing, shereen. Must be something from those ashmags' homeworld."
end of branch
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
Zarkov(sequence)
Cassia"Their colours... smeared. Ruined. As if someone has defiled a painting, dragging a brush dipped in crimson-brown across the still-wet canvas..."
end of branch
Idira"Their brains have been thoroughly scrambled here. They look like they might start howling with rage."
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 8
ZarkovA new wave of pain grips your skull, making you wince. There is something strange about these not-quite-savages, not-quite-Guardsmen — something in their behaviour... But the noise in your head makes it hard to focus.
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
Zarkov(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 8
Zarkov(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 8
Zarkov(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 8 of 8
ZarkovYou are surrounded by dozens of people dressed in what only vaguely resembles Astra Militarum uniform. Homespun cloth is overlaid with wooden plates, mimicking Imperial flak armour. These clothes are adorned with numerous trophies: pelts, bones, bark, and remnants of giant plants. The savages flaunt their scars and stumps, yet many are fitted with primitive prosthetics. From time to time, someone in the group bares their teeth like a beast, while others nervously grip their weapons.
Sergeant Janur"Colonel Batoshski, permission to report?" Janur steps forward and gives a salute to the huge man, who looks at you sternly. "The 3rd Supply Platoon deployed on a mission and found survivors from the downed flying machine. The leader of the group identified himself/herself as Rogue Trader von Valancius!"
YOU"Indeed. I am [Name] von Valancius."
Izdrig BatoshskiColonel Batoshski scowls at you. His bright green eyes are bloodshot and a low growl escapes through his teeth. "I am Colonel Izdrig Batoshski, 32nd Merov Penal Regiment. I welcome you to the Cage, heir of Seberian."
Vedka DunawskiThe woman standing beside him bows, her single eye fixed on you. Her voice rings out, piercing the heavy buzz of the crowd. "Have you come to renew our oaths, Your Lordship/Ladyship?"
Izdrig Batoshski"Captain-Quartermaster Dunawski!" Batoshski snaps his head toward her, and for a moment you imagine you hear the gnashing of fangs, as if a wild beast disciplines a member of its pack. The woman snaps to attention and salutes.
YOU"What oaths do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this 'Final Order' you speak of?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your regiment served Seberian? Tell me, what kind of man was he?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something brought down my shuttle."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did this Drover come from, and what is it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the crowd]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something is wrong here. Your people... are they sick, Colonel?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Actually, I came here following the trail of my ancestor, Seberian von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need to return to my flagship. Do you have a vox-station?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My personal comm-bead isn't working either. Normally, the flagship can reach me, but now there's some kind of interference."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So that means my goal is right under the nose of this Drover. And while it is alive, I will be stuck here with no communications?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kneel, for before you stands [Name] von Valancius, bearer of the Warrant of Trade and anointed of the God-Emperor."
Izdrig BatoshskiColonel Batoshski scowls at you. His bright green eyes are bloodshot and a low growl escapes through his teeth. "I am Colonel Izdrig Batoshski, 32nd Merov Penal Regiment. I welcome you to the Cage, heir of Seberian."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, introduce me to these people."
Abelard"Before you stands [Name] von Valancius himself/herself, conqueror of the Koronus Expanse, Sovereign of Dargonus, Janus, and a multitude of other worlds. Bow your heads in awe and reverence, for neither before nor after this moment are you destined to behold anyone of greater majesty!"
Izdrig BatoshskiColonel Batoshski scowls at you. His bright green eyes are bloodshot and a low growl escapes through his teeth. "I am Colonel Izdrig Batoshski, 32nd Merov Penal Regiment. I welcome you to the Cage, heir of Seberian."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Wait silently for them to continue]
Izdrig BatoshskiColonel Batoshski scowls at you. His bright green eyes are bloodshot and a low growl escapes through his teeth. "I am Colonel Izdrig Batoshski, 32nd Merov Penal Regiment. I welcome you to the Cage, heir of Seberian."continues where this line first appears above