Exalt117Main — Rogue Trader Dialogue Archive

Entry point 1 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 2 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 3 of 32

NPC"Your meta-references are abstract. The hypothesis is assessed as nonsensical."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

NPC"I doubt it. My augments are an act of reverence for the Omnissiah, a flawless alignment of parameters. Their function and placement are calculated with perfect precision." Exalt-117 fixes his unseeing gaze on the piece of metal in your hands. Suddenly, he flinches. "Calculations indicate... the need for further study."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

NPC"Your chosen network of data-coordinates is not within my standard circuit of thought, but I find it necessary to perform the preliminary calculations..."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

NPC"Your chosen network of data-coordinates is not within my standard circuit of thought, but I find it necessary to perform the preliminary calculations..."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

NPC"This proposal goes beyond the patterns of what is acceptable during a state of war." After a moment's silence, the Magos adds, more quietly, "Regicide is a closed system with deterministic outcomes, requiring no sophisticated navigation skills. I only play triple-blind vector regicide: one round of this entertaining game contains logical fun compressed to thirty seconds."

YOU"So let's play. Tell me the rules."

NPCThe Magos's exhaustive explanation, replete with numbers and obscure terms, takes some time. When your head begins to spin from the volume of information, he makes the first move — just by stating two words.

NPCDespite your best efforts, the game is over quickly. Exalt-117's moves are perfectly calculated — it is as if he sees the non-existent board in several dimensions at once — but all you can do is carefully memorise the play. After the final winning move, the Magos concludes: "Do not reproach yourself. Laypersons are often unable to keep track of the numerical vectors. I personally reworked the rules of classical blind regicide to suit the calculation mechanisms of sacred machines."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

NPC"My path has always aligned with Seneschal Voigtvir's, but I see no need to answer hypothetical queries at this juncture."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."

NPC"Excluding the data from my calculations."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

NPCThe Magos is silent for a long time. When he begins to speak again, his voice sounds faint, as though it is travelling across a great distance. "Knowledge is the key to everything, and comprehension is the path to knowledge. Let us suppose that my data-coordinates are based on a false point of reference. What alternative are you proposing?"

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

NPC"Because the hypothesis you are proposing provokes in me the sensation of being utterly lost in space, both physically and informationally."

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

NPC"The point of reference... has been accepted as valid. Initiating coordinate reconstruction." The humming of Exalt-117's internal mechanisms grows quieter, and in the rhythmic noise you hear his hushed whisper of surprise: "The data-index has harmonised. It radiates... cold."

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

NPC"Interpolating an area of uncertainty... The calculation does not produce clear results. But why the interest in my memory map? Are you familiar with some of its key data points?"

YOU"Yes. Outside the loop, you are dead, and have been for a bloody long time. I've seen your remains."

NPCThe humming in the Tech-Priest's mechanical organs fades, leaving you in sepulchral silence. For a moment, Exalt-117 becomes an unmoving, dead mechanism. "This explains the limitations of my memory map. The falsity of the data-index. The dysfunction. The ways by which such a thing is possible lie beyond my knowledge circuits. But I thank you for clarifying the coordinates."

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

NPC"Initial hypothesis: an atypically high level of processes within the organic mind."

NPC"After triangulating the data received, I propose that the cause is the lack of cognitive processing on the part of the operator. You have seriously disrupted the unseen data indexing of the anomaly."

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"

NPC"Perhaps the loop will be stopped by a critical correction in the usual course of events within. Regrettably, I cannot perform the triangulation myself — I lack even the data to indicate exactly how long I have been here." The humming inside the Magos's body becomes irregular. "Do you have a plan capable of altering the current trajectory of events?"

YOU"What would your actions be in this situation?"

NPC"If the end is always the same, then all we can study are the trajectories of movement toward it. I would determine the vectors of movement of each of the participants, and in the quest for truth, I would not reject a single tactical manoeuvre, even if it required stepping into the line of fire or following the course chosen by the enemy."

NPC"A vector always has a direction, and the most perverse trap always has a design. Try to understand what the purpose of this time trap is, and subvert it."

YOU"What would your actions be in this situation?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"When Seberian convenes his war council, I will decide how we should proceed. Wait for a sign."

NPC"May the Omnissiah lead us to our objective."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

NPC"Regretfully, no. That is outside the scope of the data-index."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

NPCA steady hum comes from deep within the Tech-Priest's body. "The map of sacred knowledge is full of gaps, and only by refining them can thought advance. Tell me, what critical discrepancies have been recorded?"

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

NPCThe Magos says nothing for a time, the hum of his metal body the only reminder of his presence. Then he sighs, heavily and wearily. "If there is no other way, I accept this point of reference."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

NPC"The only one in my data-index is the enforcer captain Isimond Sauerback. He has been honoured with the blessing of a dynasty plasma pistol. Other weapons are used outside the palace system."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

NPC"Regrettably, the information you seek lies outside the circuit of knowledge accessible to the laity."

NPC"However, calculating the path to comprehending the anomaly requires complete data."

NPC"The matter is that the air defence battery does not require repair. The error that disrupted the guiding mechanisms was introduced into the navigation grid using basic access codes, the probability of this being an accident is minimal. Logical calculation leads to a disappointing conclusion: there is an individual inside the headquarters who is sabotaging the sacred machines."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

NPCThe Magos's body jolts as the Motive Force sparks through his augmented arm, melting the isolate protruding from his metal shoulder. The nearby Tech-Priests prop up his sagging form and convey him hurriedly him to the infirmary.

end of branch

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

NPC"Your calculations are regrettably flawed. I am performing a priority function at the current physical coordinates."

YOU"The inner perimeter turrets require an immediate inspection."

NPC"Please do not encroach upon a control radius beyond your competence. A layperson, which you are, does not possess sufficiently advanced knowledge to assign priority to malfunction events."

YOU[Show Laria's ring] "This is a request from Laria Voigtvir."

NPC"Information received, priority changed. For some reason, the probability of critical errors continues to increase in proportion to the necessity of the function..."

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YOU"This is an order from Juvenna von Valancius."

NPC"Information received, priority changed. For some reason, the probability of critical errors continues to increase in proportion to the necessity of the function..."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I am certain that this will help destroy the time trap."

YOU"Please listen to me, Magos. I know of what I speak."

YOU"A critical instability has been identified in the air defence battery installed at the outpost. It requires immediate repair."

NPC"Please do not encroach upon a control radius beyond your competence. A layperson, which you are, does not possess sufficiently advanced knowledge to assign priority to malfunction events."

YOU[Show Laria's ring] "This is a request from Laria Voigtvir."

NPC"Information received, priority changed. For some reason, the probability of critical errors continues to increase in proportion to the necessity of the function..."

end of branch

YOU"This is an order from Juvenna von Valancius."

YOU"I am certain that this will help destroy the time trap."

YOU"Please listen to me, Magos. I know of what I speak."

YOU"Please disconnect from the cogitators and direct your attention to calculating the air attacks. Your tech-trance is hindering your vigilance."

NPCAfter lapsing into silence for several seconds, Exalt-117 finally declares, "Your comment is notable for its surprising accuracy. Constructing a new trajectory of movement."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

NPC"Remarkable accuracy in the rituals of the tech-sacraments! I would like to meet the person who calibrated you."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

NPC"If you are correct, then my data-index diverges further and further with every loop. This seriously limits my radius of thought."

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."

NPC"May the Omnissiah lead us to our objective."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."

NPCExalt-117 turns away from you.

end of branch

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Forget what I said."

NPC"Excluding the data from my calculations."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

NPC"However, the trajectory of the Gaprak army did not intersect with the sector of events inside the headquarters, meaning that the probability that you are responsible for what happened is zero."

NPC"However, your loyalty to the von Valancius court grants you access to acquire this knowledge."

NPC"However, by my calculations, the logical chain connects you to the discovery of sabotage, making a malicious motive impossible."

NPC"I refuse to disclose confidential data to a non-ordained entity."

YOU"I work for Laria Voigtvir. I can be trusted."

NPC"The hierarchical data-coordinates specified grant access to sensitive data."

YOU"I am an ally of Juvenna von Valancius. You have nothing to hide from me."

NPC"The hierarchical data-coordinates specified grant access to sensitive data."continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Show Laria's ring]

NPC"The hierarchical data-coordinates specified grant access to sensitive data."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's talk about something else."

NPC"I would rather attend to my calculations."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I will think of something. And you, be prepared to follow my instructions."

NPC"May the Omnissiah lead us to our objective."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"When Seberian convenes his war council, I will decide how we should proceed. Wait for a sign."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I will think of something. And you, be prepared to follow my instructions."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

NPC(sequence)

Eogunn"This hypothesis is extremely subjective, but it has a right to exist, colleague. I believe that the calculations that underpin the xenomachinery generating the anomaly have not accounted for one variable: the Rogue Trader. In other words, the unholy machine construct simply has no power over your mind, [Name]."

end of branch

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I'm sorry, but outside the loop, I saw your remains. You died as a hero defending Seberian."

YOU"No, I am not. I am simply trying to understand how it's possible to be in here so long."

NPC"Comprehension of the sacred mystery of technology is a path that not all can follow."

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"So let's play. I know the rules."

NPCInstead of replying, Magos snorts in surprise and announces his first move loudly. But this time, you know exactly what tactics will be used against you.

NPCAfter half a minute of heated logical clashes, you win — every move of Exalt-117 plays in your head like a pict-recording. The Magos's stunned gasp as he is defeated at his own game hangs in the air like a question.

YOU"Do not reproach yourself. It is just that you and I have played this round before."

NPC"Such precision of vector calculations is impossible. It appears that your perspective must be incorporated into the accepted mapping of reality, however much I may find this reference point abhorrent. After all, you have surpassed me at my own game. Not even Seberian ever managed that."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I know you designed the rules of this game yourself. I know your every move — and not just in the game."

YOU"I do not think that is within my abilities."

NPCThe humming of the inner workings of the Magos's augmented body grows quieter — and sounds almost disappointed.

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

NPCThe Magos's body hums louder still, his mechanical shoulders shuddering. "The duplication of a mechadendrite of unique configuration indicates a calculation error. Searching for the causes. Allow me... 0.6 seconds."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Wow. You took me seriously!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What I'm saying is a fact. You are stuck in a temporal anomaly. In each new loop, you forget everything that went before."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The fact that you are alive and inside the loop, Magos, is its own strange detail in this anomaly. Do you remember how you ended up here?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Why do you think I can retain my memories of past events?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Can you help me destroy the anomaly?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 4 of 32

NPCThe Motive Force sparks through Exalt-117's augmented arm, but fades into the isolate protruding from his metal limb, causing no visible harm to the Tech-Priest. The Magos's shoulders jump in surprise — it seems his security systems are more finely tuned than you realised.

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 5 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 6 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 7 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 8 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 9 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 10 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 11 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 12 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 13 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 14 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 15 of 32

NPC"You are making it worse. Stand aside and do not tamper with the sacred machine's navigation system."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 16 of 32

NPC(no text)

end of branch

Entry point 17 of 32

NPC"Please do not violate my disciplinary and hierarchical radius, layperson."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 18 of 32

NPC"As an exception, I will enter this data into my observations profile."

Entry point 19 of 32

NPC"As an exception, I will enter this data into my observations profile."

Entry point 20 of 32

NPC"The vertical mapping of the terrain is updated regularly by my advanced vestibular augmetics. According to diagnostic logs, the last update occurred..." A startled exhalation escapes the Magos's vox-grille. "Five hundred cycles ago? No, that is impossible..."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 21 of 32

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 22 of 32

NPC(no text)

end of branch

Entry point 23 of 32

NPC"Your chosen network of data-coordinates is not within my standard circuit of thought, but I find it necessary to perform the preliminary calculations..."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 24 of 32

NPC"Your chosen network of data-coordinates is not within my standard circuit of thought, but I find it necessary to perform the preliminary calculations..."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 25 of 32

NPC"If a layperson perceives phenomena in their spatial environment, and these phenomena are not detectable by any other observer, then that layperson is required to triangulate the observed data according to established reference points, and preserve his shame in silence."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 26 of 32

NPC"The vertical mapping of the terrain is updated regularly by my advanced vestibular augmetics, and these register no violations of celestial integrity. I strongly recommend that you conduct a diagnostic of your own ocular systems."

YOU[Show the mechadendrite from the display case] "Does this belong to you?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The sky is covered in symbols. No one here can see them. That means you are part of this eerie anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Everything around us keeps repeating itself — it is akin to some strange technology."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To convince you, I would have to do something extraordinary, wouldn't I? Like beat you at regicide, for instance."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Mistress Laria sent me to seek your counsel. About what to do if one is trapped in a time loop."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let us turn to other matters."continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 27 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 28 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 29 of 32

NPC(no text)

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Entry point 30 of 32

NPCExalt-117 is stationary near the turrets. The Tech-Priest's body is vibrating subtly, with rhythmic sounds coming from his vox-transmitter. The Magos seems completely absorbed in tech-meditation, but as you take another step closer, his head turns toward you. "You have entered the radius of the sacred ritual. What is the objective of your approach?"

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

Entry point 31 of 32

NPC"The malfunction is caused by erroneous data-indexing. All-knowing Omnissiah, grant us a point of reference," murmurs the Tech-Priest standing at the cogitator. A thick metal plate covers part of his face, and his strange-looking manipulators draw invisible circles in the air around him. A dry and quiet voice comes from the vox-speaker that has replaced his mouth: "Your vector has been calculated. Please present your designation."

YOU"I am [Name] from House Gaprak. I want to talk."

NPC"Matches in data-index... not found." The Tech-Priest turns his head, directing the gaze of his absent eyes at you. "You are addressing Magos Exalt-117, Chief Enginseer of the von Valancius flagship, identification number 11782700012. I grant you permission to fulfil the objective of the selected trajectory. Speak."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

NPC(sequence)

Pasqal"Identifier accepted. The sacred rank of Magos is confirmed. The subject's status awaits validation." Pasqal gives the Tech-Priest a dry nod, as to an equal, then emits a lilting trill in Techna-Lingua. "Magos Pasqal Haneumann, Enginseer Prime of the von Valancius flagship." A poorly concealed challenge sounds in the rasp of Pasqal's vox.

NPC"Immediate fulfilment of the request is not relevant. Request deprioritised." The Tech-Priest regards Pasqal with an indifferent gaze.

end of branch

EogunnEogunn's vox-speaker emits a low-pitched hum, in which you can discern the Manipulus's binharic identifier. "Identification recognised, esteemed Magos Exalt-117. Curiously, my archived data-logs have deactivated this identifier due to the expiration of the holder."

NPC"The probability of erroneous deactivation is 99.999 percent." Exalt-117 goes still for a few moments, as if surprised by his own words. "The result of the probability calculation contains an unacceptable margin for error. The circumstances surrounding the deactivation of the identifier will be clarified during communication."

end of branch

YOU"I am [Name]; I serve Laria Voigtvir. I wish to ask you a few questions."

YOU"My name is [Name]. I am here at the behest of Juvenna von Valancius."

YOU"My name will tell you nothing."

NPC"I determine your position in the hierarchy to be insignificant."

Entry point 32 of 32

NPC"Your vector indicates a request for contact."

YOU[Convince Exalt-117 that the time loop exists]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know what happened to the Gaprak army?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you noticed that there is something strange going on?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"To destroy the anomaly, you must move against the Seberian."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Who among the palace defenders has access to plasma weapons?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Have you managed to repair the air defence system?"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Try to injure Exalt-117 by energising the bulkheads]

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Your attention is required elsewhere."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Allow me to assist with the repair of the air defence system."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Let's discuss new thoughts on the temporal anomaly."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above