Merovian[You know the way to the end result. But which one this time?]
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Merovian(no text)continues where this line first appears above
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Entry point 2 of 6
MerovianAfter listening to you, Juvenna matter-of-factly says, "Sergeant, get rid of them."
MerovianThe Merovians grab their weapons. Before, their chances of defeating you were slim, but now that you know all their fighting techniques, this will be no more taxing than a genteel hunting party.
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Merovian"In the name of von Valancius! Soldiers, to arms!"
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Entry point 3 of 6
Merovian(no text)
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Entry point 4 of 6
MerovianJuvenna decides that a dim-witted but malleable zealot could be of use to her.
Merovian"Find me at the back of the inner courtyard. Immediately."
MerovianZarkov grudgingly nods you through.
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Entry point 5 of 6
MerovianJuvenna's interest is piqued. You share her views — you may be useful.
Merovian"Find me at the back of the inner courtyard. Immediately."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 6
MerovianThe path is blocked by a military cordon. You stop at a respectful distance, a reasonable response to the rifle muzzles pointed at your chest by way of welcome. Your gaze slides over the faces: their expressions are so eerily similar, they must have been issued along with the uniforms. Serving in theAstra Militarum brings with it insomnia, a stomach for slaughter, and a touch of hopelessness. You can tell who is in charge even before he speaks, and not by the big fellow's insignia, but by the crushing weight of his stare. "Sergeant Branek Zarkov. Whoever you are, my lord/lady, I advise you to recognise the present circumstances. And come to the only right decision. This is no place for a stroll."
YOU"I just witnessed the execution of one von Valancius — do you think you can dictate terms to another?"
Merovian"Executed a von Valancius? Don't be absurd! We have a fair few black marks against our name, but shedding von Valancius blood isn't one of them. The opposite, in fact. If something had happened to Lord Seberian or his daughter, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you. We're their shield. The first strike lands on us." The sergeant squares his shoulders as if he is genuinely expecting an attack.
YOU"I just witnessed the execution of one von Valancius — do you think you can dictate terms to another?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Would you care to explain why the palace is surrounded by soldiers?"
Merovian"Did you crawl out of a cave or something? Dargonus is under attack. The enemy claims to be acting in the name of—" The sergeant falters, beads of sweat gathering on his brow. After several painful seconds, he forces himself to continue: "In the name of the Inquisition. The 32nd has been guarding the gates here for days now." He furrows his bushy eyebrows: your question has rubbed him the wrong way. "I don't give briefings — that's not why I was deployed here. Move along, before you're mistaken for spies. All expected reinforcements are in the cogitator log — there's nothing there about you." The sergeant nods at a panel nearby.
YOU"We've spoken before, remember? All of this has happened before!"
Merovian"Listen well: shooting madmen is a wretched business, but if I have to do it, I will." The sergeant makes a point of adjusting the heavy weapon on his shoulder, which clanks menacingly. "Spew your gibberish somewhere else."
YOU"I just witnessed the execution of one von Valancius — do you think you can dictate terms to another?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Would you care to explain why the palace is surrounded by soldiers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And, all the same, my promenade culminates in the palace."
MerovianThe Merovians grab their weapons. Before, their chances of defeating you were slim, but now that you know all their fighting techniques, this will be no more taxing than a genteel hunting party.continues where this line first appears above
Merovian"In the name of von Valancius! Soldiers, to arms!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Lower your voice] "Tell the Seneschal, 'The wax is still warm.'"
MerovianThe soldiers look at each other in confusion. Zarkov reaches for the vox-transmitter. You hear Laria's voice on the other end. Their conversation is short: the sergeant stands guard even over his words.
MerovianZarkov nods, lowering his weapon. "The Seneschal is waiting for you."
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YOU"I am well aware of the circumstances. And my name should be familiar to you, in turn — Gaprak."
Merovian"Apologies, we didn't recognise you. We thought you weren't coming. I'll let them know you've arrived."
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YOU"Let Lady Juvenna decide my fate. Tell her Elana has gained an ally."
MerovianThe sergeant frowns, but picks up his vox — and soon hands the transmitter to you. Your apparent knowledge has rattled Juvenna. Gaining her trust will be difficult.
YOU[Employ fiery rhetoric: you are both driven by the same motive, devotion to the Golden Throne]
Merovian"Find me at the back of the inner courtyard. Immediately."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Make it clear: you are scared to death of defying the Inquisition and wish to be on the right side of history — the side where you survive.]
Merovian"Find me at the back of the inner courtyard. Immediately."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell your superiors that we are reinforcements sent by Mistress Elana."
Merovian"What about a warning? All our reinforcements are logged — what use is this cogitator otherwise?" The sergeant nods at a nearby panel and speaks into his vox. After a brief exchange of remarks, he barks to you, "Go on, then. Just don't forget to present yourself to Lady Juvenna, she's waiting to hear news about this Elana of yours."
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YOU"I am Diodas af Irramon, and I demand a private meeting with Seberian!"
MerovianThe sergeant freezes instinctively, as do the soldiers under his command. He stares at you, biting his lip. In the stretching silence, you can practically hear Zarkov's thoughts turning heavily in his head. At last, he breathes a loud sigh. "Trying to trick me, are you? You want to be taken to His Lordship? That can be arranged. In the proper fashion!"
MerovianThe Merovians grab their weapons. Before, their chances of defeating you were slim, but now that you know all their fighting techniques, this will be no more taxing than a genteel hunting party.continues where this line first appears above
Merovian"In the name of von Valancius! Soldiers, to arms!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do not understand. I am [Name] von Valancius, and this is my palace. You are obliged to let me pass."
Merovian"Listen well: shooting madmen is a wretched business, but if I have to do it, I will." The sergeant makes a point of adjusting the heavy weapon on his shoulder, which clanks menacingly. "Spew your gibberish somewhere else."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am as perplexed as you by what is going on. But in order to find answers, I must go inside."
Merovian"Listen well: shooting madmen is a wretched business, but if I have to do it, I will." The sergeant makes a point of adjusting the heavy weapon on his shoulder, which clanks menacingly. "Spew your gibberish somewhere else."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And, all the same, my promenade culminates in the palace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Lower your voice] "Tell the Seneschal, 'The wax is still warm.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am well aware of the circumstances. And my name should be familiar to you, in turn — Gaprak."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let Lady Juvenna decide my fate. Tell her Elana has gained an ally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell your superiors that we are reinforcements sent by Mistress Elana."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am Diodas af Irramon, and I demand a private meeting with Seberian!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Would you care to explain why the palace is surrounded by soldiers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And, all the same, my promenade culminates in the palace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Lower your voice] "Tell the Seneschal, 'The wax is still warm.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am well aware of the circumstances. And my name should be familiar to you, in turn — Gaprak."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let Lady Juvenna decide my fate. Tell her Elana has gained an ally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell your superiors that we are reinforcements sent by Mistress Elana."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am Diodas af Irramon, and I demand a private meeting with Seberian!"continues where this line first appears above