SeberianThe metal giant, draped in a weighty mantle and holding a sinister-looking staff, turns his head slowly, surveying the palace of Dargonus. You see no hint of emotion in the unmoving mask that rests in place of the xenos's face, but in his unnatural voice, however, there is a clear note of vexation.
Seberian"A clutch of vermin. Stowed away inside an exhibit, spoiling my masterpiece. And now I am compelled to appear here, on the half-forgotten fringes of the galaxy? Well done — you have succeeded in drawing upon yourselves the gaze of Trazyn the Infinite, master of the Museion you worthless pests invaded." Caustic laughter scrapes its way out of the mask like metal against glass.
SeberianThe xenos's head turns slightly toward Seberian. "The little thief. Dared to steal from the Preserver of Histories, and now causing trouble again. What is this, some foolhardy rescue attempt? So, your worthless name is still recalled by one of your short-lived kind?"
YOU[Look around]
SeberianThe world around you is frozen — the people, mechanisms, even the very breeze, absolutely everything has stopped, transfixed in eerie poses. You blink — and a wave passes over the world like static on an ancient cogitator screen. The only creatures spared this strange stasis are your retinue and Seberian.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Seberian]
SeberianSeberian stares ahead, dumbstruck, helpless to fend off the realisation crashing over him. The light of his cybernetic eye stutters, as though even his augmetics are breaking under the weight bearing down upon them.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Seberian]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have destroyed your foul trap, xenos!"
Seberian"Destroyed? Hardly. You have merely disrupted the hypergeometric logic of the labyrinth with your unruly antics, nothing more." The xenos's voice acquires a sardonic note. "But don't let that detail spoil your little celebration — it is still a most impressive feat for a member of a primitive species."
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Seberian]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have destroyed your foul trap, xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Trazyn the Infinite, I am [Name] von Valancius, and I have come for my ancestor."
SeberianThe xenos turns his gaze on you, the gaze of a being so ancient and powerful that you almost feel it as a physical weight. "The very fact of your finding your way here sets you apart from other pests. Curious determination and lack of foresight... then again, perhaps you had no notion of what you were getting into."
SeberianSeberian seems to jerk awake and draws himself up straight, the movement accompanied by the piercing sound of dozens of ancient implants. With a burst of florid profanity, the Rogue Trader draws his weapon and rushes forward. In response, the xenos raises his hand and, without looking, lazily snaps his fingers.
Seberian"Primitive civilisations are always amusing in their inability to grasp the full scope of their powerlessness — and their simultaneous insistence on denying it altogether. The path for those in this place is determined by me alone — all the more so now that your actions have forced me to come here in person."
YOU[Hold your weapon at the ready] "Fall to your knees and beg for mercy, xenos!"
Seberian"Hmm..." Trazyn gives you and your weapon a cursory look. "A typical specimen of your kind — your ability to draw even the simplest logical conclusions is limited. I will simplify the terms so that you might understand: do you wish for the same treatment your fellow received?"
SeberianSeberian's face — the part of it that remains — is frozen in a grimace. You are not even sure that the Rogue Trader still breathes — it is as if the xenos has stopped time for him.
YOU[Hold your weapon at the ready] "Fall to your knees and beg for mercy, xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"
SeberianTrazyn sweeps his arm over the space around you. "You are inside one of the pieces in my collection, the greatest in the galaxy. I assembled it myself, crossing distances of millions of star systems and timespans of hundreds of millennia. To be among the relics, creatures, and events on display in the Museion of Trazyn the Infinite is an honour that I grant to very few."
YOU[Hold your weapon at the ready] "Fall to your knees and beg for mercy, xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you capture the ancestor of the von Valancius dynasty and imprison him here?"
Seberian"Seberian von Valancius. This rare member of your family garnered my interest. He did this by crossing my path and stealing a priceless relic, which I had intended to add to my collection. This act so impressed me that I decided to recover stolen item and thief together. I knew that Seberian would return seeking other treasures hidden on the world of Zarkov. I knew he would not forgo the opportunity to investigate the portal he would so conveniently discover inside the temple..."
Seberian"Since then, Seberian von Valancius and his dearest Laria Voigtvir have been the protagonists of their own exhibit. Again and again they experience the hopeless siege of their world. Again and again they choose paths, make decisions, and reach the finale in new and unexpected ways. A finale that has already been predetermined. A defeat in which Seberian is inevitably betrayed by his precious trophy, the Crimson Dance of Khaine — the very sword he stole from me. The very sword I took back, leaving Seberian trapped in an endless loop armed only with a hard-light facsimile."
YOU[Hold your weapon at the ready] "Fall to your knees and beg for mercy, xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you capture the ancestor of the von Valancius dynasty and imprison him here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seem to have spoiled your plans. What now?"
SeberianTrazyn the Infinite lapses into a brief silence. "The display I designed is ruined, and the collection has lost one of its exhibits — and this after I lavishly rewarded Seberian for his exceptionalism. I am stripping the von Valancius dynasty of the honour of being part of the Museion exhibition. Take your ancestor. I will seek out a replacement."
SeberianPoison begins to drip from the Necron's words. "Needless to say, I will be keeping Laria Voigtvir — she has performed her role diligently, and I see no reason to discard her. If Seberian wishes to be reunited with her, he can return, beg for forgiveness, and... perhaps earn the privilege of rejoining my collection. As for you, pest..." Trazyn raises his staff slightly.
SeberianPain lances through your entire being. You want to scream in the hope that it will alleviate this unbearable suffering... but then you realise that the agony, at once fleeting and unending, has already stopped. Your vision doubles and splotches of colour seem to swim in the air in front of you. "I have made a small addition to your physiology — I am eager to observe how you make use of your new trophy. And observe I shall, all the while voicing my opinions directly to your ears — wherever you may be."
Seberian"Now..." Trazyn raises his hand in an impassioned gesture and pauses theatrically. "...get out of my Museion."
end of branch
YOU"I will not let you imprison us both!"
Seberian"That is not for you to decide. However..."
SeberianTrazyn the Infinite lapses into a brief silence. "The display I designed is ruined, and the collection has lost one of its exhibits — and this after I lavishly rewarded Seberian for his exceptionalism. I am stripping the von Valancius dynasty of the honour of being part of the Museion exhibition. Take your ancestor. I will seek out a replacement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seem to have spoiled your plans. What now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not let you imprison us both!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you capture the ancestor of the von Valancius dynasty and imprison him here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seem to have spoiled your plans. What now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not let you imprison us both!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you capture the ancestor of the von Valancius dynasty and imprison him here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I seem to have spoiled your plans. What now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not let you imprison us both!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to escape]
SeberianYour body is in some kind of trap, but like none you have ever experienced. There is nothing restraining you, nothing confining you — and yet you cannot move a muscle. When you realise that your heart and lungs are also frozen, animal terror seizes you. The xenos has not only paused your body, but your very life.
Seberian"An interesting choice of words — 'death to the enemies of von Valancius.' So you are indeed of Seberian's bloodline. Whether it was a naive desire to save him or a similar propensity for avarice that led you to follow your ancestor's trail, I do not know, but I'm sure you won't object if I explain how he — and now you — came to be here."
YOU[Master your terror]
SeberianYour emotions riot within you, only growing in strength as they fail to find an outlet — in a shout, a movement, even a grimace. All you can hope is that your ability to feel will be exhausted before you lose consciousness from the strain.
SeberianTrazyn sweeps his arm over the space around you. "You are inside one of the pieces in my collection, the greatest in the galaxy. I assembled it myself, crossing distances of millions of star systems and timespans of hundreds of millennia. To be among the relics, creatures, and events on display in the Museion of Trazyn the Infinite is an honour that I grant to very few."
Seberian"Seberian von Valancius. This rare member of your family garnered my interest. He did this by crossing my path and stealing a priceless relic, which I had intended to add to my collection. This act so impressed me that I decided to recover stolen item and thief together. I knew that Seberian would return seeking other treasures hidden on the world of Zarkov. I knew he would not forgo the opportunity to investigate the portal he would so conveniently discover inside the temple..."
Seberian"Since then, Seberian von Valancius and his dearest Laria Voigtvir have been the protagonists of their own exhibit. Again and again they experience the hopeless siege of their world. Again and again they choose paths, make decisions, and reach the finale in new and unexpected ways. A finale that has already been predetermined. A defeat in which Seberian is inevitably betrayed by his precious trophy, the Crimson Dance of Khaine — the very sword he stole from me. The very sword I took back, leaving Seberian trapped in an endless loop armed only with a hard-light facsimile."
YOU[Look around for a solution]
SeberianThe muscles in your eyes refuse to obey you, just like the rest of your body. However, there is little chance that anything in your surroundings could help you in your present predicament.
Seberian"I do appreciate a rapt audience. Yet it is time to bring this encounter to a close."
SeberianTrazyn the Infinite lapses into a brief silence. "The display I designed is ruined, and the collection has lost one of its exhibits — and this after I lavishly rewarded Seberian for his exceptionalism. I am stripping the von Valancius dynasty of the honour of being part of the Museion exhibition. Take your ancestor. I will seek out a replacement."
SeberianPoison begins to drip from the Necron's words. "Needless to say, I will be keeping Laria Voigtvir — she has performed her role diligently, and I see no reason to discard her. If Seberian wishes to be reunited with her, he can return, beg for forgiveness, and... perhaps earn the privilege of rejoining my collection. As for you, pest..." Trazyn raises his staff slightly.
SeberianPain lances through your entire being. You want to scream in the hope that it will alleviate this unbearable suffering... but then you realise that the agony, at once fleeting and unending, has already stopped. Your vision doubles and splotches of colour seem to swim in the air in front of you. "I have made a small addition to your physiology — I am eager to observe how you make use of your new trophy. And observe I shall, all the while voicing my opinions directly to your ears — wherever you may be."
Seberian"Now..." Trazyn raises his hand in an impassioned gesture and pauses theatrically. "...get out of my Museion."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Seberian]
SeberianYou cannot look sideways at Seberian — your eye muscles are frozen, as is the rest of your body. The fate of your ancestor remains a mystery to you.
Seberian"I do appreciate a rapt audience. Yet it is time to bring this encounter to a close."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Stare menacingly at Trazyn]
SeberianThis attempted display of your indomitable spirit is an instant failure — your eye muscles are completely immobile, just like the rest of your body.
Seberian"I do appreciate a rapt audience. Yet it is time to bring this encounter to a close."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a deep breath and scream]
SeberianYour lungs refuse to obey, no matter how hard you try to bring them back under your control. Your lips remain frozen, sealed shut by an unknown force.
SeberianTrazyn sweeps his arm over the space around you. "You are inside one of the pieces in my collection, the greatest in the galaxy. I assembled it myself, crossing distances of millions of star systems and timespans of hundreds of millennia. To be among the relics, creatures, and events on display in the Museion of Trazyn the Infinite is an honour that I grant to very few."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to escape]
SeberianYour will, forged in the countless trials of the Rogue Trader's path, remains utterly powerless against the xenos enchantments shackling your body.
SeberianTrazyn sweeps his arm over the space around you. "You are inside one of the pieces in my collection, the greatest in the galaxy. I assembled it myself, crossing distances of millions of star systems and timespans of hundreds of millennia. To be among the relics, creatures, and events on display in the Museion of Trazyn the Infinite is an honour that I grant to very few."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to take a breath]
SeberianYour body is in some kind of trap, but like none you have ever experienced. There is nothing restraining you, nothing confining you — and yet you cannot move a muscle. When you realise that your heart and lungs are also frozen, animal terror seizes you. The xenos has not only paused your body, but your very life.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to speak]
SeberianYour body is in some kind of trap, but like none you have ever experienced. There is nothing restraining you, nothing confining you — and yet you cannot move a muscle. When you realise that your heart and lungs are also frozen, animal terror seizes you. The xenos has not only paused your body, but your very life.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to the enemies of Humanity! Death to the enemies of von Valancius!"
SeberianAs though woken by your shout, Seberian raises his weapon with the roar of a wounded beast and rushes forward. But your all-out charge provokes no fear or even disquiet in the xenos. With his attention elsewhere, he absent-mindedly raises his hand and snaps his fingers.
Seberian"Primitive civilisations are always amusing in their inability to grasp the full scope of their powerlessness — and their simultaneous insistence on denying it altogether. The path for those in this place is determined by me alone — all the more so now that your actions have forced me to come here in person."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Trazyn the Infinite, I am [Name] von Valancius, and I have come for my ancestor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to the enemies of Humanity! Death to the enemies of von Valancius!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have destroyed your foul trap, xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Trazyn the Infinite, I am [Name] von Valancius, and I have come for my ancestor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to the enemies of Humanity! Death to the enemies of von Valancius!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at Seberian]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have destroyed your foul trap, xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Trazyn the Infinite, I am [Name] von Valancius, and I have come for my ancestor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to the enemies of Humanity! Death to the enemies of von Valancius!"continues where this line first appears above