NPC"Laria!" Seberian's fingers reach toward the fading portal, but grasp only empty air. For several moments, the Lord Captain stands motionless, his hand frozen in the air. When he turns to you, the hem of his heavy coat billows and his augmented joints exhale noisily, releasing steam.
NPC"You." Ice cracks in Seberian's voice as his accusing finger points at you. The skin of his face twitches convulsively, unable to form a grimace of rage. "Explain yourself. Now."
YOU[Gesture for the guards to stand down]
Jocasta SauerbackIn the gaze the Master-at-Arms fixes upon the stranger, there is a glimmer of recognition and of disbelief. Reluctantly, she gives the enforcers a nod, and they step back.
YOU[Gesture for the guards to stand down]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Compose yourself, Seberian."
NPCYour words have the opposite effect. His augmented joints tremble as he speaks, "Do not presume to tell me what to do. Your Lord Captain demanded an explanation."
YOU[Gesture for the guards to stand down]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Compose yourself, Seberian."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not point your finger at me."
NPC"I am the anointed of the God-Emperor and, should I wish it, your head will leave your shoulders. Pray that does not happen before you provide an answer."
YOU[Gesture for the guards to stand down]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Compose yourself, Seberian."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not point your finger at me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lord Seberian, I am [Name] von Valancius, current holder of the Warrant of Trade, and you are aboard the dynastic flagship."
NPC"What nonsense is this? You are aboard my flagship and you dare..." The mechanical voice suddenly cuts off. Seberian feverishly shifts his gaze from the faces of the crew to the furnishings of the bridge, recognising nothing. Clutching his head, he repeats, "This... this is absurd! This cannot be..."
NPCThe flickering, disintegrating silhouette of the now familiar xenos appears as if out of nowhere. Trazyn's voice resounds in your mind. "My former exhibit's brain is trying to make sense of reality. Being transferred from my collection to a living environment is a shock capable of disrupting the neurohumoural regulation of a physiological species equipped with a simple form of higher nervous activity."
YOU"Is Seberian going to... die?"
Trazyn the Infinite"Oh no. His body is more metal than flesh, although his mind is still very... human. He will be able to overcome his negative physiological reactions. Once he has acclimatised to this new reality, you will be dealing with a Seberian von Valancius who is in full possession of all his knowledge, quirks... and outsize ambition. Let's see if that proves to be his fatal flaw this time around."
NPCThe vision of the xenos disappears, and you are left on the bridge, surrounded by your officers, who are staring at you with astonishment. The sight of their Lord Captain talking to empty space has clearly made a lasting impression on them.
NPCSeberian masters his shock and fixes you with a baleful glare. "Have your wits returned to you, [Name]? Excellent. Now, be so good as to explain why you, who name yourself a Rogue Trader von Valancius, would so readily surrender a kinsman to a mortal enemy? I find it difficult to believe you are truly my descendant."
YOU"You are in no position to demand explanations, Seberian. You did the same when you first drew Trazyn's attention to the dynasty."
NPCCrimson furrows stand out upon your ancestor's lumpen brow as his living eye narrows in anger. "Is that so? Your response reminds me strikingly of Juvenna. So, her spirit endures across the centuries, while my own endeavours have faded to nothing. I shall call you heir, [Name], but only because I see no alternative... for now." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."
YOU"Get Seberian off the bridge, Sauerback!"
Jocasta Sauerback"Yes, Lord Captain." Sauerback immediately leads Seberian away, respectfully but firmly gripping him by the shoulder.
NPCSeberian obediently leaves the bridge. For the first time, his shoulders are slumped and his gaze is empty of all but infinite exhaustion.
Izdrig BatoshskiIzdrig watches the Rogue Trader with a heavy gaze.
end of branch
Vedka Dunawski"Let me help!" Dunawski, giving you a concerned look, rushes after Seberian.
end of branch
NPCAfter Seberian's departure, the bridge remains abuzz for some time with the commotion caused by the sudden appearance of this new member of the von Valancius dynasty.
end of branch
YOU"See to Lord Seberian, Vigdis."
Vox Master Vigdis"Yes, Your Lordship/Ladyship." Vigdis gestures for Seberian to follow her. "This way... err... Your Lordship."
NPCSeberian obediently leaves the bridge. For the first time, his shoulders are slumped and his gaze is empty of all but infinite exhaustion.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Escort my ancestor to the Sector Bionica."
Vox Master Vigdis"Yes, Your Lordship/Ladyship. I will order the equipment prepared at once."
NPCSeberian obediently leaves the bridge. For the first time, his shoulders are slumped and his gaze is empty of all but infinite exhaustion.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"All heresy must be excised. Do not be mistaken: I will do so again should you give me cause."
NPCCrimson furrows stand out upon your ancestor's lumpen brow as his living eye narrows in anger. "Is that so? Your response reminds me strikingly of Juvenna. So, her spirit endures across the centuries, while my own endeavours have faded to nothing. I shall call you heir, [Name], but only because I see no alternative... for now." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is merely a necessary measure, Seberian. You have departed your prison, have you not?"
NPCCrimson furrows stand out upon your ancestor's lumpen brow as his living eye narrows in anger. "Is that so? Your response reminds me strikingly of Juvenna. So, her spirit endures across the centuries, while my own endeavours have faded to nothing. I shall call you heir, [Name], but only because I see no alternative... for now." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."continues where this line first appears above
NPCSeberian masters his shock and inclines his mutilated head slightly. "I see that our encounter with the accursed Trazyn has left its mark upon us both, [Name]. The hour will come when he repays in full all that he owes the dynasty. Until then, accept my gratitude. There is no doubt that you are a von Valancius, for even amidst the xenos's lying illusions, you made the right choice in supporting Seneschal Voigtvir."
YOU"I could not have acted otherwise toward my own ancestor."
NPC"Encouraging words. I hear in them the spirit of a von Valancius heir." Seberian's condescending smile is hidden behind the vox-grille that has replaced his lower jaw, yet it is audible in his voice. "We shall see whether deeds follow." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."
YOU"Get Seberian off the bridge, Sauerback!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"See to Lord Seberian, Vigdis."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Escort my ancestor to the Sector Bionica."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"No thanks are necessary. It grieves me that Laria remains a hostage of Trazyn."
NPC"Encouraging words. I hear in them the spirit of a von Valancius heir." Seberian's condescending smile is hidden behind the vox-grille that has replaced his lower jaw, yet it is audible in his voice. "We shall see whether deeds follow." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Leave it be, Seberian. I have no need of your approval, nor did I do this for your sake. I simply wished to escape that place."
NPCYour ancestor lets out a laugh. The sound rattles unpleasantly within his iron throat. "Your actions speak of a will to survive and a fervour common to all members of the von Valancius line. Take care that these qualities do not lead you to ruin, as they did me... heir of mine." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."
YOU"Get Seberian off the bridge, Sauerback!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"See to Lord Seberian, Vigdis."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Escort my ancestor to the Sector Bionica."continues where this line first appears above
NPCSeberian masters his shock and permits himself a short, grinding chuckle. "You are an original soul, [Name] — and I speak not of your conversations with the void. To blow up the dynastic palace, even an illusory one... a decidedly radical decision, and fortunate it is that we both escaped the consequences. Still, no one could deny you have courage."
YOU"From what I know about you, Seberian, you are hardly the one to accuse me of excessive radicalism."
NPCYour ancestor lets out a laugh. The sound rattles unpleasantly within his iron throat. "Your actions speak of a will to survive and a fervour common to all members of the von Valancius line. Take care that these qualities do not lead you to ruin, as they did me... heir of mine." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The destruction of xenos creations fills my heart with joy."
NPCYour ancestor lets out a laugh. The sound rattles unpleasantly within his iron throat. "Your actions speak of a will to survive and a fervour common to all members of the von Valancius line. Take care that these qualities do not lead you to ruin, as they did me... heir of mine." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Indecision is one of the worst qualities a Rogue Trader can possess. Fortunately, it is not a trait I share."
NPCYour ancestor lets out a laugh. The sound rattles unpleasantly within his iron throat. "Your actions speak of a will to survive and a fervour common to all members of the von Valancius line. Take care that these qualities do not lead you to ruin, as they did me... heir of mine." Seberian suddenly staggers, yet forces himself to remain upright through sheer will. "And now, I require rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you come from? Get out of my head!"
Trazyn the Infinite"Has the shift back to realspace affected your nervous system as well, impairing your mnemonic abilities? I have made alterations to your mind so that I may observe how you make use of your trophy. No one but you can see or hear my projection. You do not want your subjects to think you have gone mad, so just accept your new role as my viewpoint."
NPCThe vision of the xenos disappears, and you are left on the bridge, surrounded by your officers, who are staring at you with astonishment. The sight of their Lord Captain talking to empty space has clearly made a lasting impression on them.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at Trazyn] "Death to the xenos! Enforcers, to arms!"
Trazyn the InfiniteYour officers reach for their weapons and look around in surprise. Trazyn laughs acerbically. "Your subjects have no power to harm what is not there. You see and hear only a projection generated by my tampering with your brain. Accept my presence — from now on, you will serve as my viewpoint."
NPCThe vision of the xenos disappears, and you are left on the bridge, surrounded by your officers, who are staring at you with astonishment. The sight of their Lord Captain talking to empty space has clearly made a lasting impression on them.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Ignore Trazyn]
Trazyn the InfiniteIt seems Trazyn never intended to wait for your reaction. After giving Seberian one last look, the vision fades away.
NPCThe vision of the xenos disappears, and you are left on the bridge, surrounded by your officers, who are staring at you with astonishment. The sight of their Lord Captain talking to empty space has clearly made a lasting impression on them.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You've been trapped in a time loop by the xenos for the last five centuries."
NPC"We were on Dargonus... Again and again..." Deafening interference blasts from the vox-grille, causing those in earshot to wince. Seberian staggers, covering his face with his palm, his thin fingers clanking against his cranial augmetic. Quieter now, the Lord Captain says, "How is this possible?"
NPCThe flickering, disintegrating silhouette of the now familiar xenos appears as if out of nowhere. Trazyn's voice resounds in your mind. "My former exhibit's brain is trying to make sense of reality. Being transferred from my collection to a living environment is a shock capable of disrupting the neurohumoural regulation of a physiological species equipped with a simple form of higher nervous activity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lord Seberian, I am [Name] von Valancius, current holder of the Warrant of Trade, and you are aboard the dynastic flagship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You've been trapped in a time loop by the xenos for the last five centuries."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not point your finger at me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lord Seberian, I am [Name] von Valancius, current holder of the Warrant of Trade, and you are aboard the dynastic flagship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You've been trapped in a time loop by the xenos for the last five centuries."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Compose yourself, Seberian."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not point your finger at me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lord Seberian, I am [Name] von Valancius, current holder of the Warrant of Trade, and you are aboard the dynastic flagship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You've been trapped in a time loop by the xenos for the last five centuries."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
Izdrig BatoshskiIzdrig lunges forward, his trusted knife in hand, then suddenly stops. "Damn me... Seberian..."
end of branch
Vedka DunawskiVedka freezes in a reverent bow, forming the Aquila over her chest. Her soldiers, however, keep their eyes fixed upon your ancestor, their lasguns set to combat readiness.
end of branch
Jocasta SauerbackFrom the corner of your eye, you notice Sauerback start moving toward you, shock maul in hand, only to stop in confusion as she recognises the von Valancius colours upon the intruder.