NPC"Lord Captain, there has been a tragedy on Dargonus. Governor Drivestem has been dedicating most of his time to restoring the Astropathic Choir lost to the warp storms. But the psykers he assembled were struck by an unknown affliction. They heard... something, and it cast them into madness. The Astropaths lost sleep, started clawing at their skin to the flesh and muttering gibberish, and eventually went completely berserk. They had to be eliminated, and now only a few of the most resilient Astropaths are upholding the connection to Dargonus. But how long will they last?"
YOU"Where did the former Astropaths come from? And can we get more of them?"
NPC"I have received complaints that Governor Drivestem has devastated the minor Astropathic Choirs of the protectorate. He scaled them down by almost half through blatant abuse of his authority. To take more people from these Choirs would mean depriving ourselves of the connections with other worlds. We could try to hire sanctioned psykers from other domains, but... they will be few as the road to the Imperium is perilous."
NPC"We could also try getting by with the resources that are already available to us — by seeking out fugitive Astropaths and having them train psychically-active citizens of the protectorate who show promise. A most regrettable violation of His laws, but, considering our grave situation..."
YOU"Where did the former Astropaths come from? And can we get more of them?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the cause of this affliction?"
NPC"Who knows? The schemes of heretics from the Cult of the Final Dawn? The treacherous magic of the xenos? Perhaps it was a planned diversion, or perhaps merely a stray echo in the Immaterium."
YOU"Where did the former Astropaths come from? And can we get more of them?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the cause of this affliction?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What say my advisors? Where can we obtain a new Choir?"
NPC(sequence)
NPC"Astropaths are among the most finely trained servants in the Imperium, who have beheld the light of the Emperor Himself and gained a special bond with our Master. I strongly advise the Rogue Trader to recruit only sanctioned psykers who are capable of keeping their talents in check. If there are not enough, the Inquisition will assist you in locating... and acquiring more."
end of branch
NPC"Your Lordship/Ladyship, Lady Theodora not only had enemies in the Expanse, but friends as well. Those whom she helped out, rescued, and saved. I think these people can offer a helping hand. Among them are several powerful planetary rulers, who possess both Astropaths and a deep respect for your family name."
end of branch
NPC"There are a lot of psykers on my home planet Leira, Lord Captain. Do you know why? There, we are not despised, persecuted, or enslaved on the Black Ships. There, we are sheltered from raids, educated, and respected. Of course, it's all done in secrecy from outsiders, but I can suggest which rulers to contact. Maybe the von Valancius family name will be enough to make a deal and obtain a better trained group of Astropaths than some criminal rabble."
end of branch
YOU"I am counting on the help of the Inquisition, Heinrix."
NPC"You will get your Astropaths. The von Valancius dynasty is too important for us to just turn a blind eye to it in its time of need."
NPCA wave of armed skirmishes and detentions swept across the Expanse. Ships carrying powerful captives have brought the new Astropathic Choir to Dargonus.
NPCNot even the most influential rulers could resist the fearsome agents of the Inquisition, who requisitioned their valuable servants to meet the needs of the von Valancius dynasty.
NPCThere has been no recurrence of the disastrous Astropathic madness, but the new Astropaths have all reported hearing strange whispers ever since their first day on the planet.
end of branch
NPCNaturally, this has led to much bloodshed, and many planetary governors have turned against the von Valancius dynasty, after having their valuable servants so unceremoniously taken away from them.
NPCThere has been no recurrence of the disastrous Astropathic madness, but the new Astropaths have all reported hearing strange whispers ever since their first day on the planet.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Bring me sanctioned Astropaths. Steal them, take them by force, threaten them — bring them to me by whatever means necessary."
NPC"Woe to any who would try to resist your will, Lord Captain."
NPCA wave of armed skirmishes and detentions swept across the Expanse. Ships carrying powerful captives have brought the new Astropathic Choir to Dargonus.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, it is time to reach out to Theodora's old friends."
NPC"It will be done. I wonder how many of them are still alive..."
NPCA ship carrying two dozen Astropaths soon arrived on Dargonus. They descended to the surface covered head to toe in protective amulets as if going to war — the news of the tragedy that had befallen the previous Choir had quickly spread throughout the Expanse.
NPCEach of them conveyed words of amity from the rulers who had sent them. And each asked permission to visit the family crypt to pay tribute to Lady Theodora.
NPCThere has been no recurrence of the disastrous Astropathic madness, but the new Astropaths have all reported hearing strange whispers ever since their first day on the planet.continues where this line first appears above
NPCThose were hardened veterans, willing to risk their own lives in exchange for the obscenely large payments promised to their loved ones and masters.
NPCThere has been no recurrence of the disastrous Astropathic madness, but the new Astropaths have all reported hearing strange whispers ever since their first day on the planet.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hire sanctioned Astropaths for any price. We need them."
NPC"It will be a heavy blow to our treasury, Your Lordship/Ladyship. But we will manage."
NPCA ship carrying two dozen Astropaths soon arrived on Dargonus. They descended to the surface covered head to toe in protective amulets as if going to war — the news of the tragedy that had befallen the previous Choir had quickly spread throughout the Expanse.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, give me the coordinates for Leira. I will task the Dargonus fleet to make the journey and find us new Astropaths."
NPC"Lady Theodora's archive likely still holds the coordinates. I will pass on the names of the more cooperative rulers on Leira to Drivestem."
NPCUsing old navigational charts, the ships of Dargonus set out toward the distant planet. They returned with powerful and well-trained psykers in tow... and with news that the planet Leira had completely succumbed to heresy in recent years, and that its location should be purged from all maps.
NPCThe new Astropaths were dangerous to both others and themselves. Their wild, untamed talent caused horrifying warp manifestations, but the casualties were a small price to pay to allow Dargonus to hear and speak to its master/mistress.
NPCThere has been no recurrence of the disastrous Astropathic madness, but the new Astropaths have all reported hearing strange whispers ever since their first day on the planet.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hire unsanctioned psykers. We cannot lose contact with the capital."
NPC"Desperate times call for desperate measures."
NPCThrough shady dens, secret sanctuaries, and pirate lairs, von Valancius agents managed to track down two dozen psykers whose abilities had never been tested or restrained by the Emperor's servants. These dangerous outlaws were brought to Dargonus.
NPCThe new Astropaths were dangerous to both others and themselves. Their wild, untamed talent caused horrifying warp manifestations, but the casualties were a small price to pay to allow Dargonus to hear and speak to its master/mistress.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What say my advisors? Where can we obtain a new Choir?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am counting on the help of the Inquisition, Heinrix."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Bring me sanctioned Astropaths. Steal them, take them by force, threaten them — bring them to me by whatever means necessary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, it is time to reach out to Theodora's old friends."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hire sanctioned Astropaths for any price. We need them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, give me the coordinates for Leira. I will task the Dargonus fleet to make the journey and find us new Astropaths."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hire unsanctioned psykers. We cannot lose contact with the capital."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the cause of this affliction?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What say my advisors? Where can we obtain a new Choir?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am counting on the help of the Inquisition, Heinrix."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Bring me sanctioned Astropaths. Steal them, take them by force, threaten them — bring them to me by whatever means necessary."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, it is time to reach out to Theodora's old friends."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hire sanctioned Astropaths for any price. We need them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, give me the coordinates for Leira. I will task the Dargonus fleet to make the journey and find us new Astropaths."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hire unsanctioned psykers. We cannot lose contact with the capital."continues where this line first appears above