Stone"I bring woeful news, Lord Captain. Prelate Hectarchius of the Order of the Hammer has passed away."
Stone"During the great purge conducted by the righteous of Foulstone, a den of subhuman deviants was uncovered. The prelate personally led the purge, sustained a grievous wound, and died the next planetary turn. On his deathbed, he was granted a vision where Saint Cognatius was reincarnated in a body made from the saint's holy relics."
Stone"The Order's elders believe this to be a sign that Saint Cognatius's relics, currently stored on planets throughout the Expanse, must be brought together. The Order is preparing for the election of a new prelate, under whose guidance it will undertake this holy mission. The majority of the votes are divided between Prioress Lugnalia, well known for her fervour, and the merciful cellarer Tychon. The minority of the order sees the oikonomos Nigmus, a humble and reasonable man, as their prelate."
YOU"Does Prelate Hectarchius's death not strike you as odd?"
Stone"I'm afraid it does not. The esteemed Hectarchius began his service as a battle missionary, and has long grown weary of the peaceful life befitting a man of his status."
Stone"There was nothing strange about his wounds. He could have recovered from such injuries thirty years ago, but not now."
YOU"Does Prelate Hectarchius's death not strike you as odd?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How does the order intend to carry out Saint Cognatius's mission?"
Stone"The conclave aims to procure all the relics that once belonged to Saint Cognatius, all that can possibly be procured. Given that the saint is a legendary figure, many items in the Koronus Expanse have an alleged connection to him. However, it seems unlikely that any of the relics' owners will be eager to part with them. The answer to the question of how the Order of the Hammer is going to retrieve them depends on the identity of its next prelate."
YOU"Does Prelate Hectarchius's death not strike you as odd?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How does the order intend to carry out Saint Cognatius's mission?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about the candidates."
Stone"Prioress Lugnalia was converted by Hectarchius on one of the heathen worlds. She then served as his bodyguard for many years and eventually became the protector of the order's reliquary and the leader of its military branch. As for Brother Tychon, he is an aristocrat by birth, he had an excellent education and could have lived in luxury had he not renounced secular life for the sake of ascetic vows. He is intelligent, thoughtful, well read, and, most importantly, genuinely merciful."
Stone"Few things can be said about the oikonomos Nigmus. He has never been famous for his prowess in battle or his sermons, but the monastery has never wanted for anything on his watch. He is a most reasonable and unobtrusive individual."
YOU"Does Prelate Hectarchius's death not strike you as odd?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How does the order intend to carry out Saint Cognatius's mission?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about the candidates."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will my companions say?"
Stone(sequence)
Stone"I have sympathy for Prioress Lugnalia. Let her meet with Reverend Hieronymus on Footfall — should he accept her as a worthy leader, we ought to support her."
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Stone"A careful and sensible oikonomos sounds like a safer bet to me than a fanatic or a clever aristocrat. The voices say that he has a few paltry secrets, and knowledge of those secrets guarantees us his loyalty."
end of branch
Stone"Brother Tychon... He and I have met, back when he was called Tychon Drivestem. He wasn't a monk back then, he was a grandson and heir to Urbend, Governor of Dargonus. An honourable young man with a spark in his eyes. His ascension would mean much to the Drivestems."
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Stone"Hmm. The three of them together would make a passable prelate. I mean it. None of the contenders can match the late Hectarchius in authority, so, regardless of whom you select, the others are unlikely to accept them as their new superior without complaint. You should bind them with oaths and compel them to work together."
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YOU"Let Lugnalia meet with Hieronymus Doloroso. If he approves of her candidature, we will support her."
Stone"His Holiness will see the truth."
StoneReverend Hieronymus arrived on Foulstone and met with the prioress. After a confession and a philosophical discussion in private, he acknowledged Lugnalia as being worthy of a high ecclesiastical station and guaranteed her the support of the Cult of Saint Drusus.
StonePrioress Lugnalia has been chosen as the prelate of the Order of the Hammer. A faithful militia is taking up arms to stake their claim to Saint Cognatius's relics. The neighbouring worlds look upon Foulstone with worry and fear, just as they do upon its patron/patroness — the Rogue Trader.
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YOU"We will support Lugnalia."
Stone"I will inform the conclave of your decision. The order won't be able to ignore such compelling advice."
StonePrioress Lugnalia has been chosen as the prelate of the Order of the Hammer. A faithful militia is taking up arms to stake their claim to Saint Cognatius's relics. The neighbouring worlds look upon Foulstone with worry and fear, just as they do upon its patron/patroness — the Rogue Trader.
end of branch
YOU"Abelard, see to it that House Drivestem thanks us for the assistance we provided to their kin."
Stone"Will do. I bet Urbend never thought the boy would be of any use to the family. Now we will have to endure a decade of him boasting about 'the Drivestem blood that always strives for great heights.' Tch."
StoneBrother Tychon has been chosen as the prelate of the Order of the Hammer. Peaceful emissaries departed from Foulstone for many planets to form alliances and reinforce spiritual ties with the holders of Saint Cognatius's relics. This diplomatic mission will undoubtedly require sizeable financial support.
StoneHouse Drivestem has been informed of the honour granted to their family and has humbly requested to cover all expenses related to Prelate Tychon's endeavours.
end of branch
YOU"Brother Tychon is our best option."
Stone"I will inform the conclave of your decision. The order won't be able to ignore such compelling advice."
StoneBrother Tychon has been chosen as the prelate of the Order of the Hammer. Peaceful emissaries departed from Foulstone for many planets to form alliances and reinforce spiritual ties with the holders of Saint Cognatius's relics. This diplomatic mission will undoubtedly require sizeable financial support.
end of branch
YOU"Idira, uncover some of Nigmus's little secrets. I need an obedient prelate."
Stone"The voices will tell me where to look."
StoneBrother Nigmus has been chosen as the prelate of the Order of the Hammer. His careful policy is far more oriented toward satisfying the Rogue Trader than successfully collecting Saint Cognatius's relics.
StoneIdira's investigation uncovered no egregious crimes in Nigmus's past, but it did reveal a few minor but less than virtuous faults. The new prelate will agree to anything to keep his secrets hidden.
end of branch
YOU"I need an obedient prelate. One such as Brother Nigmus."
Stone"I will inform the conclave of your decision. The order won't be able to ignore such compelling advice."
StoneBrother Nigmus has been chosen as the prelate of the Order of the Hammer. His careful policy is far more oriented toward satisfying the Rogue Trader than successfully collecting Saint Cognatius's relics.
end of branch
YOU"I will support Elder Inocrant."
Stone"The priesthood of the Order will be furious, but would not dare to oppose your will."
StoneThe support of the Rogue Trader aided the elderly monk in being elected prelate. Equally famous for his piety and ardent distrust of literacy, Inocrant has vigorously proclaimed to the Order that ignorance is bliss, expressly forbidding any meditation of comprehension at the shrines of Cognatius. Surrounding himself with illiterate zealots, he preached to the mob about the limitations of knowledge and the absolute superiority of faith.
end of branch
YOU"Solomorne is right. Why choose one? I hereby order the candidates to pool their efforts."
Stone"Each of them has their strengths and weaknesses — so let them complement one another."
StoneAlthough surprised, Hectarchius's successors saw the unorthodox decision as a sign. The late prelate's three-day sermon, along with the appointment of three new heads of the Order, might point to three being the number of genuine relics of Saint Cognatius still remaining in the Expanse. Energised by the momentous shifts in the life of the planet, the prelates, now styling themselves as the Triad of the Hammer, eagerly set out to search for the sacred objects.
end of branch
Stone"There is another candidate as well — Elder Inocrant, but his flock is very small. Inocrant belongs to the Malpians and was recently accepted into the Order. The priesthood assumes that, as the prelate, he would not push hard for the searching of shrines, but, on the contrary, would preach the bliss of ignorance, hindering the comprehension of Saint Cognatius's wisdom."
YOU"Does Prelate Hectarchius's death not strike you as odd?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How does the order intend to carry out Saint Cognatius's mission?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about the candidates."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will my companions say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let Lugnalia meet with Hieronymus Doloroso. If he approves of her candidature, we will support her."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We will support Lugnalia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, see to it that House Drivestem thanks us for the assistance we provided to their kin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Brother Tychon is our best option."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, uncover some of Nigmus's little secrets. I need an obedient prelate."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need an obedient prelate. One such as Brother Nigmus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will support Elder Inocrant."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne is right. Why choose one? I hereby order the candidates to pool their efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will my companions say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let Lugnalia meet with Hieronymus Doloroso. If he approves of her candidature, we will support her."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We will support Lugnalia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, see to it that House Drivestem thanks us for the assistance we provided to their kin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Brother Tychon is our best option."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, uncover some of Nigmus's little secrets. I need an obedient prelate."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need an obedient prelate. One such as Brother Nigmus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will support Elder Inocrant."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne is right. Why choose one? I hereby order the candidates to pool their efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about the candidates."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will my companions say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let Lugnalia meet with Hieronymus Doloroso. If he approves of her candidature, we will support her."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We will support Lugnalia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, see to it that House Drivestem thanks us for the assistance we provided to their kin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Brother Tychon is our best option."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, uncover some of Nigmus's little secrets. I need an obedient prelate."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need an obedient prelate. One such as Brother Nigmus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will support Elder Inocrant."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne is right. Why choose one? I hereby order the candidates to pool their efforts."continues where this line first appears above
Stone"He yearned for a worthy spiritual feat, and, when presented with the chance to serve as the voice of a saint, he gave what little strength remained. When he died, he was exhausted, but content."
YOU"Does Prelate Hectarchius's death not strike you as odd?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How does the order intend to carry out Saint Cognatius's mission?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about the candidates."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will my companions say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let Lugnalia meet with Hieronymus Doloroso. If he approves of her candidature, we will support her."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We will support Lugnalia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, see to it that House Drivestem thanks us for the assistance we provided to their kin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Brother Tychon is our best option."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, uncover some of Nigmus's little secrets. I need an obedient prelate."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need an obedient prelate. One such as Brother Nigmus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will support Elder Inocrant."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne is right. Why choose one? I hereby order the candidates to pool their efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How does the order intend to carry out Saint Cognatius's mission?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about the candidates."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will my companions say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let Lugnalia meet with Hieronymus Doloroso. If he approves of her candidature, we will support her."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We will support Lugnalia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, see to it that House Drivestem thanks us for the assistance we provided to their kin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Brother Tychon is our best option."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, uncover some of Nigmus's little secrets. I need an obedient prelate."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need an obedient prelate. One such as Brother Nigmus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will support Elder Inocrant."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne is right. Why choose one? I hereby order the candidates to pool their efforts."continues where this line first appears above
Stone"Immediately after the launch of the orbital vox-spire, he entered the halls of recording and, having sat on the command throne, was granted a vision. For over three days, Prelate Hectarchius preached about Saint Cognatius being reincarnated in a body made from the saint's own holy relics. This spiritual feat depleted Prelate Hectarchius's strength, and he peacefully departed for the Emperor's Throne shortly after the sermon's conclusion."
Stone"The Order's elders believe this to be a sign that Saint Cognatius's relics, currently stored on planets throughout the Expanse, must be brought together. The Order is preparing for the election of a new prelate, under whose guidance it will undertake this holy mission. The majority of the votes are divided between Prioress Lugnalia, well known for her fervour, and the merciful cellarer Tychon. The minority of the order sees the oikonomos Nigmus, a humble and reasonable man, as their prelate."continues where this line first appears above