ArgentaThe sister's words ring with a genuine, sincere hope that you be blessed with a worthier fate. She does not appear to be shocked by the news of Theodora's possible heresy.
Idira"Life must be so easy for you sanctimonious preachers. A dubious trinket, and you no longer see a person, you see 'bad blood,' an annoying hindrance." There is enough venom in Idira's voice to poison an entire regiment.
ArgentaArgenta recoils, but the next moment her dark eyes ignite with fury. "How dare you admonish me? We are speaking of abetting the Archenemy! A person who has tainted themselves thus can never justify their actions!"
Idira"Sure, why go through all the trouble of trying to make sense of anything when you can just label them a heretic and call it a day? Except, dear friend, I seem to remember that you didn't mind Theodora so much while you were aboard the ship. You didn't leave her side for even a moment. She rescued you, aided you, and your adoration wilted the moment you heard an accusation sullying her memory. You weren't surprised or upset — you just gave up on her and moved on."
YOU"Argenta is right — the danger of heresy cannot be overstated."
Idira"Lord Captain, I'm not excusing heresy, I just don't believe... I don't want to believe Theodora would be involved in it. That all the good she did can be so easily crossed out with a single word."
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YOU"Idira is right. It is too soon to cast accusations of heresy."
Argenta"[Name], don't be naive. Theodora kept an unsanctioned witch by her side like a pet. Do you really believe she would think twice about crossing the line in other ways?"
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YOU"Sister Argenta, you will cease these insinuations about Theodora at once! I will not allow the name of the von Valancius family to be defamed by such words."
ArgentaArgenta's fiery gaze instantly bores into you. She coldly bites out, "The deeds of the Rogue Trader's predecessor speak more loudly than any words I could utter."
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YOU"Witch, you are walking a fine line between outright heresy and the barrel of a bolter. Shut your mouth before I shut it for you."
Idira"But she—" A look from you makes her immediately bite her tongue. "I'm sorry, Lord Captain."
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YOU[Say nothing]
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Entry point 2 of 5
ArgentaThe sister's words ring with genuine, sincere sorrow and hope that you will not follow in Theodora's footsteps.
Idira"Life must be so easy for you sanctimonious preachers. A dubious trinket, and you no longer see a person, you see 'bad blood,' an annoying hindrance." There is enough venom in Idira's voice to poison an entire regiment.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 5
Pasqal(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 4 of 5
NPCYour eye is drawn to the peculiar device. At first, you are vexed by worries of some pernicious influence, but the real reason soon becomes apparent. The glass installed in the device shimmers in a unique way — just the same way as the shards of the unknown broken object you found near Theodora von Valancius's desk.
YOU[Walk away from the device]
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NPC(sequence)
Abelard"What's the matter, Lord Captain? Why are you so interested in..." Abelard trails off when he notices what you are looking at. He instantly makes the connection. "By the Imperium's saints... it cannot be!"
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IdiraIdira bites her lip. "I... I see it too. Whatever that thing in her study was... it was made from the same material as this junk."
Abelard"What? WHAT?" Abelard is at a loss for words. He takes a moment to collect himself, and all at once they start pouring out in a hasty sputter: "It's a mistake. Slander meant to blemish the good name of a person who is now dead and cannot even defend herself! First those minions of the Archenemy murdered Lord Captain Theodora, and now... This cannot be tolerated! It WILL not be tolerated!"
Idira"Come on now, Abelard. Remember what she was like." Idira's smile betrays her grief, but, at the same time, is strangely knowing. "Brazen. Assertive. It was like her entire life was a race against fate until fate caught up with her in the end. She would've gone headfirst into a black hole if she had thought it would put her even one step ahead of everyone else out in the Expanse. If we could just find out what she was keeping in her desk and why she went to get it during the attack..."
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ArgentaSister Argenta's beautiful face is full of grief. "How bitter it is to know that you were born from bad blood — but do not let this knowledge drag you into darkness!"
IdiraIdira shakes her head in despair, then freezes, as if having remembered something. She shrinks in terror at the sound of the Interrogator of the Holy Inquisition quietly clearing his throat.
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HeinrixThe Interrogator observes you with polite and ominous interest. "I don't believe I am privy to the story you are so passionately discussing. I am sure Master Werserian and Mistress Tlass will be delighted to rectify my ignorance once we are back aboard the ship. We wouldn't want to distract the Lord Captain from any important matters."
YOU"I have nothing to hide, Heinrix. When we found Theodora's body, there were shards of the same type of glass lying nearby."
HeinrixHeinrix thinks for a moment. "Rogue Traders often cross the line while striving for greatness or seeking to understand the unknown. It is difficult to say what the item in Theodora's possession was... but the very fact that she had it hardly speaks in your predecessor's defence."
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YOU"I am sure the members of my retinue will satisfy the Inquisition's curiosity."
HeinrixHeinrix glances at Abelard and Idira, who exchange worried looks. "Undoubtedly, [Name]."
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Heinrix"Undoubtedly, [Name]."
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YOU"Do not dare to interrogate my people on matters that are of no concern to you!"
HeinrixThe Interrogator proffers an icy smile. "Thank you for your valuable guidance, Rogue Trader, but my position obligates me to make my own judgement about whom to question, on what, and using what methods."
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Entry point 5 of 5
NPCYour eye is drawn to the shards of the enormous lens scattered around the broken device. At first, you are uncertain as to what troubles you, but suddenly the realisation hits you. The glass shimmers in a unique way — just the same way as the shards of the unknown broken object you found near Theodora von Valancius's desk.
YOU[Walk away from the device]continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)continues where this line first appears above