AuroraThe face of the woman who stands before you is hidden behind a grotesque barred mask. Yet the voice pouring out beneath it belongs to someone else: it is the husky, sombre bass of a void wolf, a boarder of ships. "How predictable your path is. How static. All the possible deaths you have skirted, only to perish here, in the fiery tempest that will mark the Final Dawn."
YOU"Silence, heretic. Your crazed preaching will not touch my mind."
Aurora"Do you cling to your blindness so desperately? Do you think it will protect you from the blinding radiance of the truth?"
AuroraThe woman's voice breaks and shifts to a different pitch and timbre — a martyr's voice, young, fervent, and in pain: "Time has all but run out. I can hear the fist of the future knocking on the door of the present. Choose quickly what you want to be when it walks in: a blind slave to what is gone, a faithful servant of what is to come, or a corpse."
YOU"Who are you?"
Aurora"My name is known to you. I am Aurora, servant of Uralon the Cruel and the spark of the Final Dawn that is destined to set Rykad Minoris ablaze."
Aurora"A great path for one who was born into the Imperium's bondage but shunned her predestination in favour of the changes promised by the Edge of Daybreak."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"
AuroraResounding laughter comes from behind the mask. "Your flippancy is so amusing. Why, you have no inkling of the chasm that separates us. He is a prophet who foresaw our impending doom and who graciously bestowed upon us the right to choose a different path. He is a shard of ancient wisdom from a time before we were slaves to our bitter predestination."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"
Aurora"Our teacher. Our saviour. Our merciful god born in the Immaterium out of the woes of those labouring under a legacy of ignorance and servitude."
AuroraThe woman's face is hidden behind the mask, but there is a sharpness to her voice that convinces you that her face is contorted in a grimace. "And he remembers you, [Name] von Valancius. Your little purge by fire will not make you invisible to the Weaver of Destinies."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."
Aurora"Salvation from a death whose name is yet unknown, but whose approach is sensed by many. Soon it will claim every inhabitant of the Koronus Expanse. Do you think anyone will come to our aid when cataclysms shake our homes and planet-wide genocides are unleashed? Will the Emperor help? Or the idol of iron they call the Omnissiah? No. We will die alone and abandoned. Only one deity is promising salvation: the Edge of Daybreak. Mercy and salvation will come to all who believe in him and purify their souls in the light of the Final Dawn."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"
Aurora"Everyone born in the Imperium has a predestination. The soldier, the commoner, the Administratum official, the technomat, the void rat — all are consigned to serving the Golden Throne and then dying a grim death for its glory. The Imperium never thinks twice about treating people as exploitable and expendable. After all, they are the most easily replenished of all resources."
Aurora"Even your path is predestined, Rogue Trader: you will inevitably perish on your quest to expand Humanity's domain, and your end will be particularly grim and ghastly. The fruits of your efforts will be enjoyed by others: the eternal aristocrats who dwell on Mars, Terra, and other safe worlds."
Aurora"They insist that it is the natural order of things, but that is a lie. It is an order that benefits them."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"
Aurora"Do you think they are blind? They see far more than you do. Through reflections in mirrors blessed by the energies of the Immaterium, the Edge of Daybreak reveals to them visions of true existence and gives them glimpses of what is to come. The eyes lie: our erstwhile masters have taught them to see only what is consistent with the lies they tell. The gift we give is that of true sight."
AuroraThe woman takes a glass prism out of the folds of her clothes, and looks at you through it with a mocking chuckle. The prism's bluish-pink sheen imprints itself on your retinas as though it has been burned into them. "Guess what I see when I look at you."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."
Aurora"Conversations about truth always frighten ignorant minds."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your people wanted my head. Why?"
Aurora"Brother Twilight, known to you as Kunrad, marked you as a target. Your foiling of his plans sealed your death warrant. It is now a predestined certainty that changes can no longer affect."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your people wanted my head. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you trying to blow up the reactor?"
Aurora"I am lighting the spark of the Final Dawn. Sometimes the future revealed in the Edge of Daybreak's visions is fragmented between the facets of possibility, and the view is unclear. I have glimpsed the importance of this place for what is to come, and I have solved the puzzle. The flash of purity will transform this world and bring it closer to the Immaterium, in which it will be reborn. False believers will perish in the fire, whilst the faithful will find their salvation and their new form in it."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your people wanted my head. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you trying to blow up the reactor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take a good look at me, Aurora. Predestination has changed. Now I am your master's favourite. Will you dare to go against his will?"
Aurora(sequence)
Argenta"What is this poison you speak, Rogue Trader?"
end of branch
HeinrixHeinrix eyes you icily. "Interesting choice of words, [Name]."
end of branch
AuroraAurora hesitates. Then a madwoman's hoarse laughter comes from behind the mask. "You are no successor to Brother Twilight, oh no. You are a mere impostor believing him/herself to be a decider of fates! I deny you! I deny you!"
AuroraAurora's entire body flinches as if she has been struck. A cough sends a scarlet spatter through the grille of her mask. "What— what is this? Punishment? But for what? I have not renounced the Edge— I— this cannot be— execute them at once!" Aurora attempts to recite an unholy litany in broken Gothic, but her own voice fails her as she is shaken by a violent coughing fit until she can barely breathe.
AuroraThe Electro-Priests rip their hands off the command panels, rending their flesh on the stakes that pierced them. As their schismatical-controlled bodies are imbued with the Motive Force's radiance, all the unfortunates can do is scream in horror and plead for a swift death.
end of branch
YOU[Attack] "Enough. I will rid Rykad Minoris of your tyranny."
AuroraThe woman's voice becomes thin and brittle like that of an innocent child: "Execute them in the name of the Edge of Daybreak!"
AuroraThe Electro-Priests rip their hands off the command panels, rending their flesh on the stakes that pierced them. As their schismatical-controlled bodies are imbued with the Motive Force's radiance, all the unfortunates can do is scream in horror and plead for a swift death. Aurora begins muttering an unholy litany in broken Gothic.
YOU[Attack] "In the name of the God-Emperor — die, foul creature!"
AuroraThe woman's voice becomes thin and brittle like that of an innocent child: "Execute them in the name of the Edge of Daybreak!"continues where this line first appears above
Aurora(sequence)
Pasqal"You will never tame the spirit of this ancient and noble machine, ignorant layperson."
Aurora"It does have a vile temper. But I have assistants who can help tame it." The woman nods casually toward the maimed Electro-Priests whose hands are affixed to the control panels with steel stakes.
Electro-PriestOne of the servants of the Omnissiah casts a tortured glance at you, his voice trembling with horror: "Blasphemous spirits have crawled under our skin and into our sacred iron. Take the Motive Force of our bodies, I implore you. We do not wish to offend the Omnissiah with the sacrileges our hands are committing."
Aurora"They resisted for a long time, but now their bodies and souls belong to the schismaticals. Line after line, the scrap-code they produce will awaken the reactor's unyielding spirit as well. And it, too, will yearn for change and freedom."
end of branch
YOU"Take a good look at me, Aurora. Predestination has changed. Now I am your master's favourite. Will you dare to go against his will?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Enough. I will rid Rykad Minoris of your tyranny."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "In the name of the God-Emperor — die, foul creature!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you trying to blow up the reactor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take a good look at me, Aurora. Predestination has changed. Now I am your master's favourite. Will you dare to go against his will?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Enough. I will rid Rykad Minoris of your tyranny."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "In the name of the God-Emperor — die, foul creature!"continues where this line first appears above
Aurora(sequence)
Kibellah"Your own death. You just haven't recognised it yet." Kibellah leans forward and whispers with a smile, "Remember its face."
end of branch
Idira"In that case you should consider losing the eyes too, sister, 'cause your visions are all wrong. My whispers are telling me something completely different about who dies here and how. I won't spoil the surprise, so let's just say it will come as quite a shock to you." Idira grins maliciously.
end of branch
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."continues where this line first appears above
AuroraThe corruption that was born within you on the day of Theodora's death answers the call. Aurora's words seem to mesmerise you, conjuring visions in your mind's eye of a flame-engulfed world in which muttering eyeless ghosts wander about, untouched by fire, and the whispers of daemons resonate together to shake the scorched rock below.
AuroraAfter Aurora finishes, she studies you silently for a while and says in a pleased voice, "You can sense the truth of my words, can you not? You have softened your soul enough for it to sense, almost as clearly as mine does, the coming changes."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."continues where this line first appears above
AuroraYou cannot see the woman's face behind her mask, but her voice is trembling with what could be anger or fear. "And he spread the word about you, [Name] von Valancius. The interloper who got in Brother Twilight's way... I will avenge him."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."continues where this line first appears above
AuroraYou cannot see the woman's face behind her mask, but judging by her tone of malicious triumph, you could swear she is smiling. "And he remembers you, [Name] von Valancius. The silly saviour fantasy you have been acting out amuses the true masters of those people's fates."
YOU"Whose servant are you? Is Uralon a daemon or just another heretic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."continues where this line first appears above
Aurora(sequence)
Argenta"Rogue Trader! I can't wait to close this creature's mouth with the seal of death. Or are you saving this glorious deed for yourself?"
end of branch
YOU"The Edge of Daybreak? Is that your unholy patron?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what is this Final Dawn? It is all your followers ever talk about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What servitude are you talking about? What predestination?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you blinding people?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think that is enough heretical talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your people wanted my head. Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you trying to blow up the reactor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take a good look at me, Aurora. Predestination has changed. Now I am your master's favourite. Will you dare to go against his will?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Enough. I will rid Rykad Minoris of your tyranny."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "In the name of the God-Emperor — die, foul creature!"continues where this line first appears above
Aurora(sequence)
Heinrix"I would take some time to wrest from you the details of the 'future' that the cult prophesies. Hopefully, when we're done, what's left of you will still be capable of coherent speech."
end of branch
Argenta"What you'll be is a living torch blazing for His glory!" Argenta's voice burns with pure hatred and trembles with impatience to make the promise come true.
end of branch
Cassia"Ah!" Cassia squints and looks away. "Yellows, reds, violets, oranges, blues... Wild colours that scorch the eyes. But where the motley masks end, nothing but a colourless void remains."
end of branch
YOU"Step away from the sacred reactor and I might allow you to surrender."
Aurora"Surrender? The gall of it. You are chained to the falsehood of a dead god's religion. Captives do not take captives."
AuroraThe woman's voice breaks and shifts to a different pitch and timbre — a martyr's voice, young, fervent, and in pain: "Time has all but run out. I can hear the fist of the future knocking on the door of the present. Choose quickly what you want to be when it walks in: a blind slave to what is gone, a faithful servant of what is to come, or a corpse."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, announce my arrival."
PasqalPasqal lets out an intimidating binharic trill and announces grimly, "With the Omnissiah's blessing, the Rogue Trader von Valancius has come before the Miraculous Fusion Reactor, seeking to perform purification and eradicate the corruption. All unauthorised persons are hereby ordered to lay down their arms and humbly accept their punishment."
Aurora"Humility is the lot of the meek. I am a harbinger of great changes, and visions of the great cataclysms to come have incinerated what humility I had in my heart."
AuroraThe woman's voice breaks and shifts to a different pitch and timbre — a martyr's voice, young, fervent, and in pain: "Time has all but run out. I can hear the fist of the future knocking on the door of the present. Choose quickly what you want to be when it walks in: a blind slave to what is gone, a faithful servant of what is to come, or a corpse."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What a talented enemy! Can you do the governor's voice?"
Aurora"I cannot. Slaves such as you and he have no voice. You are mute."
AuroraThe woman's voice breaks and shifts to a different pitch and timbre — a martyr's voice, young, fervent, and in pain: "Time has all but run out. I can hear the fist of the future knocking on the door of the present. Choose quickly what you want to be when it walks in: a blind slave to what is gone, a faithful servant of what is to come, or a corpse."continues where this line first appears above
Aurora(sequence)
AuroraThe woman turns her mask to Pasqal and gloats, "You have arrived just in time, little cog. The schismaticals use your regalia like a mask to subdue the reactor."
PasqalPasqal's vox rasps musingly, "A cog. I cannot comprehend why apostates try to insult me by comparing me to the sacred symbol of our faith. It is irrational." His visor lights up like a crimson herald of bloodshed, and his drilling mechadendrite whirrs viciously as it readies to strike. "The sacred cog grinds all corruption to dust. From the dust, I will build order."
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 5
Aurora"Enough." Now an aged, rattling voice speaks to you from behind the bloodstained mask. "You are powerless to halt the approach of what is to come. I see a crimson trail leading Humanity to its doom. I see the glow of the Final Dawn, and that means existence has made its choice!" A dagger flashes in Aurora's hand. She drives it into the control panel with all her strength. "Now you will see it too!"
AuroraA blinding voltaic arc bursts forth from the broken control panel and strikes at Aurora's uncanny mask. Its metal heats up. Smoke billows through the bars. With a howl, the cultist collapses.
Aurora"The light... is gone. Was that it? The Final Dawn? But why was it so different from what our teacher promised?" Aurora shakes her head blindly. Her voice is now the voice of an ordinary middle-aged woman, frightened and in pain. "You will pay for this. You will. You—" The woman's body goes limp and collapses to the floor. Her iron mask hits the ground with a dull thud.
YOU[Inspect the control panel damaged by Aurora]
YOU[Remove Aurora's mask]
AuroraThe iron helmet is firmly attached to the heretic's flesh. Her face is impossible to make out in the darkness behind the bars of her mask, but after peering at it for a little longer than necessary, you wonder if, for a moment... you saw something move.
YOU[Inspect the control panel damaged by Aurora]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Remove Aurora's mask]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Observe the Interrogator]
AuroraHeinrix efficiently searches Aurora's corpse as if he is looking for something specific. After checking every belt and pouch, he straightens up with an annoyed sigh, glances at the mangled cogitator, and walks toward it with a resolute stride. "I've found what I've been looking for."
HeinrixHeinrix takes the strange shard out of the control panel and studies it for a few seconds. "Curious..." Heinrix stows the corrupted object away and turns to you.
Heinrix"Rogue Trader, on behalf of the Holy Ordos, I thank you for your cooperation and release you from requisition. From this moment on, I am at your service. I am ready to come aboard your ship and head for Footfall as soon as you deem it possible. That is, if you do not have other business in this system, in which case I am prepared to assist you in its prompt resolution."
YOU[Inspect the control panel damaged by Aurora]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Remove Aurora's mask]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Observe the Interrogator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Will you be finished soon, Master van Calox? I cannot stand being made to wait."
Aurora"Patience is one of the greatest strengths of a powerful dynasty, Lord/Lady von Valancius."
AuroraHeinrix efficiently searches Aurora's corpse as if he is looking for something specific. After checking every belt and pouch, he straightens up with an annoyed sigh, glances at the mangled cogitator, and walks toward it with a resolute stride. "I've found what I've been looking for."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us finish cleansing the monastery, Pasqal."
Pasqal"Executing. Let the Omnissiah-given Motive Force flow and all obstacles in its path be eradicated."
end of branch
YOU"Will you be finished soon, Master van Calox? I cannot stand being made to wait."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us finish cleansing the monastery, Pasqal."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Observe the Interrogator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Will you be finished soon, Master van Calox? I cannot stand being made to wait."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us finish cleansing the monastery, Pasqal."continues where this line first appears above
Aurora(sequence)
PasqalPasqal examines the corpse with contempt, then concludes dryly, "Confirming purgation and termination."
end of branch
HeinrixHeinrix grimaces in disgust. "The heretic took her secrets with her. Pity."
end of branch
Cassia"The motley hues have rejected her, leaving... only a greyish-green thread — the noose that the heretic put around her own neck. I have seen this many times before. No one can escape fear itself."
end of branch
Idira"I said it would come as a shock to her, didn't I? Her eyes literally sparkled with astonishment." Idira's smug grin gives way to an expression of concern. "That said, my friends from behind the door won't calm down. They keep sneering and guffawing as if the joke's on us and not her."
end of branch
HeinrixHeinrix approaches Aurora's body and leans over it. "A minute, please, [Name]. I need no more than a minute..."
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 5
Aurora(sequence)
end of branch
Entry point 4 of 5
AuroraYou cannot make out her blasphemous words, but the name the heretic keeps repeating — the Edge of Daybreak — digs into your hearing like a blade into defenceless flesh. Its sound is almost physically painful. It spawns strange and impossible phantoms in your mind.
AuroraHowever, you manage to muster your strength and banish it from your mind.
end of branch
AuroraNo matter how hard you try, you cannot get it out of your head. Are you really going to carry it around in your mind... forever?
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 5
AuroraThe cogitator is probably well beyond repair, but your attention is drawn away from the sacred machine and toward the dagger sticking out of the control panel. On closer inspection, it turns out to be the lavishly decorated handguard of a sword whose blade has been pried out. Its pommel is decorated with a strange adornment resembling an eye covered by a scaled lid. What remains of the blade has a blue sheen to it — the same tint as Kunrad's weapon during the mutiny on your voidship.
AuroraThis is no human-made object. It was grown from wraithbone, a material favoured by the Aeldari.
AuroraAs you lean over the shard, you suddenly hear a multitude of voices. They blend together and individual words are distorted, as though they are mocking your attempts to grasp their meaning. The nagging whisper is like the burning red scratch of an unholy claw upon your mind.
YOU[Surreptitiously take the sword shard]
AuroraWhen you touch the abomination, the whispers in your ears become louder and more... bloodthirsty. You pocket the trophy surreptitiously, just before the Interrogator appears at your shoulder.
HeinrixHeinrix gives you an appraising look, then shifts his gaze to the cogitator's control panel. "An impressive blow. I suppose whatever she used to breach the frame was melted by the impact of the Motive Force... Hmm."
Heinrix"Rogue Trader, on behalf of the Holy Ordos, I thank you for your cooperation and release you from requisition. From this moment on, I am at your service. I am ready to come aboard your ship and head for Footfall as soon as you deem it possible. That is, if you do not have other business in this system, in which case I am prepared to assist you in its prompt resolution."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix, take a look over here. Is this by any chance what you are looking for?"
HeinrixHeinrix raises his head, gets up, and makes a wry face as he carefully examines Aurora's weapon. "This unholy object is the work of inhuman hands. And judging by the cold I am sensing, it is a tool of the Archenemy... I am most grateful for your vigilance, [Name]."
HeinrixHeinrix takes the strange shard out of the control panel and studies it for a few seconds. "Curious..." Heinrix stows the corrupted object away and turns to you.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Toss the shard into the depths of the reactor]
PasqalAs you touch the handguard, an otherworldly cold envelops your hand — only for a mere instant, as in the very next second, you send the corrupted weapon flying into the shining abyss. The terrible wail of several dozen voices pierces your mind for a moment, only to turn into a deafening shriek and break off as a clap of electricity is heard somewhere beneath your feet.
Heinrix"What was that?" Heinrix appears behind you. "Did you think it a good idea to throw something into the reactor? I'd refrain from such experiments if I were you."
Heinrix"Rogue Trader, on behalf of the Holy Ordos, I thank you for your cooperation and release you from requisition. From this moment on, I am at your service. I am ready to come aboard your ship and head for Footfall as soon as you deem it possible. That is, if you do not have other business in this system, in which case I am prepared to assist you in its prompt resolution."continues where this line first appears above
AuroraAs you lean over the shard, you suddenly hear a multitude of voices. They blend together and individual words are distorted, as though they are mocking your attempts to grasp their meaning. The nagging whisper is like the burning red scratch of an unholy claw upon your mind.continues where this line first appears above