Achilleas — Rogue Trader Dialogue Archive

Entry point 1 of 2

Achilleas ScalanderThe slender figure, clad in robes made from expensive fabric, shudders from violent coughing. Pressing a gilded respirator to his face, the man takes several deep breaths.

Achilleas(sequence)

Heinrix"Achilleas, it's been many moons. I hope your cousin is feeling well."

Achilleas ScalanderAchilleas covers his burnt lips, trying and failing to suppress a coughing fit. "She... she is in good health... She sends her regards to you, as well as her wishes for your swift return."

HeinrixHeinrix frowns. "For as long as the stars shine in the sky, my vigil continues."

Achilleas Scalander"So it does." Achilleas thumps himself on the chest with his augmented hand. You hear the clanging of metal against metal.

YOU"I'm not so foolish as to fail to notice a conversation in code."

Heinrix"Your insight deserves credit, Rogue Trader — then again, I expected nothing less from Theodora von Valancius's successor."

HeinrixHeinrix looks at Achilleas. "Allow me to introduce Achilleas Scalander properly. In addition to his duties as secretary of the Administratum, he acts as an agent of the Golden Throne under my aegis. Master Scalander was transferred into my remit by a colleague who is engaged in other matters in the Koronus Expanse. I'm sure you will find Achilleas's service useful — especially when dealing with the schemes of Humanity's foes within the borders of your protectorate."

Achilleas Scalander"Greetings, Lord/Lady [Name] von Valancius. Allow me once again to express my deepest condolences on the loss of Lady Theodora. I will do everything I can to track down and destroy all of Kunrad Voigtvir's accomplices on the capital world."

end of branch

YOU"Is there a reason for this ill-mannered behaviour, Heinrix? Perhaps you two could find another time to discuss personal matters?"

Heinrix"My apologies, [Name]. Now, to the reason why I asked to be present during the landing on Dargonus."

YOU"Do you two mind?"

Heinrix"My apologies, [Name]. Given the break in the communications between systems in the Expanse, it has become difficult to maintain contact with agents. Receiving this report and assessing the situation is my primary responsibility."

YOU[Say nothing]

Achilleas Scalander"[Name] von Valancius, I greatly appreciate that you've found the time to see me before meeting with the governor. But before we get wrapped up in important matters, allow me to enquire — where is Master van Calox? I thought he accompanied you on the journey."

YOU"The Interrogator is well and currently aboard my ship."

Achilleas Scalander"I'm glad to hear it. But still, I was hoping that Master van Calox would introduce us personally."

YOU"Do you know anything about what has become of Kunrad Voigtvir? The former Master of Whispers is a heretic and a traitor to the dynasty."

AchilleasAchilleas nods grimly. "Word of his treason reached Dargonus too late. Kunrad came to the planet and left it almost immediately, once he had sown discord in the minds of the gullible and naive. The worst of the rumours he started was that you were the one responsible for Lady Theodora's sudden demise. Of course, your loyal subjects did their best to skin alive any who showed signs of doubt. But it seems unlikely that the wardens got to everyone who has allowed doubt into their heart and now nurtures it in secret."

YOU"Do you know anything about what has become of Kunrad Voigtvir? The former Master of Whispers is a heretic and a traitor to the dynasty."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You promised me a report on the present state of affairs in the protectorate."

Achilleas Scalander"I have already forwarded all official reports to your Seneschal. As for the conversation we're having right now, I wouldn't trust any paper or data-slate with its contents. You see, Lady Theodora, may the Emperor have mercy on her soul, was perfectly aware of Dargonus's political environment. You, however, have only just arrived on the capital world, and I thought it would be best to bring you up to speed. Frankly, the nobles of Dargonus, much like nobles on most worlds, are akin to spiders in a jar, ready to pounce on whoever is the weakest... or whomever they deem to be the weakest."

Achilleas Scalander"The nobles of Dargonus are well-respected, rich, and powerful individuals who held Lady Theodora's favour for many years and found ways to rise above the rest by diligently serving the Rogue Trader. Every family pursues its own selfish interests, and each one expects that with the transition of power, they will retain and even add to their lands and wealth. The families I would recommend giving particular attention to are the Drivestems, the Gapraks, and the Sauerbacks. I should also mention the Werserians — not a noble house per se, but a family that was part of Lady Theodora's inner circle, to the blue bloods' great displeasure."

YOU"After hearing all that, I now feel the urge to have every one of those sycophants executed at once."

Achilleas ScalanderAchilleas shrugs. "You are, naturally, well within your right, Rogue Trader. But remember that this will cause the multilayered bureaucratic system of Dargonus — of your entire protectorate, in fact — to come apart at the seams. And that's not even considering the likelihood of attempted reprisals from their families and allies."

Achilleas Scalander"I would hold off on the death sentences. Act with restraint and wisdom, present for all to see sufficient proof of the unwanted house's guilt. Do not mistake me — mass executions are one way to solve your problems — but in that case, you should weigh up every possible scenario before you act."

YOU"After hearing all that, I now feel the urge to have every one of those sycophants executed at once."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I've been to Kiava Gamma already. The planet was tainted by the Cult of the Final Dawn."

Achilleas ScalanderAchilleas shakes his head. "These are grim tidings... It's a tragedy that an industrial world of such tremendous capacity was brought down by the pernicious influence of the Archenemy. Perhaps my... colleagues can pick up the cultists' trail in the cold void. Of course, it would be a small consolation to all of us."

YOU"After hearing all that, I now feel the urge to have every one of those sycophants executed at once."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I've been to Kiava Gamma already. The planet was tainted by the Cult of the Final Dawn."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the Drivestems."

Achilleas Scalander"The Drivestems are the ancient governor house of Dargonus. Predictably, the greater the wealth of the von Valancius protectorate, the fuller their coffers grow. Their reputation is flawless except for one detail — we have evidence that Urbend Drivestem's rivals seem to have the misfortune of regularly falling victim to xenos raids. I find that these attacks are always a little too advantageous for the Drivestems, but we lack solid proof — and it might never surface."

YOU"After hearing all that, I now feel the urge to have every one of those sycophants executed at once."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I've been to Kiava Gamma already. The planet was tainted by the Cult of the Final Dawn."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the Drivestems."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What makes the Gapraks special?"

Achilleas Scalander"The Gapraks hail from a remote forge world, and among their distant relatives, there are many servants of the Omnissiah, and the house itself is close to the cult of the Adeptus Mechanicus, both in spirit and in their business connections. The Gapraks oversaw the industrial shipments within your protectorate — until recently. Ever since the Astropathic communication with Kiava Gamma was severed, they've been quite concerned about the security of the planet placed in their care."

YOU"After hearing all that, I now feel the urge to have every one of those sycophants executed at once."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I've been to Kiava Gamma already. The planet was tainted by the Cult of the Final Dawn."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the Drivestems."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What makes the Gapraks special?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What can you tell me about House Sauerback?"

Achilleas Scalander"Religious and hardworking... The Sauerbacks own many enterprises, including distillation manufactorums that produce promethium. I must note that lately members of the Sauerback family have been prone to overly liberal statements about the von Valancius dynasty — they believe that Lady Theodora was a bit too keen to leave her worlds without proper oversight."

YOU"After hearing all that, I now feel the urge to have every one of those sycophants executed at once."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I've been to Kiava Gamma already. The planet was tainted by the Cult of the Final Dawn."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the Drivestems."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What makes the Gapraks special?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What can you tell me about House Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I would like to know more about the Werserians."

Achilleas Scalander"The Werserians are a line founded by Lady Theodora's Seneschal and as such are nominally considered nobility — at least from the standpoint of the Imperial Navy, from which Lord Abelard hails. On Dargonus, however, their position is precarious — firstly, they never were granted an official title, a process which has been impeded for decades by the old houses of Dargonus, and secondly, the other families do not see them as equals, but more as upstarts clinging to the Rogue Trader's favour. The Werserians are responsible for the capital world's fleet and the majority of the cargo shipments on domestic routes."

YOU"After hearing all that, I now feel the urge to have every one of those sycophants executed at once."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I've been to Kiava Gamma already. The planet was tainted by the Cult of the Final Dawn."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the Drivestems."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What makes the Gapraks special?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What can you tell me about House Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I would like to know more about the Werserians."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Enough about the nobles. Was there anything else you wanted to report?"

Achilleas Scalander"There was, Your Lordship/Ladyship. And this time, it concerns the main reason for my presence on this planet — xenos and the threat they pose both to you and to Humanity as a whole."

Achilleas"The last few months have been difficult for the people who report to me — my eyes and ears scattered throughout the Koronus Expanse. Warp disturbances, Astropaths overcome with madness, ships disappearing in the Immaterium... many of my observers and contacts have gone dark or have been killed by some calamity or other. Still, I managed to establish communication with some key... individuals who were able to warn me about incoming threats, including xenos raids."

AchilleasAchilleas looks you in the eye without blinking. "It is within my power to supply you with intelligence on where and when the xenos will strike next. I do not doubt that Governor Drivestem will beg you for protection against the xenos, and in this fight, the information from my contacts will serve you well. I beseech you, [Name] — if I ever report a threat looming over a ship or a planet, do not dismiss it. Sometimes it takes an intervention from the Rogue Trader and his/her mighty voidship to avert a disaster."

YOU"Do you know anything about what has become of Kunrad Voigtvir? The former Master of Whispers is a heretic and a traitor to the dynasty."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You promised me a report on the present state of affairs in the protectorate."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the noble houses of Dargonus."

Achilleas Scalander"I will gladly refresh your memory, Your Lordship/Ladyship."

YOU"After hearing all that, I now feel the urge to have every one of those sycophants executed at once."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I've been to Kiava Gamma already. The planet was tainted by the Cult of the Final Dawn."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the Drivestems."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What makes the Gapraks special?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What can you tell me about House Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I would like to know more about the Werserians."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Enough about the nobles. Was there anything else you wanted to report?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What are your responsibilities here on Dargonus?"

Achilleas Scalander"Officially, I'm a secretary at this world's Administratum department. Less officially... I'm afraid I can't disclose that even to you. In short, I collect and investigate reports of heresy taking root on upstanding planets of Humanity. Above all else, I am concerned about the xenos threat that hangs over the entire Koronus Expanse, including your protectorate. Sadly, my mission was complicated by the recent warp disturbances — I am still trying to re-establish contact with many of my agents."

YOU"Tell me about xenos."

Achilleas Scalander"The residents of the local systems are no strangers to skirmishes with enemies of Humanity. But recently the loathsome beasts seem to have completely flown off the handle. We're receiving reports from ships that made it through the warp to Dargonus — both they and the colonies that they departed from are being attacked. We have identified the breed of xenos that pose this threat — the Drukhari, Humanity's ancient and insidious foes. Be vigilant on your travels — the xenos will undoubtedly attack a Rogue Trader's ship should they find the circumstances to be in their favour."

YOU"Tell me about xenos."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know anything about the Cult of the Final Dawn?"

Achilleas Scalander"My knowledge is deplorably limited, Your Lordship/Ladyship — all my attention has been focused on tracking xenos activity. I'm certain that Master van Calox can tell you much more about those heretics than I."

YOU"Tell me about xenos."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know anything about the Cult of the Final Dawn?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"About your 'unofficial' work..."

Achilleas ScalanderAchilleas's amber eyes flash with interest. "Yes?"

YOU"Whom do you truly serve — the Rogue Trader or the Interrogator of the Inquisition?"

Achilleas(sequence)

Achilleas ScalanderAchilleas quickly glances at Heinrix.

end of branch

Achilleas Scalander"And whom does the Rogue Trader serve? The Golden Throne? The protectorate? Could it be that one stems from the other? And if so, is there any sense in discussing it?"

YOU"Whom do you truly serve — the Rogue Trader or the Interrogator of the Inquisition?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I want a list of all your agents and the means to contact them."

Achilleas Scalander"I can understand your desire as a Rogue Trader to have everything under your control. And yet I am not at liberty to make use of classified information related to the Interrogator's agents in whatever way I see fit." Achilleas lowers his gaze and nods politely.

YOU"Whom do you truly serve — the Rogue Trader or the Interrogator of the Inquisition?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I want a list of all your agents and the means to contact them."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Dargonus has no need for spies from the Inquisition. Begone!"

Achilleas Scalander"I would never defy a Rogue Trader on his/her capital world. However, I am here on direct orders from the Lord Inquisitor, whose authority, pardon my brazenness, supersedes yours. I cannot leave my post — at least not until he recalls me personally. Please, stay your anger, Your Lordship/Ladyship. For I am doing everything I can to rid the von Valancius worlds of the threat of burgeoning heresy."

YOU"Whom do you truly serve — the Rogue Trader or the Interrogator of the Inquisition?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I want a list of all your agents and the means to contact them."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Dargonus has no need for spies from the Inquisition. Begone!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I have learned all I wanted to."

Achilleas ScalanderAchilleas bows and brings the respirator to his burnt lips.

YOU"Tell me about xenos."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know anything about the Cult of the Final Dawn?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"About your 'unofficial' work..."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I have other questions to ask."

Achilleas Scalander"I sincerely hope that I can answer every one of them."

YOU"Do you know anything about what has become of Kunrad Voigtvir? The former Master of Whispers is a heretic and a traitor to the dynasty."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You promised me a report on the present state of affairs in the protectorate."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the noble houses of Dargonus."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What are your responsibilities here on Dargonus?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The scars on your face... What happened?"

Achilleas Scalander"About..." He coughs. "...five years ago, there was an accident. Several tanks of promethium exploded in the storehouse at my estate, and I was buried alive under the rubble. The Emperor preserved my soul, and the skilled physicians of Dargonus saved my body — except for my lungs, with which I had to part. I presume the incident was an attempt on my life, but the identity of whoever was behind it remains a mystery."

YOU"Do you know anything about what has become of Kunrad Voigtvir? The former Master of Whispers is a heretic and a traitor to the dynasty."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You promised me a report on the present state of affairs in the protectorate."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Tell me about the noble houses of Dargonus."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"What are your responsibilities here on Dargonus?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"The scars on your face... What happened?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I must take my leave."

Achilleas ScalanderAchilleas bows. "According to the message I received a few minutes ago, Governor Drivestem has arrived at court. I imagine that the chancellor is already prepared to arrange the meeting — all that's left is to notify her that you are ready to see Urbend."

end of branch

Achilleas Scalander"Thank you for your time, Your Lordship/Ladyship." With a formal bow, Achilleas takes his leave.

end of branch

YOU"I must take my leave."continues where this line first appears above

Achilleas(sequence)

Heinrix"Achilleas is the critical link in a long chain of people who toil day and night, putting their lives and souls at risk, to protect Humanity from its many enemies — your enemies. To send Scalander away is to blind both your eyes and be left ignorant about those who are seeking to stab you in the back."

end of branch

YOU"I have learned all I wanted to."continues where this line first appears above

Achilleas(sequence)

HeinrixHeinrix lets out a sigh of disappointment. "There's no point in pressing my agents — none of them would ever reveal such vital information. Especially not in my presence."

end of branch

YOU"Dargonus has no need for spies from the Inquisition. Begone!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I have learned all I wanted to."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I want a list of all your agents and the means to contact them."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Dargonus has no need for spies from the Inquisition. Begone!"

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I have learned all I wanted to."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I have other questions to ask."

continues where this line first appears above

Achilleas ScalanderAchilleas catches himself. "That is to say, he could tell you if he were alive."

YOU"Tell me about xenos."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Do you know anything about the Cult of the Final Dawn?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"About your 'unofficial' work..."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I have other questions to ask."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"About your 'unofficial' work..."

continues where this line first appears above

YOU"I have other questions to ask."

continues where this line first appears above

Achilleas"Unfortunately, in the host of Humanity there are those who are willing to grovel before our enemies in the hopes of a valuable reward. You may be interested to know that we are on the trail of such heretics..." Achilleas glances at a data-slate. "Overwhelming evidence indicates that a plundered void station in Langrenn's Belt is being used as a base by a band of pirates who are not above dealing with xenos. I was unable to persuade the chancellor of the need to dispatch a ship there, but... perhaps you would like to pay a courtesy call to these scoundrels yourself?"