MarazhaiThe xenos lowers his head pensively, but what catches your attention is something else — a barely noticeable twitch of his fingers in his armoured gauntlet. He is signalling to someone standing behind you.
Marazhai"Hmph. Very well. Amuse me."
YOU"Who are you?"
Marazhai"My name is Marazhai Aezyrraesh. Dracon of the Kabal of the Reaving Tempest. First blade to Lady Yremeryss. Eviscerator of Illiridos, Blaze of the Barkhag Kingdom, and Slayer of Carrocius the Pale."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I keep hearing about an Archon. Who is that?"
Marazhai"Mistress of the Kabal whose hunting grounds lie in this region of realspace. It was she who ordered her subjects to gut mon-keigh worlds in order to replenish the supply of meat in the cages of her arenas."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I keep hearing about an Archon. Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my planets? Why are you attacking us?"
Marazhai"Because that is the way of things, mon-keigh. You run. We hunt. You die suffering. We relish every moment of it. When immediate torment loses its lustre and we seek ways to extract something more exquisite from our victims, well... Your kin are frequent guests in my home realm, albeit not of their own volition."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I keep hearing about an Archon. Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my planets? Why are you attacking us?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you and your band the ones responsible for stealing the sun?"
Marazhai"Stealing the sun? The Drukhari are capable of that and much more, mon-keigh — Commorragh bathes in the light of three stars stolen by my kin. But if you think I had a hand in this or any other theft of suns — you are mistaken."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I keep hearing about an Archon. Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my planets? Why are you attacking us?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you and your band the ones responsible for stealing the sun?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you know Low Gothic?"
Marazhai"An unfortunate necessity. Sometimes I am forced to speak to the likes of you — when the eloquence of the whip does not suffice."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I keep hearing about an Archon. Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my planets? Why are you attacking us?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you and your band the ones responsible for stealing the sun?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you know Low Gothic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon]
end of branch
Marazhai"I suppose I should not have expected anything compelling from a mon-keigh. Your questions breed boredom. The conversation is over."
YOU"Conversations end when I say they do!"
Marazhai"Oh, mon-keigh. I do not play by your rules."
end of branch
YOU"I have another question!"
end of branch
YOU[Attack] "It's about time!"
end of branch
YOU[Draw your weapon]continues where this line first appears above
Marazhai"I suppose I should not have expected anything compelling from a mon-keigh. Your questions breed boredom. The conversation is over."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you know Low Gothic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon]continues where this line first appears above
Marazhai(sequence)
Yrliet"And it is all to prevent your putrescent souls from wasting away in the scorching corruption of Sai'lanthresh." Yrliet practically spits out her words. "Day after day, century after century, you chase after the torment of others in hopes that the whispers of She Who Thirsts might fade from your ears at last."
MarazhaiThe Drukhari cocks his head and looks at Yrliet with feigned pity. "Spoken by one who has willingly locked herself in a cage of rules and taboos. Tell me, Asuryani: what part of you is true Aeldari? Have you ever in your life let yourself be consumed by pure euphoria? Have you ever felt real passion? I invite you to join me. I will initiate you into the art of pain and unveil all that your Paths keep hidden."
JaeJae shrugs half-heartedly. "Look at that. A xenos family fight. At least in that regard they are reminiscent of blessed Humanity."
end of branch
Marazhai"I suppose I should not have expected anything compelling from a mon-keigh. Your questions breed boredom. The conversation is over."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you and your band the ones responsible for stealing the sun?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you know Low Gothic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon]continues where this line first appears above
Marazhai(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix lowers his voice. "[Name], something isn't right here. An Archon wouldn't miss an opportunity to lead a raid and revel in the violence and pain herself. What is she planning? Is this a distraction to mask her true intentions? Or an attempt to get rid of her subordinate?"
end of branch
Marazhai"I suppose I should not have expected anything compelling from a mon-keigh. Your questions breed boredom. The conversation is over."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my planets? Why are you attacking us?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you and your band the ones responsible for stealing the sun?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you know Low Gothic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon]continues where this line first appears above
Marazhai(sequence)
Idira"Let's add a couple more titles, shall we? The Runner for the Hills of Vheabos VI and the Insufferable Blatherer of Grantis."
end of branch
Kibellah"You forgot one title, xenos. Your final and true title: the Dead."
end of branch
Marazhai"I suppose I should not have expected anything compelling from a mon-keigh. Your questions breed boredom. The conversation is over."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I keep hearing about an Archon. Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my planets? Why are you attacking us?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you and your band the ones responsible for stealing the sun?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you know Low Gothic?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 3
MarazhaiThe xenos lowers his head, clearly considering your words.
Marazhai"Hmph. Very well. Amuse me."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 3
MarazhaiThe xenos in ornate black armour turns his head to you. His thin, pale face is covered in tattoos and blood spatters. After a moment, his thin lips stretch into a crooked, unpleasant smile. "At last. You took your time coming to meet me, mon-keigh." A couple of seconds pass before you realise that the Elucidator is silent — the xenos is addressing you in Low Gothic.
YOU"We met on the mining world. You are one of the xenos who got away."
Marazhai"You ruined the reception that our poor little Tazarra had worked so hard to arrange. Now it is the Succubus's dream to drag you to Commorragh and have her way with you. What a terrible disappointment it would be for her if something were to happen to you before then... But we should not get ahead of ourselves, yes? First, mon-keigh, allow me to get a good look at you."
MarazhaiThe xenos pauses and raises his chin slightly, examining you. "There is deplorably little to distinguish you from the rest of your dull-witted species. And yet, mon-keigh... and yet you are different. After all, you are from the caste of their rulers, are you not? 'Rogue Trader' — that is what they call you? Well, then, Rogue Trader, since you nevertheless deigned to come to this meeting, tell me your little secret."
Marazhai"How is it that out of all of your kind, you are the only one to discover our feasts in advance? Usually, you are all so slow and sluggish that my kin always have enough time to leave the battlefield before aid arrives. But still, time and time again, your dogs have been there to stand in the Kabal's way." He pauses, waiting for your answer.
YOU"What are you talking about?"
Marazhai"Do not play the fool, Rogue Trader. The mon-keigh know when their world or vessel is due for reaping. The mon-keigh hide or attempt to bare their teeth. Somehow, the mon-keigh know what we know — and I suspect that the search for this leak ought to start with you. After all, it was with you that this series of setbacks began."
YOU"What are you talking about?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We're smarter than we look."
Marazhai"And? That's it? Just an assertion that your kind are not as brainless as you appear to be? This answer does not satisfy me."
MarazhaiThe xenos pauses, mulling over something. Then he continues in an unmistakable tone of weary boredom, "I will tell you this, mon-keigh... I know you might be lying to me. Or you might even be unaware of who is guiding your hand. In any case, I have grown quite tired of your attempts to delay the inevitable. Surely you too have run yourself ragged chasing us between the stars. Let us put an end to this. Finish this standoff. My forces against yours. Once and for all."
Marazhai"You wander among the stars, so you must know of this place. An ancient reach where the echo of stellar agony rings still. A place that serves as a graveyard for old stars, still filled with residual emissions and glittering dust. The place that buried your wreck stuffed full of delicious, frightened mon-keigh and the horrors that devoured them. The threshold of our domain. Your kind call it the Cinerus Maleficum. That is where our disputes will be settled. The Kabal of the Reaving Tempest will be waiting for you, mon-keigh — do not come unarmed."
YOU"What wreck stuffed full of mon-keigh? Answer me!"
Marazhai"Do you wish to find it?" His eyes flash with dark delight, and his voice becomes mockingly obliging. "Well then, mon-keigh, I suggest you send your servants beyond the Cinerus Maleficum. I'm sure they will return with surprising results."
YOU"What wreck stuffed full of mon-keigh? Answer me!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Not so fast. I answered your question. Now you answer mine."
YOU"I will be there, xenos. You can count on it."
Marazhai"Splendid, mon-keigh. Well, now that the offer has been extended... I must take my leave. I hope you prove diverting for my subjects, whom I leave in my stead."
end of branch
YOU"Hmm? Oh, you're finished pontificating? I think I dozed off there for a second — do you mind repeating the whole thing from the start?"
MarazhaiThe mask of composure vanishes from the xenos's face — spitting out a florid, vehement tirade, he draws his weapon.
end of branch
YOU"Why go anywhere? I will kill you right here."
Marazhai"Naive little beast. I won't be soiling my blades with your guts today. My subjects, however... they will gladly amuse themselves with you."
end of branch
YOU"I'm tired of you, xenos. Prepare to die!"
Marazhai"Naive little beast. I won't be soiling my blades with your guts today. My subjects, however... they will gladly amuse themselves with you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Not so fast. I answered your question. Now you answer mine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will be there, xenos. You can count on it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hmm? Oh, you're finished pontificating? I think I dozed off there for a second — do you mind repeating the whole thing from the start?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why go anywhere? I will kill you right here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I'm tired of you, xenos. Prepare to die!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I command substantial resources."
Marazhai"I suppose you are forthright in that regard. But simple riches do not change the fact of your weak, short-sighted, deficient nature. No, there is another reason why the mon-keigh have so suddenly become so astute."
MarazhaiThe xenos pauses, mulling over something. Then he continues in an unmistakable tone of weary boredom, "I will tell you this, mon-keigh... I know you might be lying to me. Or you might even be unaware of who is guiding your hand. In any case, I have grown quite tired of your attempts to delay the inevitable. Surely you too have run yourself ragged chasing us between the stars. Let us put an end to this. Finish this standoff. My forces against yours. Once and for all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aggravating, is it not — having someone best you at your own game?"
MarazhaiThe xenos hisses in irritation. "Do not try my patience, mon-keigh."
YOU"What are you talking about?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We're smarter than we look."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I command substantial resources."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aggravating, is it not — having someone best you at your own game?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at Heinrix] "My friend from the Inquisition introduced me to the right people. You can thank him yourself."
Marazhai"Are you trying to convince me that a mon-keigh, even a well-trained mon-keigh pet, is capable of perceiving the designs of the Drukhari? Both you and your 'friend' will pay for this audacity."
Heinrix"I take it thanks will not be forthcoming."
MarazhaiThe xenos pauses, mulling over something. Then he continues in an unmistakable tone of weary boredom, "I will tell you this, mon-keigh... I know you might be lying to me. Or you might even be unaware of who is guiding your hand. In any case, I have grown quite tired of your attempts to delay the inevitable. Surely you too have run yourself ragged chasing us between the stars. Let us put an end to this. Finish this standoff. My forces against yours. Once and for all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Void take you, miscreant."
MarazhaiThe xenos clicks his tongue. "Predictable. Boring."
Marazhai"In any case, I have grown quite tired of your attempts to delay the inevitable. Surely you too have run yourself ragged chasing us between the stars. Let us put an end to this. Finish this standoff. My forces against yours. Once and for all."
Marazhai"You wander among the stars, so you must know of this place. An ancient reach where the echo of stellar agony rings still. A place that serves as a graveyard for old stars, still filled with residual emissions and glittering dust. The place that buried your wreck stuffed full of delicious, frightened mon-keigh and the horrors that devoured them. The threshold of our domain. Your kind call it the Cinerus Maleficum. That is where our disputes will be settled. The Kabal of the Reaving Tempest will be waiting for you, mon-keigh — do not come unarmed."continues where this line first appears above
Marazhai"You think too highly of your deeds — however insignificant they may be."
YOU"What are you talking about?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We're smarter than we look."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I command substantial resources."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aggravating, is it not — having someone best you at your own game?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at Heinrix] "My friend from the Inquisition introduced me to the right people. You can thank him yourself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Void take you, miscreant."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at Heinrix] "My friend from the Inquisition introduced me to the right people. You can thank him yourself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Void take you, miscreant."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We're smarter than we look."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I command substantial resources."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aggravating, is it not — having someone best you at your own game?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at Heinrix] "My friend from the Inquisition introduced me to the right people. You can thank him yourself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Void take you, miscreant."continues where this line first appears above
Marazhai(sequence)
Heinrix"That thing is perceptive." You hear the undercurrent of worry in Heinrix's murmur.
end of branch
JaeJae shudders. "If a Drukhari took a shine to me, shereen, I'd know to expect nothing good out of it. You are too popular, even with your enemies."
end of branch
YOU"We certainly worked over enough of you xenos scum at your little bash — not the type of thing one forgets."
Marazhai"Yes, mon-keigh. Revel in those memories while you still can, because I will make you regret that stunt of yours yet. But for now — for now, I will take this opportunity to study you."
Marazhai"How is it that out of all of your kind, you are the only one to discover our feasts in advance? Usually, you are all so slow and sluggish that my kin always have enough time to leave the battlefield before aid arrives. But still, time and time again, your dogs have been there to stand in the Kabal's way." He pauses, waiting for your answer.continues where this line first appears above
Marazhai"Your joviality is unwise, mon-keigh. If only you knew who it is you have offended, you would slit your own throat this instant to escape retribution. But there will be time for that later."
Marazhai"How is it that out of all of your kind, you are the only one to discover our feasts in advance? Usually, you are all so slow and sluggish that my kin always have enough time to leave the battlefield before aid arrives. But still, time and time again, your dogs have been there to stand in the Kabal's way." He pauses, waiting for your answer.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you know about Yrliet's kin?"
Marazhai"Perhaps I was mistaken, and it is not my craftworld cousin who follows you — perhaps it is you who serves her? Why would a mon-keigh concern himself/herself with the fate of those you call xenos? Do you not consider them — us — your mortal enemies?"
YOU"I know how heavily this mystery weighs on Yrliet. I wish to lighten her burden."
YrlietYrliet's keen gaze pierces you. Emotions flash across her face in quick succession, and a spark of light appears in her eyes.
MarazhaiHe clicks his tongue. "So you do serve her. Very well. There is something I can tell you, Yrliet... after I am done with these mon-keigh. Step out of my way."
YrlietYrliet curls her fists. After a moment's pause, she whispers, "No, Dark One. That... will not come to pass."
Marazhai(sequence)
Heinrix"Your hesitation speaks volumes, xenos." Heinrix's voice is icy with contempt.
end of branch
Marazhai"Then I have nothing to say to you."
MarazhaiThe xenos pauses and raises his chin slightly, examining you. "There is deplorably little to distinguish you from the rest of your dull-witted species. And yet, mon-keigh... and yet you are different. After all, you are from the caste of their rulers, are you not? 'Rogue Trader' — that is what they call you? Well, then, Rogue Trader, since you nevertheless deigned to come to this meeting, tell me your little secret."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Yrliet helped me. Now it is my turn to help her."
MarazhaiHe clicks his tongue. "So you do serve her. Very well. There is something I can tell you, Yrliet... after I am done with these mon-keigh. Step out of my way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have a burning desire to find those xenos and arrange a great hunt."
YrlietYrliet's scornful gaze pierces you.
MarazhaiThe Drukhari tilts his head. "I am starting to like you, mon-keigh."
MarazhaiThe xenos pauses and raises his chin slightly, examining you. "There is deplorably little to distinguish you from the rest of your dull-witted species. And yet, mon-keigh... and yet you are different. After all, you are from the caste of their rulers, are you not? 'Rogue Trader' — that is what they call you? Well, then, Rogue Trader, since you nevertheless deigned to come to this meeting, tell me your little secret."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is none of your business, filth."
Marazhai"Then I have nothing to say to you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My, my, this beast can speak our language!"
Marazhai"Speaking your language is slightly less trying for my patience than being forced to listen to a mon-keigh machine butchering our tongue. Besides, I want you to understand well what I am about to tell you."
Marazhai"How is it that out of all of your kind, you are the only one to discover our feasts in advance? Usually, you are all so slow and sluggish that my kin always have enough time to leave the battlefield before aid arrives. But still, time and time again, your dogs have been there to stand in the Kabal's way." He pauses, waiting for your answer.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Shoot the xenos]
MarazhaiA bizarre-looking artefact on the xenos's chest flashes with otherworldly fire — and in a deft movement, he dodges the shot. His voice takes on a mocking tone. "I am not finished, mon-keigh."
MarazhaiThe xenos pauses and raises his chin slightly, examining you. "There is deplorably little to distinguish you from the rest of your dull-witted species. And yet, mon-keigh... and yet you are different. After all, you are from the caste of their rulers, are you not? 'Rogue Trader' — that is what they call you? Well, then, Rogue Trader, since you nevertheless deigned to come to this meeting, tell me your little secret."continues where this line first appears above
Marazhai(sequence)
Abelard"Hold your foul tongue, abomination! Such filth will not use that tone with the Emperor's chosen!" Abelard is white with fury.
MarazhaiThe xenos tilts his head to one side. "Why? I sent an invitation — by way of the cattle that dwelt on this world — and the 'chosen' has so obediently appeared. How are my words anything but the truth?"
end of branch
HeinrixHeinrix narrows his eyes. "How disappointing. This clearly isn't Yremeryss, the Kabal's Archon whom we had the displeasure of meeting on Vheabos VI. Once again we are dealing with a pawn instead of the true root of the problem."
MarazhaiThe xenos lets out a hiss of irritation. "The little mon-keigh remembered the Archon's name? Such a clever thing you are... You might just make a good pet — after you have been properly trained and stripped of your misplaced arrogance."
end of branch
MarazhaiHe turns to Yrliet in a snakelike motion. "One of my soft-bodied kin. What meagre offering tempted you to lower yourself to attending these animals? Or does their company remind you of being among your lost brothers and sisters?"
YrlietYrliet freezes — only her wide eyes betray her dismay and anger. "What do you know about my brothers and sisters, Dark One?"
MarazhaiHe lets out an unpleasant laugh. "Only that they wander, blind and helpless, robbed of their home and hope... But why am I telling you this? Isn't it your duty to watch over your kin, Outcast?"