NPCThe low hum of voices quiets, and a dozen gazes shift to you.
NPCThe tall man with a shaved head is rubbing his hands together nervously. His opulent clothes are nearly bursting at the seams on his muscular body, and his expression is forbiddingly grim. Still, he's trying to put on an air of friendliness. "Greetings! You must be..."
NPC"Lord/Lady von Valancius! Your Lordship/Ladyship, I heard about your arrival on Footfall, of course... and about Lady Theodora's passing... but I wasn't told... you're not on the list..." He stops. "But that's not a problem, of course! Please, come on in — Chaplain is about to begin! Ah, but we're waiting for one more attendee to arrive, Fidelio... without Fidelio, it's all been for nothing..." Mumbling, the man excuses himself and joins the other attendees.
NPCHe glances at the scroll in his mechanical hand implant. "Master/Mistress Fidelio? All the guests have arrived, you're the last on the list, and we couldn't well start without you. Your presence is absolutely vital!"
YOU[Play along] "Of course. I'm Fidelio."
NPCHe puts on a broad smile, but then catches himself and quickly frowns once more. "Please. Ahem. We can talk later. Chaplain is about to begin..."
YOU[Look around]
YOU"I wonder who this Fidelio is, and why they cannot start proceedings until he or she appears."
NPC(sequence)
Abelard"Judging by the way that fellow with the list was talking about this individual — it's someone very important. But it's not a name I've heard before."
AbelardAbelard casts a sidelong glance at Jae and says with forced courtesy, "Mistress Heydari, you are familiar with the Footfall crowd. Does the name Fidelio mean anything to you?"
Jae"Nothing at all, my esteemed Master Werserian," Jae says in a honeyed voice. "Alas, the name doesn't ring any bells. Colour me intrigued!"
end of branch
Argenta"I have never heard the name before either."
Jae"Neither have I, my sweet angel, neither have I! But then again, I've barely heard your name, and I regret that fate didn't bring us together sooner..."
Argenta"...because you wished to embark upon the path of redemption and become an upstanding citizen of the Imperium, of course?"
end of branch
SolomorneSolomorne rubs his chin in thought. "Fidelio... I can say with certainty that there is no such name on the wanted list, and that the Arbitrators posted on Footfall have sent out no special reports on this person."
Idira"Are you telling me you can recall the name of every wanted criminal in the Expanse?"
Solomorne"Only those who have violated the Lex Imperialis, their accomplices, and possible contacts — their names, features, and the locations of potential hideouts. An Arbitrator who cannot instantly identify a dangerous criminal or their associates is useless."
end of branch
YOU"What is this place and what is going on here?"
NPC(sequence)
Jae"This place? Hmm... Right by darling Vladaym's residence, fifth circle... Some guys I know are operating around here, I know what their takings are and who they work for. But the place itself — I'm drawing a blank!"
end of branch
Idira"I know nothing about the place, but I can feel that something's in the works here. I sense danger and opportunity..."
Idira"And the danger's a whole lot greater," she finishes grimly.
end of branch
Idira"That is, a little danger, but a big opportunity."
end of branch
Heinrix"I sense neither sorcery nor warp influence... However... every other attendee has military-grade implants. Almost all of them are armed. See those two? They act like they're just strolling about, but they're really covering the exit... and so is that pair over there. We shouldn't let our guard down at this gathering — something is afoot."
end of branch
YOU[Join the attendees] "I want to see what this is about."
Clerk"Oh, what a terrible, sorrowful day! We pay our respects to the life and soul of Footfall society, a loyal servant of the Imperium, a generous benefactor who spared no expense to keep the fire of faith burning, and an example to all future generations — the most noble and unforgettable Master Bellardo! This loss..." The fussy Administratum clerk speaks in a strained voice — and keeps peeking at a paper with text on it. His speech drags on and on, blending into a monotonous cascade of praises of the late Master Bellardo.
Clerk"So let us offer a prayer to the Emperor for the repose of Master Bellardo's soul and the prosperity of his heirs! I now pass you over to our most reverend Chaplain."
ChaplainA formidable-looking man dressed in the attire of an Ecclesiarchy missionary glares at the gathered crowd. "And here you all are, you vultures. Let's offer a prayer, then. But if you think that the Emperor — or the messenger of His will, in other words, myself — does not see into your vile souls, you are sorely mistaken!"
ChaplainChaplain looks at you and gives a slight nod. "I wasn't referring to Master/Mistress Fidelio — at least Denz himself wanted to see him/her at his funeral. But the rest? I know every one of you, and I would be astonished to discover anyone here who truly mourns this loss."
Chaplain"So go ahead, pray for Bellardo's soul. Soon the flames will take him. A fitting end for a life like his. May the Emperor keep his soul!" Without another word, Chaplain makes the sign of the Aquila and pointedly turns away from the attendees.
end of branch
ChaplainChaplain looks at you and gives a slight nod. "I wasn't referring to our esteemed guest. But the rest of you I know all too well."
Chaplain"So go ahead, pray for Bellardo's soul. Soon the flames will take him. A fitting end for a life like his. May the Emperor keep his soul!" Without another word, Chaplain makes the sign of the Aquila and pointedly turns away from the attendees.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I don't want to get involved in this."
end of branch
NPC(sequence)
Abelard"What is this tomfoolery..." Abelard grumbles, but not before making sure that the man is out of earshot.
end of branch
Heinrix"A curious habit, introducing yourself with the first name offered to you." Heinrix glances around with pointed nonchalance. "Let's see how long you can keep up the ruse."
end of branch
YOU"You must have me confused with someone else. I am [Name], envoy of the von Valancius dynasty."
NPCHe rubs his hands together anxiously. "Von Valancius? You're not on the list. But that hardly matters — all doors on Footfall are open to a representative of Lady Theodora! Please, come right in — Chaplain is about to begin. Now where is that last attendee, Fidelio..."
Entry point 2 of 5
NPCThe gathering you've found yourself at seems refined and respectable at first glance. The decorations and the attendees' clothes speak of wealth, and so does the location, which isn't far from the Liege's residence. But you notice that most of those gathered are of rather imposing physique. Many of them have scars and military-grade implants. Several of the guests look like they are covering the exit. A few are clearly carrying concealed weapons...
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wonder who this Fidelio is, and why they cannot start proceedings until he or she appears."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place and what is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the attendees] "I want to see what this is about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I don't want to get involved in this."continues where this line first appears above
NPCYour appearance has definitely attracted everyone's attention. Just about every guest here keeps glancing at you, and some are clearly watching your every move, even though they are trying not to show it.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wonder who this Fidelio is, and why they cannot start proceedings until he or she appears."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place and what is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the attendees] "I want to see what this is about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I don't want to get involved in this."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 5
NPCJudging by the expensive clothing worn by the people here and the proximity to Footfall's administrative centre, you have found yourself attending some kind of high society event.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wonder who this Fidelio is, and why they cannot start proceedings until he or she appears."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place and what is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the attendees] "I want to see what this is about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I don't want to get involved in this."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 5
NPCYou catch sight of something odd — before stepping away from you, the man gestures subtly to a nearby servitor, giving it some kind of command. The servitor quickly removes the bottles of amasec and glasses set out for the attendees from a nearby table.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wonder who this Fidelio is, and why they cannot start proceedings until he or she appears."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place and what is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the attendees] "I want to see what this is about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I don't want to get involved in this."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 5
NPCYour appearance seems to have perturbed the man, but no more than should be expected when a distinguished guest arrives at an event without invitation.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wonder who this Fidelio is, and why they cannot start proceedings until he or she appears."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is this place and what is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the attendees] "I want to see what this is about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave] "I don't want to get involved in this."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)continues where this line first appears above