First Mate Daggen"Planning to leave us after all, Master/Mistress Fidelio?" His voice is quiet, but any hint of courtesy is gone. Once more, everyone's eyes focus on you — as their hands reach for their weapons.
First Mate Daggen"Let me tell you how this is gonna go. See my boys over there? See that massive gun they've got? That'll blast you straight to the Emperor — boom! But I'm not a monster, see?" He gives you a disgusting smirk. "I gotta offer you a choice at least! If you don't want to go boom — my boys will escort you to a small, cosy room nearby where you'll stay for the next hour or two while I say my goodbyes to my pal Denz... and claim my share of the inheritance, everything I deserve for our years of friendship."
YOU"Inheritance?"
First Mate Daggen"Don't play dumb. Denz, the weasel, left all his money to you — a whole lotta money! I don't know why and I don't want to know, but I think it was very, very wrong of him to forget his old friend. I've got no choice but to fight for justice! So you're going to sit quietly under lock and key while I discuss my share of the inheritance. Isn't that right?"
YOU"Inheritance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well... I comply."
First Mate Daggen"Ah, that's good, very good. The lads will escort you. And don't worry — no harm will come to you, none at all!"
end of branch
YOU[Attack] "I'll take my chances with the gun!"
end of branch
YOU"Very well... I comply."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "I'll take my chances with the gun!"continues where this line first appears above
Dead(sequence)
Idira"We should take him up on the offer. I can sense it — we should agree to this kind gentleman's proposal." She gives you a meaningful look.
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 5
DeadAs soon as you appear, a dozen eyes — and guns — shift in your direction. The guests of the ceremony no longer pretend to be peaceful mourners. They are, however, stunned to see you.
First Mate Daggen"I don't believe it... You had the nerve to come back? After your tumble through the flames?"
Kas Bellardo"Listen, Daggen. I hate you, you hate me. But maybe we can set aside our differences? For the sake of our mutual... target, so to speak." The man nods at you and narrows his eyes ominously.
First Mate Daggen"Finally, boy, you're showing some signs of being your father's son. Denz would never beat around the bush with rivals. Shoot their head off and be done with it! Anyway, I accept your proposal." He aims his weapon at you. "We've tried killing you quietly, that didn't work out, so we'll just kill you, plain and simple like. This is Footfall, for Throne's sake! Bye-bye, Fidelio."
YOU"Again people want to kill me without saying why."
First Mate Daggen"We don't care."
Kas Bellardo"Come now, Daggen, let's give the man/lady an explanation before his/her death. You see, Master/Mistress Fidelio, my late father — Denz, daemons take him, Bellardo — has bequeathed his entire fortune to you. Not to me, his only son, not to his first mate — you. So where does that leave us? You must die."
YOU"Again people want to kill me without saying why."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I don't quite know how to explain it to you all, but I'm not actually Fidelio."
Kas Bellardo"Anyone would say that looking down the barrels of a dozen guns."
YOU"Again people want to kill me without saying why."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I don't quite know how to explain it to you all, but I'm not actually Fidelio."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Oh well. Let's get this over with, I suppose."
end of branch
YOU[Attack] "Oh well. Let's get this over with, I suppose."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I don't quite know how to explain it to you all, but I'm not actually Fidelio."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Oh well. Let's get this over with, I suppose."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 5
First Mate DaggenDaggen lifts his bloodied face. "Agh... It hurts..."
Kas BellardoKas Bellardo clutches his wounded body. "The crematorium's going to have its hands full today..."
Adelia"You've stopped shooting... Oh no! Dad!"
ChaplainChaplain looks at the carnage around him matter-of-factly. "Wonderful. This is a funeral Denz would be proud of!"
YOU"Treat their wounds. I'm not in a killing mood."
Chaplain"Will do. I would ask the esteemed guests to stay for a moment longer — we still have an important bit of business to take care of!"
ChaplainChaplain shrugs indifferently. "Are we done with the firing squads? I would like to finally resolve the matter of Denz's inheritance, and after that — give him a proper send-off."
Chaplain"And so, according to the deceased's will, all of Bellardo's fortune goes... not to his worthless son Kas. Not to his brainless mate Daggen. But to Fidelio — a mysterious new heir. However, I believe a certain party would like to intervene in this process." Chaplain looks straight at you and chuckles.
YOU"I still have a question. Who — in the name of the Golden Throne — is Fidelio?"
Chaplain"If Fidelio were here, if they were to know about their status as the heir — they would have made themselves known by now. And if it's not you, sir/ma'am, then I suppose we'll never know the truth. But we can make our own truth, can't we? We're on Footfall, names and ideas are traded and used here in every way imaginable. And so all that remains is to recognise you as Fidelio."
YOU"I still have a question. Who — in the name of the Golden Throne — is Fidelio?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then so be it! I am Fidelio, and the inheritance is mine!"
Chaplain"As it is written in the will. So be it! I will see to all the formalities and make sure you receive all the deeds to the property."
Dead(sequence)
Kas BellardoKas lets out a sigh of frustration. "So much for a life without a care in the world. Adelia, get your things — your daddy needs a good drink or five."
end of branch
First Mate Daggen"I see." Daggen does not say another word, merely gives you a long, furious look.
end of branch
ChaplainChaplain looks at the coffin. "I would like to say goodbye to my old friend."
Chaplain"The crematorium is a bit wrecked now, heh heh. But who needs a crematorium? Denz loved having his enemies drenched in promethium and burned — they didn't call him Jerrycan Denz for nothing! I think it'd be a nice gesture to send him on his way in the same fashion. Thankfully, it's easy enough to procure a jerrycan of promethium on Footfall."
Dead(sequence)
AbelardAbelard nods in approval. "Fitting."
end of branch
ChaplainChaplain gives you a sidelong glance. "Want to stay and watch?"
YOU"With pleasure."
Chaplain"Well, let's get started, I guess..."
end of branch
YOU"I have other business to attend to."
Chaplain"As you wish."
end of branch
YOU"That pirate scum doesn't deserve the honour of my attendance. I'm leaving."
Chaplain"As you wish."continues where this line first appears above
Chaplain"I imagine the crematorium has got its furnaces up and running already, but I feel it would be kind of sad to just shove Denz in there like that. He was known as Jerrycan Denz, and he loved having his enemies drenched in promethium and burned. I think it'd be a nice gesture to send him on his way in the same fashion. Thankfully, it's easy enough to procure a jerrycan of promethium on Footfall."
Dead(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
ChaplainChaplain gives you a sidelong glance. "Want to stay and watch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master or Mistress Fidelio! If you are here now — come forth and lay your claim to the inheritance!"
DeadA minute passes, then another. The guests fidget nervously. But your words are met with nothing but silence — the mysterious heir still hasn't revealed themselves.
ChaplainChaplain winces, looking bored. "Frankly, I'm beginning to suspect that this 'Fidelio' from the will is just one of Denz's jokes. A stunt like this would be right up his alley. I imagine he'd be ecstatic if everyone at his funeral were at each other's throats."
Chaplain"Still, the decision is yet to be made! We have money, but we have no heir. What is to be done about the inheritance?"
YOU"I still have a question. Who — in the name of the Golden Throne — is Fidelio?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then so be it! I am Fidelio, and the inheritance is mine!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master or Mistress Fidelio! If you are here now — come forth and lay your claim to the inheritance!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the servitor] "Who among you knows this woman? What about the story of the ship named Repentance? I wish to hear it all."
Kas Bellardo"That's the cleaner servitor from our house. What's there to know about her? Her only outstanding quality is that it's hilarious how she wobbles and flaps her grabbers about when you kick her out of the way."
First Mate Daggen"I don't know about the servitor — I've got better things to do in life than look at furniture. And the ship... hmm... I think there was one Cobra by that name or something similar. We were pretty, uh, gentle with it. Boarded it, I mean. Denz was on top of his game that day — after the battle, he dragged their captain to the bridge, all tied up, and sat him at the table with us — we were going through the captain's amasec. Hmm... so you're sure you wanna hear everything?"
YOU"Go on."
First Mate Daggen"Anyway, the three of us sat there — me, Denz, and the captain of the Repentance — as the boys brought whoever was left of their crew, one by one — and we popped them. I bet Cockeye over there remembers, he was there too, and so were the Twins." Daggen nods at a few of the guests.
First Mate Daggen"We three watched. And when the party drew to a close, we threw the captain on top of the pile of his crew's bodies and, as was Denz's way, torched him. Alive. Those were good times... It's a real shame Denz quit. I keep thinking, if he hadn't fallen for this — whatchucallit — 'peaceful life,' maybe he wouldn't have checked out, maybe he would've lived for another twenty years."
ServitorFidelio is standing in a typical servitor pose, eyes staring into space. Only the grips of its metallic appendage are trembling slightly — perhaps caused by a malfunction, or perhaps by suppressed emotions looking for release.
YOU"Go on."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address Fidelio the Servitor] "Today you will watch your enemies die."
Kas BellardoKas Bellardo, the first to guess where this is going, falls to his knees. "Mercy! I haven't done anything wrong! I'm not a pirate, not a cutthroat, just a harmless drunk! And a single father to boot!"
YOU"Kas, get out of my sight. The rest of you — prepare to die. It is time to purge this world of some of its pirate scum."
Kas BellardoKas smirks sickeningly. "Bye-bye, Daggen. I'll be sure to remember you fondly when I'm spending all of my father's money."
First Mate Daggen"D-dirtbags! This is the last time I deal with nobles!"
end of branch
First Mate Daggen"D-dirtbags! This is the last time I deal with nobles!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"None among you deserve pity. You will die. All of you."
First Mate Daggen"D-dirtbags! This is the last time I deal with nobles!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It's all in the past, let us not spill any more blood. Chaplain, take care of this poor soul. May she live out her days in peace."
Chaplain"I will spare no effort. And now..."
First Mate Daggen"Then, Your Lordship/Ladyship, maybe we should, uh, discuss the inheritance? Reminiscing is nice and all, but we've got pressing issues to deal with here."
YOU"I still have a question. Who — in the name of the Golden Throne — is Fidelio?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then so be it! I am Fidelio, and the inheritance is mine!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master or Mistress Fidelio! If you are here now — come forth and lay your claim to the inheritance!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the servitor] "Who among you knows this woman? What about the story of the ship named Repentance? I wish to hear it all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, and as such, I am vested with complete authority on Footfall. I hereby exercise that authority by voiding the will of the pirate Denz Bellardo and confiscating his fortune in its entirety."
Chaplain"As Your Lordship/Ladyship wishes." Chaplain winces. "I will pass all the deeds to Denz's property over to you. Now, if we're done here..."
Dead(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
ChaplainChaplain looks at the coffin. "I would like to say goodbye to my old friend."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The only one here who truly loved Denz is his granddaughter, Adelia Bellardo. She inherits his fortune."
Chaplain"The name on the will is Fidelio, but..." Chaplain pulls a hefty scroll out of his bag and tears it to shreds. "All his life, Denz spat on laws, I think he'd understand."
Kas Bellardo"Hah, the old man sure as Throne didn't expect this — the money is mine! Don't worry, sweetheart, Daddy will help you put your grandpa's riches to good use."
Chaplain"Kas, have you finally gone deaf from all that drinking? The inheritance is Adelia's, not yours. If you make any attempt to coerce her, I, as Denz's executor, will be forced to take steps." Chaplain puts a hand on the handle of his hammer.
Kas Bellardo"Oh, I see. All of you have it in for old Kas, eh? Well, I'm afraid you leave me no choice..."
AdeliaSobbing and crying her eyes out, Adelia, smeared with her father's blood, is shaking Kas's lifeless body. "Dad... Daddy... get up! I'll... I'll give you the inheritance!"
Chaplain"Daemons take you, Kas. Threatening to murder your own daughter at your old man's funeral was a new low for you. You always were a useless waste, even in your final moments."
YOU"That was a good shot."
Chaplain"Thank you. I was afraid I'd lost all my skill after years of preaching, but it looks like it takes more than a couple of prayers to kill off old habits."
YOU"That was a good shot."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happens to the girl now?"
ChaplainChaplain sighs heavily as he looks at the weeping child. "She's got no one left now. Her mother ran off to the edge of the galaxy, and her father... Well, you saw it yourself." His brow furrows. After a pause, he curses under his breath and nods. "I'll look after her until she's grown up. I don't think I need to spell it out for you: a little girl with a tremendous fortune... might as well paint a target on her forehead. If I take Adelia in, no one will dare to hurt her, courtesy of the reputation that my turbulent past has earned me. And if they do dare..." He casts a meaningful sidelong glance at Kas's body.
Chaplain"While I'm at it, I'll also help her not to squander her whole fortune — maybe even earn something extra both for herself and you. I think the best investment would be a merchant ship. I'll teach her the basics of voidfaring, find some reliable suppliers, pull a few strings in the Administratum — and just like that, she'll have herself a decent enterprise."
Chaplain"I'll venture a guess and assume you wouldn't say no to a supply network that is robust and loyal to none but House von Valancius. Leave the paperwork and other formalities to me — I'll contact your subordinates myself."
YOU"That was a good shot."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happens to the girl now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the servitor]
DeadThe servitor that was once a woman is kneeling, motionless, and showing no signs of life. There are two charred holes where the eyes once were — some malfunction must have burned its brain from the inside. Its face bears a peaceful smile.
YOU"That was a good shot."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happens to the girl now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the servitor]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did this servitor attack Kas?"
Chaplain"I think that's one of Denz's house servitors — Kas brought them with him to the funeral. Could be a malfunction caused by some error during the servitorisation process? Or maybe Denz, knowing his friends and family as the scum that they are, gave it orders to protect his granddaughter. Who could say at this point?"
YOU"That was a good shot."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happens to the girl now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the servitor]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did this servitor attack Kas?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That takes care of the inheritance. What do we do next?"
ChaplainChaplain looks at the coffin. "I would like to say goodbye to my old friend."continues where this line first appears above
Chaplain"I think that's one of Denz's house servitors — Kas brought them with him to the funeral. Didn't it mutter something about 'repentance'? If you're not Fidelio, then maybe this servitor is our mystery heir? Denz's last slap in the face of all the bloodsuckers who are gathered here — sounds like Denz to me! As for why it attacked his half-wit son, that's anyone's guess."
YOU"That was a good shot."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happens to the girl now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the servitor]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did this servitor attack Kas?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That takes care of the inheritance. What do we do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That takes care of the inheritance. What do we do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did this servitor attack Kas?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That takes care of the inheritance. What do we do next?"continues where this line first appears above
Chaplain"I can tell you're an affluent sort, and I imagine you could always use the services of a robust, reliable supply network. Leave the paperwork and other formalities to me — I'll contact your subordinates myself."
YOU"That was a good shot."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happens to the girl now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the servitor]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did this servitor attack Kas?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That takes care of the inheritance. What do we do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the servitor]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did this servitor attack Kas?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That takes care of the inheritance. What do we do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happens to the girl now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the servitor]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did this servitor attack Kas?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That takes care of the inheritance. What do we do next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I find that Kas Bellardo should inherit the fortune by right of blood."
Chaplain"The name on the will is Fidelio, but..." Chaplain pulls a hefty scroll out of his bag and tears it to shreds. "All his life, Denz spat on laws, I think he'd understand."
Dead(sequence)
Kas Bellardo"Yes, thank you! Tough luck, daddy dearest! Thought you'd leave me high and dry? Fat chance! I'll drink myself a bottle or two tonight and hope you blow your stack out there, wherever the damn you are."
end of branch
First Mate DaggenGritting his teeth, Daggen shoots Kas a sideways glance as if he is deciding where best to stab the newly appointed heir as soon as the funeral is over.
end of branch
First Mate Daggen"Much obliged! Good thing there's still decent people in this world, not just useless dregs like Kas here."
end of branch
Kas BellardoKas glares at Daggen in impotent rage. "You keep gloating, Daggen, because I'm not done yet. I'm not done, you hear me?"
end of branch
ChaplainChaplain looks at the coffin. "I would like to say goodbye to my old friend."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Daggen, Denz's mate, deserves to be the heir."
Chaplain"The name on the will is Fidelio, but..." Chaplain pulls a hefty scroll out of his bag and tears it to shreds. "All his life, Denz spat on laws, I think he'd understand."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am Fidelio, and I wish to claim my inheritance."
Chaplain"As it is written in the will. So be it! I will see to all the formalities and make sure you receive all the deeds to the property."continues where this line first appears above
ChaplainChaplain looks at the coffin. "I would like to say goodbye to my old friend."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End her] "Farewell, Fidelio. Rest in peace."
Chaplain"Emperor, accept Thy servant's soul," Chaplain says in a hollow voice.
First Mate Daggen"Then, Your Lordship/Ladyship, maybe we should, uh, discuss the inheritance? Reminiscing is nice and all, but we've got pressing issues to deal with here."continues where this line first appears above
ChaplainChaplain looks at the coffin. "I would like to say goodbye to my old friend."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A fascinating tale. That is all I have to say."
First Mate Daggen"Then, Your Lordship/Ladyship, maybe we should, uh, discuss the inheritance? Reminiscing is nice and all, but we've got pressing issues to deal with here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address Fidelio the Servitor] "Today you will watch your enemies die."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It's all in the past, let us not spill any more blood. Chaplain, take care of this poor soul. May she live out her days in peace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End her] "Farewell, Fidelio. Rest in peace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A fascinating tale. That is all I have to say."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, and as such, I am vested with complete authority on Footfall. I hereby exercise that authority by voiding the will of the pirate Denz Bellardo and confiscating his fortune in its entirety."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The only one here who truly loved Denz is his granddaughter, Adelia Bellardo. She inherits his fortune."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I find that Kas Bellardo should inherit the fortune by right of blood."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Daggen, Denz's mate, deserves to be the heir."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am Fidelio, and I wish to claim my inheritance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the servitor] "Who among you knows this woman? What about the story of the ship named Repentance? I wish to hear it all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, and as such, I am vested with complete authority on Footfall. I hereby exercise that authority by voiding the will of the pirate Denz Bellardo and confiscating his fortune in its entirety."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The only one here who truly loved Denz is his granddaughter, Adelia Bellardo. She inherits his fortune."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I find that Kas Bellardo should inherit the fortune by right of blood."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Daggen, Denz's mate, deserves to be the heir."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am Fidelio, and I wish to claim my inheritance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then so be it! I am Fidelio, and the inheritance is mine!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master or Mistress Fidelio! If you are here now — come forth and lay your claim to the inheritance!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the servitor] "Who among you knows this woman? What about the story of the ship named Repentance? I wish to hear it all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius, and as such, I am vested with complete authority on Footfall. I hereby exercise that authority by voiding the will of the pirate Denz Bellardo and confiscating his fortune in its entirety."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The only one here who truly loved Denz is his granddaughter, Adelia Bellardo. She inherits his fortune."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I find that Kas Bellardo should inherit the fortune by right of blood."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Daggen, Denz's mate, deserves to be the heir."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am Fidelio, and I wish to claim my inheritance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Finish Daggen]
ChaplainChaplain shrugs indifferently. "Are we done with the firing squads? I would like to finally resolve the matter of Denz's inheritance, and after that — give him a proper send-off."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Finish Kas]
AdeliaCrying out in fear, the girl runs away.
ChaplainChaplain shrugs indifferently. "Are we done with the firing squads? I would like to finally resolve the matter of Denz's inheritance, and after that — give him a proper send-off."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Finish them both]
AdeliaCrying out in fear, the girl runs away.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 5
Chaplain"I would ask the esteemed guests to stay for a moment longer! I was going to announce Denz's last will and testament after he was delivered into the flames, but the circumstances dictated otherwise."
Chaplain"And so, according to the deceased's will, all of Bellardo's fortune goes... not to his worthless son Kas. Not to his brainless mate Daggen. But to Fidelio — a mysterious new heir. However, I believe a certain party would like to intervene in this process." Chaplain looks straight at you and chuckles.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 5
ChaplainChaplain is observing the carnage, unfazed. "Denz would approve of a funeral like this. Now what? What are we going to do with Fidelio?"
ServitorThe servitor woman is standing still. It feels as if her dead eyes are staring at Daggen's corpse... but it could be mere coincidence.
YOU"There is still the unresolved matter of Denz's inheritance."
DeadChaplain shrugs. "The rightful heir can't exactly make use of it, as you can see, and, thanks to your hard work, the other claimants have no more claims to lay. Want to take the fortune for yourself? I think Denz would say you're welcome to it. He liked people like you — people with gumption."
YOU"Let it be so."
DeadChaplain nods. Then he glances at the servitor woman. "What about her?"
YOU"There is still the unresolved matter of Denz's inheritance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take care of her, Chaplain. Let her live the rest of her life as peacefully as possible."
Chaplain"I will spare no effort. And now..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End her] "Farewell, Fidelio. Both you and the Repentance have been avenged."
Chaplain"Emperor, accept Thy servant's soul," Chaplain says in a hollow voice.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no use for this wealth. Do with it as you see fit, Chaplain."
DeadChaplain nods. Then he glances at the servitor woman. "What about her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Take care of her, Chaplain. Let her live the rest of her life as peacefully as possible."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End her] "Farewell, Fidelio. Both you and the Repentance have been avenged."continues where this line first appears above