FirstSharp pain pierces your head, and the light dims in your eyes. You smell smoke and burning, you feel a wave of nausea, your legs buckle, and your knees hit the metal floor. In that same moment, the manufactorum surrounding you disappears in a whirlwind of mist, ash, and grey shadows.
FirstStruggling against the elements, you can barely raise your head to look. Your eyes sting and burn, but through the tears, you see it — a colossal silhouette rising above you. The roaring tempest is unable to shake the mighty figure.
YOU"Who or what are you?"
FirstThe warrior's inhuman eyes bore into you. "I am the master of those who have been felled by your hand in the halls of the Primordial Truth. I am Uralon the Cruel. The souls of my followers returned to the fount of power they served, crying out for me to cast my gaze toward this sacrilege. And what do I see? Yet another lackey of the corpse emperor."
First(sequence)
First"They call you a hero. An empty word, a worthless pedestal among hundreds like it, all built by the lackeys of the false god in their hubris and ignorance. This pedestal will soon become a sacrificial altar, and you will become yet another reminder to the Expanse that no 'hero' can save it from the Truth."
end of branch
FirstThe giant's voice causes the storm raging around you to die down somewhat, as if the very sound of his voice is enough to make the whirlwind subside. You glance at the huge warrior, and notice on his chest a winding azure symbol — the shades of blue seem to glimmer and mingle together.
YOU"You are one of the Word Bearers — the cursed Legion that betrayed the Imperium."
FirstThe Chaos Space Marine's laughter is akin to the roll of distant thunder. "Words of a wretch who wanders through the darkness of ignorance. We were the first among our brothers to discern the great lie and forge the path to divinity. Our Primarch went on a pilgrimage to find the Truth — a path that is still open to the sighted. Your accusations are the words of a blind servant in thrall to an ancient lie."
YOU"You are one of the Word Bearers — the cursed Legion that betrayed the Imperium."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where are we? Where have you taken me?"
First"This is the bridge that connects our minds, created by the will of my slave — whose fate you should be envying. The psyker is useful enough to me to be left alive. You... less so."
YOU"You are one of the Word Bearers — the cursed Legion that betrayed the Imperium."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where are we? Where have you taken me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the sovereign of Kiava Gamma. This is my world, not a dominion of Chaos!"
First"Oh, clinging to illusions will do you no good. The rituals have already been performed. The mortals are already singing the litanies of the Primordial Truth or decorating the sacrificial altars with their flesh. Kiava Gamma, as you call it, is already saturated in the nectar of the Truth — a fate that awaits all worlds that would stand in our way."
YOU"You are one of the Word Bearers — the cursed Legion that betrayed the Imperium."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where are we? Where have you taken me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the sovereign of Kiava Gamma. This is my world, not a dominion of Chaos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with me?"
First"I want to look upon the one who has disrupted my flock's duties and my master's plans. That warrior from my Legion... the Fabricator-Censor... You think of their deaths as a triumph; however, it is but a minor hindrance on our path. There are other worlds that serve our goals. There are other sources of plasteel and adamantine. Revel in your victory — it will change nothing."
First"Nevertheless, the blood in your veins whispers to the spirits that you warrant a closer look. Hmm... Yes... You are a descendant of the Rogue Trader whose Warrant Kunrad Voigtvir sought to obtain. By defiling the relic and binding it to himself with the tethers of the Empyrean, he was meant to become my servant, a Rogue Trader who would do the work of the Truth... but then you interfered. Could it be that you wish to gain the true gods' favour instead? Do you wish to present the corpse's relic to me and serve the Truth? Hear your very blood calling, begging you to submit to me — what would be the point of futile defiance?"
YOU[Rise to your feet]
FirstAnother's will bears down on you, but as soon as you awaken your own powers, your soul fills with defiant resolve.
FirstConquering the weakness and pain, straining every muscle in your body, you slowly rise to your feet, straighten, and stare Uralon straight in the eye. He smiles, but there is no mirth in his eyes — only malicious curiosity, the kind with which one looks at an insect with its wings torn off.
First"This isn't your first time meddling in the deeds of the Word Bearers. You were there on Rykad Minoris, and so I want to know if you hold in your hands that which is not yours to hold. And you will tell me yourself." He utters a few words in an unknown tongue over his shoulder — and you feel your head being clamped by an unseen vice.
FirstThe sensation is familiar, for this is not the first time the shadow of warp sorcery has fallen heavily upon you. You close your eyes and cast aside all thought — and your inner horrors cry out and rise against the will of another.
FirstA gust of wind sweeps Uralon's figure away without a trace. The mist around you begins to dissipate, revealing the dark halls of the manufactorum and leaving behind an oppressive sense of powerlessness.
First(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix is standing beside you, white as a sheet, eyes wide, grimacing. The air around him seems to roil — though the phenomenon passes almost immediately. As he begins to speak, his voice sounds hoarse and cracked: "That... was not easy."
Abelard"Quit dawdling, Heinrix!" Abelard peers over Heinrix's shoulder, looking agitated. "I can't lose a second Rogue Trader in such a ridiculous span of time! Oh, Your Lordship/Ladyship, you've come to! Thank the Throne!"
end of branch
AbelardAbelard looks you over worriedly, then sighs in cantankerous relief. "That was a close call! For the sake of Holy Terra, if I had lost a second Rogue Trader in such a paltry span of time — my only option would have been to shoot myself out of unending shame..."
end of branch
Heinrix"I sensed the presence of another psyker — someone made contact with you mentally, then tried to harm you with sorcery. I did what I could... you at least appear unharmed. Can you remember what you saw?"
YOU"It was a Chaos Space Marine."
Heinrix"One of the traitors to the Imperium? I don't think it was he who touched your mind — I wouldn't have had the strength to go up against a psyker from the ranks of those monsters. He might have forced some mortal to do his bidding. Perhaps it was through the same hapless medium that he sensed the deaths of his henchmen." Heinrix looks away and frowns. "Such indescribable power... to have reached out to your mind at such a distance..."
YOU"It was a Chaos Space Marine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He... said something about Theodora. About how the blood in my veins will lead me to serve Chaos."
ArgentaSister Argenta, who has been watching all of this intently, grows pale and makes the sign of the Aquila to ward off evil.
HeinrixHeinrix stares at you — whether in surprise or anger, you do not know. Then he gives a curt nod. "I see. We can theorise later — although I will say, [Name], that his words do not leave much room for interpretation."
end of branch
HeinrixHeinrix stares at you — whether in surprise or anger, you do not know. Then he gives a curt nod. "I see. We can theorise later — although I will say, [Name], that his words do not leave much room for interpretation."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hold on. That servant of Chaos claimed that the soul of the psyker who was protecting me had already been marked by his 'lord.'"
HeinrixA shadow passes over Heinrix's face — astonishment, anger, and, finally, alarm. "Most likely, our enemy wanted to sow doubt among your allies. If I were a follower of the Archenemy, would I have fought for your soul? Don't trust a word the enemies of the Imperium say, [Name], lest you put your own soul at risk."
YOU"It was a Chaos Space Marine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He... said something about Theodora. About how the blood in my veins will lead me to serve Chaos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hold on. That servant of Chaos claimed that the soul of the psyker who was protecting me had already been marked by his 'lord.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It doesn't matter. The sooner I forget about it, the better."
HeinrixHeinrix eyes you suspiciously, then reluctantly nods.
end of branch
YOU"It doesn't matter. The sooner I forget about it, the better."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He... said something about Theodora. About how the blood in my veins will lead me to serve Chaos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hold on. That servant of Chaos claimed that the soul of the psyker who was protecting me had already been marked by his 'lord.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It doesn't matter. The sooner I forget about it, the better."continues where this line first appears above
FirstThe manufactorum around you looks the same as before the vision — maybe the shadows have grown a little deeper and darker. You dust yourself off and continue on your journey through the darkness.
end of branch
FirstYou feel your blood start pumping alarmingly in your temples at an increasing pace as the wind is knocked out of you... but then the drumming in your ears quiets, and your heart, which was about to leap out of your chest, slows its rhythm.
FirstUralon chuckles. "Hmm... It appears I am not the only one who appreciates the value of a pet psyker. I will make good use of your watchdog when my servants get to you."
First(sequence)
First"Especially since..." He bares his teeth and chuckles. "Especially since the soul of your leashed sorcerer has already been marked by my lord."
end of branch
FirstA gust of wind sweeps Uralon's figure away without a trace. The mist around you begins to dissipate, revealing the dark halls of the manufactorum and leaving behind an oppressive sense of powerlessness.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You waste your time trying to tempt me. It is not blood that defines a person's deeds — only their will does. And my will is thus: begone from my mind!"
FirstHis expression twists in pain as he stares at you in rage and bafflement. "Pitiful insect. You dare—"
FirstA gust of wind sweeps Uralon's figure away without a trace. The mist around you begins to dissipate, revealing the dark halls of the manufactorum and leaving behind an oppressive sense of powerlessness.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am Rogue Trader [Name], sovereign of Kiava Gamma. The Warrant belongs to me alone."
First"All things in this world are subservient to change, Rogue Trader. Your predecessor thought herself immortal — and where is she now? What makes you think you won't be joining her shortly?"
First"This isn't your first time meddling in the deeds of the Word Bearers. You were there on Rykad Minoris, and so I want to know if you hold in your hands that which is not yours to hold. And you will tell me yourself." He utters a few words in an unknown tongue over his shoulder — and you feel your head being clamped by an unseen vice.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Never, Chaos spawn!"
First"'Never'... do you know how many mortals uttered this word to me? And how many of them, just minutes later, were willing to give up all that was precious to them to make the torment stop?"
First"This isn't your first time meddling in the deeds of the Word Bearers. You were there on Rykad Minoris, and so I want to know if you hold in your hands that which is not yours to hold. And you will tell me yourself." He utters a few words in an unknown tongue over his shoulder — and you feel your head being clamped by an unseen vice.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The only way you are going to acquire my Warrant is by digging it out of the wreckage of my ship."
First"That outcome is acceptable. Once the servants of the Primordial Truth are done with you, they will see to it that the treasures of the Imperial ship are extracted and brought into the service of the true gods."
First"This isn't your first time meddling in the deeds of the Word Bearers. You were there on Rykad Minoris, and so I want to know if you hold in your hands that which is not yours to hold. And you will tell me yourself." He utters a few words in an unknown tongue over his shoulder — and you feel your head being clamped by an unseen vice.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am willing to give the Warrant to you in exchange for the blessing of your masters."
FirstHe chuckles and inclines his head. "When the time comes, I will remind you of this promise. The sinews of fate have yet to be bound... I will not stop my servants from hunting for that which I require. If you survive, you will have earned the right to serve the Truth."
First"This isn't your first time meddling in the deeds of the Word Bearers. You were there on Rykad Minoris, and so I want to know if you hold in your hands that which is not yours to hold. And you will tell me yourself." He utters a few words in an unknown tongue over his shoulder — and you feel your head being clamped by an unseen vice.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the sovereign of Kiava Gamma. This is my world, not a dominion of Chaos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where are we? Where have you taken me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the sovereign of Kiava Gamma. This is my world, not a dominion of Chaos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do you want with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In the name of the Emperor, begone!"
FirstThrough the howling of the storm, you hear a new, chilling sound — roaring, cruel laughter. The figure advances toward you, and you feel that if it takes just one more step, it will step on you and crush you like a bug.
FirstThe warrior's inhuman eyes bore into you. "I am the master of those who have been felled by your hand in the halls of the Primordial Truth. I am Uralon the Cruel. The souls of my followers returned to the fount of power they served, crying out for me to cast my gaze toward this sacrilege. And what do I see? Yet another lackey of the corpse emperor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to get a better look at the figure]
FirstYour soul, tempered by the curse of sorcery, stands strong against the psychic onslaught, and you direct your gaze forward.
FirstYou squint and wipe away the tears — and for the moment, your vision clears. Before you stands a mighty giant clad in dark power armour lavishly adorned with bas-reliefs of snarling daemonic silhouettes and punctured with prayer scrolls. Two braziers are mounted behind his shoulders, burning with unnatural blue flames and emitting thick black smoke that curls and twists upward like a funnel. Behind the giant, you catch a brief glimpse of a crumpled figure bound in chains.
FirstThe warrior's inhuman eyes bore into you. "I am the master of those who have been felled by your hand in the halls of the Primordial Truth. I am Uralon the Cruel. The souls of my followers returned to the fount of power they served, crying out for me to cast my gaze toward this sacrilege. And what do I see? Yet another lackey of the corpse emperor."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 5
FirstWrithing in pain, you raise your head and peer into the roiling darkness. You make out the figure's features — it is a huge man clad in dark power armour, from which daemonic silhouettes snarl at you. The wind picks up, and you close your eyes, unable to stare into the face of this raging tempest.
FirstThe warrior's inhuman eyes bore into you. "I am the master of those who have been felled by your hand in the halls of the Primordial Truth. I am Uralon the Cruel. The souls of my followers returned to the fount of power they served, crying out for me to cast my gaze toward this sacrilege. And what do I see? Yet another lackey of the corpse emperor."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 5
FirstYou strain every muscle in your body but cannot move an inch — the dark will presses down upon your shoulders, forbidding you even from straightening your back.
YOU[Rise to your feet]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You waste your time trying to tempt me. It is not blood that defines a person's deeds — only their will does. And my will is thus: begone from my mind!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am Rogue Trader [Name], sovereign of Kiava Gamma. The Warrant belongs to me alone."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Never, Chaos spawn!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The only way you are going to acquire my Warrant is by digging it out of the wreckage of my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am willing to give the Warrant to you in exchange for the blessing of your masters."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 5
FirstThe blood starts pumping frenetically in your temples as a tell-tale sign of danger. You close your eyes and focus all your efforts on resisting the sorcerous attack. After a few moments, your heart slows down, and your blood vessels are no longer trying to burst from the pressure. The fear that washed over you, spurred on by another's ill will, ebbs away powerlessly.
First"Worthless rat... Still, I will rip the answers out of you personally. When the time comes."
FirstA gust of wind sweeps Uralon's figure away without a trace. The mist around you begins to dissipate, revealing the dark halls of the manufactorum and leaving behind an oppressive sense of powerlessness.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 5
FirstYou feel blood rushing to your face, drumming in your temples, coating your tongue and lips in a viscous membrane. You no longer feel your arms and legs — as if your entire life force is trying to leave your body, pouring out of your mouth along with globs of crimson. The giant Chaos Space Marine is asking you questions, which you are answering obediently and hurriedly, not even comprehending what you are talking about.
FirstThrough the thunder and wind, you hear the giant's disdainful laughter: "You carry merely one part of the whole... Keep it, then, until the hour of our meeting. I will pluck this boon from your dead hands and use it for the glory of the Truth."
FirstA gust of wind sweeps Uralon's figure away without a trace. The mist around you begins to dissipate, revealing the dark halls of the manufactorum and leaving behind an oppressive sense of powerlessness.continues where this line first appears above
FirstThe giant's voice rises over the howling winds — and it is heavy with fury and tinged with disbelief: "You... You, a mere insect, have obtained both shards! Do you truly think yourself a new aspirant vying for the favour of the Edge? So be it... Fate shall execute the will of the Weaver. Follow the pattern, then, Rogue Trader... March on."
FirstA gust of wind sweeps Uralon's figure away without a trace. The mist around you begins to dissipate, revealing the dark halls of the manufactorum and leaving behind an oppressive sense of powerlessness.continues where this line first appears above
FirstAfter swallowing down your blood and barely catching your breath, you regain the ability to hear. The giant's voice roars over the howling of the whirlwind, "Enough. Even if you have touched my master's relic, it is not with you now. Very well, servants of the Truth will seek it out and bring it back into the fold. As for you... other servants of the Truth will deal with you."
FirstA gust of wind sweeps Uralon's figure away without a trace. The mist around you begins to dissipate, revealing the dark halls of the manufactorum and leaving behind an oppressive sense of powerlessness.continues where this line first appears above