TazarraExhausted and defeated faces trade worried glances — and tighten their grip on their weapons.
TazarraTazarra takes a step back just as the other fighters charge with furious howls.
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 2
TazarraThe tall, lithe xenos moves with the grace of an otherworldly predator. The creature gives you a dispassionate glance and casually speaks a few words that are immediately picked up by your Elucidator. "Mecandis, Aelith, what is this? Has one of the sisters found an amusing trinket in the ruins and saved it as a special treat for the Archon?" The xenos takes a quick look over her shoulder toward the platform where a few more silhouettes in tar-black armour can be seen.
YOU"By whose leave are you playing lord on my world?"
TazarraThe xenos's eyes light up with interest. "The mon-keigh understands my speech! Where did you come by a device that can translate our language? Are you trying to impress me by appearing useful? Such words will earn you a bout in the ring at most. Without weapons, and, soon, without your skin."
Tazarra(sequence)
IdiraIdira spits on the ground. "If I'd been the one holding the device, she and I would have had words... I'd make sure the stuck-up bitch knew exactly what I think of her."
end of branch
TazarraThe humans scattered around you on the platform stare as if they've seen a ghost. The eyes of some betray their fear, others glare with bestial hatred, and yet more look upon you with hope.
YOU"Who are you?"
Tazarra"My name is known to everyone on this planet, mon-keigh. I am Tazarra the Deliverer, Tazarra the Benevolent, the one who grants respite from the choking grasp of this world. I decide who lives, who dies, and who finds new purpose for their existence in Commorragh's many arenas. Surely this is why you have come here? To fight for my ever-changing favour and for the privilege of being the first to be chained?"
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I presume the toxic atmosphere is your doing?"
Tazarra"It could be. Or perhaps my mere presence is enough to make base creatures like yourselves forget how to breathe?" Tazarra lets out a nasty chuckle. "Are you really surprised at what happened? You wove the net right under your own feet — we merely knocked out the pin that drew it closed tight around you. A couple of volleys at the seals on the underground well, and the planet, the one you had turned inside out, did the rest."
Tazarra(sequence)
Pasqal"I hereby declare you a Category Three blasphemer for tampering with the sacred production cycle of this world's extractiums." The drill on Pasqal's mechadendrite springs to life with a howling screech.
end of branch
Tazarra"And your brethren finished what the planet had started. Oh, how they strived to please me and my entourage! How they slaughtered and tortured their own kin for mine and my sisters' delight! How they decorated this little arena with still living mon-keigh! Did you think all that you see before you is the work of our hands? Think again."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I presume the toxic atmosphere is your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters in the arena] "How could you stoop to this? To killing one another for the amusement of the enemies of Humanity?"
Scarred GladiatorA hulking brute who can barely stand coughs up blood and wipes his lips. "What, was I supposed to lie down and die? The ones who survive the arena, the xenos take them away — I saw humans boarding shuttles with my own eyes! They're going to take us away from here, you hear?"
Tazarra(sequence)
Pasqal"This statement is false. You were supposed to furnish yourself with a means of respiratory protection and inflict maximum damage on the perpetrators before ceasing your vital functions."
end of branch
Jae"Stupid ashmags! Do you really think the Drukhari will whisk you away to a far-off wonderland? At best they'll put you in chains. At worst..."
end of branch
SolomorneThe Proctor's voice booms with denunciation: "Now you see why Arbitrators prefer to execute criminals immediately — because this is what they will do otherwise with the life they are offered. From the moment they fall into heresy, they hardly have the right to be called human anymore — all they can do from then on is sink deeper."
end of branch
Scarred Gladiator"Yeah! Who gives a shit about us convicts? The lanky buggers may keep me on a leash, but at least I'll be alive, not coughing up my lungs!"
Tazarra(sequence)
JaeJae opens her mouth and then freezes, clenching the Aquila on her chest until her knuckles turn white. "If... I were faced with such a choice... the Exalted One would guide me on the right path."
end of branch
Tazarra"How cruel you are to your unfortunate kin! These mon-keigh have worked hard to entertain their elite audience. Each of them fights with a strength born of desperation, seeking to earn their place in my box of toys. There is always room for more — my toys do break so very easily."
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I presume the toxic atmosphere is your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters in the arena] "How could you stoop to this? To killing one another for the amusement of the enemies of Humanity?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Raise your weapon] "How about we skip the small talk and get down to business?"
TazarraFrom the dusk behind Tazarra comes a cry. The distance between you and the xenos is too great for the Elucidator to interpret the words, but the tone alone speaks of irritation and impatience.
Tazarra(sequence)
Heinrix"Looks like the spectators grew bored when the performance hit a snag." Heinrix reaches for his weapon.
end of branch
TazarraTazarra raises her blade and points at you. "Tell the other mon-keigh that whoever slits your throat will depart for their new home ahead of schedule. And tell them to hold nothing back: tonight they dance for Yremeryss herself, the great Archon of the Kabal of the Reaving Tempest!"
YOU"Death to xenos! Death to heretics!"
TazarraTazarra takes a step back just as the other fighters charge with furious howls.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell your Myrmyriss she's not going to like what she's about to see."
TazarraTazarra takes a step back just as the other fighters charge with furious howls.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters in the arena] "Dying to entertain xenos is a path to eternal shame and condemnation of souls touched by the Emperor's undying glory! Let us join our blades — we will destroy those who sought to kill you!"
Scarred GladiatorExhausted and defeated faces trade worried glances. The hulking brute next to you hesitates, then spits and breaks into a grin. "We're going to die anyway, might as well do it without the heretic's brand! Slay the beasts!"
TazarraTazarra emits a furious scream and takes a step back, signalling to her companions.
end of branch
YOU[Turn to the fighters in the arena] "Do you truly wish to die at the xenos' behest? If we join forces now, we can end this senseless carnage once and for all."
TazarraYou do not even notice the moment when you switch to the voice you used in your former life — the firm, uncompromising tone of a Commissar.
Scarred GladiatorExhausted and defeated faces trade worried glances. The hulking brute next to you hesitates, then spits and breaks into a grin. "We're going to die anyway, might as well do it without the heretic's brand! Slay the beasts!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Beckon your cyber-eagle] "[Pet's Name], take a look at these traitors. Let the Emperor see their erring souls through your eyes."
TazarraA loud bird call deafens everyone present. Like a living embodiment of the Imperium's Aquila, a two-headed eagle, its wings spread wide, swoops down on the fighters' heads. They recoil as the screeching bird sinks its talons into Tazarra's astounded face. With a furious scream, the xenos shakes the eagle off. Its claws have torn the skin of her face and damaged her eye.
Scarred GladiatorExhausted and defeated faces trade worried glances. The hulking brute next to you hesitates, then spits and breaks into a grin. "We're going to die anyway, might as well do it without the heretic's brand! Slay the beasts!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am a Rogue Trader, the Emperor's anointed, Guardian of Humanity — and your doom, xenos scum!"
Tazarra"Oh, what passion! What naive arrogance! When all this turns into boundless despair and clinging terror, my guests and I will savour such exquisite pleasure. I would play with you myself, mon-keigh, but then the performance would be brief — and we don't want to upset my guests, now do we?"
TazarraFrom the dusk behind Tazarra comes a cry. The distance between you and the xenos is too great for the Elucidator to interpret the words, but the tone alone speaks of irritation and impatience.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You ravaged the planet. Wiped out millions of people. Made those who survived bend the knee... You will pay for this."
Tazarra"Am I not paying for our mischief already? Am I not saving the worthiest among your kin, gifting them the right to die for the delight of my brothers and sisters? What kind of abhorrent ingratitude is this?"
TazarraFrom the dusk behind Tazarra comes a cry. The distance between you and the xenos is too great for the Elucidator to interpret the words, but the tone alone speaks of irritation and impatience.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A small group of xenos who neutralised the planetary defences and managed to ruin an entire world... Impressive! How much would it cost to hire you?"
Tazarra"The presumption. The stupidity. You have nothing that could satisfy me, mon-keigh."
TazarraFrom the dusk behind Tazarra comes a cry. The distance between you and the xenos is too great for the Elucidator to interpret the words, but the tone alone speaks of irritation and impatience.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to xenos!"
TazarraTazarra takes a step back just as the other fighters charge with furious howls.continues where this line first appears above
Tazarra(sequence)
Abelard"To be reduced to a xenos's plaything... A shameful fate for the scions of Humankind." Abelard falls silent, shaking his head in dismay.
end of branch
YOU[Raise your weapon] "How about we skip the small talk and get down to business?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am a Rogue Trader, the Emperor's anointed, Guardian of Humanity — and your doom, xenos scum!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You ravaged the planet. Wiped out millions of people. Made those who survived bend the knee... You will pay for this."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A small group of xenos who neutralised the planetary defences and managed to ruin an entire world... Impressive! How much would it cost to hire you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters in the arena] "How could you stoop to this? To killing one another for the amusement of the enemies of Humanity?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Raise your weapon] "How about we skip the small talk and get down to business?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am a Rogue Trader, the Emperor's anointed, Guardian of Humanity — and your doom, xenos scum!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You ravaged the planet. Wiped out millions of people. Made those who survived bend the knee... You will pay for this."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A small group of xenos who neutralised the planetary defences and managed to ruin an entire world... Impressive! How much would it cost to hire you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
Tazarra(sequence)
YrlietYrliet chuckles haughtily. "Such grandiose names for a soulless wretch who tortures the breathless and torments the powerless. Your words hint at a nobility you have never possessed."
Tazarra"Cousin, what are you doing among this rabble? What an unexpected and tantalising surprise." Tazarra licks her lips hungrily. "I cannot wait to take you in my arms and clasp you tightly to me!"
Yrliet"Do not waste breath on your lies. Only the faint vestiges of blood connect the Asuryani and Dark Ones such as yourself."
end of branch
YOU"I presume the toxic atmosphere is your doing?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the fighters in the arena] "How could you stoop to this? To killing one another for the amusement of the enemies of Humanity?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Raise your weapon] "How about we skip the small talk and get down to business?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am a Rogue Trader, the Emperor's anointed, Guardian of Humanity — and your doom, xenos scum!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You ravaged the planet. Wiped out millions of people. Made those who survived bend the knee... You will pay for this."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A small group of xenos who neutralised the planetary defences and managed to ruin an entire world... Impressive! How much would it cost to hire you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kneel, xenos, or I shall have you flogged."
TazarraThe xenos's eyes light up with interest. "The mon-keigh understands my speech! Where did you come by a device that can translate our language? Are you trying to impress me by appearing useful? Such words will earn you a bout in the ring at most. Without weapons, and, soon, without your skin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It seems it is I who is in for a treat. I cannot even begin to fathom where my subjects found such an exotic beast — and a talking one at that!"
TazarraThe xenos's eyes light up with interest. "The mon-keigh understands my speech! Where did you come by a device that can translate our language? Are you trying to impress me by appearing useful? Such words will earn you a bout in the ring at most. Without weapons, and, soon, without your skin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Death to xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
Tazarra(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix narrows his eyes and gives the xenos an appraising look. "The Drukhari of this breed are known as Wyches, [Name]. They are experts at bloodletting in the arenas and on the battlefield. However, I am more interested in the ones skulking in shadows — judging by their armour, they are high-ranking representatives of a Kabal, a military clique from the Drukhari demesne. It seems we have disrupted a vile performance for their distinguished guests."