Abelard"They're... d-dead? You're sure? What about us, then? A-are we alive?" The sobbing creature before you is closer to a skin-wrapped skeleton than a man, emaciated, bruised, and pale as death. "E-Emperor be praised for not abandoning us..."
Abelard"Shut up, you lout! It was this highborn lord/lady who saved you, not the Emperor!"
Abelard"Your Lordship/Ladyship, please forgive this oaf! Had it not been for you, these madmen would have eaten us alive! Or used us as parts for their monstrous statue! Or..." The red-haired woman stops chattering and lets out a loud sigh.
YOU"I am glad I arrived just in time."
Abelard"And so are we! We are so very, very glad, master/mistress!"
Abelard"I do not know how lowborn commoners such as ourselves can possibly thank you. We scouts are simple people... Our possessions are long gone, but we know the bowels of the hive like the back of our hand. Maybe we could share some useful information?"
Abelard"That's it! We can tell where you definitely mustn't go. Or we can explain how to get to our shelter."
YOU"Tell me how to reach your shelter."
Abelard"After you leave this vile lair, try to reach the geothermal node. It will be hard to miss — there are four massive pistons pumping what's left of the hot air from the planet's core. From there, keep moving toward the icebound area of the hive. After you hit the wall, turn left and go up the stairs. The Children of Redemption are huddling behind a secluded door, they are the few survivors who have not yet lost their minds in this forsaken place."
Abelard"There's also a shortcut. Leave the lair and go straight. There will be a ruined bridge on the left-hand side, jump onto it and you will find yourself near the hidden entrance to the shelter."
YOU"Tell me how to reach your shelter."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What places should I avoid?"
Abelard"The Nightmares drag their victims deeper into the hive, but we are not desperate or crazy enough to risk following them all the way in... I don't know where exactly their lair is, but if you leave this place and keep going right, skipping all turns, you are bound to run into one of their patrols. As for what happens next... Only the Emperor can help you."
YOU"Tell me how to reach your shelter."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What places should I avoid?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else should I know?"
Abelard"The h-hive's passageways are like a maze. Some paths will lead you nowhere, while others might offer a shortcut if you restore the power and open the right doors."
Abelard"And remember — it isn't just the Nightmares prowling in the dark that makes the passageways dangerous, they are also full of insidious traps! So many good men and women have died solely because they didn't keep their eyes peeled... May the Emperor's light welcome their souls."
Abelard"And... and... keep away from the feeding bay! They say a furious Nightmare is roaming the area. Many of us have died trying to stop it — not one of them came back! Not a single soul did, you h-hear?"
YOU"Tell me how to reach your shelter."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What places should I avoid?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else should I know?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there a storage room nearby?"
Abelard"There are a couple in the section that's frozen over, but I'm afraid there is nothing useful left. Personal caches, though? You'll find them all over the place, and most of their owners are long gone."
YOU"Tell me how to reach your shelter."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What places should I avoid?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else should I know?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there a storage room nearby?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Will you be able to get to the shelter on your own?"
Abelard"D-don't you worry about us, master/mistress. We'll just catch our breath and move on. The shadows will hide us from the Nightmares. The shadows and... just a tiny bit of luck."
Abelard"It would be a good idea to loot these cadavers, too. The crimson degenerates hoard stuff, precious and useless alike. Now that you've killed them, it would be a shame to let all those things go to waste."
YOU"Tell me how to reach your shelter."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What places should I avoid?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else should I know?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there a storage room nearby?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Will you be able to get to the shelter on your own?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all for now."
Abelard"W-wait, master/mistress, I just remembered something! The mad geezer, that false prophet of theirs, kept disappearing into the small chamber behind the statue. I have no idea what they keep inside, but nobody other than him dared to peek in there!"
Abelard"Thank you again for delivering us from harm, your Lordship/Ladyship. We will forever remember your kindness! Or, well, until we die, anyway. Safe travels!"
end of branch
YOU"That will be all for now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Will you be able to get to the shelter on your own?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all for now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there a storage room nearby?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Will you be able to get to the shelter on your own?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all for now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else should I know?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there a storage room nearby?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Will you be able to get to the shelter on your own?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all for now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What places should I avoid?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else should I know?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there a storage room nearby?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Will you be able to get to the shelter on your own?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all for now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, under no circumstances will I speak to this rabble."
Abelard"Collect yourselves, commoners! [Name] von Valancius, the Rogue Trader himself/herself is standing before you! Now prove that your lives were worth saving."
Abelard"You k-know, I just remembered something! The mad geezer, that false prophet of theirs, kept disappearing into the small chamber behind the statue. I have no idea what they keep inside, but nobody other than him dared to go in there!"
Abelard"Thank you again for delivering us from harm, your Lordship/Ladyship. We will forever remember your kindness! Or, well, until we die, anyway. Safe travels!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Oh, survivors! I did not even notice you were here."
Abelard"Uh..." The woman awkwardly scratches the back of her head. "Yes, of course. Forgive my stupidity, master/mistress."
Abelard"I do not know how lowborn commoners such as ourselves can possibly thank you. We scouts are simple people... Our possessions are long gone, but we know the bowels of the hive like the back of our hand. Maybe we could share some useful information?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Emperor protects us all. I am but a humble instrument of His will."
AbelardThe survivors listen to you, gaping in admiration.
Abelard"I do not know how lowborn commoners such as ourselves can possibly thank you. We scouts are simple people... Our possessions are long gone, but we know the bowels of the hive like the back of our hand. Maybe we could share some useful information?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get away from me, vermin! It was not my intention to rescue you, it just so happened I was nearby."
Abelard"O-of course, of course! We are already leaving. May the Emperor light your path, master/mistress!"
end of branch
YOU"Yes, yes. Now go away."
Abelard"Back into the dark corridors, to the Nightmares and lurking crimson beasts?" The woman gazes hesitantly at the exit. "Of course, it will be as you say. We'll leave as soon as we catch our breath."