Heinrix"But before I leave you, [Name]..." Heinrix produces a small device wrapped in velvet. "I was supposed to deliver this to Lady Theodora, but considering the circumstances, I am giving it to you. This is an Elucidator — a sacred machine that can translate the languages of distant and lost worlds to Imperial Gothic. It is even capable of handling xenos languages, up to a point — there may be flaws in translation, but the overall meaning should be clear."
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 3
Vox Master Vigdis"Lord Captain, allow me to report: our journey through the warp is coming to an end. Lady Navigator Orsellio informs me that we have reached the point where we can translate to realspace in the Furibundus System. The Lady Navigator and her pilots are awaiting your permission to begin the process."
Vox Master Vigdis"The Furibundus System is home to Footfall — the only Imperium outpost with a functioning wharf in the Koronus Expanse. The Tech-Priests are begging you to have mercy on the machines worn down by the warp and to allow the servants of the Omnissiah to inspect and heal the voidship's wounds in the dock. The prayers and rituals will take some time, which our Astropathic Choir will use to establish a connection with the prime worlds of your protectorate — Dargonus, Janus, and Kiava Gamma."
Vox Master Vigdis"Master Zacchary Weisz has recovered an invitation previously adrift in the Immaterium — the Liege of Footfall has humbly requested an audience with the Rogue Trader of the von Valancius dynasty. According to Master Zacchary, the message was 'tinted with shades of pleading.' I quote: 'Apparently the Liege is anxious to meet as soon as possible.'"
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"
Heinrix"The arrangement between the Lord Inquisitor and your predecessor was that I be transported to Footfall and no farther. I dare not take advantage of your generosity and patience any more than I already have, [Name]."
YOU"I hope we meet again. True servants of the Emperor are always welcome aboard my ship."
HeinrixHeinrix regards you with a curious look and a polite smile. "An Interrogator of the Inquisition seldom gets to hear such words. Thank you for your hospitality, [Name] — I will not forget it."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"
Solomorne"Right at this moment, unlikely. We have a considerable amount of dirty and routine work ahead of us, such as checking cogitator logs and questioning the station's residents, including its less palatable individuals. None of that is worth the Rogue Trader's time, I assure you. Still, should circumstances change, I will absolutely welcome the aid of such a dependable ally as yourself."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"
Argenta"He is the head of the Drusian mission on Footfall and one of the most prominent clergymen in the sector. Paying him a visit is a good thing for any loyal servant of the Emperor to do. I assisted his mission before I joined Lady Theodora on her voyage. I need his blessing to accompany the new Rogue Trader of the von Valancius dynasty. If you wish to have me aboard your voidship, I request that we meet with Reverend Hieronymus."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."
Vox Master Vigdis"Furibundus is valuable due to its close proximity to the Maw — the gateway to the Imperium. The system is mostly known for Footfall — the main base for merchants, privateers, and Rogue Traders traversing the Koronus Expanse. Additionally, the star itself is orbited by an Adeptus Mechanicus station, which is off-limits to outsiders."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"
Vox Master Vigdis"It is the largest port and the trading capital of the Koronus Expanse. It has a dockyard that will allow us to inspect and repair the voidship, and it boasts its own Astropathic Choir — the Koronus Expanse communications nexus."
First(sequence)
Abelard"Not to mention pirate hideouts, smuggler caches, and forts belonging to a dozen gangs, groups, and factions. In the Koronus Expanse, the Imperium relies on this as its outpost. The fringes of Humanity's domain rarely resemble its central worlds, but so long as Footfall serves the God-Emperor — insofar as it can — it will be considered a citadel of the Imperium. Although, I have heard that the tithes it sends are... underwhelming, to say the least."
end of branch
Vox Master Vigdis"Due to Footfall's remoteness, it has developed its own rules and customs. Many of the goods that can be procured there would be considered heresy in the heart of the Imperium, enough to warrant summary execution. Moreover, Footfall is the domain of the Rogue Traders, who transcend certain Imperial laws by virtue of the Warrant they bear."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"
Vox Master Vigdis"As soon as we solve the issues plaguing the ship and establish contact with the key worlds of your protectorate, the time will come for your Magnae Accessio, the official ceremony of donning the mantle of the Rogue Trader. It is mostly a formality at this point — you already possess all the privileges granted by the Warrant. And yet it is a major milestone in your personal history, the moment your name graces the list of heads of the von Valancius dynasty. We are all looking forward to that day, Lord Captain."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"
Abelard"Vladaym Tocara is a very peculiar young man. Consider your upcoming conversation a baptism of fire in Footfall's political arena. Such things are not spoken out loud, but Liege Tocara is the appointee of the Kasballica Mission, the largest robber baron crime syndicate in the Calixis Sector. They specialise in the Cold Trade — the buying and selling of all kinds of xenos rubbish."
Abelard"Footfall was previously run by a Liege who did business with several criminal factions at once, but he suffered an 'accident.' The reins of power were picked up by Vladaym Tocara, whose appointment benefits not only the Kasballica but also their most powerful ally in the Koronus Expanse — Rogue Trader Calligos Winterscale."
Abelard"Vladaym is a slippery yet very cautious fellow. He does not usually beat around the bush and does not play mind games. Perhaps more importantly, he is no fool — fools do not rise this high in the Kasballican hierarchy. Keep all this in mind. You are a Rogue Trader, you stand above him in status and wield considerable power. Having said that, history has seen cases where the Kasballican barons crossed swords with Rogue Traders and emerged victorious. Do not forget that, and remain vigilant."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"
First(sequence)
Abelard"Not you personally — he wishes to meet with the Rogue Trader of the von Valancius dynasty. Tocara does not know about Lady Theodora's death and is simply seeking an audience with the powers that be. My gut is telling me that something must be very wrong on Footfall if our Astropath managed to read such strong emotion in such an anodyne message."
end of branch
Vox Master Vigdis"We have no information, Lord Captain. The broadcast from the Footfall Astropathic Choir was the only missive Master Zacchary has received lately."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."
FirstVigdis begins issuing instructions. The massive ship appears to change with her every word — the bridge is set in motion as hundreds of people start to prepare for the shift to realspace and measured chanting fills the corridors to safeguard the vessel and its crew.
Vox Master VigdisVigdis turns to you again. "One more thing, Lord Captain. No one at the station knows about Lady Theodora's demise and you inheriting the title. Liege Tocara will be informed — it is required so we can use the dock, and besides, he is expecting a personal audience with the Rogue Trader — he will not meet with an unknown person of unclear standing. However, there is still the matter of announcing your arrival. You can either arrive on the station with the proper pomp and ceremony — or choose to visit it incognito."
YOU"Tell me in detail how these choices will benefit me."
Vox Master Vigdis"According to Footfall's unwritten laws, Rogue Traders enjoy special privileges that exceed even the power of the Liege. However, they may choose not to exercise those privileges in certain situations — arriving incognito will give you more room for manoeuvre, while an official visit will allow you to directly intervene in local affairs."
YOU"Tell me in detail how these choices will benefit me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have decided. Tell the Liege I will arrive incognito."
Vox Master Vigdis"It will be done, Lord Captain." Vigdis bows again. "With your gracious permission, I will return to my duties."
end of branch
YOU"I have decided. Tell the Liege I will arrive officially, as the Rogue Trader."
Vox Master Vigdis"It will be done, Lord Captain." Vigdis bows again. "With your gracious permission, I will return to my duties."continues where this line first appears above
First(sequence)
Abelard"I shall explain, if you do not mind. As per this unwritten rule, every Rogue Trader arriving at the station has the right to veto any of the Liege's decisions. But there is a catch — the Koronus Expanse is home to several influential Rogue Trader dynasties, and Footfall is where their interests intersect."
Abelard"Of course, that does not prevent certain persons, namely Calligos Winterscale, from subtly pulling the strings on Footfall. If you, as a new Rogue Trader, start your career with an official landing and a parade in your honour, the other dynasties may see this gesture as the newcomer challenging their spheres of influence."
Abelard"I do not see that as a bad thing, necessarily. Old man Winterscale may take slight offence. Chorda will be put on her guard. But you have just risen to prominence and most people in the Koronus Expanse have not even heard about Lady Theodora's departure yet. It must be made clear that the banner of von Valancius soars as high as ever."
end of branch
Heinrix"If I may, I would recommend arriving incognito. You will have plenty of opportunities to savour the sweetness and the burden of power, but right now is the last time you can take refuge in obscurity. This way, your arrival will not draw much attention, and the people will treat you as a person and not the almighty sovereign anointed by the Emperor — it could turn some situations to your advantage."
end of branch
YOU"I have decided. Tell the Liege I will arrive incognito."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have decided. Tell the Liege I will arrive officially, as the Rogue Trader."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
First(sequence)
Pasqal"The Kasballica. Vile tech-thieves." Pasqal's vox barks out the last word like a profanity.
end of branch
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
First(sequence)
Pasqal"Altar-Templum-Calixis-Ext-17. I had the honour of tending to this shrine for a few thousand cycles. I suggest you abstain from visiting it as most tech-comrades at the station are engaged in meditative calculations that should not be interrupted."
end of branch
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
First(sequence)
Kibellah"The shed blood has washed away the taint from our bodies — it is only right that we now wash our souls with the blessings of the servant of the Undying One. The Drusians, like the Bloodspun Web, are devoted to asceticism, rejecting wealth and luxury and surrendering themselves to His service. Though their thread is different from ours, the First Spinner spoke of them with respect."
end of branch
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a skilled fighter, I could use people like you. What do you say we extend your stay in my retinue?"
Heinrix"Thank you for your offer, but I must decline. I am afraid my duty to the Golden Throne comes before everything else."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Finally. My benevolence and patience were both about to run out!"
HeinrixHeinrix's cold and piercing gaze does not betray any emotion, and neither does his dry smile. "In that case, I hope they last long enough to get me to Footfall."
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So be it."
HeinrixHeinrix replies with a respectful nod.
YOU"Are you leaving us, Heinrix?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, is there any assistance I can provide in your investigation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Argenta, who is this Reverend Hieronymus who wants to talk to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Vigdis, tell me about the system we are arriving in."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What do I need to know about Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Footfall is just a brief stop. What next?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you know anything about the Liege of Footfall?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Liege want to see me so badly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the Lady Navigator I give her leave to make the translation from the warp into realspace."continues where this line first appears above
First(sequence)
Argenta"Footfall... The place where filth and sanctity go hand in hand. Reverend Hieronymus Doloroso will most likely expect a visit from me. I imagine he will be interested in talking to you as well, [Name]."
end of branch
Heinrix"I will be leaving your voidship when we arrive on Footfall, [Name]. Once that is done, consider the Lord Inquisitor's task complete."
end of branch
Abelard"Your Lordship/Ladyship, young Evayne Winterscale has asked me to convey his gratitude for your hospitality and for saving him from certain death. Not wishing to outstay his welcome, he plans to disembark at Footfall. Lord Evayne swears he will not forget his debt to you."
Abelard"On a personal note, young Winterscale is almost as good as new. Thanks to the efforts of our chirurgeons and the talents of Master van Calox, he has made a speedy recovery, except for the gouged eye, which we were unable to save. But I am sure Lord Evayne will be able to afford a decent implant to replace it."
end of branch
Pasqal"I hereby inform the Rogue Trader that during a comprehensive system inspection rite, this unit discovered data clusters within the captain's cogitator that are concealed from prying eyes by means of a personal cipher and a sacrament of algorithmic authorisation."
Pasqal"Unit [Name] von Valancius has been added to the access list and assigned the identifier 'Keeper 2.' The unit can access the data from the captain's cogitator provided that he/she possesses the decryption key." You detect a hint of something resembling curiosity in Pasqal's mechanical voice.
end of branch
Solomorne"Thank you once again for rescuing my squad, Rogue Trader. We will disembark on Footfall — the trail of evidence leads to the docks, and it wouldn't hurt to pay the Liege a visit. I am sure he will graciously extend his cooperation to the Arbites."