PrisonHis body is covered in primitive scar tattoos, the meaning of which eludes you.
YOU"Fenrys hjolda, Vlak."
PrisonThe red-haired giant's jaws stop their work. Emotions are hard to read on the crudely hewn face, but you think you have surprised him. "Fenrys hjolda, mortal. You know the old words. Good words. Strong as a rock. Sharp as the blade of a force axe. Deadly as a kraken's tooth." The words are spoken in the guttural rasp of an inveterate killer — wholly in keeping with the man's formidable appearance — but you did not expect him to slip into poetic epithets so readily.
PrisonPicking a piece of meat from between his teeth, the warrior resumes his murmured singing. Between the lines of his song, he tosses out, "What do you want?"
YOU[Study the man]
PrisonThe huge body with straggly, overgrown red hair perfectly suits the deep, chilling voice of this man, or of this beast in the guise of a man. Tribal scar-like tattoos cover his chest, arms, and back, and you glimpse intricate braids in his mass of unwashed hair. His body bears so many pale scars that you cannot count them all, and muscles bulge beneath his skin like boulders. He looks like a statue carved from stone.
PrisonIt is clear that captivity has sapped this prisoner of none of his physical power. Your assessment is confirmed when you spot the remains of a Drukhari in the pile of carrion at his feet, likely one of the Haemonculus's servants. The Drukhari's flesh appears to be making a fine snack for your new acquaintance.
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"
PrisonAt first glance, the man does not strike you as possessing great intellect — he is clearly more accustomed to mauling and killing than thinking. But you detect a certain shrewdness in his eyes. After looking you over, he says shortly, "I am a Wolf."
YOU"How did you come to be here?"
Prison"My pack answered the Inquisition's call and came to the Koronus Expanse. There was a battle, and then..."
Prison"The young wolves yearning to be meat for their brotherlings, To a feast of bolters they went out roving, though they were but few; One long of fang, with them went loping, Not to see them cut down by scythes unclean. The pups he sent scattering and there stood alone, the paths guarding; For a foe he long spied, One worthy among unworthy; The song of swords singing they clashed with clamour and skill, Until stood the old wolf upon the bones; Then by the birds of battle was he brought down."
PrisonThe giant chuckles. "Was that clear enough? This saga sounds less interesting in prose."
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."
PrisonWith a crooked smile, he narrows his eyes at you. "That butcher sent you to spy for him, did he? Or do they know nothing of the Emperor's Angels, the Space Wolves of Fenris, or the great Leman Russ in your corner of the galaxy?"
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"
PrisonThe giant lets out a low growl that rings with the fury of a wild beast. "For his own safety. When I am not busy killing inhuman spawn in the arena, the xenos fear my will."
YOU"I want to help you."
PrisonHe loudly sniffs the air and his pupils dilate slightly. "Who are you to offer me help? You stink of xenos. I see you are on friendly terms with them. You are not sitting in a cage. And you smell of someone else... Someone spiteful and cunning. You cannot help me."
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"
PrisonThe warrior looks at you in mild surprise, then understanding brings a crooked grin to his face. "A predator does not eat only when it is hungry. There are many reasons to eat."
YOU[Answer just as obliquely] "There must have been a reason for this bloody repast."
PrisonFor a moment, the vicious grin loses some of its sincerity and the bloodthirsty prisoner casts an intense, scrutinising look at your face, as if trying to read your thoughts.
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"
PrisonGrinning, the warrior runs his fingers through his dirty hair, making himself look even wilder in the process. "And why do you want to know?"
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."
Prison"Mmmhmm." Chewing, he wipes the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]
PrisonYou do not know the language. The sounds seem crude and mangled but not entirely lacking the harsh dignity of a form of Gothic, while also sounding similar to the rumble of a landslide, sharp and choppy guttural phrases tumbling forth in a harsh rhythm.
YOU[Try to join in the singing]
YOU"What is the song about?"
Prison"It is about starlight glittering in the blood of heroes. Snow marked by the footsteps of merciless hunters. The fyceline haze that hangs over corpses torn apart by scavengers." A small, warm smile touches his lips. "In a word — home."
YOU[Try to join in the singing]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the song about?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is beautiful."
Prison"Of course. The Allfather granted me the honour of tasting the mjod of the skjalds. I have composed a thousand verses for my brothers — verses of passion and pride, calls to battle, verses that pierce the heart, and merry ones, like the laugh of a madman who lost his sanity to a winter storm."
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."
PrisonWith narrowed eyes, he says weightily, "To get what you want, you will have to convince two very headstrong individuals — me and my captor, that claw-handed xenos."
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."
PrisonThe prisoner looks at you expectantly without stopping his chewing. But his expression shifts subtly, as if his affected crudeness of mind and manner has been replaced by focus and cunning.
YOU"I am planning an escape. Are you with me?"
PrisonHe clicks his tongue. "Why would I be? You are a stranger. How can I trust you? You could be an enemy... worse, you could be an idiot."
YOU"I am planning an escape. Are you with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Puff up your chest] "You, warrior, have the honour of standing shoulder to shoulder with a true hero of the Imperium!"
PrisonThe prisoner grins cheerfully. "A true hero? Is that right?"
YOU"I have enacted my will without fear of death, and my valour was celebrated long before I became a Rogue Trader!"
PrisonThe giant roars vehemently, "Do you realise who you are bragging to, mortal? I have faced enemies in a thousand battles! The bodies of those I have slain could pave a path from Fenris to Holy Terra! My name is known to everyone in the Chapter!"
YOU"I have enacted my will without fear of death, and my valour was celebrated long before I became a Rogue Trader!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, my name is known to everyone in the Koronus Expanse. I am [Name]."
Prison"Well, I..." The enraged giant draws air into his chest, but suddenly pauses to consider. "[Name]... I think I have heard of you. You truly are stout-hearted, they say, and have proved yourself in the past."
PrisonThe red-haired warrior waves his hand with a chuckle. "Very well. It will be no shame at all to go into battle with you." There is a jealous, taunting note in his voice: "Even though you cannot hope to compete with an Angel of the Emperor for sheer glory."
Prison"It seems Tervantias is not as clever as he likes to appear if he's letting me out of the cage. The joke is on him." He rolls his huge shoulders and you hear his joints crack loudly. He lifts his battle knife from the floor — decorated with scarlet runes, it seems to be his last surviving possession. Weighing it in his hand and wearing a sceptical frown, the Wolf says, "Good steel I have already, but if we are going hunting, I will need my wolfskin."
PrisonThrowing back his head, he lets out a blood-chilling howl, one that contains the deranged mirth of evil spirits dancing on an icy cliff. A predatory grin blooms on his face. "What did you say your name was?"
end of branch
YOU"My accomplishments must pale in comparison to yours."
Prison"They do — whatever they are. You can be sure of that."
YOU"I am planning an escape. Are you with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Puff up your chest] "You, warrior, have the honour of standing shoulder to shoulder with a true hero of the Imperium!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite the warrior's litany] "Even a heretic or a non-human can wet a profane blade in the blood of enemies. But a true warrior of Humanity does not fight for gratification or trophies. He fights to carry out His will, for that is his duty. And it is a blessing."
PrisonThe giant sizes you up with interest. "You speak well. I have heard these bookish words many times before, but this is the first time I have heard them spoken with such resolve. I see that you believe in them, that you live by them. I respect that. I will help you. Let no one say that I forgot my duty to the Allfather."
Prison"It seems Tervantias is not as clever as he likes to appear if he's letting me out of the cage. The joke is on him." He rolls his huge shoulders and you hear his joints crack loudly. He lifts his battle knife from the floor — decorated with scarlet runes, it seems to be his last surviving possession. Weighing it in his hand and wearing a sceptical frown, the Wolf says, "Good steel I have already, but if we are going hunting, I will need my wolfskin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are both servants of the Emperor, we ought to help each other in this perilous place."
PrisonThe warrior raises his eyebrows. "Do you serve the Emperor, or are you a puppet with the hand of that xenos butcher up your arse? How am I to know whose words you speak — yours or his? How am I to know what plot you are trying to draw me into?"
YOU"I am planning an escape. Are you with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Puff up your chest] "You, warrior, have the honour of standing shoulder to shoulder with a true hero of the Imperium!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite the warrior's litany] "Even a heretic or a non-human can wet a profane blade in the blood of enemies. But a true warrior of Humanity does not fight for gratification or trophies. He fights to carry out His will, for that is his duty. And it is a blessing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are both servants of the Emperor, we ought to help each other in this perilous place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you want to slay xenos with me?"
Prison"Why didn't you say that at the start?" His expression of dull savagery then changes to a mocking grin. "What did you expect? Did you think you would waft the scent of slaughter under the bloodthirsty killer's nose, and it would rush off to do your bidding?"
YOU"I am planning an escape. Are you with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Puff up your chest] "You, warrior, have the honour of standing shoulder to shoulder with a true hero of the Imperium!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite the warrior's litany] "Even a heretic or a non-human can wet a profane blade in the blood of enemies. But a true warrior of Humanity does not fight for gratification or trophies. He fights to carry out His will, for that is his duty. And it is a blessing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are both servants of the Emperor, we ought to help each other in this perilous place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you want to slay xenos with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a coward, then? Afraid to come out of your cage?"
PrisonFlexing his muscles, the prisoner says in a surly tone, "When I rip your insolent tongue out of your throat, do not ask why. This is why."
YOU"I am planning an escape. Are you with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Puff up your chest] "You, warrior, have the honour of standing shoulder to shoulder with a true hero of the Imperium!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite the warrior's litany] "Even a heretic or a non-human can wet a profane blade in the blood of enemies. But a true warrior of Humanity does not fight for gratification or trophies. He fights to carry out His will, for that is his duty. And it is a blessing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are both servants of the Emperor, we ought to help each other in this perilous place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you want to slay xenos with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a coward, then? Afraid to come out of your cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tervantias gave you to me. Join my party."
PrisonA hostile glint appears in his eye. "Gave? Well... If he 'gave' me to you, step into this cage and take me." His snarl reveals his long fangs, and you know that nothing good awaits you past those bars. "You think a filthy, blasphemous xenos can do whatever he pleases with ME?"
YOU"I am planning an escape. Are you with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Puff up your chest] "You, warrior, have the honour of standing shoulder to shoulder with a true hero of the Imperium!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite the warrior's litany] "Even a heretic or a non-human can wet a profane blade in the blood of enemies. But a true warrior of Humanity does not fight for gratification or trophies. He fights to carry out His will, for that is his duty. And it is a blessing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are both servants of the Emperor, we ought to help each other in this perilous place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you want to slay xenos with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a coward, then? Afraid to come out of your cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tervantias gave you to me. Join my party."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stay in your cage, then, fool."
PrisonHe shrugs indifferently. "Mmmhmm."
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]
end of branch
PrisonA wild, deranged expression comes over his face. In a harsh voice, he growls, "Come here, you wretch! You have hidden on the other side of those bars long enough! Come in here and repeat your filthy words so I can kick them back into your bloodied, stinking muzzle!"
PrisonThe giant lets out a frightening, sepulchral roar... which turns into equally savage laughter. Wiping away tears, he stops chuckling, and without a hint of threat in his voice, remarks, "Fine, you got a rise out of me. And from what I can smell, you did not soil yourself in the process. I respect those with courage. I can work with you."
Prison"It seems Tervantias is not as clever as he likes to appear if he's letting me out of the cage. The joke is on him." He rolls his huge shoulders and you hear his joints crack loudly. He lifts his battle knife from the floor — decorated with scarlet runes, it seems to be his last surviving possession. Weighing it in his hand and wearing a sceptical frown, the Wolf says, "Good steel I have already, but if we are going hunting, I will need my wolfskin."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stay in your cage, then, fool."continues where this line first appears above
PrisonA wild, deranged expression comes over his face. In a harsh voice, he growls, "Come here, you wretch! You have hidden on the other side of those bars long enough! Come in here and repeat your filthy words so I can kick them back into your bloodied, stinking muzzle!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tervantias gave you to me. Join my party."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stay in your cage, then, fool."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a coward, then? Afraid to come out of your cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tervantias gave you to me. Join my party."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stay in your cage, then, fool."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you want to slay xenos with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a coward, then? Afraid to come out of your cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tervantias gave you to me. Join my party."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stay in your cage, then, fool."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, my name is known to everyone in the Koronus Expanse. I am [Name]."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"My accomplishments must pale in comparison to yours."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite the warrior's litany] "Even a heretic or a non-human can wet a profane blade in the blood of enemies. But a true warrior of Humanity does not fight for gratification or trophies. He fights to carry out His will, for that is his duty. And it is a blessing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are both servants of the Emperor, we ought to help each other in this perilous place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you want to slay xenos with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a coward, then? Afraid to come out of your cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tervantias gave you to me. Join my party."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stay in your cage, then, fool."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Puff up your chest] "You, warrior, have the honour of standing shoulder to shoulder with a true hero of the Imperium!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Recite the warrior's litany] "Even a heretic or a non-human can wet a profane blade in the blood of enemies. But a true warrior of Humanity does not fight for gratification or trophies. He fights to carry out His will, for that is his duty. And it is a blessing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are both servants of the Emperor, we ought to help each other in this perilous place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you want to slay xenos with me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Are you a coward, then? Afraid to come out of your cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tervantias gave you to me. Join my party."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stay in your cage, then, fool."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I would hate to hear such savage ditties sung in my court."
Prison"They will not be sung there. You have not earned the right to hear them."
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]
PrisonThe prisoner slowly brings his song to a close and smiles in satisfaction. "I crafted those verses myself. For a brother who fell a century ago. He was a good warrior, and he had a good death. And his saga turned out fine indeed."
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is beautiful."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I would hate to hear such savage ditties sung in my court."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And does it taste good?"
Prison"I cannot recommend it. The meat of these xenos is steeped in corruption and frailty. As well as the foul substances they inject into their blood in vast quantities."
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That's disgusting!"
PrisonThe red-haired warrior shrugs. "I did not invite you to join my repast."
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A bad habit, one that raises suspicions of corruption."
PrisonHis face twists with haughty disdain. Even caged, covered in blood, and stripped of his magnificent armour, he stares you down with all the arrogant superiority of a post-human. "Who are you to judge the purity or corruption of an Angel of the Emperor? My soul was flayed to the bone by the icy winds of the Gate of Morkai, and now nothing remains but loyalty to the Allfather and Russ."
Prison"But you are just a tongue-wagging fool giving opinions about things that are above your rank."
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You would know."
PrisonHe gives a stout nod.
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We suffer the same fate. I was also captured by the xenos and they have forced me to kill for their entertainment."
PrisonHe shrugs. "But I sit in a cage while you roam freely around their city. They do not fear you. Maybe there is a reason for that? Maybe our fates are not the same at all?"
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I never imagined I would see an Angel of the Emperor allow himself to be taken prisoner, and to be content with his subjugation."
PrisonThe warrior's eyebrows lower, and the growl he releases makes your bones vibrate. Something inside you instinctively recoils in the face of this post-human rage. "Watch your tongue, servant! Or I will rip out your liver and eat it so I can discover from what tainted source comes your stupidity!"
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, you serve the enemies of Humanity?"
PrisonThe warrior's eyebrows lower, and the growl he releases makes your bones vibrate. Something inside you instinctively recoils in the face of this post-human rage. "Watch your tongue, servant! Or I will rip out your liver and eat it so I can discover from what tainted source comes your stupidity!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."
PrisonThe warrior uses the pause to tear another lump of meat from his kill.
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know more about your brothers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why does the Haemonculus keep you in a cage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the piece of meat in his hand] "Don't they feed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must be planning to escape, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kneel before him] "Hail, Angel of the Emperor."
PrisonA red brow quirks upward slightly — in approval, it seems. Without breaking off from his meal, he nods at you. For an ordinary human, such a show of regard is a high honour.
PrisonPicking a piece of meat from between his teeth, the warrior resumes his murmured singing. Between the lines of his song, he tosses out, "What do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Glory to the Emperor!"
Prison"For Russ and the Allfather." To your surprise, he manages to pronounce this phrase clearly and solemnly even with a mouth full of raw meat.
PrisonPicking a piece of meat from between his teeth, the warrior resumes his murmured singing. Between the lines of his song, he tosses out, "What do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pray, pause your filthy repast, for I am Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius."
Prison"Pray, I will not." The giant continues his determined mastication. Upon reflection, he adds, "My cage, my rules."
PrisonPicking a piece of meat from between his teeth, the warrior resumes his murmured singing. Between the lines of his song, he tosses out, "What do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I hope you are enjoying your meal. I am [Name]."
PrisonHe gives you a searching look, then shrugs his massive shoulders. "I would enjoy it a lot more if there was mjod. Got any?"
PrisonPicking a piece of meat from between his teeth, the warrior resumes his murmured singing. Between the lines of his song, he tosses out, "What do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 6
PrisonYou close your eyes and enter the flow of the song, like slipping into a fast-flowing mountain river. Words rise up naturally in your mind — they are not the same ones sung by the prisoner, but you sense their aptness. Verse flows from your lips, full of surprising poetic metaphors and bloody details of a nameless hero fighting monsters under the light of unfamiliar stars.
PrisonWhen the song ends, the red-haired giant looks at you in surprise, the ice in his eyes thawing slightly. "You are one who has supped the mjod of the skjalds, I see. In the Long Hall, some of my brothers would be eager to tell you of their exploits so that you would sing a saga of their deeds."
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 6
PrisonYou close your eyes and try to pick up the song's rhythm, to slip into its sharp and idiosyncratic flow. Alas, your words do not seamlessly merge with the stream — as soon as you sing them, you can sense how painfully misplaced they are.
PrisonThe red-haired warrior finishes his song and laughs sarcastically. "You are no skjald, I see. It is not for your fireside verses that your friends esteem you, I wager."
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 6
PrisonThe scar tattoos on his body, which at first appeared abstract and primitive, together form the angular image of a wolf's mouth with bared fangs. This person must be the genetic offspring of Leman Russ, the Space Wolf of Fenris.
YOU"Fenrys hjolda, Vlak."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kneel before him] "Hail, Angel of the Emperor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Glory to the Emperor!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pray, pause your filthy repast, for I am Rogue Trader [Name] von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I hope you are enjoying your meal. I am [Name]."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 6
PrisonSinging softly under his breath, the man of enormous proportions is intently stripping raw meat from a bone with his teeth. His unwashed red hair is falling into his face, his beard is matted and blood-stained, and the aforementioned teeth look more like fangs than any human equivalent.
PrisonA less knowledgeable person might not recognise this giant humanoid, but you are well aware that this is a Space Marine, an Angel of the Emperor.
Entry point 6 of 6
PrisonThe red-haired giant does not stop singing under his breath and does not seem to notice you, intent as he is on his bloody repast.
YOU[Study the man]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen closely to the song the prisoner is singing to himself]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A warrior such as you could prove useful to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need your help."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away from the cage]continues where this line first appears above