WrackAmong the many mechanical augmentations embedded in the creature's flesh to boost its combat performance, you notice a set of complex devices meant to control the biological processes in the monster's body.
WrackSynthetic hyperadrenaline glands and growth steroid tanks regularly pump batches of poison into the giant's bloodstream, causing it to boil and its mind to perpetuate a furious agony.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"
WrackThe growling becomes deeper. "Anger is useful. The master wants me to be angry at all times. The anger leaves no room for the forbidden thoughts." The wheezing sounds glum, almost desperate. "The forbidden thoughts are forbidden!"
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]
WrackFor a brief moment, you lock eyes with the monster inside the cramped dark of the visor. The creature hastily turns away and growls, but you are certain you have glimpsed something human in its eyes. Fear, perhaps, or grief, or maybe even... shame?
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"
Wrack"An augmented warrior is called a Wrack because the Haemonculus invades his nature like a conqueror, wrecks the mundanity, and creates perfection from whatever is left. An Acothyst is the superior among the Wracks as well as the strongest and the most frightening."
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"
Wrack"Not offences. Labours. I toiled to be granted this honour. I begged for it. And I received it."
YOU"Perhaps it is the only way to survive in a frightening place like this. But you have my sympathy, nevertheless."
Wrack"It is the weak who need sympathy! I am not weak!" The roar is magnified by the echo inside the helm and hurts your ears.
YOU"You must have been very weak, given that you opted for an augmentation of such magnitude!"
Wrack"I am not weak! I am strong!"
WrackThe injector system clicks as it drives pistons into the giant's body, and it responds with a blind howl of unadulterated rage. The brute lunges, but its strike does not startle you.
WrackThe monster tries to shift his trembling bulk and get up but fails. Burned by an excessive dose of combat steroids, its muscles have deteriorated into a half-digested mess too weak to carry its massive body. The giant wheezes and sinks its grey fingers under the edge of the mask, ripping it away with the crunch of dislodged bolts. The flesh gives way and you see the creature's face.
WrackJust like the rest of the body, the stitched-up face is a patchwork of flesh: pale Drukhari skin, spotted hide of unknown origin, and strangely familiar burn scars... You know these scars and the single eye looking at you from the misshapen head. They used to belong to a man named Achilleas Scalander. A spy for the Inquisition. A traitor.
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"
WrackThe monster's throat gurgles. "I am an experiment. Tervantias decided it would be interesting to sew mon-keigh pieces into a Wrack."
Wrack"He... remade me. He put colonies of mutagenic infection into my flesh. Pumped me full of chemicals. Cut me open and took out some pieces. Irradiated me. I do not know what else he did... He took his time. It was painful. By the time he finished, I could not remember how he had started."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"
Wrack"They broke me. When the Drukhari attacked Dargonus, I was captured and tortured. It lasted an eternity, and then they stopped and I realised that merely a minute had passed. The time in their hands is as malleable as other people's bodies."
Wrack"It was followed by another thirty-one eternities, and at the thirty-second I broke and agreed to tell them everything they wanted to know. To carry out any order. They made me their sleeper agent and left a parting gift: each night I experienced an eternity every hour. I almost stopped sleeping, survived on a diet of recaf and injections and waited for the day they would order me to betray you."
Wrack"Then great happiness came. I was at last allowed to go though with the betrayal. Then I was no longer needed and they delivered me to Tervantias to be remade."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"
Wrack"I am a brute. A cursed soul boiling with rage and locked inside a gaol of tortured flesh. My new organs make me go blind with loathing. My mind... has degraded. The Haemonculus had no need of a servant prone to excessive cleverness."
Wrack"Now that my body is dying, Tervantias's grafts have weakened and I can think more clearly now."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not expect us to meet again."
Wrack"Ill-met, Your Lordship/Ladyship. I trust... you will... do the right thing."
YOU"I know. I grant you the Emperor's Peace. Farewell, Achilleas."
WrackYour blows speed up Achilleas's agony, but it still lasts a long while, giving the traitor plenty of time to feel one last moment of suffering.
end of branch
YOU[Gorily finish off the traitor] "Die, scum!"
WrackYour blows speed up Achilleas's agony, but it still lasts a long while, giving the traitor plenty of time to feel one last moment of suffering.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will save you. You do not deserve such an end."
Wrack"Spare yourself the effort, Your Lordship/Ladyship. You will not be able to and it is not something I want. In case you did not understand, the existence in this body is far worse than the torment they subjected me to. I am glad it is about to end."
end of branch
YOU[Watch the traitor die painfully]
WrackThe augmented body was built for battle and can endure plenty of punishment. It dies slowly and reluctantly, stretching Achilleas's suffering into another eternity of pain. But just like all things, it too comes to an end.
end of branch
YOU[Turn away] "I am done here."
end of branch
YOU[Gorily finish off the traitor] "Die, scum!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not expect us to meet again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Gorily finish off the traitor] "Die, scum!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not expect us to meet again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Gorily finish off the traitor] "Die, scum!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not expect us to meet again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Gorily finish off the traitor] "Die, scum!"continues where this line first appears above
Wrack(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix staggers back as if from a blow. His unblinking gaze is fixed on the monster in front of you. "Scalander?"
WrackThe monster lets out a distressed howl in Achilleas's voice. "Master van Calox, you are alive... I hoped death had taken you before those monsters could do to you what they had done to me..."
end of branch
YOU[Smile] "I am just pulling your leg."
WrackThe monster huffs strenuously. It seems to be perplexed by the sophisticated nature of your social gambit.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"
WrackThe monster's voice is so calm now you cannot help but recognise it. "It is I, Your Lordship/Ladyship. As you can see, I have... changed since we last met."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"
WrackThe monster's throat gurgles. "I am an experiment. Tervantias decided it would be interesting to sew mon-keigh pieces into a Wrack."
Wrack"He... remade me. He put colonies of mutagenic infection into my flesh. Pumped me full of chemicals. Cut me open and took out some pieces. Irradiated me. I do not know what else he did... He took his time. It was painful. By the time he finished, I could not remember how he had started."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"
Wrack"They broke me. When the Drukhari attacked Dargonus, I was captured and tortured. It lasted an eternity, and then they stopped and I realised that merely a minute had passed. The time in their hands is as malleable as other people's bodies."
Wrack"It was followed by another thirty-one eternities, and at the thirty-second I broke and agreed to tell them everything they wanted to know. To carry out any order. They made me their sleeper agent and left a parting gift: each night I experienced an eternity every hour. I almost stopped sleeping, survived on a diet of recaf and injections and waited for the day they would order me to betray you."
Wrack"Then great happiness came. I was at last allowed to go though with the betrayal. Then I was no longer needed and they delivered me to Tervantias to be remade."
YOU"I regret your fate."
Wrack"Regret is wasted on the damned, Your Lordship/Ladyship. I... chose my fate because I turned out to be weak."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"
Wrack"I am a brute. A cursed soul boiling with rage and locked inside a gaol of tortured flesh. My new organs make me go blind with loathing. My mind... has degraded. The Haemonculus had no need of a servant prone to excessive cleverness."
Wrack"Talking to you awakened something in my unconscious mind. I do not think it will last."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."
Wrack"I do not think... I am... permitted... to die..." Achilleas's voice quivers, building up to a bestial howl.
WrackThe injector system clicks as it drives pistons into the giant's body, and it responds with a blind howl of unadulterated rage. The brute lunges, but its strike does not startle you.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."
Wrack"You condemn me, no doubt. It is certainly your right to do so."
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."
WrackThe sullen hiss of a pump built into the hulk's body is your only reply.
YOU"I wish to pass."
Wrack"The master gave his permission." The hulk subtly moves over.
end of branch
YOU"What kind of a creature are you?"
WrackThe monster snorts and puffs out its massive chest. "I am an Acothyst. Servant of Master Tervantias, his meat driver."
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
Wrack"I get new material while the master cuts. I manage his business. I look after... I look..." The monster's voice keeps growing calmer with every word, approaching a normal pitch. Some mechanism inside the hulk's body springs to life with a hiss and injects something into the clear tubes gnawing at its flesh. A moment later, the chemical makes the giant roar with the same blind rage as before. "I watch!"
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
WrackThat voice, the one that cut through the haze for just a moment... It is the voice of a break. The same break that your tormentors once tried to achieve. The ones who tortured the mind that dwells in this abominable spawn succeeded in maiming their victim — yet they could not destroy them completely. But why did that voice sound so familiar to you?
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"
WrackThe monster's voice is so calm now you cannot help but recognise it. "It is I, Your Lordship/Ladyship. As you can see, I have... changed since we last met."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "I will show you which of us is really meat."
WrackThe injector system clicks as it drives pistons into the giant's body, and it responds with a blind howl of unadulterated rage. The brute lunges, but its strike does not startle you.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]
end of branch
Wrack"You condemn me, no doubt. It is certainly your right to do so."
YOU"I wish to pass."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What kind of a creature are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "I will show you which of us is really meat."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You were trying to survive. In a way, it was the sensible thing to do."
Wrack"Oh, no. It was short-sighted of me. I regret I lacked the tenacity to die. It would have been so much better."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not relieve you from your oath. Fetch me something of value from the Haemonculus's caches... and a cup of recaf."
WrackA low-pitched chuckle comes from under the mask... or maybe a snarl that sounds like chuckling. "I do not think my newly found lucidity lasts long enough to let me find recaf worthy of Your Lordship/Ladyship anywhere."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix was never more wrong than when he chose such a pathetic creature to be his agent."
Wrack(sequence)
Heinrix"You are right, [Name]." Heinrix's voice rings with shame. "It is my fault. I did not see the weakness in time."
end of branch
Wrack"This is fair. He made a huge mistake by trusting me with this mission."
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."
WrackA gloomy sigh escapes the creature's augmented lungs.
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did you betray me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why have you been pretending to be a dumb brute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas Scalander, I sentence you to death for treason."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I now see what you are. This is enough."continues where this line first appears above
Wrack(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix staggers back as if from a blow. His unblinking gaze is fixed on the monster in front of you. "Scalander?"
WrackThe monster lets out a distressed howl in Achilleas's voice. "Master van Calox, you are alive... I hoped death had taken you before those monsters could do to you what they had done to me..."
HeinrixHeinrix clenches his fists. "I see the xenos' minion has been handsomely rewarded for his treachery. I had a sliver of hope that I might still be lucky enough to kill you myself... but I will not do so now. No, not by any means. To languish in this... form... and be deprived of His light is a far greater punishment than any I could devise." Heinrix spits on the ground in disgust. "Damn you, Achilleas. Damn. You."
WrackA sound erupts from the monster's throat, a distorted, mangled, but still recognisable human sob.
end of branch
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
WrackThe voice fades for a moment and the next phrase is uttered with unexpected calmness: "The condemned need it not."
YOU"You must have been very weak, given that you opted for an augmentation of such magnitude!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Smile] "I am just pulling your leg."continues where this line first appears above
WrackThe Haemonculus's servant howls and starts punching the black mask with its massive fist. A choked sob-like howl is heard from the inside. Then the huge hand unclenches and a much softer, almost human voice calls out: "Your Lordship/Ladyship..."
WrackYou know who this voice belongs to. Achilleas Scalander. A spy for the Inquisition. A traitor.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It takes a true fool to ask to be transformed into such an abomination."
Wrack"You are weak, meat! That means you are the fool!" The monster wheezes, thick cords standing out in its neck.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
WrackThe rage fades just as quickly, and the voice drops to a rattling croak: "I am not foolish. I am weak and condemned."
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
WrackThe Haemonculus's servant howls and starts punching the black mask with its massive fist. A choked sob-like howl is heard from the inside. Then the huge hand unclenches and a much softer, almost human voice calls out: "Your Lordship/Ladyship..."
WrackYou know who this voice belongs to. Achilleas Scalander. A spy for the Inquisition. A traitor.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A sensible way of doing things: where those with wisdom and high status remould their inferiors to suit their needs."
Wrack"The master is wise. The master decides. Everyone obeys." The giant warily bows his helmet-clad head.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Quite right. One must not turn down power, whatever the source."
Wrack"Yes! I am the strongest now!" The monster pounds his enormous chest with his fist.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough about that."
WrackThe monster grunts in a menacing and condescending manner.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
WrackThe Haemonculus's servant howls and starts punching the black mask with its massive fist. A choked sob-like howl is heard from the inside. Then the huge hand unclenches and a much softer, almost human voice calls out: "Your Lordship/Ladyship..."
WrackYou know who this voice belongs to. Achilleas Scalander. A spy for the Inquisition. A traitor.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 8
WrackThe profane mind of the xenos has defiled the very principles of body augmentation. The longer you look at the metal embedded in the monster's flesh, the louder your mind rebels against the idea of comprehending and understanding this foulness.
YOU[Take a closer look at the mechanical parts of the monster's body]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does your master always keep you on the verge of going berserk?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Peer through the slits of the mask into the monster's eyes]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is an Acothyst?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What offences earned you this hideous transformation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no more questions."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 8
Wrack(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 8
Jae(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 8
WrackThe monster is looking at the frenzied Jae Heydari in cold silence.
Jae"Hey, you pile of hot dung! Yeah, you, you dumb ashmag, I'm talking to you!" Jae Heydari's looks match her coarse speech: dishevelled, ratty, and bereft of all her jewellery and rakish glamour. Her eyes, locked on the gatekeeping monster, are brimming with fury and desperation, and her voice... her voice resembles a gruff bark.
Jae"Here's the deal. I need to see your master. To take back what is mine, you hear me? He and I have unfinished business — it doesn't concern you. And besides..." Jae notices you and breaks off. "Shereen... You're alive! You—" She grits her teeth. "Apologies, [Name], one moment." She turns back to the monster. "I'm with him/her! I only need five minutes — don't be a sekhek."
Wrack"It is forbidden. Get lost."
Jae"Ooh, looks like you're not the sharpest tool in the shed, you piece of—" Jae breaks off, starts coughing and throws her head back, drawing a laboured breath. To your surprise, you see living flesh where her neck implant should be, punctured by narrow scars showing where the augment was once grafted onto the woman's skin. "Now listen here, you ugly mug. I have an offer to make, and you'd do well to take it..."
YOU[Watch in silence]
Jae"So tell me what you want, you piss-brained ashmag, I can get you anything! Is it combat toxins? A new blade? A force sword, a poison dagger? Or maybe a few bodies to play with?" Jae lashes out in hysterical desperation. "Azhi got your tongue? Say something, damn you! Is it sex? Gold? Blood? Weapons? Sex and blood? Weapons and gold?"
WrackThe monster's right hand reaches out for Jae's neck, but the left one intercepts it halfway. A click, and the cloudy ooze from yet another jar seeps into the hulk's backbone, causing it to twitch as if it had been electrocuted. "The master... forbade me... to break... Go away!"
JaeJae dodges the rampaging beast and addresses you pleadingly: "[Name], shereen, light of my eyes, help a grunt out, will you? Or friend... whatever! I'll owe you one, and I always square up, you know it! I never weasel out of deals like this one, I'll pay you back in full!"
YOU[Watch in silence]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae! Where did you learn to speak so crudely?"
Jae"Crude shmude!" Jae casts you a desperate look. "[Name], it's not about how I look and talk right now. I need to see the Haemonculus! I absolutely must, got it? If you're so offended, I'll wash my mouth with soap, but later, shereen! Later!"
YOU[Watch in silence]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae! Where did you learn to speak so crudely?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened to you?"
Jae"I... was in there, you understand?" Jae breaks off and helplessly points at the entrance to the Haemonculus's chamber. "That's where he... cut me. The many-armed ashmag took away my breath! He started by cutting off my head, but I was alive and conscious. I hung from the wires and watched what he did to my body! He took out the implant, the throat, and the lungs, the whole thing! Then he grabbed a chunk of flesh, messed with it, sewed it into place... And everything came back!" Jae is overcome by a hacking cough, flecks of blood on her hands when she draws them away from her mouth. "I'm dying, [Name]! Dying again!"
YOU"You are dying again? Why?"
Jae"It is the carc— the carcina, shereen." Jae spits out the word and shuts her eyes tight as if the word itself could hurt her.
YOU"You are dying again? Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is wrong with the Haemonculus giving you new organs instead of an implant?"
Jae"Because they're not organs — they're shit! The mines left me with busted rags for lungs, and when the carcina started..." Jae sobs. "I nearly died, shereen! By the time I saved up enough for an implant, I was coughing up blood every day. I almost didn't make it... And now this xenos ashmag, this son of a star jackal and a blood-faced Drukhari slut grew a carcina out of my own flesh! And shoved it back into my throat along with some shitty organs he'd grown in a bloody jar!"
YOU"You are dying again? Why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is wrong with the Haemonculus giving you new organs instead of an implant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It seems we have much to discuss, Jae..."
JaeJae guiltily lowers her head. "We sure do, [Name]. I guess the rip-roaring yarn about the princess from a desert planet won't cut it anymore. But I'm begging you..." The woman raises her head and looks at you, eyes glistening with tears. "Later, okay? I need to see the Haemonculus. I NEED my implant! Don't let me die the way the rest of the mine rats do. Not that way, shereen... Any way but that!"
YOU[Watch in silence]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae! Where did you learn to speak so crudely?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Try to talk this malkin round, Jae. I shall observe."
Jae"So tell me what you want, you piss-brained ashmag, I can get you anything! Is it combat toxins? A new blade? A force sword, a poison dagger? Or maybe a few bodies to play with?" Jae lashes out in hysterical desperation. "Azhi got your tongue? Say something, damn you! Is it sex? Gold? Blood? Weapons? Sex and blood? Weapons and gold?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I promise, we will find a way to heal you."
Jae"I will make it up to you, [Name]." Jae shoots the monster a scathing look. "And we are not done talking yet, you bloated tub of lard!"
Wrack"Get lost. Both of you. Or become two corpses."
end of branch
YOU[Address the monster] "This woman is with me."
WrackThe oaf clumsily scratches at the fresh scar at the top of its head and concedes: "Fine. The master permitted companions. She is a companion now."
Jae"May the Exalted One shower you with blessings, shereen! I always knew you were a decent sort, not rotten inside. A bit out-there, but not rotten." Jae bends over in yet another coughing fit and spits out a crimson-tinted clot. "Ugh, azhi take me! I should move my arse while I can still carry it around."
Wrack"Meat. The master ordered that you be let through." When you approach, a few augmetics spring to life inside the monster's bulk. An injector hisses, filling its blood with compounds that cause its veins to bulge and its muscles to swell and twitch spasmodically.
YOU"I wish to pass."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What kind of a creature are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "I will show you which of us is really meat."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You seem to have lost both your charm and your usefulness. I will not rescue you. Farewell."
Jae"You..." Jae's eyes grow wide with fear and hatred. "You... son/daughter of a grox and a dockside whore, that's what you are! You filthy ashmag/kaskha! I will... I'll..." Jae bites her lip, drawing blood, and throws her hands up in defeat. "May the azhi screw you and your protectorate several times over, [Name]!"
Wrack"You get lost too. Or become a corpse."
end of branch
YOU[Address the monster] "Don't let this one pass. She has done nothing to earn it."
WrackThe monster gives you an indifferent shrug.
Jae"You..." Jae's eyes grow wide with fear and hatred. "You... son/daughter of a grox and a dockside whore, that's what you are! You filthy ashmag/kaskha! I will... I'll..." Jae bites her lip, drawing blood, and throws her hands up in defeat. "May the azhi screw you and your protectorate several times over, [Name]!"
Wrack"Meat. The master ordered that you be let through." When you approach, a few augmetics spring to life inside the monster's bulk. An injector hisses, filling its blood with compounds that cause its veins to bulge and its muscles to swell and twitch spasmodically.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It seems we have much to discuss, Jae..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is wrong with the Haemonculus giving you new organs instead of an implant?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It seems we have much to discuss, Jae..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Try to talk this malkin round, Jae. I shall observe."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I promise, we will find a way to heal you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the monster] "This woman is with me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You seem to have lost both your charm and your usefulness. I will not rescue you. Farewell."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the monster] "Don't let this one pass. She has done nothing to earn it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Try to talk this malkin round, Jae. I shall observe."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I promise, we will find a way to heal you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the monster] "This woman is with me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You seem to have lost both your charm and your usefulness. I will not rescue you. Farewell."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the monster] "Don't let this one pass. She has done nothing to earn it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae! Where did you learn to speak so crudely?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What happened to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Try to talk this malkin round, Jae. I shall observe."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I promise, we will find a way to heal you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the monster] "This woman is with me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You seem to have lost both your charm and your usefulness. I will not rescue you. Farewell."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the monster] "Don't let this one pass. She has done nothing to earn it."continues where this line first appears above
WrackThe monster leans forward to take a closer look. "The master said no. Only he/she is allowed. Go away."
Jae"Ooh, looks like you're not the sharpest tool in the shed, you piece of—" Jae breaks off, starts coughing and throws her head back, drawing a laboured breath. To your surprise, you see living flesh where her neck implant should be, punctured by narrow scars showing where the augment was once grafted onto the woman's skin. "Now listen here, you ugly mug. I have an offer to make, and you'd do well to take it..."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 8
Wrack"Meat. The master ordered that you be let through." When you approach, a few augmetics spring to life inside the monster's bulk. An injector hisses, filling its blood with compounds that cause its veins to bulge and its muscles to swell and twitch spasmodically.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 8
WrackThe monster greets you with a menacing snarl. "Meat."
YOU"I wish to pass."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What kind of a creature are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Achilleas? Is that you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "I will show you which of us is really meat."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above