NPCThe gleaming blade makes a series of lingering flashes on your retinas. You very narrowly dodge the stabs aimed at your eyes and throat, grab hold of the man's wrist, which might as well be made of stone, and start twisting it out of its cracking joint. A crushing elbow blow connects with your jaw, but the lightning-fast hand-to-hand fight ends in your victory before you even realise you have been attacked.
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"
FroscherFroscher rasps stubbornly, "My master told me to stay behind to prevent the possibility of... pursuit. Your meddling in the Inquisition's affairs is a mistake."
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"
Froscher"Cadian... assault... Date and circumstances of enlistment in the Lord Inquisitor's retinue... classified..." The servant squeezes out a venomous smile.
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]
FroscherIt takes time to beat answers out of the lump of meat that once called itself Froscher. At some point, between the squelching sounds of your blows and the cracking of broken bones, you manage to force several words out of his mouth. "Porta Septentum. Dimensional gate."
NPCTrazyn's soft laughter is accompanied by an icy chill running down your spine. "I know well what this servant speaks of. I am aware of these ancient gates and what is hidden behind them. This path shall lead you to me."
end of branch
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."
Froscher"Yes. I have failed him."
end of branch
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."
NPCYou might decide to show mercy... Later. When you have answers. Something almost tangible seems to touch your throat, freezing the words in it. Fate is yanking the leash insistently, and the fingers on Froscher's battered hand tighten their grip.
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
FroscherThe servant, now a broken man, looks at you with hatred in his eyes. "You won't stop my master anyway. Don't follow him... Better run away."
end of branch
NPC(sequence)
UlfarUlfar growls sullenly, "Cadian. I've seen your breed in action — true warriors. And you weren't born with a hole where your heart should be, I can see it in your eyes. How could such a beast agree to be the Inquisitor's hound? And you have worked your way into his inner circle — why does he want you so close at hand? To frighten and slay innocents? To spy for him?"
FroscherWith a weak smile, Froscher replies calmly, "For my courage, sir."
end of branch
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 9
NPCYou manage to jerk your head out of the way of the serpentine strike, saving your eyes, but the blade rips your flesh open. One after another, it finds your internal organs: the liver, the lungs, and the kidneys. Overcoming the pain, you grab hold of his hand, which might as well be made of rock, and start twisting it out of its cracking joint. The pain makes your foe cease his resistance, and you realise that the fight that almost cost you your life has lasted no more than a few seconds.
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 9
FroscherCourageous spirit can overcome anything — but weak, pain-fearing flesh can't. When Froscher's nerves begin to snap under your pressure, he blurts out, "Porta... Septentum... dimensional gate..." The servant bites his tongue furiously, livid at his body's faithless weakness.
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
NPCTrazyn's soft laughter is accompanied by an icy chill running down your spine. "I know well what this servant speaks of. I am aware of these ancient gates and what is hidden behind them. This path shall lead you to me."
end of branch
Entry point 4 of 9
FroscherYou hear the crunch of a shattered joint, nerves snapping, tendons creaking. But that is all you hear; the servant's lips remain stubbornly sealed.
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 9
FroscherFroscher glimpses something in your eyes and sighs in defeat. "That's true. No one can endure torture forever. He went into the Porta Septentum, the dimensional gate. And I have failed him."
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 9
Froscher"I am no longer young. My money is on my stubbornness against my weak heart. Let's see which breaks first."
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 9
FroscherFroscher shakes his head with a sad smile. "Always faithful, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 9
FroscherFroscher presses his lips together stubbornly and reaches for his tall boot. You put more pressure on his maimed wrist to make him stop.
YOU"What are you doing, wretch?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are no mere servant. Where did you learn to hit like that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where Calcazar has gone and you will live. Don't you see he has abandoned you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to torture you for a long time. A very long time. But you will tell me everything in the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hurt Froscher] "Let me ask you again. Where has Calcazar gone?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Batter the servant until he breaks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "I have no further use for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let go of Froscher's arm] "Go. I will not kill you."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 9 of 9
FroscherThe old servant casts a sharp, appraising glance at you. "How can I be of use to Your Lord/Ladyship?"
YOU[Look around]
NPCThe hall bears the marks of a clean-up — quick, thorough, and unceremonious. The smell of ash from burned reports hangs in the air. Every trace of the Lord Inquisitor's stay at the palace has been destroyed. The only reminder of it is the elderly servant, sticking out like a nail amid the emptied space.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is Calcazar?"
Froscher"The Lord Inquisitor is away on an urgent mission." Froscher's colourless voice matches his starkly unhelpful reply.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is Calcazar?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has abandoned you here, then?"
Froscher"My master has no need of my services on his present expedition. I was tasked with cleaning up." As soon as the conversation turns to Calcazar, deferential and ecstatic overtones brighten the servant's dry voice.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is Calcazar?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has abandoned you here, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know where he has gone."
Froscher"The Lord Inquisitor warned me that Your Lord/Ladyship would enquire about that. He left me instructions." The servant's face relaxes, as though he has fallen asleep. What he says next carries an echo of Calcazar's rumbling voice. "Your Lord/Ladyship, I regret that we never spoke. A matter of special importance has forced me to leave Footfall."
Froscher"As you may guess, I have a plan for defending the Expanse, but the events on Eufrates II have shown that the plan is compromised. The breach of secrecy has left no time for preparations. I must accomplish something... monumental. And dangerous. Some would say too dangerous. But I hope that your loyalty and agile mind will lead you to fully appreciate what I intend to do."
Froscher"That is why I am giving you an option to find me and, I hope, join me. I am travelling to the ancient dimensional gate in the Porta Septentum System, and beyond. If you wish, you can follow me and share with me the burden of responsibility for what is to come. And if not, pray for me, for I could use any help I can get. The Emperor protects, [Name] von Valancius."
YOU"What was the plan Calcazar was going to execute?"
Froscher"Of that I am ignorant, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It was decided due to secrecy concerns that I should not know the details."
YOU"What was the plan Calcazar was going to execute?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the servant] "That is confidential information. And its confidentiality must be protected."
Froscher"I understand, Your Lord/Ladyship." The man makes no attempt to defend himself. He accepts death as one would accept an unpleasant but necessary medical procedure.
end of branch
YOU"Then I must go."
Froscher"Farewell, Your Lord/Ladyship. I hope you help my master achieve what he set out to do."
end of branch
YOU[Kill the servant] "That is confidential information. And its confidentiality must be protected."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then I must go."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
Heinrix"That's it?" Heinrix looks at Froscher in confusion and anger.
Froscher"I regret to say that no specific instructions were given in your regard, Master van Calox."
end of branch
ArgentaArgenta frowns, painfully processing what she just heard. "A call from His servant must not go unanswered, but... what is this plan for defending the Expanse that the Lord Inquisitor hides in the shadows? These tidings bring unease to my heart, Rogue Trader."
end of branch
AbelardAbelard winces. "And once again, the Lord Inquisitor permits himself to treat the Rogue Trader as a common servant... It baffles me that you are still willing to put up with this audacity, Lord Captain."
end of branch
Eogunn"Finely honed rhetoric means saying a great deal, yet revealing nothing." Eogunn smiles faintly. "A choice in name only. This summons is hardly a request, Rogue Trader."
end of branch
NPCTrazyn's soft laughter is accompanied by an icy chill running down your spine. "I know well what this servant speaks of. I am aware of these ancient gates and what is hidden behind them. This path shall lead you to me."
end of branch
Froscher"I was instructed to tell Your Lord/Ladyship that the Lord Inquisitor advises against making that enquiry." The outrageously rude words are spoken in an impeccably polite tone.
YOU[Look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is Calcazar?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has abandoned you here, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know where he has gone."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where he went! Or else..."
NPC"That was a mistake." A blade appears in Froscher's hand: a common Cadian-pattern, monomolecular-edged bayonet knife whose handle is covered in scratches from years of use.
YOU"Heinrix, kindly get your old acquaintance to talk."
HeinrixHeinrix turns to Froscher and raises a hand. Otherworldly cold envelops you. "I will only ask you this question once..."
Froscher"No!" Froscher's voice breaks along with his resolve as his legs give out under the unseen influence of biomancy. "Master van Calox, stop... I have seen your work first-hand. I know what is left of the people you interrogate... Porta Septentum. Dimensional gate."
HeinrixHeinrix lowers his hand. "Most sensible of you, old man. Good."
YOU"Go, Froscher. Heinrix and I are sparing your life."
FroscherThe servant, now a broken man, looks at you with hatred in his eyes. "You won't stop my master anyway. Don't follow him... Better run away."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "Enough. I have no further need of you."
Froscher"Yes. I have failed him."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave Froscher in his current state] "Let this be a lesson to all who oppose us."
MarazhaiWith a derisive laugh, Marazhai turns away from his mutilated victim.
end of branch
YOU[Finish Froscher] "Accept this last mercy from me."
MarazhaiMarazhai lets out a disappointed sigh but does not intervene.
end of branch
NPC(sequence)
NPCTrazyn's soft laughter is accompanied by an icy chill running down your spine. "I know well what this servant speaks of. I am aware of these ancient gates and what is hidden behind them. This path shall lead you to me."
end of branch
YOU"Marazhai. Make the stubborn fool talk."
MarazhaiMarazhai moves with practically imperceptible speed. Froscher only manages to grab the handle of a previously concealed bayonet knife when Marazhai appears before him and pierces his tear duct with a thin blade. Froscher goes still, his hands hanging limply, as the Drukhari starts trepanning the man alive.
FroscherAfter a while, Marazhai casts a bloodied piece of Froscher's skull aside and inserts the blade. The man flinches and starts quietly howling a single note, his mouth drooling and his eyes rolling back. The howl rises to a deafening shriek before he sputters, "P-P-Port-ta Sept-t-tentum... D-d-dimensio... g-gate..."
MarazhaiSatisfied, Marazhai tenderly caresses Froscher's cheek. "I wish I was not so short on time... I would have employed something far more refined. But, I suppose, even such rushed work has delivered the desired results."
YOU"Go, Froscher. Heinrix and I are sparing your life."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Froscher] "Enough. I have no further need of you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave Froscher in his current state] "Let this be a lesson to all who oppose us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Finish Froscher] "Accept this last mercy from me."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
NPCTrazyn's soft laughter is accompanied by an icy chill running down your spine. "I know well what this servant speaks of. I am aware of these ancient gates and what is hidden behind them. This path shall lead you to me."
end of branch
NPC(sequence)
AbelardAbelard's face turns a deep red. "You blasted..." With visible effort, he swallows the insult he was about to spit out.
end of branch
JaeJae clicks her tongue in disappointment. "I will have you know, shereen, that here on Footfall, they help insolent ashmags like this one relax and find their tongue. And the methods they use aren't of the pleasant variety..."
Jae"However, it would be a shame to miss out on this opportunity to see the skills of certain members of your retinue in action." Jae glances over her shoulder.
end of branch
Heinrix"[Name]." Heinrix's tone is ice-cold. "I am offering you my services as an Interrogator should you find it necessary to extract the information you need from this recalcitrant individual."
end of branch
Marazhai"[Name]..." Marazhai's voice is sickeningly sweet. "I can see that this mon-keigh is disinclined to speak... Let me have my way with him."
end of branch
YOU"Tell me where he went! Or else..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix, kindly get your old acquaintance to talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Marazhai. Make the stubborn fool talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know where he has gone."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where he went! Or else..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix, kindly get your old acquaintance to talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Marazhai. Make the stubborn fool talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has abandoned you here, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know where he has gone."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where he went! Or else..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix, kindly get your old acquaintance to talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Marazhai. Make the stubborn fool talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is Calcazar?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has abandoned you here, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know where he has gone."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell me where he went! Or else..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix, kindly get your old acquaintance to talk."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Marazhai. Make the stubborn fool talk."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
Jae"Something tells me, shereen, that we've missed our engagement with the Lord Inquisitor. So terribly rude of him to have departed in such haste, leaving us to wonder what he is planning..."
end of branch
Yrliet"Arrows of Kurnous, we are too late... Elantach, at your word, I will track down that mon-keigh to the ends of the galaxy." Fury rings in Yrliet's voice.