PrivateCassia tiredly rubs her breastplate where it conceals the Atlas, then nods. "I will pass on the invitation to the regent, but it would be unreasonable to hope that the incumbent leader will join this expedition. After the events on Dargonus, all of House Orsellio trembles before you, and I doubt my family will take the risk."
Private"And now permit me to take my leave. I must start preparing for the journey. From what I have been able to glean, we must first travel to the—" Her ruby-red eyes widen in astonishment. "—the Orsellio Prophecy System. Odd that. Could it be that the historical records are lying? And Kaleyn Orsellio is not whom the star system is named after? Either way, that was the system from which Tisiphone embarked on her journey, and we are going to follow in her long-forgotten footsteps."
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Entry point 2 of 13
Private"It is my duty as the head of the House to carry such burdens. Why are you trying to convince me to imperil my subjects?"
YOU"Burdens ought to be shared with your loyal followers, not shouldered on your own."
YOU"And what about my crew? Do you concern yourself with their lives at all? I urge you to think twice before answering."
YOU"If you wish to show the House your strength and undauntable spirit, invite the renegades to be the first to touch the secrets of the Atlas they loathe so much."
Private"You are asking me to cast my lot with renegades and murderers?" Cassia frowns, and you can feel her unease as if it were your own. "Only three in ten suicidal expeditions meet with success, and only if the followers have undying loyalty to their leadership. Of those with divided crew, however, none survive."
YOU"Trust me. I shall stay by your side and let no harm come to you."
YOU"Show the renegades your resolve! And if something goes wrong, my people will blast their heads off."
YOU"You are standing on the cusp of a great discovery for all of House Orsellio. Inviting the regent seems like the sensible thing to do."
Private"I have already told you that I do not wish to imperil the Orsellio Navigators further. It is possible that they will still take on this terrible risk and follow us, listening to the echoes of my Atlas for guidance... And yet, I do hope that my subjects are not that senseless. No, Lord Captain, I must tread this path myself."
YOU"Burdens ought to be shared with your loyal followers, not shouldered on your own."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what about my crew? Do you concern yourself with their lives at all? I urge you to think twice before answering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you wish to show the House your strength and undauntable spirit, invite the renegades to be the first to touch the secrets of the Atlas they loathe so much."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it is best that we go alone."
PrivateCassia's shoulders relax a little. "Thank you for your understanding, Rogue Trader. And now permit me to take my leave. I must start preparing for the journey. From what I have been able to glean, we must first travel to the—" Her ruby-red eyes widen in astonishment. "—the Orsellio Prophecy System. Odd that. Could it be that the historical records are lying? And Kaleyn Orsellio is not whom the star system is named after? Either way, that was the system from which Tisiphone embarked on her journey, and we are going to follow in her long-forgotten footsteps."
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PrivateCassia tiredly rubs her breastplate where it conceals the Atlas, then nods. "I will pass on the invitation to the regent, but it would be unreasonable to hope that the incumbent leader will join this expedition. After the events on Dargonus, all of House Orsellio trembles before you, and I doubt my family will take the risk."
Private"And now permit me to take my leave. I must start preparing for the journey. From what I have been able to glean, we must first travel to the—" Her ruby-red eyes widen in astonishment. "—the Orsellio Prophecy System. Odd that. Could it be that the historical records are lying? And Kaleyn Orsellio is not whom the star system is named after? Either way, that was the system from which Tisiphone embarked on her journey, and we are going to follow in her long-forgotten footsteps."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it is best that we go alone."continues where this line first appears above
PrivateCassia frowns warily. "If that is your opinion... I will heed your words."
Private"And now permit me to take my leave. I must start preparing for the journey. From what I have been able to glean, we must first travel to the—" Her ruby-red eyes widen in astonishment. "—the Orsellio Prophecy System. Odd that. Could it be that the historical records are lying? And Kaleyn Orsellio is not whom the star system is named after? Either way, that was the system from which Tisiphone embarked on her journey, and we are going to follow in her long-forgotten footsteps."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it is best that we go alone."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 13
Private"I..." Cassia looks around helplessly but cannot give you an answer. She bows her head in shame. "I am sorry... It is the only way."
YOU"Burdens ought to be shared with your loyal followers, not shouldered on your own."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what about my crew? Do you concern yourself with their lives at all? I urge you to think twice before answering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you wish to show the House your strength and undauntable spirit, invite the renegades to be the first to touch the secrets of the Atlas they loathe so much."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it is best that we go alone."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 13
Private"The renegades will do anything to kill the cursed Child. To kill me. I do not want traitors to sabotage our voyage across the Sea of Souls and forever bury us amid the horrors of the warp. That would leave both our dynasties leaderless, wouldn't you agree?"
YOU"Trust me. I shall stay by your side and let no harm come to you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Show the renegades your resolve! And if something goes wrong, my people will blast their heads off."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are standing on the cusp of a great discovery for all of House Orsellio. Inviting the regent seems like the sensible thing to do."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it is best that we go alone."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 13
Private"If I were to turn my enemies into allies... it would help House Orsellio heal its wounds. Some of them, at least." Cassia tiredly rubs her breastplate where it conceals the Atlas. "Let it be as you say, Rogue Trader. I will pass on the invitation to the renegades' leader. But even if the head of the rebellion agrees to this, they will never join the expedition in person. After the events on Dargonus, all of House Orsellio trembles before you, and I doubt the traitors are eager to take unnecessary risks."
Private"And now permit me to take my leave. I must start preparing for the journey. From what I have been able to glean, we must first travel to the—" Her ruby-red eyes widen in astonishment. "—the Orsellio Prophecy System. Odd that. Could it be that the historical records are lying? And Kaleyn Orsellio is not whom the star system is named after? Either way, that was the system from which Tisiphone embarked on her journey, and we are going to follow in her long-forgotten footsteps."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 13
Private"I cannot understand the reason for your persistence, [Name]. Why put the safety of your crew on the line for a band of traitors from a Navigator House? They hardly wish to see my resolve — they would rather see my heart ripped out of my chest."
YOU"Trust me. I shall stay by your side and let no harm come to you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Show the renegades your resolve! And if something goes wrong, my people will blast their heads off."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are standing on the cusp of a great discovery for all of House Orsellio. Inviting the regent seems like the sensible thing to do."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it is best that we go alone."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 13
Private(no text)
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Entry point 8 of 13
Private(no text)
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Entry point 9 of 13
Private(no text)
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Entry point 10 of 13
Private"Yes... I bring good tidings! Because of House von Valancius's support, House Orsellio has survived, despite the dissent within. On behalf of the Orsellio Navigators and myself, please accept our sincerest gratitude."
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Entry point 11 of 13
Private(no text)
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Entry point 12 of 13
Private"Rogue Trader? More often than not, whenever I find myself in your presence, greyish-blue mist surrounds me soon afterward." Despondency. Irritation. Disappointment. The moment Cassia enters the room, you feel a wave of emotions that are not your own. "Ah, I beg your forgiveness. My powers cannot stop trying to break free from my control."
YOU"You have made great strides in learning how to keep them at bay. I commend your perseverance."
PrivateCassia shrugs coldly. "I have spoken with the House's Navigators through the Atlas. These days, I can feel with increasing clarity how our connection is growing stronger. The renegades have destroyed several more void estates, and internal skirmishes with fatal consequences are occurring on an alarmingly regular basis. Sacred Orsellio blood is being spilt... That is utterly lamentable. But unsurprising, considering your fit of bloodlust on Eurac V and your merciless actions that left not one but two leaders of the feuding sides decapitated at the official reception on Dargonus."
Private"However, I am not here to reproach you for the deeds of yore. Instead, I wish to tell you of the visions that I have come to experience at an increasing rate during warp jumps. The same visions come to me again, and again, and again... It is as if I am going mad. For you see, these visions are about me, the Atlas, and Tisiphone Orsellio, the House's previous Novator. I have seen Tisiphone's experiments, the ones that involved the Navigators from the Setthala branch, which she was rumoured to have destroyed for disobedience."
Private"But the visions told me an altogether different story, one where the Setthalas helped Tisiphone create the Atlas! And they vanished immediately after the experiments were done with. Perhaps I can... no, I know I can find the way to the Palace of the Atlas if I recreate Tisiphone's journey from my visions. A real palace, not the psychophysical illusion to which the Orsellio Navigators can reach out. I have always had a feeling that it truly exists in our world. Now, however... I know it with absolute certainty."
YOU"I have been informed that House Orsellio will soon convene its Grand Council. Would it not be better to wait for it to finish first?"
Private"I cannot shake a certain foreboding about the upcoming meeting in the incorporeal Palace of the Atlas. Troubling mirages have plagued my mind for many nights now. Voices calling and cursing my name. And the more I use the Atlas, the clearer the visions become and the louder the voices grow... and the further my powers wane. I am certain that all of the House is experiencing the same, for all of us are connected. I can sense my family's fear. House Orsellio is doomed to perish in darkness should I fail to discover the reason why the Atlas is weakening. And that reason... I believe it is hidden somewhere in my visions of Tisiphone."
YOU"I have been informed that House Orsellio will soon convene its Grand Council. Would it not be better to wait for it to finish first?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What makes you so sure that you will find the way to this physical manifestation of the Atlas?"
Private"I saw Tisiphone experience an epiphany in a dream — just like my visions came to me on our travels through the warp. She... beheld a planet hidden behind roiling warp storms. The world promised her great power, so Tisiphone gathered the Setthalas, her most devout followers, to go on a suicidal journey through the tempest. I know not the details of what happened on that planet, but it was there that the Setthalas sacrificed themselves for an experiment of some kind, and it was there that House Orsellio obtained its Starway Atlas."
Private"For the first time ever, I have an opportunity to find answers to the questions my mentors so deftly avoided. Why did Tisiphone choose me? What is the Atlas? Is it true that House Orsellio's past is drenched in blood? Please, [Name], do not snap this tautly drawn string of destiny — my destiny! Journey with me in Tisiphone's wake to the distant stars!"
YOU"I have been informed that House Orsellio will soon convene its Grand Council. Would it not be better to wait for it to finish first?"
Private"I cannot shake a certain foreboding about the upcoming meeting in the incorporeal Palace of the Atlas. Troubling mirages have plagued my mind for many nights now. Voices calling and cursing my name. And the more I use the Atlas, the clearer the visions become and the louder the voices grow... and the further my powers wane. I am certain that all of the House is experiencing the same, for all of us are connected. I can sense my family's fear. House Orsellio is doomed to perish in darkness should I fail to discover the reason why the Atlas is weakening. And that reason... I believe it is hidden somewhere in my visions of Tisiphone."
YOU"I have been informed that House Orsellio will soon convene its Grand Council. Would it not be better to wait for it to finish first?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And why, pray tell, should I go on this suicidal escapade to Throne knows where?"
Private"I... My House has nothing more to offer you, [Name]." Cassia bows her head much lower than what the dignity of one of the Navis Nobilite would normally allow. "Perhaps the Palace of the Atlas holds a reward that will surpass all our expectations. Perhaps we will discover nothing more than the grey ash of disappointment. And yet, we have walked a long road together, side by side. I surrender myself to your magnanimity... for the last time."
YOU"I have been informed that House Orsellio will soon convene its Grand Council. Would it not be better to wait for it to finish first?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And why, pray tell, should I go on this suicidal escapade to Throne knows where?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall help you, Lady Cassia."
PrivateCassia breathes a sigh of relief, but the look in her ruby eyes quickly darkens again. "The House is still watching me. Both the renegades and the loyalists. I doubt that any of them will agree even to a brief armistice for the sake of learning the truth about the Atlas's origins. And I... do not wish to see House Orsellio lose even one more life to another fratricidal skirmish. No. I shall go after the answers about our past on my own."
YOU"If you wish to show the House your strength and undauntable spirit, invite the renegades to be the first to touch the secrets of the Atlas they loathe so much."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are standing on the cusp of a great discovery for all of House Orsellio. Inviting the regent seems like the sensible thing to do."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it is best that we go alone."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have had enough of these Navigator troubles. These are your House's matters to deal with, and I no longer wish to have anything to do with them."
PrivateCassia's silvery eyelashes are stained with scarlet. "Rogue Trader, please..."
YOU"I shall help you, Lady Cassia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough! This discussion is over."
PrivateCassia clenches her fists, her claws cutting into her palms, and a few ruby droplets stain the hem of her garb. "I see. I... I shall never disturb you again, Rogue Trader."
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YOU"I need time to think it over."
Private"In that case... I shall humbly await your decision. You know where you can find me."
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Private"I shan't beg you." Cassia's eyes remain impassive, but she cannot stop her pale lips from trembling. "Should the anthracite vice around your heart ever change to... lighter shades... you know where you can find me."
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YOU"I shall help you, Lady Cassia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have had enough of these Navigator troubles. These are your House's matters to deal with, and I no longer wish to have anything to do with them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And why, pray tell, should I go on this suicidal escapade to Throne knows where?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall help you, Lady Cassia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have had enough of these Navigator troubles. These are your House's matters to deal with, and I no longer wish to have anything to do with them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else did the visions tell you?"
Private"I saw Tisiphone experience an epiphany in a dream — just like my visions came to me on our travels through the warp. She... beheld a planet hidden behind roiling warp storms. The world promised her great power, so Tisiphone gathered the Setthalas, her most devout followers, to go on a suicidal journey through the tempest. I know not the details of what happened on that planet, but it was there that the Setthalas sacrificed themselves for an experiment of some kind, and it was there that House Orsellio obtained its Starway Atlas."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Has the warp twisted your mind? How can you trust visions of such dubious origin?"
Private"I saw Tisiphone experience an epiphany in a dream — just like my visions came to me on our travels through the warp. She... beheld a planet hidden behind roiling warp storms. The world promised her great power, so Tisiphone gathered the Setthalas, her most devout followers, to go on a suicidal journey through the tempest. I know not the details of what happened on that planet, but it was there that the Setthalas sacrificed themselves for an experiment of some kind, and it was there that House Orsellio obtained its Starway Atlas."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What makes you so sure that you will find the way to this physical manifestation of the Atlas?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What else did the visions tell you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Has the warp twisted your mind? How can you trust visions of such dubious origin?"continues where this line first appears above
Private"I came to deliver good tidings. I have spoken with the House's Navigators through the Atlas. Of late, I can feel with increasing clarity how our connection is growing stronger. Despite the dissent in its midst, House Orsellio has been able to keep a precarious equilibrium, thanks in part to your unexpected arrival on Eurac V and the resolution of the conflict at the Dargonus reception. Not all Orsellios concur with your decisions, but none can deny the impact that you, and no one else, have had on the House's present state of affairs."
PrivateCassia nods gratefully, lowers her gaze, and clasps her hands together. "There is more I wish to tell you. It is about... the visions that I have come to experience at an increasing rate during warp jumps. The same visions come to me again, and again, and again... It is as if I am going mad. For you see, these visions are about me, the Atlas, and Tisiphone Orsellio, the House's previous Novator. I have seen Tisiphone's experiments, the ones that involved the Navigators from the Setthala branch, which she was rumoured to have destroyed for disobedience."
Private"But the visions told me an altogether different story, one where the Setthalas helped Tisiphone create the Atlas! And they vanished immediately after the experiments were done with. Perhaps I can... no, I know I can find the way to the Palace of the Atlas if I recreate Tisiphone's journey from my visions. A real palace, not the psychophysical illusion to which the Orsellio Navigators can reach out. I have always had a feeling that it truly exists in our world. Now, however... I know it with absolute certainty."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your efforts are lacking. I suggest you try harder, because my patience is bound to run out eventually."
PrivateCassia shrugs coldly. "I have spoken with the House's Navigators through the Atlas. These days, I can feel with increasing clarity how our connection is growing stronger. The renegades have destroyed several more void estates, and internal skirmishes with fatal consequences are occurring on an alarmingly regular basis. Sacred Orsellio blood is being spilt... That is utterly lamentable. But unsurprising, considering your fit of bloodlust on Eurac V and your merciless actions that left not one but two leaders of the feuding sides decapitated at the official reception on Dargonus."continues where this line first appears above
Private"I came to deliver good tidings. I have spoken with the House's Navigators through the Atlas. Of late, I can feel with increasing clarity how our connection is growing stronger. Despite the dissent in its midst, House Orsellio has been able to keep a precarious equilibrium, thanks in part to your unexpected arrival on Eurac V and the resolution of the conflict at the Dargonus reception. Not all Orsellios concur with your decisions, but none can deny the impact that you, and no one else, have had on the House's present state of affairs."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was there something you wished to tell me?"
PrivateCassia shrugs coldly. "I have spoken with the House's Navigators through the Atlas. These days, I can feel with increasing clarity how our connection is growing stronger. The renegades have destroyed several more void estates, and internal skirmishes with fatal consequences are occurring on an alarmingly regular basis. Sacred Orsellio blood is being spilt... That is utterly lamentable. But unsurprising, considering your fit of bloodlust on Eurac V and your merciless actions that left not one but two leaders of the feuding sides decapitated at the official reception on Dargonus."continues where this line first appears above
Private"I came to deliver good tidings. I have spoken with the House's Navigators through the Atlas. Of late, I can feel with increasing clarity how our connection is growing stronger. Despite the dissent in its midst, House Orsellio has been able to keep a precarious equilibrium, thanks in part to your unexpected arrival on Eurac V and the resolution of the conflict at the Dargonus reception. Not all Orsellios concur with your decisions, but none can deny the impact that you, and no one else, have had on the House's present state of affairs."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 13 of 13
Private"[Name]! How wonderful it is that I've found you here." Uncontrollable anxiety washes over your body, causing you to lose your breath. Cassia notices this, closes her eyes, and you are released from the grip of emotions that are not your own. "Please forgive me. My powers... are sometimes too insistent in their attempts to break free from my control."
YOU"You have made great strides in learning how to keep them at bay. I commend your perseverance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your efforts are lacking. I suggest you try harder, because my patience is bound to run out eventually."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was there something you wished to tell me?"continues where this line first appears above