Pasqal"Pref... Hypothesis: the barbarian is using this debased designation to refer to a Prefect Enumerator. An especially sacred cogitator served by all of the deck's junior machine spirits. I am registering a Category Six blasphemy. The tribesman claims to communicate with it. Only enlightened adepts of the Omnissiah are permitted to interact directly with a Prefect Enumerator."
YOU[Look at the tech-shaman]
NPCThe ageing barbarian's skin is covered in tattoos of mechanisms — as if the ink drawings of cogs could pass for actual augmetics. Wires and scraps of flex tubing are braided into his hair, as well as shards from a broken data-slate screen. Cogitator circuit boards hang on threads from his large ceremonial drum.
Pasqal"I am registering Category Six, Seven, and Eight blasphemies in this tribesman's vestments. Only enlightened Tech-Priests are authorised to dismantle and interact with the bodies of sacred machines. And painting the skin in crude imitation of True Flesh is a profane mockery."
NPC"It is how I venerate the iron spirits who have done their duty and passed into nothingness, ghost. I do this in the hope that I might gain some of their wisdom."
Pasqal"This statement is false. I am not registering any veneration."
YOU[Look at the tech-shaman]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Pref?"
NPC"Our deck's great patron spirit, who protects it and watches over everything that happens on it. Pref used to be a kind father to us until wicked people tricked him. That was when he disowned the mortals who lived here. He wiped the names of everyone who used to be under his patronage from his memory and no longer recognised their faces. Since then, Pref has been a harsh and cruel-hearted master who is deaf to our prayers."
YOU[Look at the tech-shaman]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you talk to... Pref?"
NPCThe tech-shaman raises the roaring mechanical censer and inhales a lungful of its aromatic exhaust fumes. The tribesman's eyes grow dim, and he puts his hands on his drum. His fingers strike the taut synthetic leather with remarkable deftness and rhythm. "Like this."
PasqalPasqal frowns and says darkly, "I am registering a Categ— blast it, layman, this blessed smoke is meant for the sacred machines, not your lungs." Then the Tech-Priest falls silent and listens carefully, before uttering in astonishment, "This primitive melody... is a language. Our language. A variety of rhythm-based tech-vernacular in which meaning is created by the lengths of pauses between the signals."
YOU[Look at the tech-shaman]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you talk to... Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have come to plead for Pref's benevolence."
NPCEvery word you say is accompanied by a series of quick drum taps in a complex, choppy rhythm. Crackling comes in response from a vox hidden somewhere inside the wall. The tech-shaman tilts his head and says, "The Great Pref would like to know who is speaking to him."
Pasqal"The Prefect Enumerator is running an identification procedure."
YOU"If the machine spirit speaks a Tech-Priest language, do we even need the old man?"
Pasqal"This statement is false. The idiom is a distinctive vernacular most likely only used by the ship's crew. It is intuitively familiar to this unit, but not intelligible."
YOU"If the machine spirit speaks a Tech-Priest language, do we even need the old man?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Introduce yourself formally, Pasqal."
Pasqal"This unit is Magos Explorator Pasqal Haneumann, a member of the Cognisance Fleet. Presenting doctrinal compliance and algorithmic obedience certificates." The indicator on Pasqal's neural cogitator glows. New data lights up Pasqal's Noospheric aura that no layperson can see.
NPCThe tech-shaman translates Pasqal's words into quick taps on his drum, its dangling circuit boards jingling dramatically. He inhales the aromatic exhaust of his roaring censer, listens carefully, and says in a strained voice, "Pref asks why he should treat your words with respect and not scorn them."
PasqalPasqal's voice becomes dry and bristly: "The machine spirit is requesting to know this unit's access privileges. It refuses to submit to a stranger's will without a compelling reason."
YOU"I think a show of force is in order, to show this machine its place."
Pasqal"This statement is true." Pasqal extends a hand toward the machine, which is enveloped in showers of sparks. The crack in the Tech-Priest's armoured respirator shines a bright green. There is steel in his voice: "My power is my authorisation. Acknowledge it or you will regret it, wayward spirit!"
NPC(sequence)
UlfarUlfar clutches his charm with one hand and his battle-ready weapon with the other. You hear him whisper tensely, "Spirit Wolf, shield my soul from the terrors of the warp and the ire of angered spirits."
end of branch
NPCThe tech-shaman shouts out in fear and shakes his drum frantically. "Pref acknowledges your power, ghost! He does! He asks why you seek his friendship!"
PasqalA pained rattle comes from Pasqal's vox as he touches the crack in his armour, which is no longer glowing. He looks as though he has a sudden toothache, then says with effort, "Hypothesis: the Prefect Enumerator's request is to be interpreted as 'What is the purpose of your visit?'"
YOU"Tell it something profound and spiritual and invoke the Omnissiah."
Pasqal"I am fulfilling my sacred duty of service to the Machine God. I intend to protect this blessed ship and the servants of the Omnissiah aboard it."
NPCThe tech-shaman listens to the crackling coming from the hidden vox in response and shakes his head contritely. "The Great Pref does not recognise your name or your face. He will not grant you his friendship and bids you to leave."
PasqalPasqal's vox hisses angrily, and he shakes his head. "The Prefect Enumerator's reaction is anomalous. Such disregard for regalia can only be explained by... a protocol signifying an extreme degree of danger to the vessel."
end of branch
NPCThe tech-shaman bows his head, sneers, and rasps much like the crackling vox, "You speak, but the Great Pref isn't convinced that he should listen. He chooses to remain deaf and indifferent."
PasqalPasqal's vox hisses angrily, and he shakes his head. "The Prefect Enumerator's reaction is anomalous. Such disregard for regalia can only be explained by... a protocol signifying an extreme degree of danger to the vessel."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe tech-shaman throws up his hands and interprets the volley of crackles emitted by the machine. "The Great Pref does not honour your reason for seeking his friendship. He wants you to leave."
PasqalPasqal's vox hisses angrily, and he shakes his head. "The Prefect Enumerator's reaction is anomalous. Such disregard for regalia can only be explained by... a protocol signifying an extreme degree of danger to the vessel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell it you are on a mission from Amarnat. Perhaps the spirit knows who he is."
Pasqal"I am following the orders of my mentor, Archmagos Amarnat, and correcting a mistake made decades ago."
NPCThe tech-shaman listens to the crackling coming from the hidden vox in response and shakes his head contritely. "The Great Pref does not recognise your name or your face. He will not grant you his friendship and bids you to leave."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe tech-shaman bows his head, sneers, and rasps much like the crackling vox, "You speak, but the Great Pref isn't convinced that he should listen. He chooses to remain deaf and indifferent."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe tech-shaman throws up his hands and interprets the volley of crackles emitted by the machine. "The Great Pref does not honour your reason for seeking his friendship. He wants you to leave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the answer yourself, Pasqal."
Pasqal"I have come to discontinue the Cycle."
PasqalThe tech-shaman listens to the crackling that comes in response and opens his mouth to say something, only for Pasqal to interrupt him in a tone of authority: "The Prefect Enumerator has stated that he knows my name and is familiar with my power. He respects my mission and grants me a place within the crew's chain of command. Your work here is done, binharic interpreter."
PasqalPasqal looks at you and adds with slight surprise, "I remember this language now. Or more precisely... this unit used to know it. And now it remembers having known it." The Tech-Priest turns toward the wall with the sacred mechanisms concealed inside it, and says doubtfully, "I am registering an anomaly. The data exchange deviated from the standard registration procedure."
Pasqal"The Prefect Enumerator was commanded to limit the number of people who have clearance to issue orders, including even high-ranking Tech-Priests from other ships. It was tasked with defending the observatorium as if it were under siege. Our mutual introduction rather resembled an exchange of secret passwords."
end of branch
NPCThe tech-shaman listens to the crackling coming from the hidden vox in response and shakes his head contritely. "The Great Pref does not recognise your name or your face. He will not grant you his friendship and bids you to leave."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe tech-shaman bows his head, sneers, and rasps much like the crackling vox, "You speak, but the Great Pref isn't convinced that he should listen. He chooses to remain deaf and indifferent."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the surrounding ruins] "Are you sure this is not a compelling reason?"
Pasqal"The hypothesis is of merit. This unit is conducting a rescue mission in which the safety of an Archmagos-rank unit is at stake. Requesting emergency authorisation."
NPCThe tech-shaman translates Pasqal's words into a sharp staccato of drum taps, then nods with an important air and says, "Pref enquires why you are seeking his friendship."
Pasqal"Hypothesis: the Prefect Enumerator's request is to be interpreted as 'What is the purpose of your visit?'"
YOU"Tell it something profound and spiritual and invoke the Omnissiah."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell it you are on a mission from Amarnat. Perhaps the spirit knows who he is."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You know the answer yourself, Pasqal."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are an eminent and venerable Magos. It cannot ask for more than that. It wouldn't dare."
PasqalPasqal nods and enunciates, "By my power as a Magos Explorator decorated with four one-grade promotions and an entitlement to Category Three sacred augmentation, as well as likely the only active ordained Tech-Priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus aboard this voidship, I appoint myself this vessel's supreme hierarch."
NPCThe tech-shaman translates Pasqal's words into a sharp staccato of drum taps, then nods with an important air and says, "Pref enquires why you are seeking his friendship."continues where this line first appears above
NPCMachine spirits can be capricious and undisciplined. After years without sanctified maintenance, this one may have forgotten all about obedience. Normally, in cases like these, a Tech-Priest would bring the wayward spirit to its senses with a shock from an electric prod or a blow from a wrench, accompanied by the litany of uninterruptible obedience.
YOU"I think a show of force is in order, to show this machine its place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the surrounding ruins] "Are you sure this is not a compelling reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are an eminent and venerable Magos. It cannot ask for more than that. It wouldn't dare."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell him you are the Messiah of Discontinuing."
Pasqal"This unit is Magos Pasqal Haneumann." He hesitates a little, then adds, "Some identify him as the Messiah of Discontinuing, although that statement is false."
NPCThe tech-shaman translates Pasqal's words into quick taps on his drum, its dangling circuit boards jingling dramatically. He inhales the aromatic exhaust of his roaring censer, listens carefully, and says in a strained voice, "Pref asks why he should treat your words with respect and not scorn them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Volunteering too much information to an unknown entity is not a good idea. Lie and say that you are an authorised inspector from the Fleet's conclave."
PasqalPasqal looks at you disapprovingly and says, with evident reluctance, "This unit is a Tech-Nuncio sent by the Supreme Conclave of the Cognisance Fleet to investigate. Presenting code regalia." The indicator on Pasqal's neural cogitator glows. His Noospheric aura lights up with new data as fake credentials are generated in the deep recesses of the cogitator's circuitry.
NPCThe tech-shaman translates Pasqal's words into quick taps on his drum, its dangling circuit boards jingling dramatically. He inhales the aromatic exhaust of his roaring censer, listens carefully, and says in a strained voice, "Pref asks why he should treat your words with respect and not scorn them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Introduce yourself formally, Pasqal."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell him you are the Messiah of Discontinuing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Volunteering too much information to an unknown entity is not a good idea. Lie and say that you are an authorised inspector from the Fleet's conclave."continues where this line first appears above
Pasqal"Given existing data on the machine spirit's refusal to follow orders within the chain of command, I predict that standard identifiers will be assigned a low priority."
YOU"If the machine spirit speaks a Tech-Priest language, do we even need the old man?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Introduce yourself formally, Pasqal."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell him you are the Messiah of Discontinuing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Volunteering too much information to an unknown entity is not a good idea. Lie and say that you are an authorised inspector from the Fleet's conclave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]
end of branch
NPC(sequence)
Ulfar"The Iron Priests of Fenris can speak binharic using flutes, drums, and bone rattles. Some of the rituals they used to appease machine spirits loathe the sound of the vox."
end of branch
YOU"We have come to plead for Pref's benevolence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you talk to... Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have come to plead for Pref's benevolence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you talk to... Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have come to plead for Pref's benevolence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Pasqal"Hypothesis: the part of the legend that speaks of 'disowning' the mortals and forgetting their faces describes the removal of access rights from authorised units. For reasons unknown, the Prefect Enumerator was ordered to cease accepting commands from outsiders."
YOU[Look at the tech-shaman]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you talk to... Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have come to plead for Pref's benevolence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 6
NPCMachine spirits can be capricious and undisciplined. After years without sanctified maintenance, this one may have forgotten all about obedience. Normally, in cases like these, a Tech-Priest would bring the wayward spirit to its senses with a shock from an electric prod or a blow from a wrench, accompanied by the litany of uninterruptible obedience.
YOU"I think a show of force is in order, to show this machine its place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the surrounding ruins] "Are you sure this is not a compelling reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are an eminent and venerable Magos. It cannot ask for more than that. It wouldn't dare."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 6
Pasqal"Initiating reactivation of the access protocol, Lord Captain. A different combination of input data for the Prefect-Calculator may bypass the lock. This crippled machine-spirit is unlikely to retain the cogni-programmes required to track repeated attempts from a single unit, nor the counter to limit them."
end of branch
Entry point 4 of 6
NPCPerhaps Pasqal's distinguished regalia will satisfy the exacting machine spirit.
YOU"I think a show of force is in order, to show this machine its place."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Point at the surrounding ruins] "Are you sure this is not a compelling reason?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are an eminent and venerable Magos. It cannot ask for more than that. It wouldn't dare."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 6
NPCThe elderly tech-shaman looks up at you with dim eyes. He smells strongly of exhaust fumes. "Have you come to speak to the Great Pref, ghosts? Pref will not speak your lesser tongue. But I can help. I can interpret."
YOU[Look at the tech-shaman]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you talk to... Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have come to plead for Pref's benevolence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 6
NPC"What do you seek from him who has Pref's ear, ghost?"
YOU[Look at the tech-shaman]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you talk to... Pref?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have come to plead for Pref's benevolence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above