Theodora"And who now deigns to grace us with their presence? Another gaggle of heretics and traitors thirsting to get their due for what they've done? Or is it the leader himself/herself, who has finally grown tired of hiding behind others?"
TheodoraTheodora von Valancius is before you, and she looks grotesque: a hole yawns wide in her chest, rusted hooks protrude from beneath her skin, and a lumpen, inflamed scar cuts across her throat. The figure flickers, as though it is dropping in and out of this reality. She looks at you with the whitish eyes of a corpse and smiles venomously. "Rogue Trader! We meet at last! I had grown tired of waiting for you to pay me a visit." "Theodora's" look is appraising, and her mocking tone turns to one of distaste. "Indeed, centuries of selfless toil and effort, and everything I left behind has gone to this nonentity."
YOU"What are you?"
Theodora"Theodora's" lips curl in a malevolent smile. "'What', you ask? You dare say that to me, little boy/girl? I am Theodora von Valancius Massimo af Scarus, Rogue Trader of the Imperium and commander of this voidship."
Theodora"Alas, my glorious voyage through life was ended in the dullest possible way — by death. A nuisance I staved off as long as I could. But do not weep for me, my boy/girl: I am still keeping an eye on my property. And punishing all those who failed me." "Theodora" bares her rotten teeth in a snarl, her laughter piercing.
YOU"What do you want with me? Why were you waiting for me?"
Theodora"Theodora" wearily rolls her eyes. "Matters are so dire that the pleas of one of my servants breached death's veil to reach my ears — how could I ignore such a desperate cry for help, and from my little Idira, no less? And, once I appeared here, of course I had to meet the pretender who has allowed this deplorable state of affairs."
YOU"What do you want with me? Why were you waiting for me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are not Theodora. Theodora is dead. There is no coming back from that."
Theodora"I'm dead? How is that? I am no different from those who have not yet crossed the divide between reality and eternity. I see. I speak. I remember the wrongs you all committed against me. And for all those who failed me — I have already begun exacting my retribution."
Theodora"I truly am Theodora — the remnants of herself that she left behind in this world. I am an echo of her memories preserved in the minds of those who cared for her. I am the taste of tears spilt for the unsaid and the undone. I am the terror of she who failed to turn the tide of fate and who refuses to look truth in the face. I am as real as the human passions that bring worlds to ruin."
YOU"What do you want with me? Why were you waiting for me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are not Theodora. Theodora is dead. There is no coming back from that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are Theodora, then tell me — who really killed you?"
Theodora"Oh, wouldn't you like to know the answer to that question! I don't even know which would be more satisfying — to give you an honest answer or leave you to languish in your ignorance. Hmm... we'll see how you conduct yourself, little boy/girl."
YOU"What do you want with me? Why were you waiting for me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are not Theodora. Theodora is dead. There is no coming back from that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are Theodora, then tell me — who really killed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where's Idira? What have you done with her?"
Theodora"Me? What have I done with Idira?" "Theodora" laughs mockingly. "All I did was turn that little mutt from the fringes into a true servant of the Imperium. I gave her toys, I cleaned up after her antics, I provided her with everything she could ever dream of. Oh, I had great plans for poor little Idira!"
YOU"What do you want with me? Why were you waiting for me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are not Theodora. Theodora is dead. There is no coming back from that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are Theodora, then tell me — who really killed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where's Idira? What have you done with her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I'm sorry we could not help you, but you do not belong here."
Theodora"Theodora" tosses her head back and laughs. The scar on her throat opens with a wet sucking noise, curving into a horrible facsimile of a smile. "He/She feels sorry for me! Wretched, spineless creature! No, the only one worthy of pity here is you, boy/girl. But do not expect any. I am not here to console you, oh no!"
Theodora"I am here to seek retribution against all who failed me. My brainless crew. My useless officers. My pathetic servants, who turned their backs on their mistress in her darkest hour. And worst of all — you, my dear heir. You, who have undeservedly claimed the Warrant and everything else that is mine. I will drag it all to the warp with me — including you!"
end of branch
YOU"I will send you back into the abyss you crawled out of."
Theodora"You? Of all the people to ever threaten me, you are the most pathetic, boy/girl. All that you possess now was given to you in error. You are unworthy of such a generous gift and you are incapable of holding onto it."
Theodora"I am here to seek retribution against all who failed me. My brainless crew. My useless officers. My pathetic servants, who turned their backs on their mistress in her darkest hour. And worst of all — you, my dear heir. You, who have undeservedly claimed the Warrant and everything else that is mine. I will drag it all to the warp with me — including you!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I'm sorry we could not help you, but you do not belong here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will send you back into the abyss you crawled out of."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where's Idira? What have you done with her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I'm sorry we could not help you, but you do not belong here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will send you back into the abyss you crawled out of."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are Theodora, then tell me — who really killed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where's Idira? What have you done with her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I'm sorry we could not help you, but you do not belong here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will send you back into the abyss you crawled out of."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are not Theodora. Theodora is dead. There is no coming back from that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are Theodora, then tell me — who really killed you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where's Idira? What have you done with her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I'm sorry we could not help you, but you do not belong here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will send you back into the abyss you crawled out of."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have already met."
Theodora"Of course, boy/girl, for it was I who gave the order to bring you here, to my ship. Oh, how I rue that decision now! And how I regret heeding the advice of my Seneschal!"
Theodora(sequence)
AbelardAbelard whispers hurriedly to you, "How can this be? It is the same vision as on the officers' deck... and yet entirely different. Why does it not remember that meeting? And... why does it remember what the real Lady Theodora did?"
end of branch
Theodora"Alas, my glorious voyage through life was ended in the dullest possible way — by death. A nuisance I staved off as long as I could. But do not weep for me, my boy/girl: I am still keeping an eye on my property. And punishing all those who failed me." "Theodora" bares her rotten teeth in a snarl, her laughter piercing.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Die, scum!"
TheodoraThe strike passes through "Theodora," who simply laughs scornfully. "So that's how you greet your great predecessor, boy/girl? Bonds stronger than the laws of life and nature are holding me in this world. You will find it somewhat harder to get rid of me a second time."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We have already met."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Die, scum!"continues where this line first appears above
Theodora(sequence)
ArgentaArgenta's eyes spark with fury. "Warp illusion! Begone!"
Theodora"Argenta, my dear, there's no need to make such a fuss. Why don't we sit down over a cup of recaf like we used to? I'll listen to your rapturous tales of sacred relics, portents, and your special path. You must have been so lonely without me here — no one else is willing to listen to your ravings, or help you with your childish treasure hunt..." "Theodora" laughs melodiously, almost without mockery.
end of branch
AbelardAt the sight of the terrifying "Theodora," Abelard's face turns sickly pale. "Throne spare us from the cursed apparitions of the Archenemy..."
Theodora"Is that what you are truly praying for? I can hear how fast your heart is pounding, Werserian — I think deep down you hope this apparition never ends."
end of branch
Kibellah"You are not Domin'Theodora!" Kibellah's eyes blaze with fury. "The Undying One does not relinquish the souls that come to Him — such is the absolute truth! You are a thief of names!"
Theodora"Foolish child. Your world is limited to the darkness of the lower decks and the words of your Vizsier. You know nothing of truth or death. You do not even know the first thing about yourself." "Theodora's" voice is dripping with venomous condescension.