IdiraIdira's expression shows a desperate internal struggle that lasts a few long moments. Eventually, her eyes clear, and she looks at you in confusion. "I think I nearly made a terrible mistake..."
Idira"Yes. Yes, you're right. This crap isn't worth it. Time to accept the inevitable. I can entertain these fantasies of a nice, long life all I like, but... that's all they'll ever be — fantasies. Pretty tales to tell over a glass of amasec to make real life seem less shitty."
Idira"The reality of the situation is ugly and merciless. I'm a psyker. My abilities are getting more and more out of control by the day. Which means I'll go out like any psyker should — it'll be ugly and merciless. Best I can hope for is that it'll be so fragging awesome and heroic that you'll be telling stories of it to your grandchildren for ages, hah! Thank you for helping me realise this, [Name]."
IdiraIdira sniffles and casually drops the psy-stifler on the floor, where it shatters into a million tiny pieces. "I'm pretty sure we're done here. Lord Captain, mind letting me know when you have some time once we're back on the ship? I want to talk to you about plans for the future in private. Can we go now? I've still got a whole life to get on with!"
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 6
Idira"How hypocritical. Easy for you to pontificate about the meaning of life when it's not your own. You have no idea what you're trying to consign me to. If you don't want to help me, then I'll help myself."
IdiraThe moment the psy-stifler touches Idira's temples, dozens of wriggling crystal threads shoot out of the device and sink into her skin. She screams in pain, clutching her head as the squirming contacts bore into her flesh. Eventually it passes, and all you can hear is Idira's heavy breathing.
Idira"Well... that's it done. It's so quiet. The voices... they're still here, but it's nothing like the clamour I lived in before. They were so loud I couldn't even drown them out with the best obscura. And now I... I can silence them whenever I want."
YOU"Are you all right? How are you feeling?"
Idira"I'm perfectly fine. I don't remember the last time I felt so good." Idira looks focused and somewhat puzzled, as if still trying to process what exactly just happened. "I'm fine, really, except... I feel like something's missing. This thing probably just takes some getting used to. My pals behind the door threw a fit when I put it on, they started whispering all kinds of horror stories, as per usual... Well, I just shut them up and closed the door a little. It's the first time in my whole life that I've been able to do that."
Idira"Let's keep going, then, Lord Captain? Not much else to do here. Once we get back to the ship, please let me know when you've got time so we can talk properly."
end of branch
YOU"I am glad that the problem has been solved."
IdiraIdira nods. "Now I'll be useful and efficient to a fault. I'm no longer a burden. Except I feel like something's missing. This thing probably just takes some getting used to. My pals behind the door threw a fit when I put it on, they started whispering all kinds of horror stories, as per usual... Well, I just shut them up and closed the door a little. It's the first time in my whole life that I've been able to do that."
Idira"Let's keep going, then, Lord Captain? Not much else to do here. Once we get back to the ship, please let me know when you've got time so we can talk properly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was it worth it?"
IdiraIdira nods. "Now I'll be useful and efficient to a fault. I'm no longer a burden. Except I feel like something's missing. This thing probably just takes some getting used to. My pals behind the door threw a fit when I put it on, they started whispering all kinds of horror stories, as per usual... Well, I just shut them up and closed the door a little. It's the first time in my whole life that I've been able to do that."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 6
Idira"Good point... What if I blow up when I'm right next to you or someone else I care about? I've been so focused on saving my own selfish soul that I completely forgot. You're right. I have to stop being a danger to those around me."
IdiraThe moment the psy-stifler touches Idira's temples, dozens of wriggling crystal threads shoot out of the device and sink into her skin. She screams in pain, clutching her head as the squirming contacts bore into her flesh. Eventually it passes, and all you can hear is Idira's heavy breathing.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 6
Idira"Lord Captain, I must refuse. I promise, as soon as I realise my time has come, you'll be the first to know. I'll give you enough time to throw me out the airlock or blast a hole in my brain — I won't put up a fight. But I'd rather drop dead here and now than become... like this poor sod."
YOU"I will put my trust in you. I pray that it is not misplaced."
Idira"Thank you, Lord Captain. I won't let you down. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
IdiraIdira sniffles and casually drops the psy-stifler on the floor, where it shatters into a million tiny pieces. "I'm pretty sure we're done here. Lord Captain, mind letting me know when you have some time once we're back on the ship? I want to talk to you about plans for the future in private. Can we go now? I've still got a whole life to get on with!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill her] "You have left me no choice."
IdiraIdira's body falls to the floor with a dull thud. The crystal shards of the psy-stifler resemble horrifying needle-sharp teeth, their reflection glinting nauseatingly in the slowly growing pool of blood. It is by your hand that Idira's door has been closed forever.
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 6
Idira"Maybe he was lying through his teeth! Maybe he wasn't a Farseer at all! Besides, who knows what xenos brains are like? Yes, he withered and died, but I'm not weak like him! No, I have to do this. Anything is better than ending up as daemon food..."
IdiraThe moment the psy-stifler touches Idira's temples, dozens of wriggling crystal threads shoot out of the device and sink into her skin. She screams in pain, clutching her head as the squirming contacts bore into her flesh. Eventually it passes, and all you can hear is Idira's heavy breathing.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 6
IdiraIdira carefully pulls the threads of the psy-stifler out of the Farseer's breathless body. The strange device glimmers ominously in her hands, and it is difficult to tell in the dim light if its threads are moving on their own or if it is because her whole body is trembling.
IdiraTerrified and confused, Idira looks at the device, then at you, then at the dead Aeldari. "That xenos... [Name], did you see his eyes right before he attacked us? It was like there was no light left in them. And it's all because of this thing? I don't want to die, but... I don't want to live like that either. If it means I'll stop being myself, then what's the point?"
YOU"I know of another way to help you. One that will spare you from having to fight the voices ever again. Become one with them."
IdiraIdira gives you a confused look. "Become one? What... do you mean?"
YOU"All your life, you have hated the voices, feared them. Don't. After all, they are part of you. Let them in, all of them. Open the door."
Idira"Lord Captain, you can't joke about these things. This device, this psy-stifler, it can help... I think. But if I open the door, if I really let the whispers inside me, then will I... will I just be gone? Or worse?"
YOU"Or maybe you will finally become yourself? You won't know until you try."
IdiraIt is rather entertaining to observe the battle between hope and doubt play out on her face. But then again, the outcome is already known to you.
IdiraIdira drops the psy-stifler on the floor, where it shatters into a million tiny pieces. "I'll... I'll do it. Lord Captain. I'll let the whispers in. You better step back in case... well, in case you-know-what."
IdiraShe closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and extends her arm out as if reaching for a handle. In an instant, she begins screaming. One voice, then another, then a dozen more — hundreds of unhallowed voices replace one another in a drawn-out howl. Purple light bursts out of her eyes and mouth.
IdiraYou invoke the power of your patrons from beyond the veil and whisper the forbidden words — unseen marks that forever bind the psyker's tortured soul to your service. As the final sound escapes your lips, the screams stop. Idira, swaying back and forth, looks up at you.
YOU"Idira?"
Idira"We are one. I am inseparable from what is beyond me. I am the door. I am the threshold. I am the key, and the keyhole, and the void in between. Am I their voice? Is the void my voice? Forgive me, it is so difficult, we are confused... But we will learn. I am no longer afraid." Different inflections and undertones weave into the psyker's every phrase, like a thousand voices at once are forcing their way out to have their say.
IdiraIdira looks at you with unfocused eyes and smiles weakly, as if trying to remember how to use her muscles to form a facial expression. "We thank... I thank? You, Lord Captain. I... we feel better. But it will take time. Let's leave. Find me on the ship later, I think me and them will be better acquainted by then."
end of branch
YOU"Mistress Tlass, I demand a status report."
Idira"We are one. I am inseparable from what is beyond me. I am the door. I am the threshold. I am the key, and the keyhole, and the void in between. Am I their voice? Is the void my voice? Forgive me, it is so difficult, we are confused... But we will learn. I am no longer afraid." Different inflections and undertones weave into the psyker's every phrase, like a thousand voices at once are forcing their way out to have their say.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]
Idira"We are one. I am inseparable from what is beyond me. I am the door. I am the threshold. I am the key, and the keyhole, and the void in between. Am I their voice? Is the void my voice? Forgive me, it is so difficult, we are confused... But we will learn. I am no longer afraid." Different inflections and undertones weave into the psyker's every phrase, like a thousand voices at once are forcing their way out to have their say.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I won't let them hurt you. I know how. Put your trust in your Lord Captain."
IdiraYour insinuating voice has her spellbound. You know that she trusts your honeyed words simply because she wants to trust them. To trust you. After all, the Lord Captain would never let something horrible happen to his/her pet witch, would he/she?
IdiraIdira drops the psy-stifler on the floor, where it shatters into a million tiny pieces. "I'll... I'll do it. Lord Captain. I'll let the whispers in. You better step back in case... well, in case you-know-what."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"For the last time. Open. The door."
IdiraShe shrinks. She is torn between her fear of the consequences of your proposed solution and her absolute loyalty to you. But you know that she would never dare to defy you.
IdiraIdira drops the psy-stifler on the floor, where it shatters into a million tiny pieces. "I'll... I'll do it. Lord Captain. I'll let the whispers in. You better step back in case... well, in case you-know-what."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I command you to open the door inside your head!"
Idira"Lord Captain, you can't joke about these things. This device, this psy-stifler, it can help... I think. But if I open the door, if I really let the whispers inside me, then will I... will I just be gone? Or worse?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Break that abominable device. Robbing yourself of your soul is never the way."
Idira"Yes. Yes, you're right. This crap isn't worth it. Time to accept the inevitable. I can entertain these fantasies of a nice, long life all I like, but... that's all they'll ever be — fantasies. Pretty tales to tell over a glass of amasec to make real life seem less shitty."continues where this line first appears above
Idira"And what IS the way, then? You'd rather have me curl up and die? After all we've done? No, [Name]. I don't deserve that crap. I want to live. You keep telling me I need to make myself useful, that I'm a burden and a menace. Well, here I am, defusing myself so I can dutifully serve you for years to come! Once you get tired of me, you can push me onto your heir, and I'll follow them around, chewing their ear off, just like Abelard."
YOU"If it means betraying yourself and changing the essence of who you are, then what sense is there in living such a life?"
YOU[Point at the xenos's body] "He was one of the most powerful psykers of all. Look at what the psy-stifler did to him. Don't do it, Idira."
YOU"You are right. Do as you see fit."
Idira"Thank you, Lord Captain. Shall we?"
IdiraThe moment the psy-stifler touches Idira's temples, dozens of wriggling crystal threads shoot out of the device and sink into her skin. She screams in pain, clutching her head as the squirming contacts bore into her flesh. Eventually it passes, and all you can hear is Idira's heavy breathing.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Destroy the psy-stifler] "You can thank me later."
IdiraThe crystal shards of the device form a glinting, jagged line on the cold metal floor between you and Idira, reflecting a thousandfold her expression of overwhelming horror.
Idira"What... what have you done? This was my only chance, the only way I could live, and you... you've doomed me." Tears stream down her cheeks, but there is no rage or resentment in her eyes — only detachment from reality.
Idira"Lord Captain, since you've robbed me of my last hope, you might as well kill me here and now. I can't go on like this. You don't know what it's like to wait day in and day out for your body to burst into pieces only to spawn a horde of daemons. When none of your thoughts are your own, when you can't tell a vision of the future from a normal nightmare. Just... just end it. Please. I'm... tired."
YOU"Trust me, it will be better this way."
Idira"Better for who? That's right, you're not the one who's in for a horrible death. Never mind the death — the rest of my life will be horrible, every void-damn moment of it. The only thing you care about is getting as much use out of your witchy little puppet before it breaks completely. Am I wrong? Fine. I'll be of use to you. You can use me however you want, I don't even care anymore." Idira glances one last time at the shards of the psy-stifler, angrily wipes her tears with her sleeve, and looks past you. "Can we go?"
end of branch
YOU[Kill her] "You were doomed the moment you were born."
IdiraIdira's body falls to the floor with a dull thud. The crystal shards of the psy-stifler resemble horrifying needle-sharp teeth, their reflection glinting nauseatingly in the slowly growing pool of blood. It is by your hand that Idira's door has been closed forever.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Put on the implant. Do not waste another moment. You must survive no matter the cost."
Idira"Must I? What if I become like him, a soulless puppet that doesn't care about anything or anybody anymore? Lord Captain... I think it's time I accepted it. Nothing can save me, and that's... that's okay. I'm scared, I'm absolutely terrified, but I don't need any whispers to understand that the right thing to do is to break this thing and stop chasing phantoms."
YOU"Your life is not the only one at stake here. Sentiment has no place in this discussion — you must put on the psy-stifler."
YOU"I will not tolerate a psyker on the verge of eruption in my retinue. Neutralise yourself at once or die."
YOU"You are two steps away from becoming a portal. It pains me to say this, but the psy-stifler is our only chance of preventing that."
YOU"You are right. Do as you see fit."
Idira"Yes. Yes, you're right. This crap isn't worth it. Time to accept the inevitable. I can entertain these fantasies of a nice, long life all I like, but... that's all they'll ever be — fantasies. Pretty tales to tell over a glass of amasec to make real life seem less shitty."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Put the psy-stifler on her head by force] "You can thank me later."
Idira"No, wait, I don't want to! I don't—"
IdiraThe moment the psy-stifler touches Idira's temples, dozens of wriggling crystal threads shoot out of the device and sink into her skin. She screams in pain, clutching her head as the squirming contacts bore into her flesh. Eventually it passes, and all you can hear is Idira's heavy breathing.
Idira"Lord Captain... what have you done? I asked you... I feel strange somehow. I can... make the voices stop. I can hear myself think. And... I can't shake the feeling of some irreplaceable loss. I think I'm still me, but something is missing. Something important."
YOU"It is for your own good."
IdiraIdira smiles bitterly. "Yeah. The witch is no longer a threat, life can go on — who cares what she wants? Fine. You've won. I'm just an obedient tool in your hands. When was it ever any other way?"
Idira"Command me. It's all the same to me now. I'll go wherever you want."
end of branch
YOU"Nothing is more important than the Rogue Trader's safety."
IdiraIdira smiles bitterly. "Yeah. The witch is no longer a threat, life can go on — who cares what she wants? Fine. You've won. I'm just an obedient tool in your hands. When was it ever any other way?"continues where this line first appears above
Idira"Yes, of course. I don't deserve to die. Why would I doubt myself when the solution to all my problems is right here? We've come such a long way for this... Well, my dear little whisperers, time for you to leave me alone for a while and sit quietly behind your favourite door."
IdiraThe moment the psy-stifler touches Idira's temples, dozens of wriggling crystal threads shoot out of the device and sink into her skin. She screams in pain, clutching her head as the squirming contacts bore into her flesh. Eventually it passes, and all you can hear is Idira's heavy breathing.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This decision is yours alone, Idira."
Idira"My... decision?" Idira bites her lip and looks down at the xeno-artefact in her hands. Her expression betrays an intense struggle, the burden of a terrible choice. A few moments pass before she raises her head and nods.
Idira"Yes. Yes, you're right. This crap isn't worth it. Time to accept the inevitable. I can entertain these fantasies of a nice, long life all I like, but... that's all they'll ever be — fantasies. Pretty tales to tell over a glass of amasec to make real life seem less shitty."continues where this line first appears above
Idira"Yes, of course. I don't deserve to die. Why would I doubt myself when the solution to all my problems is right here? We've come such a long way for this... Well, my dear little whisperers, time for you to leave me alone for a while and sit quietly behind your favourite door."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Idira] "A psyker with a xeno-artefact in her head? I don't think so. I will rid myself of this menace."
IdiraIdira's body falls to the floor with a dull thud. The crystal shards of the psy-stifler resemble horrifying needle-sharp teeth, their reflection glinting nauseatingly in the slowly growing pool of blood. It is by your hand that Idira's door has been closed forever.continues where this line first appears above
Idira(sequence)
YrlietYrliet is warily observing Idira from under her lowered lids. "You do not have to resort to... a solution like this. There are other ways... My kind have other technology, devices not designed purely to scourge the soul..."
Idira"Oh yeah, Red, I'm sure they do. And as soon as I visit your nearest and dearest, I'm sure they'll welcome me with open arms and spoil me with gifts... Look, Yrliet, if you're not on great terms with them, then what chance does a mon-keigh witch have?"
end of branch
HeinrixHeinrix gazes at the Drukhari device, pressing his lips into a thin line. Then he shifts his gaze to Idira. "Mistress Tlass..."
Idira"What is it, iceman? Want to hurry me along? Can't wait for the blasted unsanctioned witch to muzzle herself?"
Heinrix"No. I want to tell you not to make the mistake of using this device. Drukhari technology is designed to mutilate and torture — you have witnessed this yourself. Are you sure you are willing to part with your soul, just so you can live without fear of the curse that you and I share?"
Idira"Our... curse?" Idira falls silent, unsure what to say to that.
end of branch
Idira"Lo and behold, there was no cure-all miracle — no secret chemicals of the Inquisition, no archeotech. Just this damn Drukhari gizmo. What did I even expect to find? But, well, a mad dog has to be kept muzzled or else somebody will put it down. And I don't want to be put down. Then again, I don't want to wind up like him either... What do you think, Lord Captain?"
YOU"I know of another way to help you. One that will spare you from having to fight the voices ever again. Become one with them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Break that abominable device. Robbing yourself of your soul is never the way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Put on the implant. Do not waste another moment. You must survive no matter the cost."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This decision is yours alone, Idira."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Idira] "A psyker with a xeno-artefact in her head? I don't think so. I will rid myself of this menace."continues where this line first appears above
Idira(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
IdiraIdira spits on the Farseer's corpse. "Weakling. All you could do was make excuses for yourself, and that's why you're dead. What do I need a soul for if I'm gonna die either with or without one? I'll sell a dozen souls if it means I get to live a minute longer. Don't you agree, Lord Captain? You do want your pet psyker to go on serving you, don't you?"
YOU"I know of another way to help you. One that will spare you from having to fight the voices ever again. Become one with them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Break that abominable device. Robbing yourself of your soul is never the way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Put on the implant. Do not waste another moment. You must survive no matter the cost."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This decision is yours alone, Idira."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill Idira] "A psyker with a xeno-artefact in her head? I don't think so. I will rid myself of this menace."continues where this line first appears above
Idira(sequence)continues where this line first appears above