SauerbackDespite Sauerback's attempts to suppress his revulsion, the presence of inhumans in your retinue undoubtedly reflects his fervent desire to eliminate the enemies of Humanity.
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"
Macharius Sauerback"Certainly," Sauerback replies without hesitation. "Governor Drivestem possesses proof of their guilt and they have no means by which to refute it. Even if I were to entertain the idea that the Werserians are being framed, how much longer would their house have lasted anyway, if it is so ill-prepared for treachery?" He addresses Abelard with a slightly mocking tone. "My advice to House Werserian would be not to appeal to the Rogue Trader for help, but instead to simply stop, accept their fate, and not make matters worse for themselves."
Abelard"I cannot remember [Name] von Valancius seeking your advice on what House Werserian should do in this situation. Pay attention, Macharius, focus on the Rogue Trader's questions."
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"
Macharius Sauerback"House Drivestem, wishing to expand their clout. House Gaprak, who lost their influence after the Kiava Gamma incident." Sauerback looks back at his family, then turns to you again. "House Sauerback, whose patriarch is too direct in his communication with the Rogue Trader. Anyone could have a reason to conspire against you, and equally, they could have none. It is not a question of motive, but of loyalty: each of your subjects has sworn an oath of loyalty to you, so whose sincerity do you doubt?"
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."
Regina SauerbackNoticing your gesture, Regina readily extends her delicate hand, her nails long and manicured. "Why, how kind of you to say, Your Lordship/Ladyship!"
Macharius SauerbackBurning eyes fixed on you, Sauerback straightens and leans forward, trying to partially occupy the space between you and his wife.
YOU"Set against the doom and gloom of current events and your husband's dour family, you look especially dazzling today, Regina."
YOU[Step back]
Regina SauerbackYou let go of Regina's hand. Her disappointment and frustration can be clearly seen in her eyes.
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."
Macharius Sauerback"I am hearing this from you, the Emperor's servant who flouts all that is sacred? The person who seems to think the laws of the Imperium are meaningless?"
Abelard"Macharius, now is a time when you would do well to stop and not make matters worse for yourself."
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"
Macharius SauerbackSauerback looks away briefly and replies to you with a curt laugh, "I have always thought Toriana too weak to participate in such... risky ventures, but it seems I was wrong about her."
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"
Sauerback(sequence)
Hetka SauerbackHetka, standing behind Macharius, spots the note you are holding. Immediately, he balls his fists and jerks his head away. He exhales deeply through his nose in a bid to contain some clearly overwhelming emotion.
end of branch
Macharius SauerbackMacharius looks at the note without taking it from your hands, and replies without hesitation, "No, I know nothing about this note."
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."
Hetka Sauerback"Your Lordship/Ladyship, perhaps you noticed my... momentary weakness. My apologies for my outburst."
Hetka Sauerback"That note, you see... I was not fast enough to read the text, but I would recognise the paper anywhere. Those sheets, with the custom gold embossing on the edges, can be found in my father's office." The young man hangs his head, shifting uneasily from foot to foot.
YOU"You seem tense. What is wrong?"
Hetka Sauerback"I... don't believe my father can be involved in this. He can often be harsh and rude, but a conspiracy against the Rogue Trader is unthinkable. This goes against everything he has taught me ever since I was born. I cannot even imagine the possibility that he... has betrayed himself in such a way."
YOU"You seem tense. What is wrong?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let us return to the others."
SauerbackMacharius pays no attention to his son as he rejoins the group, but the glares of the younger Sauerback family members, bristling with distrust and doubt, almost pin the young man to the floor.
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]
end of branch
YOU"Let us return to the others."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 15
SauerbackYou take in Macharius Sauerback's harsh tone, stiff posture, and hostile gaze. The feeling is decidedly mutual.
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 15
Macharius Sauerback(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 15
Macharius Sauerback(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 15
Macharius SauerbackSauerback's face turns red, his furious gaze trained upon you. Free-flowing rage boils in every word he says: "The Rogue Trader is the chosen servant of the Emperor and one of Humanity's best. By surrounding yourself with depraved xenos who scorn the very exceptionalism of Humankind, you teeter on the brink of heresy. And no privilege granted by the Emperor can blind others to that fact."
Sauerback"The thought of existing in the same sector as xenos is revolting, but their presence in your retinue, here, in the capital city of the von Valancius trade dynasty, enrages me. To have xenos sullying the streets of this planet after what we endured — and under the protection of the Rogue Trader, no less!" Sauerback takes a deep breath and exhales noisily. His rage subsides, but his burning gaze remains fixed on you.
Regina SauerbackWith a pained and distressed expression, Regina glances at her husband, her hands worrying the ruffles on her dress.
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 15
Macharius SauerbackSauerback's face turns red and he grits his teeth in agitation. Echoes of his bridled rage can be heard in the hoarse tone of his voice: "I am a loyal servant of your dynasty. It is not for me to judge the companions of the Rogue Trader."
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 9 of 15
Yrliet(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 10 of 15
Marazhai(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 11 of 15
Regina SauerbackA flirtatious spark flares in the beautiful lady's eyes. "Really, Your Lordship/Ladyship? I am glad to hear this from the Rogue Trader, especially today..."
Macharius SauerbackMacharius almost barks, each word striking like a hammer strikes metal, "Regina. Step. Away. From. His Lordship/Her Ladyship."
Regina SauerbackRegina's high voice almost breaks into a shriek: she interrupts her husband, retorting defiantly and disobediently, "Oh, Throne preserve you, Macharius! Stop being so jealous and making a scene over nothing! Just because a crude blockhead like you lacks the refinement and courtesy of [Name] von Valancius!"
Regina SauerbackRegina's voice drops to a whisper so that only you can hear her. "His bile poisons the air around him wherever he goes. Once he gets something into his head, he hares off to remove the heads of others just to prove that he is in the right."
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 12 of 15
SauerbackIt seems that Regina did not like your compliment. She takes a step back, smiling politely. Macharius visibly relaxes, but he continues to watch your every move.
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 13 of 15
Macharius Sauerback(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 14 of 15
Macharius SauerbackBefore bowing, Sauerback scrutinises you with a bitter, judgemental look. "Your Lordship/Ladyship."
SauerbackHetka Sauerback, looking like a younger copy of his father, stands at a slight distance, close to his mother. An expensive yet understated dress serves to highlight the dazzling beauty of Macharius's wife, Regina Sauerback.
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Sauerback(sequence)
Macharius SauerbackSauerback stares at Yrliet and revulsion flickers across his face.
end of branch
Macharius SauerbackThe Sauerback patriarch's eyes are trained upon Marazhai. It seems as if the air itself has grown heavy. With visible effort, Sauerback turns his gaze back to you.
end of branch
Regina Sauerback"Your Lordship/Ladyship, I am delighted that you have chosen to grace us with your attention." Regina drops into a curtsy while looking intently into your eyes.
end of branch
Entry point 15 of 15
SauerbackThe members of House Sauerback, led by Macharius, all bear a striking resemblance to one another, with their slender builds and stern looks. They bow to you almost in unison.
YOU"Do you really believe the Werserians are guilty?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who apart from the Werserians could have a motive to conspire against me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at Macharius]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do my companions distress you, Sauerback?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kiss Regina's hand] "I am honoured, Lady Sauerback."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your unveiled hatred for me is so obvious, Sauerback, it is grounds enough to charge you with heresy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The assailants sent to the palace were rare, high-functioning servitors. Do you think the Gapraks could be behind the attack?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I discovered a dead body in my palace: a man of House Gaprak was killed while praying to the Emperor. He had this note on him. Do you know anything about it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hetka, I wish to have a word with you. In private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above