DoomscreamThe vox-speakers on the ancient monster's armour emit a blood-curdling screech that turns into the unholy murmurs of countless voices: "Collect the blood of the false believers in a cup, reap of their pitiful strivings, drink of their sorrow, and the laughter of the True Gods will thunder in your ears."
HalbrandtHalbrandt looks up from the bodies of his fallen brothers. You can hear the seething rage in his voice: "I am the wrath of the Allfather, and his wrath is to be dreaded. Traitor of the XVIIth, I will have your head!"
Ulfar"Stand aside, young Wolf — the Baleful Howl are here. This prey is ours."
YOU[Look at the Helbrute]
DoomscreamThe abomination's armour wetly gleams with profane repair scripts daubed in blood. It has been patched with fresh ceramite in several places, evidence of serious damage received in recent battles on the surface, but the monster appears to have fully regained its strength. Its flesh swells hideously as it is flooded with the power of the warp.
YOU[Look at the Helbrute]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wolves! You are bickering when you should be fighting!"
Ulfar"This is important! I will do battle for my pack's honour! Brother Halbrandt will fall back if he does not wish to anger me!"
HalbrandtBooming drums sound from the vox mounted on Halbrandt's armour. "In hour dark, He bars the doors, He who fears guests unbidden, He who fosters purpose tainted, He who dreads his reckoning..."
Ulfar"...Well he knows that in hour dark and savage The grey beasts come to his door prowling; For blood they come, For vengeance they come, The guilty are their prey; Be you malefic, Be you monster, Know that—" A new burst of furious howling from the Helbrute makes Ulfar falter.
YOU[Cry out proudly] "...the warriors of Russ will never retreat!"
UlfarWith a lusty bark of laughter, Ulfar picks up your words and continues fervently: "The warband of Fenris will never retreat! The scent will be caught, and blood will be spilt!"
NPCLike two virtuosic musicians, Halbrandt and Ulfar fall into a perfect rhythm of words, breath, and movement. With a fierce howl, they rush to the attack, moving as if they are not two warriors, but one.
end of branch
YOU[Whisper grimly] "...for the fallen you will answer to us."
UlfarGiving you a smile of darkest sorrow, Ulfar concludes grimly: "To harsh retribution their blood calls us; Fenris remembers all, Fenris forgives nothing."
NPCLike two virtuosic musicians, Halbrandt and Ulfar fall into a perfect rhythm of words, breath, and movement. With a fierce howl, they rush to the attack, moving as if they are not two warriors, but one.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Growl bloodthirstily] "...there is a monster far worse to fear."
UlfarUlfar gives you a look that is piercing and full of bitter sorrow, and picks up your words, rasping out, "The cosmic gloom is rife with fears, But only one true terror— the Wolves of Russ."
NPCLike two virtuosic musicians, Halbrandt and Ulfar fall into a perfect rhythm of words, breath, and movement. With a fierce howl, they rush to the attack, moving as if they are not two warriors, but one.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]
UlfarGiving you a smile of darkest sorrow, Ulfar concludes grimly: "To harsh retribution their blood calls us; Fenris remembers all, Fenris forgives nothing."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Out of the way, both of you! He is mine!"
Ulfar"No, Aett-Vater! The honour of the pack comes before all else, even our friendship!"
HalbrandtBooming drums sound from the vox mounted on Halbrandt's armour. "In hour dark, He bars the doors, He who fears guests unbidden, He who fosters purpose tainted, He who dreads his reckoning..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Baleful Howl, attack!"
HalbrandtBooming drums sound from the vox mounted on Halbrandt's armour. "In hour dark, He bars the doors, He who fears guests unbidden, He who fosters purpose tainted, He who dreads his reckoning..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now we shall see whose pack is more glorious!"
HalbrandtBooming drums sound from the vox mounted on Halbrandt's armour. "In hour dark, He bars the doors, He who fears guests unbidden, He who fosters purpose tainted, He who dreads his reckoning..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Respectfully observe the Angels of the Emperor]
HalbrandtBooming drums sound from the vox mounted on Halbrandt's armour. "In hour dark, He bars the doors, He who fears guests unbidden, He who fosters purpose tainted, He who dreads his reckoning..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wolves! You are bickering when you should be fighting!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Out of the way, both of you! He is mine!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Baleful Howl, attack!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now we shall see whose pack is more glorious!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Respectfully observe the Angels of the Emperor]continues where this line first appears above
UlfarTurning to you, Ulfar jovially calls out, "You're just in time for the fun, Aett-Vater! Stay close!"
YOU[Look at the Helbrute]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wolves! You are bickering when you should be fighting!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Out of the way, both of you! He is mine!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Baleful Howl, attack!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now we shall see whose pack is more glorious!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Respectfully observe the Angels of the Emperor]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 3
DoomscreamThe wounded monster lets out a scream that resonates with the might of the Ruinous Powers, and retreats. Its armour is riddled with holes, and its vox-speakers are clogged with tangled prayers of despair and joy: "I fear not the blasphemy of the deluded, for it is promised to me. With my eye of flame I pierce the hearts of the doubting, for it is granted to me. I root out false faith, for I stand on the true path. And I will not be forsaken by the protection of the True Gods!"
UlfarUlfar is drenched in the Helbrute's blood, which carries the acrid tang of machine oil. He wipes the blood from his face and bursts into deafening laughter. The ground itself seems to quake at this mighty display of joy. "Behold, Allfather, how fleeting is a coward's valour, In stead of brazen hymns pleas for salvation come! But my hands are full, with weapons laden, Without a finger-span for mercy or for grace!"
Halbrandt"But stay the old Wolf's charge against the foe; Corruption's mighty beast he did valiantly ravage, But the right to sever its rotten wyrd-thread will another claim— a hunter fresh and battle-bold!"
YOU"Are you two serious? Perhaps we can leave the poetry recital until after we've killed him?"
Halbrandt"Indeed with hand but also heart the true warrior fights; With flesh he smites, and with zealous spirit—"
Ulfar"—How glorious to shatter a foe's defences by blow unpitying, But glory is doubly granted to he who courage shatters by verse unrelenting!"
YOU"Are you two serious? Perhaps we can leave the poetry recital until after we've killed him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Shout encouragement] "Will old Wolf give young a lesson in battle?"
UlfarUlfar gives Halbrandt a patronising look. "The battle-feast I'll share with you, young brother, That you may fully savour the mjod of my prowess! Remember this taste well, for in it lies triumph's sweetness and the bitterness of loss!"
Halbrandt"To my elder bowing, The right of first-blow yielding, But last for myself keeping, The foe shall die by Halbrandt's hand!"
end of branch
YOU"If you do not stop this foolishness, more of our number will die!"
UlfarUlfar's voice becomes low and heavy with dire warning: "Stand aside, young brother, Our foe is wounded, but well-banked is his malice and still smouldering; My lot will be his blow to meet; My hide ere carries scars aplenty."
Halbrandt"To my elder bowing, The right of first-blow yielding, But last for myself keeping, The foe shall die by Halbrandt's hand!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ulfar, stop playing with your prey. Kill it."
UlfarThe Wolf's hair stands on end and his mouth bristles with long, sharp teeth, resembling the maw of a fearsome beast: "Hja! Warmth of hearths unkenning, My brothers' voices forgetting, Only whistling ice-wind harking, Only steam of spilt blood scenting!"
Halbrandt"To my elder bowing, The right of first-blow yielding, But last for myself keeping, The foe shall die by Halbrandt's hand!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Do not interfere]
UlfarUlfar's voice becomes low and heavy with dire warning: "Stand aside, young brother, Our foe is wounded, but well-banked is his malice and still smouldering; My lot will be his blow to meet; My hide ere carries scars aplenty."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Shout encouragement] "Will old Wolf give young a lesson in battle?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you do not stop this foolishness, more of our number will die!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ulfar, stop playing with your prey. Kill it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Do not interfere]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 3
DoomscreamThe heretic, lowering his gruesome weapon in exhaustion but still standing, casts a desperate glance at Ulfar. The vox-speaker crackles: "In the abode of the True Gods, there is neither time nor prohibition. What is reflected there will endure forever. I was, and therefore I am eternal. Doomscream will resound in your ears..."
NPC"With glorious song the gnat-buzz we'll drown out! And with sweetest mjod your traitor name we'll wash away! Tell the Blood-Moon Wolf you fell at noble Halbrandt's hand! Hjolda!" Halbrandt shoots a defiant look at Ulfar, who has blocked his path to the defeated monster. The young Wolf raises his weapon, ready to defend his claim to the prey.
Ulfar"Many lessons have to you, Young Wolf, been handed down, So let this be your last— Tread not upon your elders' prey!" Ferociously declaiming the last line, Ulfar knocks Halbrandt to the ground with a crushing blow to the head, sending him into a deep stupor.
Ulfar"Of the baleful pack worthy was the hunt, Their name will thunder at the feast of victory; Doom's scream I ripped out, Leaving it to cry a tongueless, silent wail; Wolf's howl has flown, Above hall arches soaring..." Ulfar falls silent and gives you a pensive look.
YOU"...the warriors of Fenris, that proud litter extolling."
Ulfar"...the warriors of Fenris, that proud litter extolling." Ulfar repeats your words thoughtfully, then grins. "Not bad, [Name]. Spoken like a wolf."
Ulfar"Fine hunting, Aett-Vater. The prey and the verses have me well pleased!"
YOU[Look over Halbrandt]
HalbrandtJudging by his sluggish movements, the young Wolf is alive, but not entirely lucid. A storm cloud of heavy bruising is spreading across his handsome face.
YOU[Look over Halbrandt]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was that contest between you and Halbrandt just now?"
Ulfar"We clashed in a dispute over valour and inspiration! Battle fills the true warrior's heart with joy and his mind with piercing clarity, and we on Fenris hold in special honour those who rise above the fray and share their joy with their comrades."
YOU[Look over Halbrandt]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was that contest between you and Halbrandt just now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Has your pack's honour been upheld?"
UlfarUlfar walks over to the Helbrute, whose limbs are convulsing in vain attempts to raise his weapon. The Wolf draws a knife covered in red runes and smiles at you. "The name of the Baleful Howl was not tarnished in this battle." Wearing the same blissful smile, Ulfar casually grabs the visor of the heretic's helm and begins to wield the blade with the efficiency of a butcher.
UlfarThe dying enemy rasps and gurgles, choking on blood, as severed tendons snap and sawed bones crack under the Fenrisian steel. The Helbrute's legs buckle, but he somehow remains upright, as if out of sheer arrogance. The heretic lives long enough to fully partake of the agony, and when Ulfar finishes, he is clutching the bloody horn that protruded from the Chaos worshipper's head. Ulfar swiftly carves a protective rune into it and proudly proclaims, "A glorious trophy!"
YOU[Look over Halbrandt]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was that contest between you and Halbrandt just now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Has your pack's honour been upheld?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What shall we do with your brother?"
Ulfar"Halbrandt, can you defend yourself alone if the Rogue Trader has need of my aid? My hunger is not sated, and I would gladly cleave a few more foul-tongued heads from their heretic bodies."
Halbrandt"Go forth to battle, Brother Ulfar. I may be seeing double, but I have never feared a battle against an enemy with superior numbers."
YOU"You should stay with your brother."
Ulfar"The last drop of blood will seep from my body before they lay their filthy paws on the sacred armour of Fenris!" Ulfar beats his chest with his plated fist.
end of branch
YOU"I will need you in the coming battle."
end of branch
Ulfar"Noble Halbrandt, it would be unwise for you to come with us, I think. It will be some time before you are well, and I do not want to have to answer to the Allfather should you die — let no one say a worthy warrior met his foolish end because of Ulfar."
Halbrandt"My heart is raring to fight, Brother Ulfar... But my legs are in no hurry to carry me toward the enemy. I will join the fray when I can stand, if you would be kind enough to leave a few heretics for my blade."
end of branch
YOU"What shall we do with your brother?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Has your pack's honour been upheld?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What shall we do with your brother?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was that contest between you and Halbrandt just now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Has your pack's honour been upheld?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What shall we do with your brother?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"...in memory over graves of brothers worthy."
Ulfar"...in memory over graves of brothers worthy." Ulfar raises his grief-fogged gaze to you. "Arnoolf and Skyaddi would have liked that ending."
Ulfar"Fine hunting, Aett-Vater. The prey and the verses have me well pleased!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"...eternal as our hunt in darkness unrelenting."
Ulfar"...eternal as our hunt in darkness unrelenting." Ulfar echoes your last words with the spiteful, stubborn grin of a doomed man. "Indeed, an eternal hunt is all that awaits me. Thank you, [Name]."
Ulfar"Fine hunting, Aett-Vater. The prey and the verses have me well pleased!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]
Ulfar"...in memory over graves of brothers worthy." Ulfar raises his grief-fogged gaze to you. "Arnoolf and Skyaddi would have liked that ending."continues where this line first appears above