FarseerA young Aeldari's body is floating in a murky glass vat filled with acrid acidic sludge. If the built-in xenocogitator's changing readings are anything to go by, the Aeldari is alive, or at any rate not quite dead.
Yrliet"This body belongs to a Farseer... I sense dormant energy coming from his exhausted mind. We must set him free, elantach."
YOU[Inspect the vat]
FarseerAnother of the insane Haemonculus's creations designed for cruel experiments. The vat is part of a larger mechanism which has a small mechanical dashboard built into its casing. You are, however, unfamiliar with the symbols on it. The thick tubes that deliver the suspicious-looking liquid straight into the vitreous depths of the mechanism disappear into its inexplicably smooth casing. The glass itself seems quite brittle, though.
Yrliet"Odd... These symbols are unfamiliar to me. I suppose the Haemonculus is using a special code so no overly curious assistant can hamper his experimentation."
YOU[Inspect the vat]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We'll press every button until the mechanism opens."
FarseerYou are looking at a dashboard with unfamiliar symbols.
YOU"Pasqal, can you figure out how to open this vat?"
PasqalThin probing needles extend from the Tech-Priest's fingers, which he uses to study the mechanism with great care. For a while, no sound breaks the silence save for the chirring of his visor. When at last he is done with his examination, Pasqal concludes calmly, "I recommend simply breaking it. That is the optimal method of unsealing."
YOU"Pasqal, can you figure out how to open this vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the sun symbol]
FarseerA muted buzzing comes from the bowels of the mechanism, and a dose of acidic liquid splashes into the vat. The Farseer inside opens his eyes, terrified, and twitches nervously for a few seconds before going still again.
YOU"Pasqal, can you figure out how to open this vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the sun symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the target symbol]
FarseerThe hissing and sparking dashboard hits you with a targeted electrical discharge.
YOU"Pasqal, can you figure out how to open this vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the sun symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the target symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the spiral symbol]
FarseerAn unseen engine revs up at the base of the mechanism, and several sharp blades slide out. They take mere seconds to mince the Farseer's body into bloody mush.
end of branch
YOU[Press the lightning symbol]
FarseerSeveral clicks are heard behind the mechanism's smooth casing. The liquid makes a whistling sound as it drains through a grille that has opened at the base of the vat. The doors open slowly.
YOU"Do you remember who you are and where you come from?"
Farseer"I remember the taste of pain. And the smell of pain. And the colour of pain, too..."
Yrliet"You are one who dreams of what has come to pass and what yet lies in the haze ahead. A Farseer from a craftworld."
YOU"Do you remember who you are and where you come from?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell us what happened to Crudarach."
FarseerThe Farseer stares at his hands in surprise, ignoring Yrliet's questions. "Every finger... in place? But why? The first one goes for the sake of pain and pleasure. The second one disappears when it is time for humility. The third... what happens to the third?"
YrlietYrliet's shoulders sink in defeat. "Elantach... I do not think he is going to tell us anything of value. Is there no one left who can answer my questions?"
YOU"Do you remember who you are and where you come from?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell us what happened to Crudarach."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you end up in the Haemonculus's clutches?"
FarseerThe Farseer looks up at you with frightened eyes. "Be quiet! Master will come back. Master will punish... Piece by piece. Piece by piece... by piece... by piece..."
YOU"Do you remember who you are and where you come from?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell us what happened to Crudarach."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you end up in the Haemonculus's clutches?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why were you kept in this vat?"
FarseerThe Farseer looks around the room with interest, ignoring you completely. "I have been here many times. In my past lives. And I will be, in my future ones... An infinite cycle."
YrlietYrliet shrugs hesitantly. "Rebirth? Healing? Visions of the future? What is the point of eternal life if it only ever brings suffering?"
YOU"Do you remember who you are and where you come from?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell us what happened to Crudarach."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you end up in the Haemonculus's clutches?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why were you kept in this vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Utter the Haemonculus's order] "Deliverance."
FarseerThe Farseer looks askance at you with apprehension, only for his face to turn completely impassive a moment later. "Yes, Master." The Farseer folds his hands in an unfamiliar gesture, screws up his eyes, and clenches his teeth tightly.
Yrliet"Look out, elantach!"
end of branch
YOU"It's time to decide what to do with him."
Yrliet"He is coming with us, elantach. I will not let you abandon him here. I need him..."
FarseerWithout waiting for Yrliet to finish her sentence, the Farseer suddenly turns his head toward her. For the first time, his gaze is clear and focused. "Child, you have returned to us at a dark hour..."
Yrliet"NO!" Yrliet leans over the Aeldari's body to help, but his eyes are wide open and his chest no longer rises and falls from his cautious breath. "He was aware! He remembered me, elantach! And then, suddenly, he was dead! What kind of curse haunts Crudarach's children within these walls?"
Yrliet"Let us go. I... I refuse to believe there is no one else left. Do you understand? I cannot let the serpent in my soul devour my already fading hope. My hope of finding out the truth of what happened to Crudarach. There is no giving up now, after the lengths I have gone to in order to get here. We will find other Farseers. We will."
end of branch
YOU[Utter the Haemonculus's order] "Deliverance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It's time to decide what to do with him."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why were you kept in this vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Utter the Haemonculus's order] "Deliverance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It's time to decide what to do with him."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you end up in the Haemonculus's clutches?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why were you kept in this vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Utter the Haemonculus's order] "Deliverance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It's time to decide what to do with him."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell us what happened to Crudarach."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you end up in the Haemonculus's clutches?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why were you kept in this vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Utter the Haemonculus's order] "Deliverance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It's time to decide what to do with him."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the crossed-out triangle symbol]
FarseerLooking through the fogged glass, you notice several mechanical arms that have extended from the machine's walls. As they clamp around the Farseer's hands and feet, a hefty pair of pincers descends on the Aeldari's head and squeeze until the Aeldari's skull bursts like an overripe fruit.
end of branch
YOU"Stand back. This calls for some good old brute force."
Yrliet"C-careful — watch your step... Can you hear me?" Yrliet helps the Farseer out of his prison, avoiding the broken glass.
FarseerThe Aeldari is completely disoriented. His wandering gaze shifts between you and Yrliet, then returns to the vat from which he just emerged. "My purpose is... to comply? Yes... I am born so I may die. My pain is your delight, Master."
Yrliet"Kae-morag, what did that madman do to him?"
YOU"Do you remember who you are and where you come from?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell us what happened to Crudarach."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you end up in the Haemonculus's clutches?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why were you kept in this vat?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Utter the Haemonculus's order] "Deliverance."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It's time to decide what to do with him."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps we should try another way."
Yrliet"This was risky from the very beginning, elantach. I am glad you have changed your mind."
YOU[Inspect the vat]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We'll press every button until the mechanism opens."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stand back. This calls for some good old brute force."
Yrliet"C-careful — watch your step... Can you hear me?" Yrliet helps the Farseer out of his prison, avoiding the broken glass.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tampering with a Haemonculus's experiment does not strike me as a good idea. We should destroy it instead."
Yrliet"But the Farseer is alive." Yrliet does not move from her spot, giving you a scrutinising look. "Did you not promise to help me find answers, elantach? Perhaps this Farseer can at last tell us what exactly happened to Crudarach."
YOU[Blow up the vat] "Even so, I do not want to take the risk."
end of branch
YOU"All right, let's get him out of there."
Yrliet"For Crudarach and those who have lost it."
YOU[Inspect the vat]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We'll press every button until the mechanism opens."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stand back. This calls for some good old brute force."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tampering with a Haemonculus's experiment does not strike me as a good idea. We should destroy it instead."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I doubt the xenos inside is still alive. Come, let us not waste time."
Yrliet"But the Farseer is alive." Yrliet does not move from her spot, giving you a scrutinising look. "Did you not promise to help me find answers, elantach? Perhaps this Farseer can at last tell us what exactly happened to Crudarach."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have made up my mind. We are leaving."
YrlietYrliet clenches her teeth and turns to look at the Farseer inside the murky vat. "Sleep well, you who dream of what has come to pass and what yet lies in the haze ahead."
end of branch
YOU"I doubt the xenos inside is still alive. Come, let us not waste time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the spiral symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the lightning symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the crossed-out triangle symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stand back. This calls for some good old brute force."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps we should try another way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the target symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the spiral symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the lightning symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the crossed-out triangle symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stand back. This calls for some good old brute force."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps we should try another way."continues where this line first appears above
Farseer(sequence)
Ulfar"Ha. I could have given that advice without laying a finger on the vile work of xenos. But at least the Priest knows how to deal with inhuman machinery. A scholar after my own heart."
end of branch
YOU[Press the sun symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the target symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the spiral symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the lightning symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Press the crossed-out triangle symbol]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stand back. This calls for some good old brute force."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps we should try another way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stand back. This calls for some good old brute force."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tampering with a Haemonculus's experiment does not strike me as a good idea. We should destroy it instead."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I doubt the xenos inside is still alive. Come, let us not waste time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We'll press every button until the mechanism opens."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stand back. This calls for some good old brute force."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tampering with a Haemonculus's experiment does not strike me as a good idea. We should destroy it instead."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I doubt the xenos inside is still alive. Come, let us not waste time."continues where this line first appears above