NPC"You know what? Screw the lot of you. I've seen better morale at the bottom of a half-flooded trench! If you want to harp on about how you'll all be killed soon, fill your boots. Me, I'd rather go and kill someone else."
NPC(sequence)
Yrliet"I am beginning to discern the different shades of mon-keigh emotions. That seemed like anger, but it was actually closer to despair. She feels afraid. And alone."
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 6
Argenta(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 4 of 6
Argenta(no text)
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Entry point 5 of 6
NPC(no text)
NPC(no text)
YOU"Are we celebrating the fact that we killed several xenos for the amusement of other xenos?"
NPC"Our deeds are like a proud stallion, shereen! Look at it from one end and you see the proud bearing, the powerful muscles, and fire in its eyes! Look at it from the other end and all you see is a horse's arse. I prefer to view this victory as a triumph of the Exalted One's warriors over those revered by the inhumans as the finest masters of their bloody dance!"
Marked Man"But the arse end of this horse doesn't disappear when you stop looking at it. And we'll all be staring at it soon enough when the Wyches come seeking revenge. I doubt they'll be able to figure out who butchered their favourites in the arena, and whose luck simply ran out."
YOU"Are we celebrating the fact that we killed several xenos for the amusement of other xenos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You think this is a time to celebrate?"
NPC"If not now, when, shereen?" Her eyes blazing, Jae drops her voice to a whisper: "Don't you see that everyone in this place is simply waiting to die? I refuse to spend what could be the last moments of my life under this cloud of doom!"
YOU"Are we celebrating the fact that we killed several xenos for the amusement of other xenos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You think this is a time to celebrate?"continues where this line first appears above
NPC"Brothers and sisters in arms, let's raise our glasses, and may what splashes in them wash the sorrow from our souls as clear waters wash the dirt and sand from the body of a weary traveller to whom the Exalted One has sent an oasis glittering with crystal streams!"
NPCEveryone raises their cups in a determined show of enthusiasm. You hear a few snippets of laughter that seem to be on the verge of turning into sobs. Jae herself flashes a dazzling smile as genuine as the gems of an underhive merchant. Her eyes resemble two dark pools that have frozen solid.
YOU"Don't lose heart! I promise I will get you all out of here!"
Marked ManThe bitter chuckle that bursts from the lips of the marked prisoner turns your words into a deathbed platitude.
NPC"Friends, comrades in arms, and those whom the azhi's harsh captivity has thrown together with us! A great wise man once said that human life is like a cruel desert, with one lifeless dune appearing after another — that is the joke the universe plays on us. But the Exalted One does not abide those who mock his children, and that is why he gifted us the water of cold springs, green grass, and the shade of sprawling-limbed trees. He who has faith in Him will reach that blessed oasis, defying the world's cruelty, and today we—"
Marked ManThe marked prisoner scoffs. "Listening to you leaves my ears in knots. Some kind of a lady, are you? Only the great and the good refuse to recognise death when it looks them in the eye — they believe in their own luck to the very end."
NPC"I'll have you know, ill fate's marked man, that I am a princess of the distant world of Ef—" Jae breaks off, then with a crooked smile, says, "I'm no damn kind of lady. I'm a lowborn rat, same as you."
YOU"Hey, where is all this doom and gloom coming from?"
NPC"Leave it, [Name]. These people do not want to feel joy."
NPC"You know what? Screw the lot of you. I've seen better morale at the bottom of a half-flooded trench! If you want to harp on about how you'll all be killed soon, fill your boots. Me, I'd rather go and kill someone else."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, these people do not want to celebrate. Let's leave them be. The two of us can enjoy ourselves on our own."
NPC"Yes, shereen, that is a dazzling idea..." Jae gives you a seductive look, then suddenly frowns. "Damn it! People jumping to bed together when they fear for their lives — no, it's too pathetic and desperate."
NPC"You know what? Screw the lot of you. I've seen better morale at the bottom of a half-flooded trench! If you want to harp on about how you'll all be killed soon, fill your boots. Me, I'd rather go and kill someone else."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You may be low by birth, but you will die with as much, if not more, honour than anyone here."
NPCHer cheek twitching, Jae nods to you and says with grim delight, "It's true. I may have been born a lowly wretch, but even these vermin won't make me die a wretch, whining and begging for mercy."
NPC"You know what? Screw the lot of you. I've seen better morale at the bottom of a half-flooded trench! If you want to harp on about how you'll all be killed soon, fill your boots. Me, I'd rather go and kill someone else."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough, Jae."
NPC"You know what? Screw the lot of you. I've seen better morale at the bottom of a half-flooded trench! If you want to harp on about how you'll all be killed soon, fill your boots. Me, I'd rather go and kill someone else."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
Cassia"Do not speak so about yourself. Your origins may not be noble, but a soaring spirit can lift..."
JaeJae raises her furious gaze to Cassia. "Princess. Please, shut up."
end of branch
UlfarRumbling, Ulfar declares in a consoling tone, "Among worthy warriors, valour is not measured based on the glory of our ancestors, but on our own deeds."
Jae"Sure they do — if you're an Angel of the Exalted One, you can ignore parentage completely. Too bad I'm not one of you."
end of branch
SolomorneSolomorne swirls the amasec in his mug, and says in a monotone, "A rat is certainly better than a Cold Trader. Progress. Pity it took a brush with death for spiritual growth."
JaeJae is quick to make an obscene gesture at the Arbitrator. "And there I was wondering whether to invite you or not! You hard-nosed ashmag!"
end of branch
YOU"If we are doomed to die, we might as well enjoy ourselves one last time!"
Marked Man"Malice used to say the same thing. Live it up, you'll be dead soon." The muttering of the grim captive dispels the ghost of false merriment haunting the lair, like a rite of exorcism.
NPC"Friends, comrades in arms, and those whom the azhi's harsh captivity has thrown together with us! A great wise man once said that human life is like a cruel desert, with one lifeless dune appearing after another — that is the joke the universe plays on us. But the Exalted One does not abide those who mock his children, and that is why he gifted us the water of cold springs, green grass, and the shade of sprawling-limbed trees. He who has faith in Him will reach that blessed oasis, defying the world's cruelty, and today we—"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Bark out a command] "Come on, cheer up! All of you!"
NPCWhile everyone stares at you wide-eyed, Jae mutters, "Thank you ever so much. You've really brought the party spirit."
NPC"Friends, comrades in arms, and those whom the azhi's harsh captivity has thrown together with us! A great wise man once said that human life is like a cruel desert, with one lifeless dune appearing after another — that is the joke the universe plays on us. But the Exalted One does not abide those who mock his children, and that is why he gifted us the water of cold springs, green grass, and the shade of sprawling-limbed trees. He who has faith in Him will reach that blessed oasis, defying the world's cruelty, and today we—"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, look, this party idea isn't working."
NPC"You know what? Screw the lot of you. I've seen better morale at the bottom of a half-flooded trench! If you want to harp on about how you'll all be killed soon, fill your boots. Me, I'd rather go and kill someone else."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix, one of the few whose cordial expression remains unchanged, looks at Jae with sincere sympathy.
end of branch
AbelardAfter draining his cup and noisily clearing his throat, Abelard says with studied joviality, "I know one shanty that always goes down a treat at parties..." He looks at the grim countenances around him and seems to lose heart. "But it's only a favourite among voidsmen, I dare say, not a good choice for present company."
end of branch
YOU"This is not the time for revels."
NPC"This is exactly the time! Let's raise a toast, and you'll see how sparks of wine can kindle into a blaze of merriment!" Jae retorts, somehow managing to sound cordial and waspish at the same time.
NPC"Brothers and sisters in arms, let's raise our glasses, and may what splashes in them wash the sorrow from our souls as clear waters wash the dirt and sand from the body of a weary traveller to whom the Exalted One has sent an oasis glittering with crystal streams!"continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
KibellahKibellah's expression becomes strangely soft. "One should meet their death with an easy heart, for death is a gift. If Vil'Jae can only put her heart at ease through idle libations before she faces a violent death, let us help her."
Jae"Thanks, but you're not helping. I definitely didn't need the part about the violent death."
end of branch
Argenta"She is scared, [Name]. That's all." The Battle Sister's voice is sad.
Jae"As if! What could ever scare the Jae Amira Fathreen Tameri ash Efreet, queen of the Cold Trade!"
end of branch
EogunnEogunn meets the Cold Trader's words with unexpected approval. "Suppressing the central nervous system with socially approved toxins is indeed a peculiar ritual of the laity, in which it would be fascinating to engage — most notably under the guidance of Mistress Heydari! Isn't it better to let loose the reins on our neural pathways and face doom with joy and excitement, than to let existential dread swallow us whole?"
Jae"I knew that nothing human was alien to you, O wisest of men! Let's get on with suppressing the central whatever it was!"
end of branch
YOU"A celebration sounds good. Let's enjoy ourselves."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is not the time for revels."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You think this is a time to celebrate?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A celebration sounds good. Let's enjoy ourselves."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is not the time for revels."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 6
NPCThe atmosphere in the lair is one of false excitement. The faces are sour, the smiles forced, and even the bottles of booze dotted about seem to gleam with insincerity. One of those in attendance, a man whose face is crosshatched with scars, glares at Jae with undisguised scepticism.
NPC"Shereen! The spectators in the arena won't ever forget our bloody spectacle — we couldn't have been more memorable if we'd tattooed our names right on their eyeballs! The Dark City trembles before us, and we simply must honour the heroes of the hour!" Jae's ebullient words ring out in the joyless, dank silence.
YOU"Are we celebrating the fact that we killed several xenos for the amusement of other xenos?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You think this is a time to celebrate?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A celebration sounds good. Let's enjoy ourselves."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is not the time for revels."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
IdiraIdira speaks, and you hear a plea in her words: "Jae, I told you we don't need—"
Jae"Shut up. We do need this. I need this."
end of branch
Marazhai"Mmm, the taste of dark despair in the air. Do all your celebrations taste as sweet as this?" The xenos's question seems sincere rather than mocking — he genuinely wishes to know the answer.