VentAt the sight of you, Marazhai casually kicks his feet off the desk and stands. "[Name]. I must speak with you."
VentMarazhai's voice is utterly devoid of colour and playfulness — he has reverted to the same imperious tone you heard back on Grantis. "You once wanted to gain forbidden knowledge — the paths of the true inheritors of the ancient Aeldari. The essence of my world. Things that are inaccessible to ordinary mon-keigh. Things that bring me pleasure. And, I must say, you have proved to be an abominably poor student."
Vent"You break the rules, time and time again. I am sick of the stench of fear that rolls off you every time I present you with a new revelation. And worst of all... I am bored of you, [Name]. I do not want to waste any more words or deeds on one who refuses to play the game properly."
YOU"What have I done wrong?"
Vent(sequence)
Vent"You are afraid. You refuse to experience what it means to be on the edge. What it means to know pain. How will you ever venture beyond your pathetic limits when you cling to them with all your might?"
end of branch
Vent"I gave you a gift. And what did you do with it? You cast it aside, too cowardly to experience even a grain of the pleasures it promised."
end of branch
Vent"I told you I needed to track down the fugitives of my Kabal... A small price to pay for the privilege of feasting with me, I thought." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "I offered you everything, and you gave me nothing."
end of branch
Vent"You break the rules. You set them yourself, at the very beginning... and then you started straying outside your role, mixing up words. You either possess or allow yourself to be possessed. There is no in-between."
end of branch
Vent"It would take too long to recount — and why should I? I have no desire to waste my breath on this conversation."
YOU"What have I done wrong?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I broke off another attachment for you!"
VentMarazhai tilts his head to one side. "Why should I care? Do you think I should be flattered that you, a mon-keigh, chose me over all others? That you found my offer superior to the primitive bonds of your kind? That is a given, not a sign of your munificence."
YOU"What have I done wrong?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I broke off another attachment for you!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
Vent"No. There is nothing I could deprive you of that would cause you pain."
VentYou feel the full force of his contempt as he looks at you. "I have nothing more to say."
end of branch
VentMarazhai goes still, thinking. "Perhaps there is." A shadow of a smile appears on his face. "How much do you want to stay with me? Whose life do you value as much as my indulgence?"
YOU"You... wish to take someone from my retinue?"
Vent"Why not? You have failed to appreciate what I have offered you. You must make amends for your transgression. My request is very simple — a sacrifice from your inner circle. I will have my fun and, perhaps, forget your offence. To me... it is a small price to pay."
YOU"You... wish to take someone from my retinue?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall give you one of my retinue."
VentMarazhai's eyes flare. "A name. Give me a name."
YOU"Idira Tlass."
Vent"The one the mon-keigh call a witch? I will do you the favour of ridding you of that shredder of the veil."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."
VentHe pauses, then strides over to you and drags a claw along your cheek. His voice, which just a moment ago was vibrating with irritation, is now as smooth as spiced honey. "But when you are ready for another walk... you know where to find me."
end of branch
YOU"Abelard Werserian."
Vent"The old mon-keigh? I suppose there is enough life in him to occupy me for a while."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cassia Orsellio."
Vent"The abomination herself! Oh, I will take great pleasure in gouging out her accursed eye!"
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sister Argenta."
Vent"The sweet-voiced mon-keigh. The time has come to make her hoarse with screams of pain."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix van Calox."
Vent"Ah, the strong and stubborn one? He will last a long time. A very long time."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ulfar."
VentSomething flickers in the Drukhari's eyes. He casually waves away the suggestion. "No. Not him. Choose someone else."
YOU"Idira Tlass."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard Werserian."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cassia Orsellio."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sister Argenta."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix van Calox."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ulfar."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae Heydari."
Vent"A talkative mon-keigh who thinks she understands my kind. She will soon enough."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal Haneumann."
Vent"Ah, the little mechanical martyr. I think he as well as I will enjoy what I do to him."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Yrliet Lanaevyss."
Vent"My dearest cousin... It is long past time for me to bring our kinship to an end."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kibellah."
Vent"Mmm, the little assassin who thinks she knows everything about pain. What a revelation awaits her..."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne Anthar."
Vent"That boring mon-keigh? Though if I start with his beast, he will grant me an unforgettable bouquet of misery."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn Februs."
Vent"One of the few mon-keigh whose conversation was actually diverting. Never mind, his pain shall dispel my boredom one last time."
Vent"I will take the victim discreetly — to your crew, one of their number will simply... vanish without a trace. There are plenty of dark corners on this ship... Yes, and one more thing." Marazhai narrows his eyes. "You are not invited to this feast. I alone will revel in the torment of your offering."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Void take you! I won't give you anyone!"
VentYou feel the full force of his contempt as he looks at you. "I have nothing more to say."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae Heydari."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal Haneumann."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Yrliet Lanaevyss."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kibellah."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne Anthar."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn Februs."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Void take you! I won't give you anyone!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Not a chance!"
VentYou feel the full force of his contempt as he looks at you. "I have nothing more to say."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall give you one of my retinue."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Not a chance!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I agree. We must part ways."
VentYou feel the full force of his contempt as he looks at you. "I have nothing more to say."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I agree. We must part ways."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I broke off another attachment for you!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I agree. We must part ways."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 2
VentLounging on a chair, Marazhai lightly waves a narrow Drukhari blade back and forth over a lit candle. His eyes meet yours over the flame, his voice dripping into your ears like poisoned honey: "[Name]. I have been waiting for you."
VentThe Drukhari rises from his seat with the fluidity of a predator. "The time has come to discuss what binds us together. What you have experienced under my unflagging watch."
YOU"I am listening."
Vent"I already mentioned that we Drukhari are the true inheritors of the ancient Aeldari. The Aeldari who reigned over the entire galaxy. Who inspired terror and awe in the lesser races. Who knew truths that others feared even to glance at. Our distant kin — the ones who dwell in realspace in eternal fear of Sai'lanthresh — are but a shadow of that former greatness. We, and only we, carry on the greatness of our ancestors."
VentMarazhai tests the weight of the blade in his hand. "I have spent long enough among the mon-keigh. Listening. Watching. You are hobbled by petty passions, such as the strange thing you call 'loyalty.' And 'friendship.' And worst of all... 'love.'" He shakes his head as though he regrets even uttering the word. "We are spared such weaknesses. We see deeper — and in that depth, there is only mastery and submission."
Vent"Since the very beginning... we have understood one another perfectly. Since the very beginning, roles have been assigned... and accepted. You are different from the rest. You know the rules of the game. You want to transcend the limits of your species. I have watched you for a long time, [Name]. And I have decided that the final step must be taken. To make explicit who is the possessor and who is the possessed. To set the seal." He raises the blade and looks intently into your eyes, taking slow steps toward you.
YOU"You intend to carve a brand into me?"
Vent"Of course." He tilts his head to one side. "You belong to me. All of you, unreservedly. The time has come to affirm the order of things, once and for all."
VentMarazhai is so swift you barely register his movement — in a single bound, he forces you to the floor, pins you down, and raises the red-hot blade...
YOU[Let Marazhai carve a brand into you]
VentYou suddenly realise that he is moving remarkably slowly — a stark difference from his leap just moments ago. He seems in no rush to lower his raised hand, and then he hisses, "What is wrong with you, [Name]? Have you forgotten your place?"
YOU"Isn't this what you wanted?"
VentMarazhai freezes, breathing heavily, his eyes radiating shock and bitterest disappointment. A moment later, he unleashes a torrent of untranslatable xenos profanity and rolls off you, sheathing the blade.
Vent"All this time... I thought... I honestly thought that you..." Marazhai lets out a low hiss. "Enough. You... have ruined everything, mon-keigh. I will not come to you again. And you... you can forget what happened between us. I will not waste any more of my time on you and your weaknesses."
end of branch
YOU[Grab the blade and burn a brand into Marazhai]
VentYou seize Marazhai's wrist, seeking to remove the blade from his hand. He glares at you in outrage. "What are you doing, mon-keigh? Have you forgotten your place?"
YOU"You and only you will wear the brand!"
VentMarazhai freezes, his eyes radiating shock and bitterest disappointment. A moment later, he effortlessly pulls his wrist free of your grip and stands, sheathing his blade and muttering untranslatable xenos profanity through gritted teeth.
Vent"All this time... I thought... I honestly thought that you..." Marazhai lets out a low hiss. "Enough. You... have ruined everything, mon-keigh. I will not come to you again. And you... you can forget what happened between us. I will not waste any more of my time on you and your weaknesses."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Let Marazhai carve a brand into you]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop! That's enough! I no longer want to be involved in this!"
VentMarazhai freezes, breathing heavily, his eyes radiating shock and bitterest disappointment. A moment later, he unleashes a torrent of untranslatable xenos profanity and rolls off you, sheathing the blade.continues where this line first appears above
VentYou seize Marazhai's blade with surprising, even suspicious, ease and press the blistering tip against his neck. He thrashes and lets out an agonised howl, but your grip is firm — you do not allow him to move until the red-hot metal has seared the von Valancius symbol into his pale skin. Finally, he jerks away from you, bringing his fingers up to touch the brand on his neck.
VentMarazhai's eyes, which previously smouldered with a strange fire, suddenly blaze with the rampant flame of madness — the same madness that took hold the moment he was sated with another's pain. He barks out a short, hysterical laugh. "Yes... Just as it should be..."
Vent"And now..." Marazhai's tone and posture instantly shift — he ducks his head and looks up at you in a show of almost playful submissiveness. "I hunger for a feast, [Name]. Now. Immediately. Do I have your permission?"
YOU"You have my permission."
Vent"I thank you for your indulgence." Marazhai's voice quivers with excitement.
end of branch
YOU"Not now, my pet xenos."
VentMarazhai lets out a barely audible hiss, but he casts his eyes down. "I... will... wait."
end of branch
VentMarazhai grips your chin and turns your head, admiring the brand. "Well now, my little pet. I hunger for a feast. And you... you will come with me. Now."
end of branch
YOU"Stop! That's enough! I no longer want to be involved in this!"continues where this line first appears above
VentThe touch of the metal elicits agonising, unbearable pain that tears a bloodcurdling shriek from your lungs. With a few flicks of the blade, Marazhai carves a symbol into your neck. The air fills with the stench of burnt flesh and the xenos's laughter. Having finished his task, Marazhai leans back to assess his work.
VentMarazhai's eyes, which previously smouldered with a strange fire, suddenly blaze with the rampant flame of madness — the same madness that took hold the moment he was sated with another's pain. He barks out a short, hysterical laugh. "Yes... Just as it should be..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Grab the blade and burn a brand into Marazhai]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Stop! That's enough! I no longer want to be involved in this!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Grab the blade and stab Marazhai]
VentYou pluck the blade from Marazhai's hand with ease — for a moment, you think he deliberately loosened his grip. But he certainly did not anticipate your next strike — with a crunch, you drive the blade under his jaw, piercing his throat and shattering his vertebrae. One last astonished, disbelieving look... and Marazhai Aezyrraesh falls dead to the floor.
end of branch
Vent"Hmm? You would allow me to do that? After everything we have experienced? After how... submissive I have been, you would let me walk around without your brand?" The Drukhari's eyes are taunting, flashing with malice. "Does that mean I have mistaken our roles? Well... we shall see."
VentMarazhai is so swift you barely register his movement — in a single bound, he forces you to the floor, pins you down, and raises the red-hot blade...continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In the Imperium it is customary to brand sanctioned xenos."
Vent"I have no interest in pitiful mon-keigh rites. I speak of something different." His voice drops to a soft hiss. "Do not make me repeat myself."
YOU"You intend to carve a brand into me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In the Imperium it is customary to brand sanctioned xenos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is revolting."
Vent"Is that so? Then why did you attempt to peer into my truth at all, mon-keigh? Why did you so diligently perform my every whispered command? Do not say that you were not singed by the sparks of the flame that burns eternal in me and my kind — the flame of domination and violence, the fundamental truths of this world. Even your primitive senses... are capable of that."
YOU"You intend to carve a brand into me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In the Imperium it is customary to brand sanctioned xenos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is revolting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will take no part in this. Not now, not ever."
VentMarazhai freezes. "What...? This is a great honour for one such as you... and you are going to reject it?" The expression on his face is new to you — one of genuine surprise... and simmering rage. With a guttural growl, he stows the blade and casts a baleful glare at you. "That is it. I am leaving... and I will not be wasting any more time on your doubts and weaknesses, mon-keigh."
end of branch
YOU"I will take no part in this. Not now, not ever."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is revolting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will take no part in this. Not now, not ever."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are behaving strangely for an obedient pet xenos."
Vent"Ha! Another sign that you grasp the nature of our bond. But I am not stepping out of my role, no. Not yet."
Vent"I already mentioned that we Drukhari are the true inheritors of the ancient Aeldari. The Aeldari who reigned over the entire galaxy. Who inspired terror and awe in the lesser races. Who knew truths that others feared even to glance at. Our distant kin — the ones who dwell in realspace in eternal fear of Sai'lanthresh — are but a shadow of that former greatness. We, and only we, carry on the greatness of our ancestors."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the blade for?"
Vent"All in good time, [Name]." Marazhai twirls the red-hot blade between his fingers and smiles.
Vent"I already mentioned that we Drukhari are the true inheritors of the ancient Aeldari. The Aeldari who reigned over the entire galaxy. Who inspired terror and awe in the lesser races. Who knew truths that others feared even to glance at. Our distant kin — the ones who dwell in realspace in eternal fear of Sai'lanthresh — are but a shadow of that former greatness. We, and only we, carry on the greatness of our ancestors."continues where this line first appears above