MarazhaiMarazhai's barely audible footsteps seem to drown out all other sounds on the bridge. Officers break away from their tasks and cast fearful and hateful glances in his direction. Marazhai seems to be revelling in the outpouring of hostile attention, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. But when he glances at you, he drops to one knee and bows his head submissively. "[Name]. I seek your permission."
Marazhai"Both you and I know that a raid is coming, [Name]. It was only recently that we confronted the Archon of the Black Heart... The new challenge may prove to be even more arduous. One that requires greater mastery over death. One that is even more... draining." Marazhai casts a hungry eye over the assembled crowd.
Marazhai"Going into such a battle without first warming one's blood with suffering and pain could be perilous. And this time, the feast must be far more lavish than any before it. A bloody march across the ship, no less. I beseech you..." Marazhai strives to keep his voice deferential, but he is almost trembling with anticipation. "Give the orders to your servants. Prepare all that is required. And... allow me to accompany you."
YOU"I am accustomed to you and I... talking in private."
Marazhai"Do you have something to hide from your servants?" Marazhai smiles thinly at you, leaving no doubt that his appearance on the crowded bridge is a deliberate move, not a mistake.
YOU"I am accustomed to you and I... talking in private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why is it necessary?"
Marazhai"Why do you ask the obvious? Because it is how you will find your inspiration for future battles. It is how you will test your weapons and your reflexes, and find flaws in your movements and techniques. And it is how you will finally awaken your hunger and anticipation for the coming challenge, leaving you eager to plunge into the fray!"
YOU"I am accustomed to you and I... talking in private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why is it necessary?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A bloody march sounds superb. I'll do it."
MarazhaiMarazhai's eyes blaze with excitement before he drops his head in another bow — this time in a deliberate show of gratitude. "I must hone my blades. When you call upon me..."
Master Helmsman Ravor"Enough!" Ravor shouts, cutting across Marazhai, who glares at the voidborn. "Torpedo me in the gut, enough of this depravity aboard the flagship! Lord Cap'n!" Ravor turns to you. "I might lose my head for my insolence, but I won't be silent any longer! Ever since that thing crawled on board, you... you've not been your own man/woman. Are we your subjects or your playthings?"
High Factotum Janris DanrokJanris, though pale as a sheet, takes a step forward. "Lord Captain, have mercy! Yes, the Warrant grants you the liberty to do whatever you want on board this vessel, but... but... at least consider the financial losses! At present we are cut off from the Expanse, in uncharted space... a mutiny is the last thing we need! But there have long been mutterings among the crew about the Lord Captain's regard for his/her bloodthirsty xenos... about how they won't stand for it!"
Vox Master Vigdis"The Factotum is right, Lord Captain." Vigdis's voice is barely audible. "The only topic of chatter across every deck is who the butchers will visit next, and what they will do to innocent people and... and... and... each other." The Vox Master shrinks away. "Have mercy! No officer has ever questioned you, and we will not try your patience after this... but hear us now! We beg you! The entire crew begs you!"
MarazhaiMarazhai looks around lazily, surveying the muttering crowd. His clawed fingers, which were idly caressing your face a moment ago, slide down and close loosely around your throat. "This is how you keep your servants in check, my little pet? Their insolence offends me. Kill one of the ringleaders — for my amusement."
NPCHis words are softly spoken... and yet they seem to reach every pair of ears on the bridge. The hushed crew members look as though they have just swallowed their tongues... and their eyes dart to the frozen senior officers in horror.
YOU"What did you just say?"
Marazhai"I said..." Marazhai's fingers squeeze your throat and his voice turns into a hiss. "Kill. One. Of the ringleaders. For my. Amusement."
YOU"What did you just say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I... cannot do that."
Marazhai"Are you sure? Or is this the remains of your primitive mon-keigh morality talking? Consider your answer carefully, [Name]."
YOU"What did you just say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I... cannot do that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not at liberty to hand over those who have entrusted their lives to me... but I can offer myself in exchange. For their mistake, take my life."
NPCMarazhai sears you with a look that reveals mingled surprise, bewilderment, and... simmering delight, which is slowly building to a blaze. The Drukhari tilts his head to the side, admiring you as if you were his own creation. The sharp claws of his glove slide along your jawline, his voice dropping to a whisper only you can hear: "My naive little pet... Do you think you can so easily cast off who you have become under my influence? No, [Name]. But for your obedience... I will gift you the life that you just exchanged for your own."
NPCHe casts an intent look over the bridge as if to make sure everyone heard your words, and laughs contemptuously. "Let us leave this carrion behind. A great feast awaits us."
end of branch
YOU"Very well. I shall kill for you."
MarazhaiMarazhai grins. "Very good. I will even let you choose — name your victim."
NPC(sequence)
Vox Master VigdisThe Vox Master flinches, clasping her hands to her chest.
end of branch
High Factotum Janris DanrokJanris's face turns from wan to bluish-white. His composure fails him, and he falls to his knees. "Your Lordship/Ladyship, don't kill me!"
end of branch
Master Helmsman RavorRavor clenches his fists, glaring bitterly at you, and then at Marazhai. Not a single muscle twitches in his face, which is contorted in a grimace of displeasure.
end of branch
YOU"Kill for me, Marazhai."
MarazhaiThe Drukhari's blades ring out as they fly from their sheaths. "Give me a target!"
NPC(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough, Marazhai! I'll wreak carnage on the lower decks, but I will not give you my most valuable officers!"
MarazhaiThe expression in his eyes subtly changes — the fire that burned in them disappears, leaving behind disappointment... and boredom. "Well. I came to the bridge with a question, and now I have the answer. It is time to prepare for our feast." The Drukhari casts one last look at the officers, who do not seem to believe their luck, then turns and strides off.
end of branch
YOU"Enough. I will no longer torture and torment my loyal servants."
MarazhaiMarazhai begins to say something, but his voice is drowned out by the cheers of the officers filling the bridge. Grimacing in disgust, the Drukhari steps back. "Go on... bask in the pathetic rejoicing of your cattle, [Name]. In the end, you have turned out to be as... short-sighted as the rest of them."
end of branch
YOU[Address the crew] "Enforcers! Kill this xenos!"
MarazhaiYou will never know for certain the meaning behind Marazhai's expression. Surprise? Anger? Or disappointment? But you can clearly see the deranged fire in his eyes go out as if doused with water. Drawing his blades, the Drukhari meets the humans rushing at him with the arrogant laughter of one who is doomed to die.
end of branch
YOU"I am not at liberty to hand over those who have entrusted their lives to me... but I can offer myself in exchange. For their mistake, take my life."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. I shall kill for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kill for me, Marazhai."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough, Marazhai! I'll wreak carnage on the lower decks, but I will not give you my most valuable officers!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. I will no longer torture and torment my loyal servants."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the crew] "Enforcers! Kill this xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
MarazhaiMarazhai looks at you in derisive surprise. "You will not let the insolence of your servants go unanswered, will you? Allow me to gratify you by putting them in their place. You know that punishment is a particular skill of mine — you will not be disappointed!"
YOU"What did you just say?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I... cannot do that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not at liberty to hand over those who have entrusted their lives to me... but I can offer myself in exchange. For their mistake, take my life."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. I shall kill for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kill for me, Marazhai."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough, Marazhai! I'll wreak carnage on the lower decks, but I will not give you my most valuable officers!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. I will no longer torture and torment my loyal servants."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the crew] "Enforcers! Kill this xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I... cannot do that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not at liberty to hand over those who have entrusted their lives to me... but I can offer myself in exchange. For their mistake, take my life."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. I shall kill for you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kill for me, Marazhai."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough, Marazhai! I'll wreak carnage on the lower decks, but I will not give you my most valuable officers!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. I will no longer torture and torment my loyal servants."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the crew] "Enforcers! Kill this xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
MarazhaiMarazhai casts a glance over the muttering crowd from beneath half-lidded eyes. Then he murmurs, "Your servants are defying you, [Name]. Order me to teach them a lesson. Make one of the ringleaders an example for the rest."
NPCHis words are softly spoken... and yet they seem to reach every pair of ears on the bridge. The hushed crew members look as though they have just swallowed their tongues... and their eyes dart to the frozen senior officers in horror.continues where this line first appears above
MarazhaiMarazhai looks at you with narrowed eyes, his lips twisted into a grimace. "Well, [Name], are you going to let them dictate to you?"
YOU"Marazhai, perhaps we can try to come to an agreement?"
MarazhaiThe xenos's voice drops into an enraged snarl. "You want to submit to your servants? You can do as you please, but do not even dare to hope that I will bend to the will of these mon-keigh!"
YOU"Marazhai, perhaps we can try to come to an agreement?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There will be a massacre. It is the Lord Captain's will. Those who refuse will be put out through an airlock."
MarazhaiThe mutters on the deck are cut short by Marazhai's mocking shout: "So, any volunteers to be the first in our feast?" As the crew fall into a terrified silence, Marazhai looks at you. "I will start preparing. Give the orders. We are in for... something unforgettable."
end of branch
YOU"Enough. I will no longer torture and torment my loyal servants."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the crew] "Enforcers! Kill this xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There will be a massacre. It is the Lord Captain's will. Those who refuse will be put out through an airlock."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough. I will no longer torture and torment my loyal servants."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Address the crew] "Enforcers! Kill this xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
MarazhaiThe Drukhari's fingers grip your face, and his voice drops to a whisper. "Your docility, my pet, becomes you. Now..."
Master Helmsman Ravor"Enough!" Ravor shouts, cutting across Marazhai, who glares at the voidborn. "Torpedo me in the gut, enough of this depravity aboard the flagship! Lord Cap'n!" Ravor turns to you. "I might lose my head for my insolence, but I won't be silent any longer! Ever since that thing crawled on board, you... you've not been your own man/woman. Are we your subjects or your playthings?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This will not be our last feast, will it?"
MarazhaiMarazhai's mouth stretches wide in a satisfied grin. "Oh no. By no means. Anytime you feel your soul beginning to hunger for pain..."
Master Helmsman Ravor"Enough!" Ravor shouts, cutting across Marazhai, who glares at the voidborn. "Torpedo me in the gut, enough of this depravity aboard the flagship! Lord Cap'n!" Ravor turns to you. "I might lose my head for my insolence, but I won't be silent any longer! Ever since that thing crawled on board, you... you've not been your own man/woman. Are we your subjects or your playthings?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"No, Marazhai, that is enough. No more slaughtering and killing of my crew!"
MarazhaiMarazhai begins to say something, but his voice is drowned out by the cheers of the officers filling the bridge. Grimacing in disgust, the Drukhari steps back. "Go on... bask in the pathetic rejoicing of your cattle, [Name]. In the end, you have turned out to be as... short-sighted as the rest of them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A bloody march sounds superb. I'll do it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This will not be our last feast, will it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"No, Marazhai, that is enough. No more slaughtering and killing of my crew!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why is it necessary?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A bloody march sounds superb. I'll do it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This will not be our last feast, will it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"No, Marazhai, that is enough. No more slaughtering and killing of my crew!"continues where this line first appears above
MarazhaiHe tilts his head to the side, subtly dragging his sharp claws along your jaw. "I crave the thrill of pain and the song of suffering in my veins. With you, my little pet. And this time the feast must be magnificent. Not just one deck, no. A bloody march across the ship... Stand down your guards. Subdue any who dare to interfere. And join me."
YOU"I am accustomed to you and I... talking in private."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why is it necessary?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A bloody march sounds superb. I'll do it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This will not be our last feast, will it?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"No, Marazhai, that is enough. No more slaughtering and killing of my crew!"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 2
MarazhaiYou hear the indignant murmur of voices and muffled curses before you register the scene before you: Marazhai, who has taken the Lord Captain's seat, is observing the crowd of officers gathered below with lazy and mocking interest. When he notices you, he unhurriedly straightens up. "My little pet. You have kept me waiting. How inconsiderate."
Marazhai"Both you and I know that a raid is coming, [Name]. It was only recently that we confronted the Archon of the Black Heart... The new challenge may prove to be even more arduous. One that requires greater mastery over death. One that is even more... draining." Marazhai casts a hungry eye over the assembled crowd.continues where this line first appears above