03 Agonizer — Rogue Trader Dialogue Archive

Entry point 1

NPCMarazhai spends several minutes rifling through the items on the tables until he stops, having noticed something. With a satisfied growl, he draws a long, pliable, spiked whip from the pile. You hear a click, and an icy blue glow ripples out across the whip's smooth surface with a slight crackling sound.

NPC"I did not find my shadow field generator, and my toxin kit is gone too... but at least I have found my favourite toy." The Drukhari shows you his find. "Do you know what this is, [Name]?"

YOU"Humanity has similar tools. For livestock and peasants."

NPC"Tsk. I doubt your kind is capable of such a sophisticated creation — most likely it is a crude copy."

NPC"An agoniser. An electrical disintegrator that acts upon the nerve impulses. This particular one is too fine a piece to be used in combat, but in a torture chamber..." The Drukhari hefts the whip, clearly familiar with the feel and weight in his hand. "An exquisite instrument of pain. Total impulse control. It can deliver sensations as subtle as a whisper... or incinerate synapses."

YOU"Why is this thing so important to you?"

NPC"Why? It is a priceless artefact that belongs to me, and I have reclaimed it before my kin managed to steal it. It is property of the Reaving Tempest that must not be allowed to fall into the hands of the other Kabals — and when we dispose of Yremeryss, the spire will certainly come under attack. And lastly... I can indulge in a little sentimentality, can't I?"

YOU"Why is this thing so important to you?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU"You may keep the agoniser."

NPCMarazhai weighs the whip in his hand once more and gives you an appraising look. At last, he says softly, "Do you want to try it out, [Name]? A little... demonstration?" His eyes dart to your arm.

YOU"Are you out of your mind?"

NPCMarazhai's voice drops to a whispered growl. "You wanted to know my world, [Name]. Where is that desire now?"

YOU"Are you out of your mind?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Hold out your arm] "Do it."

NPCMarazhai swings his arm without hesitation, and the agoniser's flexible tail wraps around your wrist. At first, you feel nothing... and then a fiery flower of agony blooms in your heart, sending poisonous roots along your veins and into every corner of your body. Your vision darkens, you gasp for air, your knees threaten to buckle beneath you — and then the pain recedes like a tide, leaving behind the crazed pounding of your heart and aftershocks dancing in your nerve endings.

NPCThe Drukhari's eyes glitter with delight and mockery. "That was minimal power. Barely any at all, I would say. Did you really think I would be in such a hurry to break... my new toy?"

NPC"Let us go. I no longer have any desire to wander the spire."

end of branch

YOU"Show me. On yourself."

NPCMarazhai half-closes his eyes, and with a flick of his wrist, he twists the agoniser's flexible tail around his arm. A moment later, a wave passes through the Drukhari's body, sending his eyes rolling into the back of his skull and making him arch his spine and throw his head back. Spasm after spasm courses through his body, until finally a stifled gasp claws its way out of his throat. The agoniser's tail slips from Marazhai's wrist, and he looks at you with unfocused eyes.

NPC"I... am accustomed to pain. Unlike you, [Name]." You detect a glimmer of interest in the Drukhari's gaze. "I would like to see you... endure something like this. But not now. Another time."

NPC"Let us go. I no longer have any desire to wander the spire."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Put that foul thing away."

NPCMarazhai tuts in disappointment, but he nevertheless coils up the agoniser and clips it to his belt.

NPC"Let us go. I no longer have any desire to wander the spire."continues where this line first appears above

NPCMarazhai hums low in his throat. "I ought to express my gratitude for my escape from the arena, after all. What better way than to share with you that which truly excites me?"

YOU"Are you out of your mind?"continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Hold out your arm] "Do it."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Show me. On yourself."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Put that foul thing away."continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Hold out your arm] "Do it."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Show me. On yourself."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Put that foul thing away."continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Snap the agoniser in Marazhai's hand] "While you are in my retinue, you can forget about such abominations."

NPCThe Drukhari chokes in outrage, genuinely shocked by your decisiveness. Gripping the broken agoniser in his hand, he glares at you, almost shaking with rage... and yet he does not lose control. With deliberate nonchalance, he tosses the pieces aside.

end of branch

YOU"You may keep the agoniser."continues where this line first appears above

YOU[Snap the agoniser in Marazhai's hand] "While you are in my retinue, you can forget about such abominations."continues where this line first appears above

YOU"Any object you call your 'favourite toy' cannot possibly be anything good."

NPCMarazhai shakes his head. "On the contrary. I have exceptional taste."

YOU"I have no idea."

YOU"Whatever it is, I will not permit you to take it with you."

NPCMarazhai's eyes narrow. "You would deny me such a trifle without even knowing what it is? Are you so afraid of the unfamiliar? How tragic."