NPCYrliet awaits your answer patiently. Her pose, a tad stiff, betrays her anxiety, but that is to be expected — she has decided to conduct a sacred Aeldari rite in order to help a human.
YOU"And you are a little curious to see what is inside my head, aren't you?"
NPCYrliet, looking offended, crosses her fingers in a new gesture. "Meditation is not a tool for achieving lowly goals — it is a healing spring for the soul."
YOU"And you are a little curious to see what is inside my head, aren't you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know a human's soul."
NPCYrliet's face hardens and she puts as much distance between you as she can. "Our conversation has opened my eyes — your understanding of my soul is just as limited as your kin's. Let us stop there. You no doubt have important affairs to attend to. I will not distract the overlord of the mon-keigh any longer."
end of branch
NPC"You are like a snake coiling around my body, twisting tighter with every word, elantach. It is hard to breathe when I am near you." Yrliet furrows her brow and crosses her arms.
NPC"You are tired of fighting the raging waters of your life, and so I am holding out my hand to you. The choice to grab it or to fight alone is yours to make. So make it."
YOU"And you are a little curious to see what is inside my head, aren't you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know a human's soul."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Delving into one's inner world — is it painful?"
NPC"No, elantach. There is no physical pain, but you will be able to see your inner pain if it is bleeding in your soul."
YOU"And you are a little curious to see what is inside my head, aren't you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know a human's soul."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Delving into one's inner world — is it painful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is this the same meditation you were using before to immerse yourself?"
NPCAn affirmative nod serves as her silent answer.
YOU"And you are a little curious to see what is inside my head, aren't you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know a human's soul."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Delving into one's inner world — is it painful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is this the same meditation you were using before to immerse yourself?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Yrliet, show me my inner world."
NPCYrliet nods slowly — she is clearly surprised by your compliance. "Then we need to find a suitable place. Somewhere quiet and serene."
end of branch
YOU"It sounds too risky. I refuse."
NPC"And that is your right, elantach. A soul that is not ready for change will never open up to its full potential. And thus I will no longer lead you down the spiritual path that I myself follow."
end of branch
YOU"Very well. Yrliet, show me my inner world."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It sounds too risky. I refuse."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is this the same meditation you were using before to immerse yourself?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Yrliet, show me my inner world."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It sounds too risky. I refuse."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Delving into one's inner world — is it painful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is this the same meditation you were using before to immerse yourself?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Yrliet, show me my inner world."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It sounds too risky. I refuse."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know a human's soul."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Delving into one's inner world — is it painful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is this the same meditation you were using before to immerse yourself?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Yrliet, show me my inner world."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It sounds too risky. I refuse."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 4
NPCEmbers of genuine curiosity glimmer in her emerald gaze. To know a human soul is a unique opportunity for an Aeldari. And Yrliet's uncharacteristic caution and uncertainty imply that she is also discomfited by her own keen interest.
YOU"And you are a little curious to see what is inside my head, aren't you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Just admit it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know a human's soul."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Delving into one's inner world — is it painful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is this the same meditation you were using before to immerse yourself?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well. Yrliet, show me my inner world."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It sounds too risky. I refuse."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 4
NPC"Elantach, I finally found you in this dwelling." Yrliet comes closer and smoothly makes an unfamiliar gesture with her hands. "This symbol has many meanings — humility, grief, loss, shame, regret. I hope you will accept them all. Because I am sorry for what happened to your world, to your subjects, to your palace... and for what my kin did to them."
YOU"Your kin? You have never referred to the Drukhari as such before."
NPCFor a few seconds, Yrliet is silent. "We come from the same source, elantach. We share the same blood... even though the Drukhari's blood is distorted and their souls empty. It is a fact that cannot simply be brushed aside."
YOU"Your kin? You have never referred to the Drukhari as such before."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you apologising? It is not your fault."
NPCYrliet shudders, so slightly that you almost miss it. She opens her mouth, then turns away, searching for the right words. "My words will not heal the wounds nor bring back the fallen. And they will not restore your protectorate. However..."
NPCYrliet falls silent, and her deep, piercing gaze seems to reach down into the very depths of your soul.
YOU"Yrliet?"
NPC"Look, elantach. The gaze of a Child of Asuryan can penetrate deeper than a mon-keigh's. And I can see all the heaviness that has accumulated in your soul during our travels. I... see it. In your gestures. In the tilt of your head. In the change in your scent. If you will allow me..." This is the first time you have heard Yrliet sound so indecisive and... guilty. "I will help you to cast off this burden and cleanse your soul and mind of worry."
YOU"What do you mean? I feel perfectly well!"
NPC"Perhaps that is the song your body sings to you, but the exhaustion of mind and soul is much more subtle and easily missed."
YOU"What do you mean? I feel perfectly well!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The burden of my responsibilities has indeed weighed heavily upon me of late."
NPCYrliet nods in understanding. "Together, we can try to ease that burden."
YOU"What do you mean? I feel perfectly well!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The burden of my responsibilities has indeed weighed heavily upon me of late."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How exactly are you going to help me?"
NPC"It is difficult to describe, elantach. But your soul shines bright and your mind is strong enough for you to be able to immerse yourself in your own mind and cleanse it of unnecessary cares. I am still not sure that your species is capable of such a thing... But it is worth a try. If nothing comes out of it, then the only thing you will lose is a small fraction of your time."
NPC"And I will be your guide on this journey. I will help you to enter the meditative state, to get to know yourself... Of course, that is if you let me. Immersing yourself in your soul is a deeply intimate process, but you will not be able to do it without me." Yrliet thoughtfully brushes a strand of red hair away from her face. "And I promise you, elantach, that I will not judge you — you, your world, or anything that takes place inside it. We will see only what you want to see."
YOU"I do not need to be cared for — by you or anyone else."
NPCYrliet frowns and averts her gaze, confused by your refusal. "Of course, elantach. Help is not something that should be forced. I hope you can rid yourself of the thorns that twine around your weary soul. Even if you do not realise your own exhaustion." She nods curtly before leaving.
end of branch
YOU"How exactly are you going to help me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not need to be cared for — by you or anyone else."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The burden of my responsibilities has indeed weighed heavily upon me of late."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How exactly are you going to help me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not need to be cared for — by you or anyone else."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
NPC"Look, elantach. The gaze of a Child of Asuryan can penetrate deeper than a mon-keigh's. And I can see all the heaviness that has accumulated in your soul during our travels. I... see it. In your gestures. In the tilt of your head. In the change in your scent. If you will allow me..." This is the first time you have heard Yrliet sound so indecisive and... guilty. "I will help you to cast off this burden and cleanse your soul and mind of worry."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is that all? Or did you want to tell me something else?"
NPC"Look, elantach. The gaze of a Child of Asuryan can penetrate deeper than a mon-keigh's. And I can see all the heaviness that has accumulated in your soul during our travels. I... see it. In your gestures. In the tilt of your head. In the change in your scent. If you will allow me..." This is the first time you have heard Yrliet sound so indecisive and... guilty. "I will help you to cast off this burden and cleanse your soul and mind of worry."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look silently back at her]
NPC"Look, elantach. The gaze of a Child of Asuryan can penetrate deeper than a mon-keigh's. And I can see all the heaviness that has accumulated in your soul during our travels. I... see it. In your gestures. In the tilt of your head. In the change in your scent. If you will allow me..." This is the first time you have heard Yrliet sound so indecisive and... guilty. "I will help you to cast off this burden and cleanse your soul and mind of worry."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should not have underestimated my enemies. I will not make the same mistake again."
NPC"The Drukhari masterfully spin their webs of deceit and manipulation. Do not castigate yourself too harshly — even the most esteemed Children of Asuryan cannot always escape their clutches. But you, elantach, resisted my cousins more ably than many."
NPCYrliet falls silent, and her deep, piercing gaze seems to reach down into the very depths of your soul.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your apologies will not bring back what has been lost."
NPC"Nothing will help. Only time can erase the pain from memory, leaving healed scars on body and mind. But you have gained some invaluable experience, elantach. You have resisted the Drukhari and emerged victorious. This is a more than worthy outcome."
NPCYrliet falls silent, and her deep, piercing gaze seems to reach down into the very depths of your soul.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you. Truly — thank you."
NPCYrliet shudders, so slightly that you almost miss it. She opens her mouth, then turns away, searching for the right words. "My words will not heal the wounds nor bring back the fallen. And they will not restore your protectorate. However..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you apologising? It is not your fault."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should not have underestimated my enemies. I will not make the same mistake again."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your apologies will not bring back what has been lost."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you. Truly — thank you."continues where this line first appears above