VentThe strange shard has been here since at least the day of your ascension to the Rogue Trader's throne. Looking closely, an odd thought nags at your mind: it may be disfigured and corroded by some unknown power, but it vaguely resembles wraithbone, a material crafted by the Aeldari.
YOU[Examine the trophy on the wall]
YOU"How deftly you changed the subject."
VentYrliet glares at you, her eyes full of naked rage. "Enough! I will not listen to your webs of words that are trying to shroud my mind!"
Vent"Enough. I have lingered here too long. From now on, I... will avoid entering places you would prefer to keep hidden from me."
end of branch
YOU"Is it... a piece of something Aeldari?"
Vent"So you do not even care enough to know what objects adorn your dwelling? Truly?" Yrliet lets out a thin, sorrowful sound, then cuts herself short, going as still as a statue.
Vent"Enough. I have lingered here too long. From now on, I... will avoid entering places you would prefer to keep hidden from me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something has changed. It is as though you have cut yourself off from me. Yrliet, what is going on?"
VentYrliet looks at you — her eyes devoid of every emotion, every shred of life and warmth that you previously beheld in them. "You are observant, elantach. How unusual. But there is no need to trouble your mind with conjecture. I have inflicted enough of my unbridled feelings upon you, but I am in control again."
Vent"Enough. I have lingered here too long. From now on, I... will avoid entering places you would prefer to keep hidden from me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think you know something about this trophy."
Vent"This shard... is but a small part of something much larger. Something great... now reduced to a trophy on a mon-keigh's wall..." A kaleidoscope of emotions rages on Yrliet's face for a few moments before she lets out a ragged sigh.
Vent"Enough. I have lingered here too long. From now on, I... will avoid entering places you would prefer to keep hidden from me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I inherited this trophy from my predecessor."
Vent"So that is it? You are proud of the victories and violence of your blood while being ignorant of their true nature?" The usually verbose Yrliet now speaks in short, clipped sentences.
Vent"Enough. I have lingered here too long. From now on, I... will avoid entering places you would prefer to keep hidden from me."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 7
VentThe strange shard has been here since at least the day of your ascension to the Rogue Trader's throne. Whatever it is, you cannot possibly guess at its provenance or purpose.
YOU[Examine the trophy on the wall]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How deftly you changed the subject."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is it... a piece of something Aeldari?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something has changed. It is as though you have cut yourself off from me. Yrliet, what is going on?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think you know something about this trophy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I inherited this trophy from my predecessor."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 7
Vent(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 7
Vent(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 7
Vent(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 7
VentTaking careful steps, almost without a sound, Yrliet examines the study's interior, raising her brows in surprise and muttering something to herself in the Aeldari tongue.
YOU"Why are you in my chambers? And uninvited, at that?"
VentYrliet turns to you. "Why are you asking me this, elantach? Is this place forbidden?"
Vent"On my craftworld, we all held to a simple custom — you may set your foot wherever your Path requires. Sacred ground was the only exception to this rule. Is there something sacred in this room, elantach?" Yrliet looks around the room. "I do not think so."
YOU"How did you manage to slip past the enforcers?"
Vent"You know I avoid your kin and their obsessive attention. It was fairly easy to distract a couple of mon-keigh and slip past them..." Meeting your eyes, Yrliet nods in understanding. "I suppose this is not pleasant news to hear."
YOU"How did you manage to slip past the enforcers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do understand how suspicious this looks, yes?"
Vent"Only in your eyes, elantach. But knowing how fearful and mistrustful your species is, I suppose I should have foreseen such a reaction."
YOU"How did you manage to slip past the enforcers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do understand how suspicious this looks, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"For humans, trespassing is akin to an insult."
Vent"Did I ever think I would encounter this again after Crudarach?" Yrliet laughs sorrowfully. "Stiff, meaningless rules... and condemnation for overstepping lifeless boundaries. It weighed so heavily upon me. Back then."
Vent"But is your entire world contained within this tiny metal cage, elantach? Your ship, these chambers — they are but a speck of dust. An island. A temporary shelter in a world that is far bigger and more expansive than... Well, enough of that. Now that you are here, I wish to speak with you... about our agreement."
Vent"I have travelled through the veil many times inside your steel-winged bird, and every time Her voice torments me, trying to drive me mad..." Yrliet stares through you, unconsciously touching the spirit stone on her chest with a trembling hand. "Her whispers fill my ears each time I enter the warp. Inescapable and incessant, poisoning and inflaming every single emotion and thought, making them uncontrollable. I have... learned to shut myself off. As best I can. Just so that I might have the chance to... search for what I have lost."
Vent"And for what?" Yrliet jerks her head, rage burning in her eyes. "My kin, the reason why I agreed to travel with you, have not been found! Why have you not focused all your efforts on searching for them? To save them from burning in the fires of hatred between our species? I put my faith in you, elantach!"
YOU"I remember our agreement and will fulfil it, just as I promised."
VentYrliet gives you a barely visible nod. Her face is clouded with emotion, but you cannot read her expression. "Your words, elantach — they are something that still gives me ho—"
VentYrliet's words are interrupted by a strange sound similar to a stifled sigh, her gaze trained upon something past you. Turning around, you see what has caught her attention — an odd, unsightly shard of porous material, mounted on the wall like a trophy. An entire kaleidoscope of emotions plays across her face, changing too quickly to catch. She sighs once more... and then her feelings are concealed behind an impenetrable, impersonal mask. "What is this, mon-keigh?" Yrliet's voice sounds unusually cold.
YOU[Examine the trophy on the wall]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How deftly you changed the subject."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is it... a piece of something Aeldari?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something has changed. It is as though you have cut yourself off from me. Yrliet, what is going on?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think you know something about this trophy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I inherited this trophy from my predecessor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not tell me what to do or how to behave."
Vent"Then make haste and prove that your words have at least some—"
VentYrliet's words are interrupted by a strange sound similar to a stifled sigh, her gaze trained upon something past you. Turning around, you see what has caught her attention — an odd, unsightly shard of porous material, mounted on the wall like a trophy. An entire kaleidoscope of emotions plays across her face, changing too quickly to catch. She sighs once more... and then her feelings are concealed behind an impenetrable, impersonal mask. "What is this, mon-keigh?" Yrliet's voice sounds unusually cold.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Watch your tone, Aeldari, or you will regret speaking to me in such a manner."
Vent"Then make haste and prove that your words have at least some—"continues where this line first appears above
Vent"We found everyone we could, elantach, and all of them... were dead." Hopelessness and despair gleam in Yrliet's eyes, and her voice breaks treacherously. "But the thread of fate is broken and I no longer know how to help my people. I failed to save anyone. And I failed to learn the truth about Crudarach's demise. I... have lost my way. And I thought you were the only person on this entire ship who might understand."
Vent"I was not wrong to think so, was I?" For a moment, a sad smile flickers on Yrliet's face, and her voice rings with agonising doubt. "No matter what, you... tried to keep your promise. Even if your species loves to stamp out any life form they find undesirable..."
YOU"I remember our agreement and will fulfil it, just as I promised."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not tell me what to do or how to behave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Watch your tone, Aeldari, or you will regret speaking to me in such a manner."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not give up. You will find what you are looking for."
Vent"What is this, elantach? Consolation? What do you—"
VentYrliet's words are interrupted by a strange sound similar to a stifled sigh, her gaze trained upon something past you. Turning around, you see what has caught her attention — an odd, unsightly shard of porous material, mounted on the wall like a trophy. An entire kaleidoscope of emotions plays across her face, changing too quickly to catch. She sighs once more... and then her feelings are concealed behind an impenetrable, impersonal mask. "What is this, mon-keigh?" Yrliet's voice sounds unusually cold.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I stand by my actions. Your kin got nothing less than what they deserved."
Vent"And so they perished — every sing—"
VentYrliet's words are interrupted by a strange sound similar to a stifled sigh, her gaze trained upon something past you. Turning around, you see what has caught her attention — an odd, unsightly shard of porous material, mounted on the wall like a trophy. An entire kaleidoscope of emotions plays across her face, changing too quickly to catch. She sighs once more... and then her feelings are concealed behind an impenetrable, impersonal mask. "What is this, mon-keigh?" Yrliet's voice sounds unusually cold.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If something displeases you, you are to leave my ship at any time."
Vent"I... cannot..."
VentYrliet's words are interrupted by a strange sound similar to a stifled sigh, her gaze trained upon something past you. Turning around, you see what has caught her attention — an odd, unsightly shard of porous material, mounted on the wall like a trophy. An entire kaleidoscope of emotions plays across her face, changing too quickly to catch. She sighs once more... and then her feelings are concealed behind an impenetrable, impersonal mask. "What is this, mon-keigh?" Yrliet's voice sounds unusually cold.continues where this line first appears above
Vent"But the direction of your thought eludes me, elantach. With one hand, you bestow mercy upon my kin, yet take their lives with the other. What is it? A flaw of your soul... or of the blood that flows in your veins? I am... frightened by your fickleness."
YOU"I remember our agreement and will fulfil it, just as I promised."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not tell me what to do or how to behave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Watch your tone, Aeldari, or you will regret speaking to me in such a manner."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not give up. You will find what you are looking for."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I stand by my actions. Your kin got nothing less than what they deserved."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If something displeases you, you are to leave my ship at any time."continues where this line first appears above
Vent"But I was mistaken." You see disdain in the Aeldari's face when you lock eyes again, "Like the other mon-keigh, you treat my kin with wanton hatred and cruelty. You did not even try to save them! Perhaps... trusting you was a mistake. Now I am like a hostage trapped on your ship, chained by debt and hopelessness."
YOU"I remember our agreement and will fulfil it, just as I promised."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not tell me what to do or how to behave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Watch your tone, Aeldari, or you will regret speaking to me in such a manner."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not give up. You will find what you are looking for."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I stand by my actions. Your kin got nothing less than what they deserved."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If something displeases you, you are to leave my ship at any time."continues where this line first appears above
Vent"And we... we have managed to find some of the children of Crudarach. Find and bear witness to their horrifying fate." Yrliet half-closes her eyes. "I think that every step I take to discover Crudarach's fate brings nothing but doom to my brothers and sisters. And still... I ask you not to stop. With every cycle, those still hidden in the darkness of the cosmos draw closer to their demise... and obscurity. Out of all the mon-keigh I have met... I thought... that you — you, elantach — might be able to understand me and my pain."
Vent"I was not wrong to think so, was I?" For a moment, a sad smile flickers on Yrliet's face, and her voice rings with agonising doubt. "No matter what, you... tried to keep your promise. Even if your species loves to stamp out any life form they find undesirable..."continues where this line first appears above
Vent"But I was mistaken." You see disdain in the Aeldari's face when you lock eyes again, "Like the other mon-keigh, you treat my kin with wanton hatred and cruelty. You did not even try to save them! Perhaps... trusting you was a mistake. Now I am like a hostage trapped on your ship, chained by debt and hopelessness."continues where this line first appears above
Vent"But the direction of your thought eludes me, elantach. With one hand, you bestow mercy upon my kin, yet take their lives with the other. What is it? A flaw of your soul... or of the blood that flows in your veins? I am... frightened by your fickleness."continues where this line first appears above
VentYrliet's words are interrupted by a strange sound similar to a stifled sigh, her gaze trained upon something past you. Turning around, you see what has caught her attention — an odd, unsightly shard of porous material, mounted on the wall like a trophy. An entire kaleidoscope of emotions plays across her face, changing too quickly to catch. She sighs once more... and then her feelings are concealed behind an impenetrable, impersonal mask. "What is this, mon-keigh?" Yrliet's voice sounds unusually cold.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am somewhat surprised, but I am not opposed to such visits. You may come here any time you like."
VentYrliet tilts her head in confusion. "Do I need permission to do so?"
Vent"But is your entire world contained within this tiny metal cage, elantach? Your ship, these chambers — they are but a speck of dust. An island. A temporary shelter in a world that is far bigger and more expansive than... Well, enough of that. Now that you are here, I wish to speak with you... about our agreement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you truly did not come here with nefarious intent, then simply apologise for your intrusion."
Vent"But is your entire world contained within this tiny metal cage, elantach? Your ship, these chambers — they are but a speck of dust. An island. A temporary shelter in a world that is far bigger and more expansive than... Well, enough of that. Now that you are here, I wish to speak with you... about our agreement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "I don't believe a single word, xenos!"
VentThe Aeldari draws back in shock. "What?"
end of branch
YOU"For humans, trespassing is akin to an insult."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am somewhat surprised, but I am not opposed to such visits. You may come here any time you like."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you truly did not come here with nefarious intent, then simply apologise for your intrusion."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "I don't believe a single word, xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You do understand how suspicious this looks, yes?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"For humans, trespassing is akin to an insult."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am somewhat surprised, but I am not opposed to such visits. You may come here any time you like."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you truly did not come here with nefarious intent, then simply apologise for your intrusion."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "I don't believe a single word, xenos!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Yrliet? What a pleasant surprise to see you here."
Vent"I had no idea this was your dwelling until I entered it." The Aeldari turns her emerald gaze on you — it seems she is completely unfazed by your sudden appearance.
Vent"On my craftworld, we all held to a simple custom — you may set your foot wherever your Path requires. Sacred ground was the only exception to this rule. Is there something sacred in this room, elantach?" Yrliet looks around the room. "I do not think so."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before I leap to any conclusions, explain what you are doing here."
VentYrliet turns to you. "Why are you asking me this, elantach? Is this place forbidden?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do the Aeldari not teach their children that barging into others' rooms is improper?"
Vent"I do not understand why your soul is burning with anger. This room is no different from any other." There is no flicker of surprise in the Aeldari's calm gaze, suggesting she has been aware of your presence — and scrutiny — since you entered.
Vent"On my craftworld, we all held to a simple custom — you may set your foot wherever your Path requires. Sacred ground was the only exception to this rule. Is there something sacred in this room, elantach?" Yrliet looks around the room. "I do not think so."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "Are you spying on me, xenos? Or are you plotting something even more sinister?"
VentYrliet shrugs her shoulders, unfazed. "Curb your ire, elantach. You think I would attempt to scout out your secrets like this? No. I have merely been exploring the belly of the steel-winged bird — as ugly and awkward as it may be, it is nevertheless carrying through the darkness, the stars, and the depths of the warp. I had no idea this was your dwelling until I entered it."
Vent"On my craftworld, we all held to a simple custom — you may set your foot wherever your Path requires. Sacred ground was the only exception to this rule. Is there something sacred in this room, elantach?" Yrliet looks around the room. "I do not think so."continues where this line first appears above