Corrupted NobleThe creature's chest remains motionless and its eyes stay tightly closed. And yet the muscles on the distorted face twitch ever so briskly when you approach.
YOU"Who are you? Speak up!"
Corrupted NobleThe creature's eyelids flutter open, searing you with the unnatural glow of its yellow pupils. The disfigured lips twist, stretching the smile wider and wider... Until the thin skin bursts with a sharp snap, revealing row after row of pointed teeth. "K'ho mr'dash'ng ro fnagl hept!" A twisted, guttural voice bursts from the creature's throat, and it roars with laughter.
Governor(sequence)
Argenta"God-Emperor, hear your daughter's pleas! May you guide my hand such that this heresy no longer defiles the ground upon which your servants tread!"
Corrupted NobleSharp scales break away from the dense skin with every shot as the creature's flesh explodes, reducing its ugly carcass to a bloody pulp. The mutilated face, completely stripped of skin, and even bones, grins at you with the demented smile of a severed jaw.
end of branch
Yrliet"Kae-morag, elantach, do not get in the way!"
Corrupted NobleThe projectile strikes right between the creature's glowing eyes, barely piercing the scale-covered forehead. The blood, black and viscous like tar, slowly runs down the malformed face.
end of branch
Corrupted Noble"Wel-come to my fe-ast..." The creature idly jiggles its chins in an effort to remember human speech, its jowls melding into its shoulders and faintly glowing ribcage. A peculiar accessory shaped like a scarab and covered in luminous patterns has painfully lodged itself into the flesh of the creature, something that undoubtedly used to be a man.
YOU[Come closer]
Corrupted NobleAs you take a step forward, the creature's eyelids flutter open, searing you with the unnatural glow of its yellow pupils. The disfigured lips twist, stretching the smile wider and wider... Until the thin skin bursts with a sharp snap, revealing row after row of pointed teeth. "K'ho mr'dash'ng ro fnagl hept!" A twisted, guttural voice bursts from the creature's throat, and it roars with laughter.
Governor(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Corrupted Noble"Wel-come to my fe-ast..." The creature idly jiggles its chins in an effort to remember human speech, its jowls melding into its shoulders and faintly glowing ribcage. A peculiar accessory shaped like a scarab and covered in luminous patterns has painfully lodged itself into the flesh of the creature, something that undoubtedly used to be a man.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Open fire on the carcass]
Corrupted NobleSharp scales break away from the dense skin with every shot, and the creature's flesh is torn apart by countless projectiles that reduce its ugly carcass to a bloody pulp. The mutilated face, completely stripped of skin, and even bones, grins at you with the demented smile of a severed jaw. The sole remaining eye hangs from a bare nerve and glares angrily, shimmering with an unnatural yellow light.
Governor(sequence)
Jae"Light of the Throne..." Jae clutches the Aquila, looking at the creature's corpse with disgust. "I had to deal with mutants both in the sewers of Footfall and in the depths of the underhives. But this one... Did you see his eyes? They burn like embers in the empty eye sockets."
end of branch
Abelard"Do not think me a coward, Lord Captain, but I would prefer to leave this place as soon as we can. Who knows how many such creatures lurk in the palace depths."
end of branch
Idira"Hungry." Idira rubs her temples, shaking off sparks from her fingertips. "You have no idea how starved I am! And thirsty. A thirst that cannot be slaked... They want to eat. It wants to drink. We are hungry. EAT! DEVOUR! Eat! Eat! EAT!"
end of branch
Corrupted Noble"Khe mpra'ks vndrt'kd." A long, snake-like tongue emerges from the creature's mouth and licks its own blood, savouring it like wine. The wound from the shot heals before your very eyes, as if it was never there.
Corrupted Noble"Wel-come to my fe-ast..." The creature idly jiggles its chins in an effort to remember human speech, its jowls melding into its shoulders and faintly glowing ribcage. A peculiar accessory shaped like a scarab and covered in luminous patterns has painfully lodged itself into the flesh of the creature, something that undoubtedly used to be a man.continues where this line first appears above
Corrupted NobleThe creature's flesh starts swiftly regenerating before your very eyes. Within seconds the bones are once again fused together. The vessels, internal organs, and nervous system grow back. The spatter of blood flows back toward the carcass, being absorbed through the exposed tissue and rapidly recovering scale-marked skin. The same creature is standing before you a moment later, but this time its fiery yellow eyes are burning with anger. "Thma o'drft pa'ktch vngld meh'k!"
Corrupted Noble"I do no-t li-ke play-ing with my fo-od..." The creature angrily shakes its chins in an effort to remember human speech, its jowls melding into its shoulders and faintly glowing ribcage. A peculiar accessory shaped like a scarab and covered in luminous vermilion glyphs has painfully lodged itself into the flesh of the creature, something that undoubtedly used to be a man.
YOU[Throw a grenade]
Corrupted NobleMeaty chunks fly across the hall, staining the antique furnishings with pungent blood, black and viscous like tar. A rotten stench mingled with the fetor of scorched flesh assaults your senses. An eyeball has rolled under a dining table and twitches slightly, glowing maliciously with an unnatural yellow light.
Governor(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Corrupted NobleThe creature's flesh starts swiftly regenerating before your very eyes. Within seconds the bones are once again fused together. The vessels, internal organs, and nervous system grow back. The spatter of blood flows back toward the carcass, being absorbed through the exposed tissue and rapidly recovering scale-marked skin. The same creature is standing before you a moment later, but this time its fiery yellow eyes are burning with anger. "Thma o'drft pa'ktch vngld meh'k!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Retreat to the entrance]
Corrupted Noble"K'ho mr'dash'ng ro fnagl hept! Ha-a..." A twisted, guttural voice bursts from the throat of the creature behind you. It roars with laughter. The yellow pupils lure you in with an unnatural glow, the disfigured lips twisting, stretching the smile wider and wider... Until the thin skin bursts with a sharp snap, revealing row after row of pointed teeth.
Governor(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Governor(sequence)
Kibellah"It is not dead. It is dead, but in the wrong way. It's not—" Kibellah bows her head as if ashamed of her muddled explanation, then places a hand on her weapon. "I ask your permission to fix... that."
end of branch
HeinrixHeinrix raises a hand, commanding you to stop, and then presses an index finger to his lips. His face is more tense than usual, and there is a semblance of doubt in his eyes. The Interrogator gestures toward the exit.
end of branch
Cassia"W-what?.." Cassia covers her mouth with both hands, trying to speak quietly even as her body is shaking. The Lady Navigator's wide open eyes are brimming with terror. "I... I want to leave this place... Right now!"
end of branch
ArgentaArgenta draws her weapon, looks at you, and cocks a questioning eyebrow.
end of branch
Eogunn"The fact that it is operational is a phenomenon, but an ominous one. I advise we retreat, Rogue Trader." Eogunn tightens his mechadendrite around the grip of his weapon.
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 5
Corrupted NobleThe creature's chest remains motionless and its eyes stay tightly closed. It is hard to say whether it is dead, asleep, or merely lying in wait.
YOU"Who are you? Speak up!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Come closer]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Open fire on the carcass]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Throw a grenade]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Retreat to the entrance]continues where this line first appears above
Governor(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 5
GovernorYou have heard of the powerful xeno-artefacts from the distant Halo stars, discovered by Humanity millennia ago. Artefacts that belonged to a race more ancient than the most venerable among the Aeldari. Artefacts most impure, fatally dangerous, forbidden in the Imperium on threat of the cruellest of tortures... And yet capable of granting the darkest of human desires — a means to cheat death and to embrace life eternal.
YOU"The Halo Device should not have gone to such a weakling. I will take it."
Governor(sequence)
Heinrix"Need I remind you that Halo Devices are highly illegal? And that anyone, from a lowly smuggler to a mighty Rogue Trader, will be burned alive for their possession and use? Such is the fate of all who succumb to the vile temptation of xenoheresy."
end of branch
Cassia"Bethink yourself, [Name]! Every educated nobleman knows of the bloody consequences that befell the Rogue Traders Balastia Irem, Rath Longinus, and Edward Maissus in the fifth century of this millennium. Do not follow in their blood-stained footsteps!"
end of branch
Eogunn"For research purposes, I hope?" The Tech-Priest tilts his head. "The long-term effects of bearing such a... thing that you may see before you, Rogue Trader. They are, I believe, depressingly illustrative."
end of branch
Corrupted Noble"Brah'ts onk vfsteh'kh omss pk'nglf. E rh'st kho. Am je!" The Elucidator fails to interpret the twisted speech taking root in your mind like a pestilent weed. The creature contentedly smacks its lips. "I will fi-nal-ly... tas-te the sa-vou-ry fle-sh... a-gain!"
end of branch
YOU"I will put an end to your eternal life and destroy the artefact."
Governor(sequence)
Pasqal"The penalty for blasphemy against the Machine God is inevitable annihilation. Initiate the abjuration protocols and commence sanctification through destruction."
end of branch
Corrupted Noble"Brah'ts onk vfsteh'kh omss pk'nglf. E rh'st kho. Am je!" The Elucidator fails to interpret the twisted speech taking root in your mind like a pestilent weed. The creature contentedly smacks its lips. "I will fi-nal-ly... tas-te the sa-vou-ry fle-sh... a-gain!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"
Corrupted Noble"Brah'ts onk vfsteh'kh omss pk'nglf. E rh'st kho. Am je!" The Elucidator fails to interpret the twisted speech taking root in your mind like a pestilent weed. The creature contentedly smacks its lips. "I will fi-nal-ly... tas-te the sa-vou-ry fle-sh... a-gain!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A fascinating accessory. I am taking it."
Governor(sequence)
Abelard"If you ask my opinion, I would make sure to point out that bringing such rubbish onto a voidship is irresponsible. Leave it to rot on this Emperor-forsaken world."
end of branch
Corrupted Noble"Brah'ts onk vfsteh'kh omss pk'nglf. E rh'st kho. Am je!" The Elucidator fails to interpret the twisted speech taking root in your mind like a pestilent weed. The creature contentedly smacks its lips. "I will fi-nal-ly... tas-te the sa-vou-ry fle-sh... a-gain!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Begone, monster!"
Corrupted Noble"Brah'ts onk vfsteh'kh omss pk'nglf. E rh'st kho. Am je!" The Elucidator fails to interpret the twisted speech taking root in your mind like a pestilent weed. The creature contentedly smacks its lips. "I will fi-nal-ly... tas-te the sa-vou-ry fle-sh... a-gain!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Run]
end of branch
Governor(sequence)
Heinrix"Rogue Trader, stay back!" Heinrix grabs his weapon, and the air around you shimmers with otherworldly frost. "The bearers of the Halo Devices pose a grave threat even to the finest agents of the Inquisition. They are fast, strong, immune to poisons, and..." Heinrix stammers. "...immortal."
end of branch
Jae"Halo Oculus... There are many legends among the Cold Traders about the ancient xeno-artefacts lost among the stars of the Koronus Expanse and the Calixis Sector. A little something that would make you more influential than the honourable Navis Nobilite and just as wealthy as the esteemed Rogue Traders. The price of immortality..." Jae presses the Aquila to her lips. "Not even in my own heart does the flame of greed burn hotly enough to betray Humanity and stain my soul forever."
Kibellah"But you did consider it. You appraised the benefit and calculated the price." Kibellah's lips twist into a cold smile. "And you found the limit of your lust for profit no sooner than hitting the lowest depths of heresy."
end of branch
Eogunn"Inconceivable..." Eogunn, however, moves a step closer, forgetting all caution. "A mythologeme made flesh. I've heard of the Halo Oculus and the immortality it brings, but those were just profane rumours. Should any drop of it prove true, the bearer of this artefact is a priceless specimen for analysis."
end of branch
Entry point 4 of 5
GovernorThe accessory must have been a brooch at some point, but burrowed into the owner's flesh for some inscrutable reason.
YOU"The Halo Device should not have gone to such a weakling. I will take it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will put an end to your eternal life and destroy the artefact."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A fascinating accessory. I am taking it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Begone, monster!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Run]continues where this line first appears above
Governor(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 5
Corrupted NobleA lushly dressed, vaguely human-like carcass sits reclined in a massive Calixian oak armchair. Calloused brownish-blue patches cover the dead flesh, overlapping one another like snake scales. One of the hands, claws of exposed bone, supports a grotesquely bloated face.