RainA grey, unsightly vine winds through the surviving remnants of the cage, almost merging with the cold stone of the depot. Each tendril of the ragged plant is topped with a single leaf, shrivelled but still alive.
Entry point 2 of 12
Rain(no text)
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Entry point 3 of 12
RainSmelling the warmth of a sentient creature, the unsightly leaf latched onto the living flesh with lightning speed. If you had not destroyed it... who knows what would have become of its victim's nervous system and mind in just a few seconds?
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Entry point 4 of 12
Rain(no text)
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Entry point 5 of 12
Rain(no text)
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Entry point 6 of 12
RainYou have heard the stories about the unfortunate souls who were careless enough to get too close to the "brain leaf." Its fleshy fronds, each with a semblance of individual consciousness, merge with the nervous system of its victims, turning them into mindless carrier puppets.
YOU[Reach out and touch a leaf]
RainYou stretch out your hand toward the grey vine and touch the wilted leaf. A sharp pain pierces the back of your palm, but after a moment it is gone — and so is everything else. The room wavers, the floor and ceiling change places, and your stomach turns inside out.
RainThe meaty leaf falls onto your metal prosthetic with a slap and settles down listlessly. You wait for a while, but nothing happens.
YOU[Reach out and touch a leaf]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Order somebody else to touch a leaf]
RainYou cast a glance at your companions.
YOU"Abelard, kindly pluck a leaf for me."
Abelard"But of course. This is a task for the Seneschal."
RainSmelling the warmth of a sentient creature, the unsightly leaf latched onto the living flesh with lightning speed. If you had not destroyed it... who knows what would have become of its victim's nervous system and mind in just a few seconds?
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YOU"Can you help me, Argenta?"
ArgentaArgenta nods eagerly. "To rescue a living being from a prison of darkness and stone is a small, but noble deed."
RainSmelling the warmth of a sentient creature, the unsightly leaf latched onto the living flesh with lightning speed. If you had not destroyed it... who knows what would have become of its victim's nervous system and mind in just a few seconds?continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, the fate of this plant is literally in your hands."
Idira"Don't say poor Idira didn't warn you." The woman winces and cautiously reaches for the wilted wine.
RainSmelling the warmth of a sentient creature, the unsightly leaf latched onto the living flesh with lightning speed. If you had not destroyed it... who knows what would have become of its victim's nervous system and mind in just a few seconds?continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kibellah, I require a sample."
KibellahKibellah carefully wraps her hand in a rag, cuts one of the leaves with her metal claws, and offers it to you. "Take caution, Domin. Living in the lower bays, one quickly learns not to touch things on a whim. I doubt we should do so in this place."
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YOU"Don't you love nature, Yrliet? Save the poor flower."
Yrliet"You are right, elantach. The poor thing has been suffering in the dark for a very long time."
RainSmelling the warmth of a sentient creature, the unsightly leaf latched onto the living flesh with lightning speed. If you had not destroyed it... who knows what would have become of its victim's nervous system and mind in just a few seconds?continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, does such an unusual life form not interest you?"
Rain"You anticipate my thoughts, Rogue Trader. I was just about to remark that this specimen of flora is quite remarkable." The Manipulus's alembic hisses, spraying an unknown compound onto the plant; its leaves wither even further under the mist, yet do not fully die. Looking thoroughly pleased, Eogunn cuts away a few stems, deftly working his manipulators.
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YOU"Lady Cassia, since you have taken an interest in this plant..."
Cassia"Thank you, but I will have to decline such dubious pleasure. My eyes are watering from the acrid green that surrounds its leaves. If it were up to me, I would order to have them chopped up right away!"
YOU"Abelard, kindly pluck a leaf for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Can you help me, Argenta?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, the fate of this plant is literally in your hands."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kibellah, I require a sample."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you love nature, Yrliet? Save the poor flower."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, does such an unusual life form not interest you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lady Cassia, since you have taken an interest in this plant..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, bring me a leaf, please."
SolomorneSolomorne plucks a leaf with two iron fingers and holds it out to you. "Just this? Hmm, this thing looks nasty. It's a good thing I've made it my habit to touch any suspicious objects with only my augmented hand."
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YOU"Pasqal, can you help? Purely for research purposes."
PasqalThe mechadendrites swiftly and accurately pluck several fleshy leaves, deposit them in a container, and put it into your hands. "Organic life forms are not considered a research priority. However, I find your thirst for knowledge impressive."
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YOU"Marazhai, you will be the one to carry it if you want it so badly."
MarazhaiThe interest in Marazhai's face vanishes in the blink of an eye. "I'm not going to waste my time on this. Tell someone else to do it."
YOU"Abelard, kindly pluck a leaf for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Can you help me, Argenta?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, the fate of this plant is literally in your hands."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kibellah, I require a sample."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you love nature, Yrliet? Save the poor flower."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, does such an unusual life form not interest you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lady Cassia, since you have taken an interest in this plant..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, bring me a leaf, please."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, can you help? Purely for research purposes."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Marazhai, you will be the one to carry it if you want it so badly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ulfar, my friend, if you will?"
UlfarUlfar looks at the plant disbelievingly. "No, Aett-Vater. He who was born on Fenris and has learned its harsh lessons can smell danger. And I say this is a baneful vine. Burn it and be done with it."
YOU"Abelard, kindly pluck a leaf for me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Can you help me, Argenta?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Idira, the fate of this plant is literally in your hands."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Kibellah, I require a sample."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you love nature, Yrliet? Save the poor flower."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, does such an unusual life form not interest you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lady Cassia, since you have taken an interest in this plant..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, bring me a leaf, please."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, can you help? Purely for research purposes."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Marazhai, you will be the one to carry it if you want it so badly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ulfar, my friend, if you will?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Change your mind]
RainThe grey vine still hangs sadly from the wreckage just like it did a moment ago.
YOU[Reach out and touch a leaf]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Order somebody else to touch a leaf]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pick several leaves for further research]
RainYou stretch out your hand toward the grey vine and touch the wilted leaf. A sharp pain pierces the back of your palm, but after a moment it is gone — and so is everything else. The room wavers, the floor and ceiling change places, and your stomach turns inside out.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Burn the plant]
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YOU[Step away and leave the plant alone]
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YOU[Change your mind]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ulfar, my friend, if you will?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Change your mind]continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"N-no, I... Although perhaps you are right." Cassia comes closer and touches one of the leaves with a sharpened claw. "Ow!"
RainSmelling the warmth of a sentient creature, the unsightly leaf latched onto the living flesh with lightning speed. If you had not destroyed it... who knows what would have become of its victim's nervous system and mind in just a few seconds?continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Solomorne, bring me a leaf, please."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Pasqal, can you help? Purely for research purposes."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Marazhai, you will be the one to carry it if you want it so badly."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ulfar, my friend, if you will?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Change your mind]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pick several leaves for further research]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Burn the plant]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away and leave the plant alone]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Order somebody else to touch a leaf]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pick several leaves for further research]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Burn the plant]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away and leave the plant alone]continues where this line first appears above
Rain(sequence)
MarazhaiMarazhai examines the grey leaves with genuine interest, then shifts his gaze to you and back again, keeping a respectable distance from both.
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Cassia"How strange... This ivy coloured its surroundings in a caustic green, just like a predator singles out its prey before pouncing. Never before have I seen a plant able to cast its own colour."
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Idira"Lord Captain, my friends from the other side are whispering. They say it would be great to shelter this here broom with us. But I will say it is best not to open the door too wide when they start knocking from the other side."
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Entry point 7 of 12
RainThis is the first time you have encountered such a plant. It is unknown whether the ivy is the last specimen of the native fauna or part of the collection that belongs to the owner of this place.
YOU[Reach out and touch a leaf]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Order somebody else to touch a leaf]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pick several leaves for further research]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Burn the plant]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step away and leave the plant alone]continues where this line first appears above
Rain(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 12
Ulfar(no text)
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Entry point 9 of 12
RainIt takes an incredible effort to remain conscious, even though your body is acting against your will. You realise you are reaching for your weapon. You blink and see it in your hand. Then you blink again.
Rain(sequence)
RainA white veil covers your eyes — you see nothing... and you want nothing. Realisation suddenly dawns. You cannot live here. You must find a way out and slake your thirst. You must save your progeny.
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Entry point 10 of 12
Rain(no text)
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Entry point 11 of 12
Rain(no text)
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Entry point 12 of 12
RainA white veil covers your eyes — you see nothing... and you want nothing. Realisation suddenly dawns. You cannot live here. You must find a way out and slake your thirst. You must save your progeny.
RainAnd so you leave to do what you must, never to return.