WinterscaleErbreght ap Daeff's booming voice is deafeningly straightforward, just like the voice of his master. There is no falsehood, no venom, no malice, only sincerity and a burning desire to act.
YOU"Not even the void of the cosmos can hide your anxiety, Erbreght. Now speak."
Winterscale"By the gold of the Throne, the scions of von Valancius are shrewd to a man!" The Vox Master loudly clears his throat, looking for the right words.
Winterscale"You see, the Lord Captain had yet another heated argument with the esteemed Incendia Chorda, and he had... a very good reason for his displeasure. I dare not discuss His Lordship's affairs, but I can divulge that we set out to protect the dynasty's rightful demesne from the invasion of the profane xenos. This is how we arrived here, at Quetza Temer."
Winterscale"'There is no better hunting ground when you need to cool off your head,' I believe the Lord Captain said. We easily crushed the pathetic mockery of a fleet that was laying siege to the unfortunate world. Of course, most of the xenos fled, but we did reduce a few of their ships to chum for the void beasts!" The Vox Master laughs cruelly.
YOU"Actually, I am here to rescue the Aeldari."
Winterscale"Then you are a bit late, Your Lordship/Ladyship. We have eradicated everyone we could reach. One of the ships even crashed on Quetza Temer, and the Lord Captain did wish to descend and finish off the elusive prey. At best, there are a few solitary xenos left wandering the woods... But even the Lord Captain has not been able to find his way out of them for over thirty days. It will be an even greater ordeal for these wounded creatures."
Winterscale"Anticipating the next question, Your Lordship/Ladyship... No. I am confident the Lord Captain is still alive, his body and spirit do not break easily. And besides, he is accompanied by Worten the Grey who would sell his soul if that helped to keep the Lord Captain out of harm's way."
YOU"How could you not find your master over the course of thirty days?"
Winterscale"Things are not so simple, Your Lordship/Ladyship. The Lord Captain last contacted me from the landing point currently right under the Vow's belly. We lost about a dozen shuttles and several hundred scouts in the first days of the search, all of whom went down to Quetza Temer and never came back."
Winterscale"Our shuttles are relentlessly sweeping the airspace where our people perished. This way we were able to reduce the search area to just a few thousand kilometres... Which still does not change the fact that people in the thicket are disappearing without a trace and something is jamming the vox-transmissions."
YOU"How could you not find your master over the course of thirty days?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was there anyone else with Calligos aside from this Worten?"
Winterscale"A full hunting party consisting of half a hundred hand-picked enforcers. And His Lordship's personal retinue, naturally."
YOU"How could you not find your master over the course of thirty days?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was there anyone else with Calligos aside from this Worten?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what do you want from me?"
Winterscale"A generous favour in return for a generous favour. Find Lord Captain Winterscale on Quetza Temer and bring him back to the Emperor's Vow. I swear by the Golden Throne that I will convince him to side with you in any conflict that occurs in the next hundred years. After all, I am allowed to make deals on the Lord Captain's behalf while he remains unavailable."
YOU"An excellent way to show Calligos who is the strongest Rogue Trader in the Expanse. Count me in."
Winterscale"They do say that rising stars burn brighter than the old." Erbreght can barely contain a booming chuckle. "The data transfer decree has been signed. My crew will send you the landing coordinates. The God-Emperor's grace shine upon you for many years to come!"
Winterscale(sequence)
Winterscale"The cup of fate runneth over, elantach, but my kin have already drained their vessel of grief down to the bitter dregs. Before your stellar rival has time to claim the lives of the last children of Crudarach, we must stave off oblivion for those who only lament the loss of their heart and home. I am sure the Children of Asuryan had a good reason to attack a mon-keigh world."
YOU"We will save the Aeldari from Calligos's wrath."
Winterscale"Were the other mon-keigh even half the likes of you, [Name]... Perhaps... A fragile peace between our species could one day become possible."
end of branch
YOU"Actually, I have changed my mind. I am sick and tired of dealing with Aeldari — I hope old Winterscale has slaughtered them all by now."
Winterscale"Do you really see justice in the frayed tapestry of fate offered to those of Crudarach, elantach? Your predecessor destroyed it, unravelled it, burned it to the ground... And scattered thousands of souls into the wind!" The Aeldari's voice is ringing with sorrow.
Winterscale"I was hoping... you would be different from her. It was a vain hope. Do as your human heart commands, for this Outcast no longer has a place in the ruins of the mon-keigh soul." Yrliet's vox remains silent for a long while.
WinterscaleHalf an hour later, you hear the Vox Master's nervous voice from the comm-bead: "Lord Captain, a report came in from the shuttle bay. The xenos Yrliet... has departed after convincing a hapless pilot that it was the Rogue Trader's personal order for her to be transported to Quetza Temer. The pilot saw no other option but to comply. Once the shuttle reached the surface, all contact with it was lost. That is where their trail ends."
end of branch
Winterscale"Justice? Perhaps. Everybody in this world deserves justice. The seers who led thousands of souls to slaughter by defying their visions. A handful of survivors who attacked a mon-keigh world in a fit of suicidal fury. An Outcast who discovered... affection."
WinterscaleYrliet's vox remains silent for a long while. "Do as your human heart commands, elantach. I know how fickle it can be."
WinterscaleHalf an hour later, you hear the Vox Master's nervous voice from the comm-bead: "Lord Captain, a report came in from the shuttle bay. The xenos Yrliet... has departed after convincing a hapless pilot that it was the Rogue Trader's personal order for her to be transported to Quetza Temer. The pilot saw no other option but to comply. Once the shuttle reached the surface, all contact with it was lost. That is where their trail ends."continues where this line first appears above
WinterscaleThe Vox Master's thundering voice falls silent, and the machine spirits terminate the connection between the flagships of two great dynasties.
end of branch
YOU"Very well. I need more allies like Winterscale."
Winterscale"Your Lordship/Ladyship, I bow before your courage on behalf of the Winterscale dynasty. The data transfer decree has been signed. My crew will send you the landing coordinates. The God-Emperor's grace shine upon you for many years to come!"
Winterscale(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
WinterscaleThe Vox Master's thundering voice falls silent, and the machine spirits terminate the connection between the flagships of two great dynasties.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you want two Rogue Traders to go missing on one single cursed world? It is not going to happen."
Winterscale"I understand that the request is quite... onerous. But I still ask Your Lordship/Ladyship to consider my offer."
Winterscale(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
WinterscaleThe Vox Master's thundering voice falls silent, and the machine spirits terminate the connection between the flagships of two great dynasties.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not care for the old man, Winterscale. There is one condition: if I bring him back dead, the deal will be sealed by his successor."
WinterscaleErbreght ap Daeff stays silent for an inappropriately long period of time. "In this case Worten the Grey best return in a body bag. The data transfer decree has been signed. My crew will send you the landing coordinates. May the God-Emperor look after you!"
Winterscale(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
WinterscaleThe Vox Master's thundering voice falls silent, and the machine spirits terminate the connection between the flagships of two great dynasties.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think I know what you want from me."
Winterscale"A generous favour in return for a generous favour. Find Lord Captain Winterscale on Quetza Temer and bring him back to the Emperor's Vow. I swear by the Golden Throne that I will convince him to side with you in any conflict that occurs in the next hundred years. After all, I am allowed to make deals on the Lord Captain's behalf while he remains unavailable."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what do you want from me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think I know what you want from me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was there anyone else with Calligos aside from this Worten?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So what do you want from me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think I know what you want from me."continues where this line first appears above
Winterscale(sequence)
Winterscale"May Asuryan protect his children... We must halt the frenzy of your stellar rival, elantach! Or else, by Isha's tears, his subjects will not escape retribution!"
YOU"Winterscale may be quick-tempered, but the Aeldari attacked his world first."
Winterscale"Then he deserved it!" Yrliet's sonorous voice suddenly rises to a shrill cry and abruptly falters.
end of branch
YOU"I will try and convince Calligos to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict."
Winterscale"Hurry up, elantach, before there is nothing left to decide."
end of branch
YOU"Restrain your emotions. Anger only serves to cloud your sight."
WinterscaleYrliet breathes a confused sigh. "Sometimes you speak just like my kin, elantach."
end of branch
YOU"What a shame! I seem to have missed all of the fun."
Winterscale"Do not be upset, Your Lordship/Ladyship. One of the ships crashed on Quetza Temer, so at least some of these slippery xenos must have survived and are still wandering the forest. True, the Lord Captain did wish to descend and finish off this elusive prey, but even he has not been able to escape the clinging grasp of the thicket for over thirty days now. It will be an even greater ordeal for these wounded creatures."
Winterscale"Anticipating the next question, Your Lordship/Ladyship... No. I am confident the Lord Captain is still alive, his body and spirit do not break easily. And besides, he is accompanied by Worten the Grey who would sell his soul if that helped to keep the Lord Captain out of harm's way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something tells me the story does not end here."
Winterscale"You see, Your Lordship/Ladyship... One of the Aeldari ships crashed on Quetza Temer, so the Lord Captain chose to descend and finish off the elusive prey. But he has not been able to find his way out of the local woods for over thirty days now. And this... concerns me greatly."
Winterscale"Anticipating the next question, Your Lordship/Ladyship... No. I am confident the Lord Captain is still alive, his body and spirit do not break easily. And besides, he is accompanied by Worten the Grey who would sell his soul if that helped to keep the Lord Captain out of harm's way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you telling me this?"
Winterscale"You see, Your Lordship/Ladyship... One of the Aeldari ships crashed on Quetza Temer, so the Lord Captain chose to descend and finish off the elusive prey. But he has not been able to find his way out of the local woods for over thirty days now. And this... concerns me greatly."
Winterscale"Anticipating the next question, Your Lordship/Ladyship... No. I am confident the Lord Captain is still alive, his body and spirit do not break easily. And besides, he is accompanied by Worten the Grey who would sell his soul if that helped to keep the Lord Captain out of harm's way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get to the point."
Winterscale"You see, Your Lordship/Ladyship... One of the Aeldari ships crashed on Quetza Temer, so the Lord Captain chose to descend and finish off the elusive prey. But he has not been able to find his way out of the local woods for over thirty days now. And this... concerns me greatly."continues where this line first appears above
Winterscale(sequence)
Winterscale"An Aeldari fleet? That means... there are many more Crudarach survivors than I dared hope." A secondary vox-channel transmits Yrliet's voice, laden with desperation. "Elantach, I... I must go to this planet. To find them. To try to save them..."
YOU"I will help you find your kin."
WinterscaleYrliet breathes out almost inaudibly and her shoulders relax. "And I am grateful to you, elantach."
end of branch
YOU"I cannot promise anything right now."
Winterscale"I hope your answer changes soon. I will await it more eagerly than I waited to be freed from the Dark City."
end of branch
YOU"After all that you have done? No. Not a chance."
Winterscale"I hope your answer changes soon. I will await it more eagerly than I waited to be freed from the Dark City."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You may speak, Vigdis."
Winterscale"His Lordship/Her Ladyship Lord Captain [Name] von Valancius returns greetings and demands you state the reason for establishing a vox-channel immediately."
WinterscaleThe Vox Master loudly clears his throat, looking for the right words.
Winterscale"You see, the Lord Captain had yet another heated argument with the esteemed Incendia Chorda, and he had... a very good reason for his displeasure. I dare not discuss His Lordship's affairs, but I can divulge that we set out to protect the dynasty's rightful demesne from the invasion of the profane xenos. This is how we arrived here, at Quetza Temer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did your master order you to contact me?"
Winterscale"I am afraid the Lord Captain did not give such an order. This is my own personal initiative." The Vox Master loudly clears his throat, looking for the right words.
Winterscale"You see, the Lord Captain had yet another heated argument with the esteemed Incendia Chorda, and he had... a very good reason for his displeasure. I dare not discuss His Lordship's affairs, but I can divulge that we set out to protect the dynasty's rightful demesne from the invasion of the profane xenos. This is how we arrived here, at Quetza Temer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does Winterscale not wish to speak in person? Quite an ambiguous gesture."
Winterscale"I do not wish to offend, Your Lordship/Ladyship! The Lord Captain would never miss an opportunity to enjoy a personal conversation with... a man/woman of similar station." The Vox Master loudly clears his throat, looking for the right words.
Winterscale"You see, the Lord Captain had yet another heated argument with the esteemed Incendia Chorda, and he had... a very good reason for his displeasure. I dare not discuss His Lordship's affairs, but I can divulge that we set out to protect the dynasty's rightful demesne from the invasion of the profane xenos. This is how we arrived here, at Quetza Temer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I heard Calligos was hunting xenos. Where is he now?"
Winterscale"I do not wish to offend, Your Lordship/Ladyship, but I am the most senior officer aboard the Emperor's Vow at the moment. As for the Lord Captain..." Erbreght ap Daeff clears his throat, looking for the right words.
Winterscale"You see, the Lord Captain had yet another heated argument with the esteemed Incendia Chorda, and he had... a very good reason for his displeasure. I dare not discuss His Lordship's affairs, but I can divulge that we set out to protect the dynasty's rightful demesne from the invasion of the profane xenos. This is how we arrived here, at Quetza Temer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Emperor's Vow doing here?"
WinterscaleThe Vox Master loudly clears his throat, looking for the right words.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to speak directly to Calligos."
Winterscale"I do not wish to offend, Your Lordship/Ladyship, but I am the most senior officer aboard the Emperor's Vow at the moment. As for the Lord Captain..." Erbreght ap Daeff clears his throat, looking for the right words.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You may speak, Vigdis."
Winterscale"His Lordship/Her Ladyship Lord Captain [Name] von Valancius returns greetings and wishes to speak to Lord Captain Calligos Winterscale directly."
WinterscaleThe Vox Master loudly clears his throat, looking for the right words.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does Winterscale not wish to speak in person? Quite an ambiguous gesture."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 9
Winterscale"My kin... Did they really manage to escape from the iron grip of your master? Answer me, mon-keigh!"
WinterscaleA confounded silence fills the air. "Few of them did. And not for long, xenos."
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 9
Winterscale"So, this is how things turned out... But we will not lose hope. The Emperor's Vow humbly thanks you for this information and for your time, Rogue Trader. I wish you a safe voyage through the dark waters between the stars."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"
Winterscale"I am afraid you have not fulfilled all of the conditions, Your Lordship/Ladyship. Calligos Winterscale must come back aboard, dead or alive. Unfortunately, as of right now his current location and status remain unknown."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."
Winterscale"This does not sound like the Lord Captain at all." The Vox Master sighs doubtfully. "We will make sure the xenos leave Quetza Temer and the boundaries of this system. Safe and sound, of course."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."
WinterscaleThe Vox Master follows your words with a tense silence. "We will make sure the xenos leave Quetza Temer and the boundaries of this system. Alive, of course."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"
Winterscale"The foe is attacking! Man the ca..." Erbreght ap Daeff's furious snarl is cut short as the connection is terminated. The engines of the Emperor's Vow bloom with blue and gold flames as the plasma weapons aim at your port.
end of branch
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."
Winterscale"Emperor protects!" The Emperor's Vow terminates the connection.
end of branch
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."continues where this line first appears above
Winterscale"As soon as the Lord Captain's heir claims their rightful title, I will immediately notify the new Rogue Trader of our agreement. You may have to wait for a few years, the transfer of the Warrant is... a rather delicate affair."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 9
Winterscale"So, this is how things turned out..." Erbreght ap Daeff hums sceptically. "Anyway, the Emperor's Vow humbly thanks you for this information and for your time, Rogue Trader. I wish you a safe voyage through the dark waters between the stars, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 9
WinterscaleThe booming voice fills the air, startling a few officers on the bridge. However, you feel that Erbreght ap Daeff's ostentatiously confident tone is meant to hide his concern.
YOU"Not even the void of the cosmos can hide your anxiety, Erbreght. Now speak."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You may speak, Vigdis."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why did your master order you to contact me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does Winterscale not wish to speak in person? Quite an ambiguous gesture."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I heard Calligos was hunting xenos. Where is he now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is the Emperor's Vow doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to speak directly to Calligos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You may speak, Vigdis."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Does Winterscale not wish to speak in person? Quite an ambiguous gesture."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 9
Winterscale"I have only been lucky enough to see an Avenger twice in my life. The Imperial Navy considers this ship to be... something of a relic. A mighty yet clumsy vestige of the past. Its firepower is second only to the Imperium's battleships, but I have heard quite a few stories about the fickleness of Avengers and the confusing design of their engines."
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 9
Winterscale"Permission to speak, Lord Captain. The augur crew has registered activity in the orbit of Quetza Temer, one of the worlds of the Winterscale dynasty. According to the report, the Emperor's Vow, the flagship of Rogue Trader Calligos Winterscale, is positioned over the southern hemisphere."
YOU"And this is all you have to report?"
Winterscale"N-no, of course not." Vigdis's vox crackles nervously. "The officers are about to extend the range of the wave emitters."
WinterscaleIn minor turn of the chrono, the Vox Master reports again: "Lord Captain, the data has been updated. Quetza Temer's largest continents suffered from a moderate xenos planetary invasion. We also discovered the wreckage of several Aeldari vessels on the periphery of the system. Another vessel crashed onto the world, causing minor seismic activity. A dozen shuttles of the Winterscale dynasty are patrolling the space directly above the crash site."
Winterscale(sequence)
Winterscale"I presume the xenos hunt is in full swing. And the hunter has already caught the scent of its prey."
end of branch
Winterscale"Throne take me! Ahem. Beg your forgiveness, Lord Captain. The Emperor's Vow has detected the empowered emanations of our augurs and is requesting permission to initiate vox-transfer. What would you have us do?"
YOU"Hail the Emperor's Vow."
Winterscale"It will be done." By the grace of the machine spirits, the air gradually fills with discordant noises until the Vox Master flips the last tumbler on the cogitator's panel.
Winterscale"The Emperor's Vow sends its greetings to the glorious ruler of the von Valancius dynasty! This is Erbreght ap Daeff, His Lordship Calligos Winterscale's Vox Master, who has the honour of speaking on behalf of his lord today."
YOU"Ignore the request. There are more pressing issues right now."
end of branch
YOU"What information does our librarium have on the Winterscale flagship?"
WinterscaleFor a while, the vox broadcasts only the clicking of Vigdis's metallic manipulators. "The Emperor's Vow is a cruiser carrying up to one hundred and twenty thousand crew. Length overall: six thousand metres. Beam: one thousand metres. Estimated time of service in the Winterscale dynasty fleet... several millennia."
Winterscale"It is known for a fact that the ship has undergone many modifications, including the replacement of macro-weapons for long-range laser batteries and short-range macro-batteries. And... I am afraid this is all we know, Lord Captain."
YOU"And this is all you have to report?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What information does our librarium have on the Winterscale flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hail the Emperor's Vow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no intention of talking to Calligos right now."
Winterscale(sequence)
Winterscale"Elantach, negotiating with your stellar rival may resolve the conflict between our species... Before it is too late."
end of branch
Winterscale"Lord Captain, I beg Your forgiveness, but it appears the Emperor's Vow has already detected our presence in the system and is requesting permission to initiate the data vox-transfer. What would you have me do?"
YOU"Hail the Emperor's Vow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Ignore the request. There are more pressing issues right now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What information does our librarium have on the Winterscale flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
Winterscale(sequence)
Winterscale"Incredibly ancient, incredibly complex, incredibly unpredictable... And extremely demanding when it comes to resources? Had I been one of the highborn, though unofficial, rulers of the Expanse... I would definitely have chosen this voidship for myself."
end of branch
Winterscale"The librarium of House Orsellio also held records on the Emperor's Vow. Its most famous owner, to be precise — Sebastian Winterscale, a fledging Rogue Trader of great promise. It is not known how Sebastian acquired this ship, but Lord Captain Winterscale used it to traverse the Maw and find a new home in the Koronus Expanse."
end of branch
YOU"What information does our librarium have on the Winterscale flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hail the Emperor's Vow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have no intention of talking to Calligos right now."continues where this line first appears above
Winterscale(sequence)
WinterscaleVigdis's report is suddenly interrupted by Idira's anxious voice. "Lord Captain, Lord Captain! This is it, right here, so very close! The quiet whispers — they won't stop! They keep buzzing in both my ears that my little door is somewhere on this world."
YOU"What little door?"
Winterscale"The door from my visions! The one I told you about, remember? Nothing major, just my last hope for salvation."
YOU"What little door?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"All right, calm down. I need to take care of Winterscale's flagship right now."
Winterscale"Of course, Lord Captain. I dare not interrupt you any longer!"
WinterscaleAfter a brief hesitation, Vigdis's voice comes through the hissing of static once more. "Allow me to repeat, Lord Captain: the Emperor's Vow, the flagship of Rogue Trader Calligos Winterscale, has been detected in the orbit of Quetza Temer, one of the Winterscale worlds. What are your orders?"
end of branch
YOU[Change back to Vigdis's frequency without saying anything] "There was some interference. Where were we?"
WinterscaleAfter a brief hesitation, Vigdis's voice comes through the hissing of static once more. "Allow me to repeat, Lord Captain: the Emperor's Vow, the flagship of Rogue Trader Calligos Winterscale, has been detected in the orbit of Quetza Temer, one of the Winterscale worlds. What are your orders?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"All right, calm down. I need to take care of Winterscale's flagship right now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Change back to Vigdis's frequency without saying anything] "There was some interference. Where were we?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 9
Winterscale"Calligos Winterscale's flagship is still maintaining orbit above Quetza Temer. Should we hail the bridge?"
YOU"Hail the Emperor's Vow."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I need more information. Order the augur crew to extend the range of the wave emitters."
WinterscaleIn minor turn of the chrono, the Vox Master reports again: "Lord Captain, the data has been updated. Quetza Temer's largest continents suffered from a moderate xenos planetary invasion. We also discovered the wreckage of several Aeldari vessels on the periphery of the system. Another vessel crashed onto the world, causing minor seismic activity. A dozen shuttles of the Winterscale dynasty are patrolling the space directly above the crash site."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What information does our librarium have on the Winterscale flagship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Negative. I am not yet ready to meet Calligos."
end of branch
Entry point 9 of 9
WinterscaleAs soon as the expedition returns, Vigdis Surri Otta hails the Emperor's Vow.
Winterscale"Our chaplain was praying for the good health and speedy return of Your Lordship/Ladyship, [Name] von Valancius." There is a tense pause and Erbreght ap Daeff's hissing breath fills the air. "Allow me to enquire about the fate of Lord Captain Winterscale... Perhaps you were lucky enough to meet? Unfortunately, in all this time he has still not contacted his subjects."
YOU"Calligos Winterscale perished during the hunt."
Winterscale"So, this is how things turned out. The death of His Lordship is a great tragedy for the entire dynasty. The vastness of my grief is mitigated only by the knowledge that the Lord Captain perished in a fierce battle. He would have it no other way."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You must have lost you mind if you think a Rogue Trader is obliged to report to you."
Winterscale"Absolutely not, Your Lordship/Ladyship" The Vox Master hurriedly clears his throat, filling the air with static. "I just wanted to make sure... However, compared to your peace of mind, my concern is insignificant. Forgive this servant his temerity."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Calligos Winterscale succumbed to the influence of the Archenemy and was put to death for this transgression."
Winterscale"I would never doubt your words, Rogue Trader, had we not been talking about Calligos Winterscale. The Lord Captain could not have been conspiring with the Ruinous Powers — we were pursuing and eliminating them together all over the Expanse!"
Winterscale"I... will relay your words to his heirs. Along with the news that it was [Name] von Valancius himself/herself who became his executioner." The Vox Master's voice is cold as ice. "You have done much for our dynasty... We will never forget that."
YOU"What about our deal, then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Before dying, Calligos permitted the xenos to leave the world unhindered. Let their ships pass into orbit."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There are still some xenos left on this world. You will allow them to leave it unhindered. Consider it payment for my time and efforts."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack the ship] "Who said I was done with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Terminate the connection] "Farewell, then."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your master perished after battling the daemon masquerading as Worten the Grey this entire time."
Winterscale"Worten was... What?" The exclamation is followed by a stunned silence.
Winterscale"So, this is how things turned out. The death of His Lordship is a great tragedy for the entire dynasty. The vastness of my grief is mitigated only by the knowledge that the Lord Captain perished in a fierce battle. He would have it no other way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Lie] "I know nothing of his fate."
YOU[Lie] "I could not find Calligos in the endless woods. It was simply an impossible task."
YOU[Attack the ship] "I have decapitated the Winterscale dynasty. The time has come to decapitate its fleet."
Winterscale"The foe is attacking! Man the ca..." Erbreght ap Daeff's furious snarl is cut short as the connection is terminated. The engines of the Emperor's Vow bloom with blue and gold flames as the plasma weapons aim at your port.continues where this line first appears above