Deciding Your Fate in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Your journey begins precipitously in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader with your first significant decision. Immediately following character creation, you meet Kunrad Voigtvir, the initial NPC you’ll encounter. This unforeseen dialogue unfolds with implications that your Trader may not appreciate being thrust into such a situation. Unlike other characters in the game who tend to regard you with suspicion and hostility, Kunrad approaches you with curiosity and a friendly demeanor, eager to understand your background.
However, Kunrad’s friendly facade quickly dissipates as he reveals his true intentions. He requests that you leverage your Valancius lineage to unlock the Warrant Chamber door, revealing his ambition to claim the Warrant of Trade for himself. This moment marks your first critical narrative choice: will you capitulate to Kunrad’s demands, or will you stand firm against him, risking your life? Let’s explore the outcomes of both choices and their implications in the unfolding narrative.
Consequences of Assisting Kunrad
Evaluating the Pros and Cons
When choosing to support Kunrad, you have various options: you can either forge an alliance with him to seize the Warrant collectively or comply with his request immediately. However, this choice is contingent upon whether you’re playing as a Sanctioned Psyker; if so, the game automatically leads you to resist.
If you opt to assist Kunrad by willingly opening the door, he acknowledges your cooperation with gratitude. Subsequently, you can engage with the Archaeotech device securing the door, which, recognizing your Valancius heritage and the imminent peril, offers assistance. By agreeing, you activate a network of turrets that eliminate Kunrad’s henchmen, though he narrowly escapes capture.
Though Kunrad fails to obtain the Warrant of Trade, the mission continues unabated. This choice does not influence your relationships with subsequent Rogue Trader companions or impact the game’s ending. It also has no bearing on your character’s alignment, despite the significance each decision might seem to carry.
Consequences of Resisting Kunrad
Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Resistance
If you choose to resist Kunrad, you also have several avenues for assertion: you can attempt to persuade him to yield if your Coercion skill is sufficiently high, outright refuse, or embody a Sanctioned Psyker. Despite your efforts, Kunrad retaliates with a Chaos Weapon, leading to psychic disturbances as a new voice begins echoing within your mind. A subsequent opportunity to resist arises, yet ultimately, his commands become unavoidable.
The subsequent narrative flow mirrors that of the cooperation route: you engage the turrets, enabling Kunrad’s escape once again, and advance to the Chamber. However, with the conflict leading up to this point, a warp entity now resides within you, courtesy of Kunrad’s attack. Its presence lingers for a while, offering cryptic commentary on your decisions and experiences throughout the early chapters.
While this warp entity does not significantly shift gameplay or roleplaying options, it injects a layer of narrative richness as it reflects the game’s dark and foreboding atmosphere. It also lays the groundwork for an impending major decision that relates back to this encounter. You will soon find opportunities to cleanse yourself of this entity if it becomes a burden.
The Case for Resisting Kunrad
A Moment of Character Strength
Despite the minimal impact on the overarching narrative and gameplay, I would advocate for resisting Kunrad. This choice fosters a more robust character moment, reflecting your Trader’s resilience rather than submission when faced with adversity. Furthermore, it effectively establishes the rivalry with Kunrad, one that will resurface as the narrative unfolds. Choosing resistance early places you in a more advantageous position for future encounters.
Additionally, hosting a warp entity during the opening chapters serves as an engaging storytelling mechanism. Through its insights, you gain deeper understanding of the Warhammer universe, enriching your experience. Although its presence does not alter gameplay or dialogue choices significantly, the ambiance it creates is noteworthy.
However, there are arguments for selecting the alternative path; portraying a green character who is yet to comprehend the harshness of their surroundings could clarify their eventual revelation in the narrative. Yet, ultimately, resisting Kunrad’s commands presents itself as the most favorable decision in this chapter of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader.