After Jarek Va'ruun ended the Serpent's Crusade, House Va'ruun established diplomatic relations with the other fractions and became the third faction to ratify the Armistice. Qasrik Bal'mor became the House Va'ruun ambassador in New Atlantis. Unlike most other members of House Va'ruun, he believed that staying in contact with the rest of the settled systems is the better way than going into Isolation. However, this view was not shared by the majority under Jarek Va'ruun and Qasrik stayed behind more or less alone.
In the following years he showed to be a very cooperative ambassador. According to Elisabeth MacIntyre, he was very cooperative and willing to support the United Colonies in some past requests. But because there are very few members of House Va'ruun outside the fanatic Va'ruun Zealots left in the settled systems, he had very rarely contact with diplomats of the other factions, until they stopped completely. After some years of basically no contact, the other factions were not even sure he was still alive.
He was in fact still alive, trapped by security during the incident at the spaceport in the mission Eyewitness. The Spacefarer needed his codes for the Armistice archives in order to access the data about Londinion. Qasrik was found in the basement of the House Va'ruun Embassy. Security robots activated because of the Terrormorph attack, and he was unable to deactivate them.
After being rescued, he gratefully listened to the news about the attack and handed over his codes to the Armistice without any further conviction necessary.
Obtain the aid of House Va'ruun to gain access to the Armistice Archives.
Dialogue[]
Show: Friends Like These
"So. What seems punishment becomes providence. A reminder we can never truly know the Great Serpent's designs for us. You have my thanks and my apologies for the ordeal you just endured. Come, let us discuss." "Not the ideal introduction, I suppose, giving you a grand tour of the embassy via barely functioning intercoms. I do greatly appreciate your persistence. I suspect the Venom Tree upstairs has worked itself into more systems than I'd realized. But then again who could cage such a beauty? Tell me, though. What is it like outside? I heard the broadcast mentioning an attack, then the embassy was struck with a power surge and then... silence. Has the rest of the city suffered quite so badly?"
Did you say that thing pouring out clouds upstairs is called a "Venom Tree"? Is it poisonous?"Harmless spores, you have my word, but hard to navigate. Hence why I was guiding you through the intercoms to restore the environmental controls... and release me. It is the sap of the tree that gives it its... well, perhaps not a topic for this exact moment. But I must know of the rest of the city. Does it still stand?"
Is that what happened here? A power surge?"I take it you didn't have such an experience where you were then. Yes, the entire embassy was thrown into lockdown, trapping me in my quarters, disabling the Venom Tree's filters, and arming the defenses. A disconcerting experience to say the least. Was the rest of the city spared?"
Everywhere in the city is in better shape than this dump."More time could be spent tidying, I suppose. But I entertain so few guests. And fewer welcome ones."
The spaceport is in rough shape, but not much else was damaged."Is that right? Hmm. I shall need to have these repairs seen to sooner rather than later."
"Now, it cannot solely be the Serpent's grace that brought you here at such an opportune moment. You were sent by the UC, that much is obvious. Who else could just waltz through my door? And the broadcast spoke of Terrormorphs at the spaceport. A worrying occurrence, certainly, but coming here of all places, when all I could provide is some enthused cheerleading and... Ah. An Archive Code. So the UC requires information then. On Terrormorphs, presumably? Do I see this all clearly?"
[Serpent's Embrace] I serve the UC and the Great Serpent in coming here. This knowledge will be used to defend us all."I was not expecting a fellow believer on my doorstep. Hmm..."
Bingo. Hand over your code so I can get out this place."There is urgency in your voice. The UC... they fear for their people."
We're going to ensure something like this never happens again. And we need your code to do it.
Correct. We're going to use the data in the Archives to better understand - and stop - these attacks.
"The preservation of life stands as the very purpose of the Archives. Using its data to prevent more attacks... there is logic there. But if I am to grant you access, I have a requirement. For years, House Va'ruun has been known only as an agent of slaughter. We founded this embassy with hopes of shedding that legacy... ... with little success. In exchange for my code, I require this: you must be the one who ensures it is used for good. Ensure House Va'ruun's legacy is more than just carnage. The knowledge you ask for isn't evil. No knowledge is. It is we who bend it to evil ends. You must assure me this will be used to save lives, not endanger them."
Knowledge can't be evil? What about the knowledge of, say, gunpowder?"A fine counter example. Responsible for the deaths of millions on ancient Earth. And... fireworks. Absolutely capable of being put to vile ends, but not evil in itself. And here you are, with a similar conundrum. I might be willing to support you... if I knew I would not be tarnishing the legacy of House Va'ruun by doing so."
You're just an old man in a basement. You don't get to tell me what to do, Ambassador."You, of course, are correct. I cannot force the great UC to do anything. But I can choose to live a life I needn't be ashamed of. You have the opportunity to do the same. Now, will you reconsider?"
That's an impossible request. I can't know how exactly this will all play out."We cannot know all the results of one's actions, certainly. But intentions, those we can command. I want you to assure me yours are noble ones."
[Serpent's Embrace] In the name of the Great Serpent, House Va'ruun's code will be used to protect our good name."Create the legacy that our people deserve."
You have my word. I will make sure it's used for good."Well. Then I shall not fear."
"Please. Follow me."
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If spoken to again:
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"I will not have House Va'ruun be known only for slaughter."
So why'd the rest of the embassy staff leave? Where'd they go?"The affairs of House Va'ruun are our own. They left. That is all there is to be said on the subject."
Why'd you stay behind?"House Va'ruun committed itself to the Armistice. This was said at the time to be the desire of the Great Serpent... and I do not believe the Serpent decides such things on a whim. So, when my brethren left, I remained, honoring the Serpent's will as I saw fit, as is the right of all his followers."
What's it been like? Being from House Va'ruun in New Atlantis?"It was tolerable, even pleasant, when my brethren were here in the embassy with me. We remade this place as best we could into a home we all would recognize. Our native flora, our iconography, our connection to the Serpent, they came with us. But with my brethren gone... it has been trying. But the Great Serpent has always provided me a path in my darkest moments."
The "Great Serpent." That's your god, right?"The Great Serpent is so much more than a god. It is fate itself. When our founder, Jinan Va'ruun, left the United Colonies a hundred and forty years ago for distant stars, it was the Serpent that compelled him to found his now great House. The Serpent made us who we are today. Its voice speaks to us, shepherding us through the dark, and infuses our lives with the meaning the universe so often fails to provide."
Quotes[]
"Let's hope it still works... And... there. Let it be used for good."
Trivia[]
It is possible, but not guaranteed, to get his Va'ruun ambassador suit by killing him after getting the codes.
