As Rogue Trader with a Warrant of Trade inherited from my character's father, I understand I am the law of my ship. However, I have detained my Missionary for failing to detect the presence of heresy and Chaos among the quaint peoples of a Feudal World in the Koronus Expanse. He had spent many days with these folks, but it was my Seneschal who figured out that something was amiss. After a surprise attack which cost the lives of over 400 of my crew members, we were able to scour out the source of this taint and purge it with flame.

I don't plan on executing this Missionary (a PC). He's been quite humbled by the whole thing. Still, I feel an example has to be made somehow for gross incompetence on his part.

Do I have the right to judge him as Lord-Captain? Or must I deliver him to the Eccliesiarchy?

Of course the you may judge the Missionary, the Rogue is the lord aboard his ship, second only to the Emperor. However, as soon as the Ecclesiarchy gets to know the Missionary failed his holy duty, it will probably try and punish him once more, no matter what you did to him before.

What about 400 days (weeks? months? years?) of hard work on the lowest and darkest decks, where men frequently get eaten by the things that lurk in the shadows?

Wayfinder said:

This is why our GM won't let us play either a Rogue Trader or an Inquisitor. Too much power held over our peers.

I'd hate to be in the position to have to discipline another players character.

Sure as RT you can punish him anyway you want. Your warrant will give you that right. Of course the Ecclesiarchy might object later and that can prove costly at a later time. Probably a smarter way is to make a formal complain to the Ecclesiarchy about the failings of their clergy. It might make it, at a later time, easier to force the church into helping you out. Of course your Missionairy will have to prove your trust in him again.

But make sure that both parties accept whatever punishment you decide to give.

LeBlanc13 said:

Fortunately, all of us are very experienced players. The contrition displayed by the Missionary player has been very convincing, playing his part almost to the point of tears (the guy rolled something like six or seven 00s on his Scrutiny tests when he was talking with some of these people). The Sister of Battle on board wants him to self-flagellate with a scourge.

I think some time in the bowels of the ship where I keep my gaol will give him time to reflect on his naivete.

Experience and maturity aside (Most of my group is in the 30+ age range and been playing for 20-30 years) this can still be hard to deal with if players are heavily invested in their characters. If handled well, I'm sure it will be fine. If not, then you're looking at some issues.

More power to you if your group is good handling situations like this without too much back lash.

LeBlanc13 said:

Games where the PCs have a hierarchy can be tricky. I've played enough military games to know that nobody likes taking orders from someone. At the same time, I also notice that if there is no direct designated "leader" that often someone takes charge anyway for certain decisions because everyone else either won't come up with a better plan or they don't want to risk humiliation when things go badly.

However, in this case, we're all 40k fans to the point that we're all aware of the kind of game this is, and our mutual roles therein. Everyone has a share of power, but ultimate authority is invested in one person, and that one person often has a lot more problems to deal with than just commanding the ship. My Rogue Trader has to deal with his dynastic noble family, for instance, some of whom would like nothing better than to have his Warrant of Trade revoked (in spite of the overall disgrace to the family that would bring) and his ship sold off, and my character himself sent into the Imperial Navy or something. Not to mention all the other rivalries he has to contend with. So I think we all understand the troubles everyone has to bear.

I also know when not to push things too far. The best thing to do is just delegate authority to everyone, give everyone a task to accomplish but be ambiguous enough that you're not telling them exactly how to do their job.

Sure, but a wise RT would work with the Missionary to volunteer an agreed penance which the RT would accept.

Dalnor Surloc said:

I like this solution. Especially since, from a practical standpoint, the Missionary probably has a better understanding of the imperial creed, and a suitable punishment for his transgression, than the RT himself.

The Boy Named Crow said:

I can't have the guy scrub toilets, even if he wants to. I need him to retain his stature. I've agreed to some sort of penance, but from here on out I've decided that he ain't going anywhere without someone who isn't so idealistic and can read the stitches on a fast-ball. I'd rather he not go with my Seneschal, but maybe a Sister of Battle (we have an entire squad on board).

Wayfinder said:

If, as you say, you have an experienced group, and the character is a devout missionary, I don't think this should be a problem. Honestly, I think most missionaries would be harder on themselves than their Lord Captains would, in this situation.

It also solves a couple of other problems.

-Even if, on paper, the RT posesses authority second only to the Emperor. Only a simpleton would fail to understand that, in practice, a RT must tread carefully where other powers are concerned. This solution eliminates any chance of animosity from the Ministorum originating from disciplining one of their own.

-He keeps his stature, since he isn't being forced into anything, but accepting his punishment with head held high.

Wayfinder said:

lol give the poor bastard a break already, god already hates him if he's rolling like that

MKX said:

God doesn't hate him. God simply thought he was rolling for treasure in a 3.x D&D campaign, and wanted him to get real cool stuff.

-=Brother Praetus=-

Call all officers to a private room
Give the Missionary a firm flogging (20 to 50)
Make them take an oath punishable by death never to speak of it again

If the missionary would repeat such a failure....execute him...

If you as Lord Captain would be milder, I as a GM, would have the crew start a mutiny...

The Sisters of Battle handled the matter for me. I don't know what they did to him, but we haven't seen him for six days whilst traveling back to Port Wander. He came out of their convent a changed man.

~I hope you're not alluding to what I think you're alluding to, because that would be just plain wrong.... besides a Falsetto might be able to sing the Highest Praises, but when it comes to getting down and dirty, he just hasn't got the balls...~