Hi guys,

I'm looking to start up a Rogue Trader campaign. I'd be GM, and it'd use a forum-based Play-by-Post format. I already have a friend who's joined up to play a Seneschal, and a distant cousin of whoever plays the Rogue Trader. Any takers?

AkumaKorgar

I've always wanted to give play by post roleplaying a go, but have never really known where to look or what it's like. If you don't mind a newby, then I will put my name forward.

Ps. I'm based in the UK so wouldn't normally be up this late (3.21am), so if thats an issue for posting replies, just let me know.

I'm interested. Still planning this? I'd like to play either an Astropath or Void Master.

I'm in France and English not my first langage, but i'm interested in ( if it does not bother you if I'm not on the same time zone°. I'd rather play a Voidmaster or an Explorator, if possible.

Count me in; I did some PbP a while ago (diffrent game, but the idea's the same)

Point to the board, I'll have my Void-Master and/or Arms-Militant ready

As long as you're not too worried about timezone differences, I'd be in. Not tried a PbF before, but more than willing to give it a shot! Not hugely concerned about character role, I'll play whatever (with a preference of NOT playing the RT - like I say, I've never done this sort of gaming before so I'd prefer not to take the front seat, just in case!)

Well if no one wants to play the RT so far I can try it. If there is one already i'll stick with astropath or navigator.

Never done PbP before, but I'd love to try.

I'd prefer playing an Explorator or Arch-Militant to get the maximum distance from my usual seneschal'y self.

Hey guys, great to see interest in the game. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to take everyone, as I've got a few players already. It looks like Void-Master is one of the most popular career paths in the game though.

I'm trying to decide on how to figure out who's in, and I'm currently leaning towards inviting the players with the best concepts, overall. I hate to make it out like it's a competition but I'd like to get a game going where the group is supported by complementary character stories and good roleplaying. So far it looks like only BobH is interested in playing the Rogue Trader?

I can always try my hand at the RT, but since I'm not too used to the system I'd rather pass.

'guess I'll get working on that history- halfway done since it'll be my DH char at base with some added bells and whistles (Navy guardsmen..now ain't that something that can get into more than a single pie?)

So where do we send the info?

This is where I'm going to be running the game - sorry for not getting you all that information sooner.

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=552660

It's on RPG.net's forums. I've only recently started posting there myself, but it comes recommended from a friend. I've got a few takers from there, too. Go ahead and post your character info up there and I'll let you know.

I actually had to shoot down one player already, actually. He just gave off the warning signs of a problem player to me. Feel like a jerk for it though.

If the Rogue trader role is open, I have already one fleshed out, but i'm open to many roles.

So far, here are the concepts i have already created :

- A Rogue Trader,Victus LLanfair Rabelais Von Razgriz, last of his lineage, born on Sinophia. His familly have had a Warrant since the age of Rebirth (the first Warrant holder was the one who discovered Medusa during the Great Crusade), but their whole fleet except one ship, was destroyed during the Calixis Crusade, in the Fensk Calamity Incident in 359M41. The Warrant Holder was killed, but his three children - they were triplet- tried to get the warrant : one who married to the Sabrehagen, one who married to the Sinos, and the only male heir. Their feud was put to a standstill when this male heir sired a few children, and took a Pilgrimage to Holy Terra, with the Warrant in his luggage. The other scions tried to receive the Warrant through vendetta and long trials. Finally, the claim was settled by Lord Sector Hax, a few centuries later, in favor to the "true" Von Razgriz lineage.
'Alas, the von Razgriz fortune declined, their last ship Ex Cathedra Planet bound on the summit of Argopolis Hive.
But while the Warrant was still missing, the Sinos-Razgriz tried to kill every surviving true Razgriz, planting bombs on the planetbound starship macro weapons. the two last surviving Von Razgriz, two twins named Xandra and Undine received then the help of a bright but dour fellow named Erasmus Haarlock, who wanted to eradicate the whole Sinos line on Sinophia (that was before his feud with his own dynasty), beginning with the Sinos-Razgriz, in exchange for a whole ship repair. What wasn't plannified, though, was that Erasmus Haarlock falled in love with Xandra. They wed and soon have a child ; unknow to htem though, Undine meanwhile did have a short affair with Erasmus'cousin Mathias, having a child with him.
The Haarlock story is well known : it should only be added that Erasmus wrath did not touhed hs wife family ;so unknown to him, some Haarlock blood still flow through living veins.Undine died without telling anyone her secret.
Victus LLanfair Rabelais was the last surviving Razgriz, his parents died in a freak incident while inspecting the Haarlock designed clockwork macro canons.He was sent in a Schola Progenium, and was serving as an Arbites Officer on a Arbites Frigate when the Warrant finally come back from holy Terra.
At the helm of Ex Catedra, the capital ship of his familly finally leaving the harsh embrace of Sinophia, It is now time to put his Dynasty back to its right place : plundering unknown stars for riches and conquer & convert them in His Name !

His Dynasty was always fascinated by old technologies, and have kept through the centuries a strong link with the Mechanicus and a ethos similar to the one shared by the Iron Hands; himself is a very faithful man, Victus thinks that the Flesh is weak, and want to expurge weakness from himself if need be, and any one who will follow him ( will become an Augmenticist if possible).

- A Magos Explorator from the Sollex Order, basically a Heretek hunter, who already have some nemesis in the Underworld. He does not look like a Magos at first, always with a large hat, a large dustcoat. But he hides his augmented body and a few mechadendrites under it, two of them can emerge through his hat. A bit absent-minded , behind his friendly demeanor he is ruthlessly efficient.

- A Missionary. A black sheep in his noble family, he was hidden away from many scandals through becoming a priest in the Ecclesiarchy. Ambitious, rotten to the core, he can be described as a "baby-eating bishop", more interested in becoming wealthier than his duty, though he si still faithfull, in his own way.

Well I see that bob has said he would like to be the Rogue Trader, but I'm going to post my idea anyways as it is the only one I currently have, no offence meant. I've worked on his background quite a bit and while it isn't quite finalized there is a lot to work with, so I'd be willing to alter it to mesh with others'. However, I will only briefly summarize the concept here initially so as not to make anyone read a huge tract of text to get it. If you want me to elaborate I do have more though.

Baron Genzer Maroke, Rogue Trader

Genzer was born the scion of a Rogue Trader dynasty spanning over 1200 years and many generations of patriarchs (3 retired, the others died in various fashions). By the time of his birth, they had forged an interplanetary empire - of Imperial worlds - and built up an immense amount of wealth and influence; in fact Genzer's father (Hephaedron Maroke) was making a push into the vaunted inner circles of the Segmentum Solar nobility and ideally Holy Terra itself. The empire began with the colonization of Varaeg II on the fringes of Imperial space, but in close proximity to (and with very solid Warp lanes to) several major planets and systems, including vastly over-populated Hive, Agri and other Worlds. Through close ties and a very good relationship with the Mechanicus, he was able to capitalize on a strong movement within the AdMech to establish new Forge Worlds in mineral-rich systems. In time, colonies appeared across the system and eventually sector, all with a Maroke installed as the hereditary Imperial Commander. After centuries, these included thriving Agri, Forge, Feudal, Pleasure and other Worlds. The dynasty ascended into the nobility (by decree of the High Lords) after putting countless resources into the expansion of the Imperium, and being the primary force in developing those worlds and their defences - actually defending against the forces of a Waaagh!! in space warfare and deflecting them away from Imperial space and aiding the Inquisition on numerous occasions. However, in all those years the family had accumulated equally vast numbers of foes, and many with just as much might and political power Hephaedron's dreams of the highest glories were not to be...

The younger Maroke [Genzer] was riotous in his youth, galavanting across the Imperium in the utmost luxury, mostly on Pleasure Worlds. He had been a prodigious scholar from childhood, excelling in almost all areas of study and showing the qualities of true greatness. Eventually it became the unflinching expectation that he would do amazing and incredibly ambitious things, becoming the future of the family and following in his father's footsteps. He festered under this pressure, gradually achieving less and less well in his studies and becoming, as he felt, utterly estranged from his family. So by young adulthood he became more bold in his lifestyle, actually leaving the family for almost a decade. In this period he put his efforts into various projects of dubious morality and legality, most namely establishing a fledgling criminal smuggling ring throughout the outer Imperial sectors. However, without warning his partners forced him out of direct control (although rather amicably) with a buyout, although allowing him to retain a non-controlling interest purely for the return. He never could determine the true reasons, but it seemed most likely his father or perhaps another family member had discovered it. After briefly returning to Maroke space, he became enamored with the idea of joining the Imperial Navy and spontaneously purchased a commission with a minimum term of 12 years. Genzer served across multiple sectors and conflicts, and survived to be discharged honorably (and with great relish), along with the Honorifica Imperialis and Winged Hammer distinctions. He returned once again - this time a changed man with a deep ambition in his heart - and awaited the return of his father to seek atonement for his actions.

It was at this time the greatest of the Maroke dynasty's rivals, the Duke Saracel Hethirrian, struck with all his might. Genzer never discovered any details of the true motives and plots, but pieced together that his father had been framed for the most heinous of crimes - treason and heresy against the Holy God-Emperor and his Imperium. In an instant, the primary leadership of the clan was eradicated and the empire dissolved. Most were arrested and executed, but Genzer survived through the last machinations of his father, using all his influence to insure that his son would be preserved from his own fate, and keep a small remnant of wealth and their title at least in name(additionally, Genzer had a sterling alibi by being in the Navy). All the family's Planetary Lords were eliminated, and all but the more estranged or distant relatives and lieutenants were as well. Baron Genzer Maroke fled his former empire's space knowing full-well the Duke would not stop until he was dead, with only his personal warship and small escorting fleet carrying all his household guard, armory, wealth, and the like. He would return to the unknown expanses that his forebears had conquered and make his own power, so that one day he might have vengeance.

-

If there was something I was unclear on or anything like that, just say so and I will try to clarify best I can. I wasn't sure if you wanted actual Character Creation info like Homeworld and stuff, but I have those to match the above. Actually, maybe before you tell me to say them some people might guess his Origin Path?

p.s. I was thinking that maybe initially the group might use most/all of the escort fleet to establish a small colony-base-thing; or if you hate that idea then be destroyed by an ambush! Furthermore, I would probably think the low Profit Factor/High SP build would fit this best, probably even with some bonus SP so we could have a cruiser that seems like the flagship of someone form the upper nobility. For the first idea, the colony would be like the ship in Mass Effect or the town you own in Assassins Creed II, where we could spend resources/influence/whatever to improve it as well as using it to restock/repair. Eventually we could convince maybe Hive Worlders to come build up a bigger community, etc.

Oh and as well, I'd like to say that as the Rogue Trader I would seek utmost to cooperate with the GM and other players to create the best story and role-playing possible. I know some people take the *in-character* leadership to far, and personally I would play my RT as being a very open and relatively democractic leader, in the sense that in character I would seek the advice of the other players (and ooc: what the group wants). Genzer is confident and charismatic without being dominating, and truly wants to make the best decision (knowing that he alone probably won't always). He is a bit of a typical noble (i.e. sheltered, cultured, scholarly, perhaps a bit arrogant, etc) with an edge of "street smarts for the 41st Millenium", from things like his criminal past and time in the Navy. And however ambitious he is, he isnt an overtly selfish person and believes it in his best interest to protect the lives, interest, and loyalty of his crew.

we can't edit posts here ?

Well , an addendum concerning the Rogue Trader concept i posted :

He is a devout, very tenacious man. He also knows he is new in his role as trader : so, he is always open for suggestions and advices. (OOC, i'm found of the Idea of a Ship Council : everyone has a vote, two votes and a veto on their specialty, for instance Warp navigation for the Navigator....the Rogue Trader has always two votes, and choose in case of a tie).
He want to redeem his Dynasty name, by doing what his ancestors were doing : hunting lost knowledges and worlds, and open the way for imperial Crusades.

Just the base, so that at least we'll know where I'm going with this. Not too sure if I'll swing Arch-militant or go Void-Master..of course, 'might have to bend a little the rules for the ladder, since I'm planet born and all.

To: Lord Inquisitor +DELETED FROM ARCHIVES+, Ordo Hereticus, Calaxian Conclave
From: Loremaster Lexocographer Mallear Xantris
Subject: Pilot Cromwell ‘Dakka’ Frak
Priority: High
Received: 815M41
Message Format: Telepathic
Astrograph duct: Regulus Lomas
Thought for the day: Innocence Proves Nothing.

My Lord Inquisitor, here is the Imperial Navy file you have requested concerning subject 4563-B, also the reports on his incarceration and subsequent Equipment report.
-
Imperial Navy Record #456845345-346-4
Name: Frak, Cromwell (known alias: Dakka)
Born: 778M41, Cyprian’s Gate
Height at enlistment: 1,85 m
Weight at enlistment: 70 kg
Hair Colour: Blond
Eye colours: Grey
Physiognomy: Svelte, Tanned skin.
Sex: Male

Born on Gadort Island (known as ‘ ‘Skin Island’)(1) in 778M41 from a family of well-respected gunners and sailors. Childhood judged normal by Local Standard, spending most time on sea ships learning the naval lifestyle. Joined in Royal Naval Academy in Port Tureg at 12, graduated with over average grades in 800M41. Enlisted in the Imperial Navy in 800M41, first commission as Second-Lieutenant received in 801M41 as starboard broadside loading officer on the Dauntless Class Cruiser “Porelska”, 3rd Calix Fleet after succeeding in home world Tradition of ‘Duelling Command’(2) against Second-Lieutenant Silon Frak. Second-Lieutenant Cromwell Frak received minor injury to the face . Seconds-Lieutenant Silon Frak re-commissioned to Communications.

Performance was slightly over average; starboard broadside canons were operational .75 seconds over average time. On board Enginseer investigated, fearing heretical practices and omission of reciting proper litanies to appraise the weapons’ Machine Spirits. No traces of heresy or illegal tampering found. Was chosen by Communication Captain Silon Frak to assist joint Arbites and Commissariat investigation about smuggling operation within Patrolled sector of the ‘Porelska’. 168 crewmen arrested or summarily executed after 10 days investigation. Received Order of duty for actions during the investigation. (3)

In the aftermath of the Elros incident (4) First-Lieutenant Frak was transferred to mass-troop transport ‘Vervilix’ in 808M41. First-Lieutenant Frak claimed receiving an order from Communications Captain Silon Frak. Investigation by on-board Engiseer revealed no evidence or message sent nor tampering of the Vox-system’s Machine Spirit. Demoted to Pilot for lacking responsibility and conduct unbecoming an Imperial Navy officer. Skill at piloting was noticed, having completed 20 in hostile landing zone without repercusion on the Vervillix’s hull or Machine Spirit.
Mass-Troop transport ‘Vervilix’ suffered a major warp-engine malfunction during warp-transit in 810M41 and crashed landed on the Forbidden Ice-world of Mara. Casualties estimated at 100%. Pilot Cromwell Frak classified as ‘Missing in Action’ in 810M41. Next of Kin informed in 811M41.

(1) ‘ ‘Skin’ island is the Eastern most continent on Cyprian’s Gate, a Paradise World in the Hazeroth. This world is covered in waters at 80%. Most if not all citizens are somewhat connected to the vast mass of water, whether be fisherman, sailor, divers, fungus farmers or sub-mariners . Warn weather and generally calm seas have favoured a costal lifestyle and the creation of a powerful naval armada. ‘Skin island had always (according to local lore and records) occupied by Orks. Excellent naval tactics and technologically superior ships, combined with the locals natural tendency for maritime skills have kept the Ork from invading and raiding the 4 other inhibited continent. Only with the Arrival of the Cadian 697th Regiment was the Greenskins’ presence completely destroyed in 538M39. Members of the Cadian 697th Regiment were authorized to colonised ‘Skin island (Renamed officially Gadort Island) in 545M39.
(2)Cyprian’s Gate maritime tradition permits an officer or any sailor over the rank of Able Seaman to duel for a position or post on a ship. While the Imperial Navy generally frowns upon such things, due to the citizens of Cyprian’s Gate being worth 35% of the 3rd Fleet’s personnel, Ships Captains generally let this ritual be accomplished.
(3) My Lord, Leonidas, another of your acolytes, have been part of the Arbites’ investigation unit aboard the ‘Porelska’. Perhaps having them work within the same cell might prove beneficial.
(4) My Lord, the Elros incident involved the Dauntless Class Cruiser “Porelska” of the 3rd Fleet to fire at the surface, resulting in approximately 30 000 civilian casualties and over 2000 Km2 of destroyed vegetation.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Report of subject 4563-B, incarcerated at <information blocked by Inquisitional seal>.
Subject 4563-B, Male, 32 years old, Imperial Navy Pilot. Arrested after the Vervilix Disaster on the Forbitten Ice-world of Mara, located in the Hazeroth subsector. Subject arrived in our care while under sedative given by salvage and rescue teams. Reports indicated he was agitated when found, but still able to talk with some degree of coercion. Informed S&R team about non-human presence, from descriptions given on location and during interrogation, xeno type match those encounter during the evacuation of Mara in 768M41. Subject incarcerated and taken under observation. Subject kept occupied with basic physical exercises and reading on his Imperial Navy Sailor’s Uplifting Primer pamphlet, which he was authorised to keep as a way to bolster his spirit back into the Imperial Doctrine. Given regular decontamination treatments to root out any potential mutation or traces of heresy. Subject have passed all treatments.

Released in 814M41 for trials to become Inquisitional Agent.

Interrogator Kieras

Firstly, the Edit button is at the top of post to the right of your name.

And not to be rude, but it does sort of kinda seem like you read my idea and decided to add some of it into yours . Really went all-out expanding on the word "democratic" . (@ Mordechai)

Secondly, I would like to add that I am big 40k player (the wargame) in addition to the RPG, and know a ton of the fluff (background material) and the like. I think it sounds like the game is going to be *role-playing* focused, and thats my ideal situation. I can curtail my ideas to fit any campaign or group, and I really hope you guys like my concept!

My preference for character would be a 'Missionary' - an Ex-Naval Commissar or Drill Abbot (whichever fits the game better) that's been hired to maintain order on board the vessel.

Depending on how the rest of the crew is built, he's either a righteous fury type ("All guns fire! Fire in the name of the Throne of Terra!!") or a cunning, underhanded type ("I would be pleased, Captain, to confirm with the Ministorium envoy that your ship is free of Xenos taint. Allow me first to thank you for this exquisite gift..."). Either way, uses his powers to keep the crew in line and acts as moral guidance to the command deck when the going gets tough.

I'l get a bio done - but I'm at work atm, so doing more than a snippet is kinda troublesome.

Thanks Torcano for the tip. I forgot to talk about this, and your post remind me that, that's all, no offense.
Concerning the leader role, what i use usually with my fellow players :

- The OOC method : ie, everyone propose what we will do, we ponder together, and when a consensus is reached, IC, the leading character "command" what has been decided OOC.

- the Board Room method : a IC method, useful when everyone has a stake in the aventure : that's the case with the Rogue trader, and his trustree cadre of specialist & close advisors. The Ship is ruled by a Board : The Rogue trader presides it, his right hand man is the Vice president. Each member of the board is a specialist, and represent a vital role on the ship : the Ship Confessor, the Navigator Primaris, the Choir Master Telepathica, the Master-at-Arms, the Enginseer Prime... On his specialty, each councellor has two votes and a Veto when a vote is asked. the Rogue Trader always has two votes, as the Lord Captain and the Owner of the Warrant, and can choose in case of a tie.

For instance, the Navigator counts for 2 councellors concerning Warp navigation, when & where enter or exit the Warp, the kind of warp course. If he find the Counsel choice to be reckless ( for instance, going blind through the Screaming Vortex in order to find an other Warp route to the Koronus Expanse), he can block the decision with a Veto. The Lord Captain can decide to counter the Veto with his own, or put his Veto on all subjects, though if he abuses of his veto rights, the counsellors can vote with a 2/3 majority, to ban the veto right on the next decision.

I'll flesh out my RT tonight. If I lose out on the competition for the spot i'll have a backup astropath or navigator ready to go .

Here is my attempt at winning the role of RT:

Aran Baray, Rogue Trader

Picked out at an early age as an heir to the Baray Dynasty Aran was one of many dozens that could lay claim to the inheritance. In the creche until age thirteen Aran was disciplined many times for escaping to the city to wench and carouse with darker elements in the surrounding society. Rumours abound that he killed several men in duels and had a firey temper that wasn't quenched as blood was spilled but only when his enemy was beaten utterly. Two of his peers met their untimely deaths in these carousing outings from the creche before he was ushered on to greater things. Rumors of Aran being responsible for the deaths still persist among the family retainers.

Unlike his peers Aran chose the Imperial Navy right out of the creche, and served on several vessels at menial tasks until he was aged sixteen, when he was adopted into a close knit group of shock troops on the Frigate Tallyrand. Aran participated in the boarding of the pirate vessel 'Voices of Vaul', distinguishing himself and the unit he fought with by taking command when their commanders were killed by the chaos infected filth that now crewed the pirate vessel. Aran led his troopers to the enginarium of the 'Vaul when they were cut off from Tallyrand's boarding shuttles and slaughtered the enginarium's contingent of enginseers and menials. The 'Vaul shuddered in the void as Aran's troopers played havoc among the ancient reactors and control systems. The resulting chaos allowed troops from Tallyrand to rally and hold out long enough for the two vessels to lock together. The capture of 'Vaul was now assured. Aran was given a few notable accolades for his trouble and some share of the spoils from the prize.

The horrors of this event stuck with Aran throughout his life. Chaos filth awoke in him an ardour for the Emperor of Mankind seen in few others. Instead of curling up and hiding Aran's instincts and inner rage made him throw himself at the danger and defeat it head on. He had a great deal of time to consult Ecclesiarchal teachings on board ship and did so with fervor as he still does to this day. What he witnessed on the 'Vaul changed him for the better, or at least he thinks so.

Having gained recognition for leadership Aran was vaulted into the officer corps by his family and, after several years, a commission was purchased for him to command the Frigate Tanhauser of Battleflet Gothic.

This led to the deaths of several of his dynastic rivals when the colony world they were establishing came under attack by greenskins. Instead of landing troops to secure their holding Aran chose to obliterate the fledgling colony, though his report states the colony was overrun and no vox transmissions had been received from the planet for an hour before he took action. Glorious tales of what he did next were bound to overshadow his actions as he maneuvered Tanhauser away from the planet to engage no less than three ork raiders. By managing to destroy one, cripple another and lose the third Aran got away with his skin and reputation intact.

"Justification is what lesser men do to convince themselves what they do is right. I have no such fragility of purpose." Aran Baray speakin gof the obliteration of Colony XJ79.

After several years of service as master of Tanhauser the Gothic Sector was calming down a bit and he found his vessel had little to do but patrol until a great awakening of faith hurled pilgrims accross the sector to a great congregation. For several years the congregation continued and Aran made time to volunteer Tanhauser to escort ships of the Ecclesiarchy on their journeys across the Gothic Sector. In regularly conversing with and befriending ecclesiarchal adepts Aran gained a reputation as a man of faith and made many allies among the ecclesiarchy while growing in his faith.

The Gothic Sector soon heated up for Aran when he was called out by the young scion of a well established Navy family for insulting his dance partner at a grand ball. Witnesses, in Aran's defense, indicated he simply ignored the woman when she introduced herself and promptly apologized when he realized the lady had taken offense at his ignorance of her presence. The damage was done. The noble Naval officer smacked Aran across the cheek with his glove and threw it to the ground. Tradition would require a duel but the insult was too great for Aran. He swiftly gutted the officer usin ghis Naval issued officer's monoblade, spraying blood across the ballroom. The resulting trial led to Aran's commission being quietly revoked. He did not leave in shame, however, being very publicly collected by officials of the Ecclesiarchy and his own Dynasty in a show of support.

"I never spared him a moment's thought. I could not ignore the insult and remain worthy of my position. His lady, though, she expressed her satisfaction with my martial ability. To this day she sends me letters pining for my return, constantly reminding me of our dalliance during the trial and what the spray of blood awoke in her loins that night." Aran Baray's commenting in his own diary about the killing and its consequences.

By his thirtieth year Aran was consumed in Dynastic politics, commerce and traveled the galaxy shoring up this or that venture. He was a rising star among the surviving scions of House Baray when he learned from an ecclesiarchal contact that the remaining scions were gathering at the home world of the Baray's in secret on a regular basis and that another meeting would take place soon.

Aran arrived unnoticed on a pilgrim's transport and soon learned a majority of his peers were embroiled in a cult that bordered on the heretical. Instead of calling in the Inquisition to clean up the cancer in his own family Aran dropped out of the day to day affairs of the Dynasty. Many of his peers that openly competed against him in familial politics cried victory and heaped contempt on him for quitting the 'game'. Aran's from the spotlight had a double purpose. It allowed him to gather untainted supporters to him and become less of a target in the cut and thrust of Dynastic political warfare as practiced by the Barays. At the next meeting of the traitors Aran launched what would become the first blow in an internal struggle that lasted nearly a year and disrupted Dynastic activities for years thereafter. Little evidence of what caused the internal war remained and the Inquisition moved on, keeping an everwatchful eye on the Dynasty and its survivors. Aran's vendetta resulted in the purging of cultists and the untained, including unlucky rivals that trusted him to set aside rivalries for the good of the Dynasty as a whole.

"It was like cutting off a cancerous tumor. I hardly noticed them when they died. The fools that thought i'd forgotten our youthful rivalries, though, I enjoyed every moment of the looks they gave me when they realized they were going to die. Priceless." Aran Baray's commentaries and diaries related to the Purge of the Dynasty as he called it.

Having finally ascended to a position unassailable, at least for a while, by his peers Aran took ship and headed into the fringe worlds to exploit the weak and profit from the weak at heart.

"What did you do when you realized there was no way to separate the pure from the corrupt?" - Inquisitor Shavlin
"I killed them all." - Rogue Trader Aran Baray on the purging of the Pilgrimage of Genimede

By his fortieth year Aran's wealth was increasing, his vessel was well kept and he had interests across the Eastern Fringe to look after. An old friend, Sister Piter, came calling and asked him to take her on a pilgrimage to the Genimede Sector. He gladly ferried her to the holy world of Genimede and participated in the pilgrimage. only to find yet again evidence of massive corruption. In his attempt to escape the planet's cults Sister Piter was lost and Aran had to flee on a comandeered gun cutter. The taint of chaos was corrupting most that ventured to the planet. He scuttled the gun cutter and killed its crew, using a vacc suit to enter his vessel alone. Having lost many crew and his friend Aran struggled to contain the very dangerous situation. Pilgrim vessels were startign to leave the planet. He knew not whether they were filled with the tainted or the pure or a mix of both. One by one he ordered them shot down as they took off. The threat was contained on Genemede long enough for the Inquisition to arrive. The planet was declared lost and exterminatus cleansed it and all its billions of the taint of chaos.

"That day I gained a purpose greater than mere ambition. I found my calling in martyring billions. There is purity in survival." Aran Baray's diaries.

Aran is physically in his late forties and in fine shape. He is accustomed to wearing fine dark green robes over geen enamled storm trooper carapace armor. He wears a white naval baldric that sports his monoblade, laspistol, and military honors gained in service as a storm trooper on Tallyrand and captain of Tanhauser. On occassion Aran will wear over this uniform a cloak of scales, of the deepest green-black, that reaches the floor from its attachment to the shoulder pieces of his carapace armor.

Info:

Origin Path: CHILD OF DYNASTY > IN SERVICE TO THE THRONE - BORN TO LEAD > ZEALOT - FAVORED OF THE FAITHFUL > HIGH VENDETTA > FEAR - HAUNTED BY THY OWN SINS > CAREER: ROGUE TRADER.

If I can i'd take a LINEAGE.

I have posted my characterconcepts in the Thread you linked, under the same username. I have however decided to include missionary instead of A.M to begin with, simply because we seem to be understocked on Missionaries.

No prob Mordechai, and it sounds like you just are the same type of player as I am!

However personally when it comes to "in-character" decision making, I prefer to stick to the 40k fluff myself. So while OOC we decide what direction the group would like to go*, In-Character I wouldn't quite go as far as changing the dynamics of how Warrants of Trade and the like function. The RT has the final say on all matters, and holds unique power equal to the ranks of the Imperium's highest echelons. When the RT is on par with Lords Militant, Inquisitors, Chapter Masters, and other such figures of immense power, it is impossible that he would go against the orthodox methods of the Imperium and possibly jeopardize not only his Warrant but his life.

*perhaps more importantly, lay out before beginning the campaign exactly what our intended style of play and campaign is

Now, I don't mean to be a b*tch or anything, but I truly am not sure exactly how "close-to-fluff" this campaign is going to be. For example, if most players were 40k wargamers and knew a ton about the 'verse, then we'd probably play it very close. And I don't mean to pick on the other guys or anything, but it seems like they are probably new to the 40k fluff for the most part (no need to go into details of course but there were many things in both that to directly contradict 40k lore).

Of course what really matters is role-playing and getting a great story going, so good luck all!

@Akuma: I have been trying to post on RPGnet - made a new account yesterday and still unable to actually post. If anyone knows whats going on I'd be greatly appreciative! (And there has been no activation email)

Also, this may be a bit preemptive, but I have been looking to "get my feet wet" GMing 40k RP for some time now. So if you were to need/want any help or advice on world/campaign building, the lore, etc I would be more than happy to assist. I wouldn't want to actually GM gameplay, but I have a lot of story and campaign concepts as well as a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the 40k verse that may be of use to you!

Well, I might as well post my Rogue Trader character's 'CV' in that case.

Name: Konrad Källeström

Age: 29

The Källeström family hail from Hive Sibellus on Scintilla, capital of the Calixis Sector. Although not one of the original founding dynasties who settled in the sector following the Angevin Crusade, they fast became a significant political and economic force in the region over the last fourteen generations.

Originally starting out as merchants, it has been through shrewd business deals, political marriages, and other un-named activities that saw the family edge their way into the manufacturing industry on Scintilla and take over vast estates on many of the Calixian agri-worlds which supply the planet’s hive cities. The speed and sometimes aggressive means by which the Källeströms’ rose to a position of influence on Scintilla did not go unnoticed. Rival trade guilds and noble households have actively sought to erode the power and wealth of the family on numerous occations over the centuries.

Over the past three hundred years, the family have gradually forgotten their once proud roots and have steadily become corrupted by the power they so fanatically sought for generations. Many of the family members stoop to emulate their peers in bouts of excess, either purely for the sake of it, or through boredom.

Konrad Källeström was born the third son to Archduke Markus Källeström, direct descendent of the original family line and holder of the Imperial Warrant, and his wife Mariana D’Voran.

Like all Imperial nobles, Konrad was raised in the trappings of high society, mixing with only those of equivilant stature and groomed for a life of privilege. He benefitted from an education few others could afford, his father employing only the most highly regarded academics and tutors to oversee his development. His education and natural curiosity led Konrad to question aspects of the esablished order of Imperial society, its relationship with the known xenos species, and Humanties role in the galaxy. It was only in his early teens that such views became outwardly expressed, and his families position has prevented further scrutiny.

In an attempt to instil discipline and order back into his unorthodox son, Archduke Markus secured a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Imperial Navy for Konrad, as a career, a means of extending the Källeström’s influence in the sector, and to remove him from the ever watchful eye of those in the Ecclesiarchy. After five years service with Battlefleet Calixis, Konrad returned to the family seat. In contrast to his father’s hope, his exposure to life outside a guilded cage only ignited his desire to explore and uncover the truths of Humanity's past.