I am in the planning stages to run a Rogue Trader game online Tuesday nights using vent. I am currently recruiting players for the game, so if you are interested feel free to post. I will also be posting back-story for game as it is finished.

Back story for House Horalis written by crisaron who will be playing Rogue Trader Maximus Horalis the 17th.

5-790-816. M41

There I am, Scion of my house. How could this have happened? Of all our asset in the Calidix Sectors this is what I could save:

The Light of Ambition - House Horalis flag ship.

This old battered cruiser, poorly equipped and with a very old and xenophibic crew. They are the descendents of the original Imperial crew, hardened beyond dreams, ruthless but irrespectful of me, though I can't really blame them. Half the ship belongs to the "Choir Of the St-Drusus" anyway, either a mix of locals and the various ecclesiarches, "semi" permanent passengers, again nothing to complain about. I slipped pass two blockades of my worst enemy's fleet. They dared not shoot at the ship because the deacon's of some planet was onboard at that time. Well, on paper he still is anyway, it's not like I would dare venture there now anyway.

A single loyal tie to the mechanicus lathe forges. Although, I dare not completely read the list of agreement I had to sign in a hurry to get within their ports gun defense grid as the enemy pounded down on The Light of Ambition. She held fast, I am starting to love that ship.

A regiment of household troops , I hope they are loyal as their Master says.

A few hundred relatives, house bound, serfs and "friends", or perhaps spies, I dare not know. All of them having the worst of it I am sure. I dare not trust them too much and neither can I make them all lieutenants or officers. They have no skills or training, and for the most part no value. The crew can find places for them if they are willing to work for their food. Hard life's, yet mine is not a piece of cake either anymore.

Before they were able to destroy or steal all my family had, I was able to sell a few assets at ridiculous prices, some even to my own enemies. All that just to buy time, and a few loyalties, but it was time I need. Time we all need. From what I can tell, I still have a few assets in the expanse, but we have not received any news or money from them in decades. When the opportunity presents itself, I will need to hire someone to properly go though the books, but right now I have few resources, many problem ,and in desperate need income. To many mouths to feed, to many enemies and very few allies.

That is it.

---

I like this ship. Her noise, she speaks to me, many time now. I have been catching looks from the bridge crew, whenever I would walk the command platform admiring it, feeling the wood, old and used. Places where commanders had lead war fronts, holding fast as if the strength they put on the railing able to help in anyway. The bridge crew are the most "civilised", they react to my orders without hesitation. The murder servitors probably help, that gene-coded command cane is a life saver, it's a shame they are bound to bridges wall. Near the end , Great grandfather was really getting crazy over this cruiser, maybe it was what started all this, no, it was definitively it. This cruiser had ruined the family, now it had to save it.

I am Maximus Horalis the 17th, 7th son of Proclius. Born Matheus Horalis, in the Imperial pleasure world of Natarhan III. Raised to be a 10th on the line to Scion of the family, I was groomed to be a naval master, a swords master, a marksmen, etc. In theory anyway, b how was I to know, 10th in the line, now last and first of hundreds of posible choices.

It had been made clear a long time ago anyway, the family fleet was very powerful because of the selection of the Scion. It had been made clear that brother Kahel or Nathaniel 16th and 23rd respectably in the line would be Scion and 1st mate choices, each taking the name of Maximus and Proclius as the warrant said it. Reports suggest that they were in the 1st ones to die. My older brother John had nearly saved it all, bringing a full fleet of navy ships, led by nothing less than a battleship. I was crying with joy when he contacted me, I was screaming to him to take the cane, when his words sank in. He was a dead men. He had diverted an Imperial fleet to help me, and he told me that even if he was only reserve, he still had made the worst of transgression. The crew is giving him a few minutes before executing the CEOs orders and seizing him. I had to take what I could and flee with our people. I was now Horalis' Scion, his words strong and resolute "Maximus Horalis, you are alive and strong!".

That was it. That single line, said it. I was stuck.

I unsealed the ship and it went alive, and the crew jumped into action. It was my first warp jump from Natarhan, and I knew form teaching we were too far in system. The tidal waves would nearly destroy the planet, yet it was a better fate then the bombardment it was suffering from the enemy fleet as the last defense grid on the counterside of the planet was sundered. The administrum would want answers someday maybe, if the faction within the Administrum that hated my family was not able to cover all that happened during the slaughtering of my house.

But anyway I did what had to be done. The Warrant said the Expense, my father was weak and the fleet had become lazy. Probably why the crew of the flag ship always worked poorly with the other ships. They were action seekers, they had come and gone in the expense, bleed, die, loved and fought there. My Great-Grand father, Maximus the 16th had been found of voyages ,but when he died my father had decided to keep the name of Proclius and leave the name of Maximus to the next generation. He angered many and perhaos hasted the fall of the house. His love for the gambling dens and bordellos also help sap our finances. Little did I know then , for I indulged too, as part of the entourage of my father it was all I could ever be I taught. He had created a sort of a name for us as party goers, and closed our ties with Natarhan. This angered many as it was contrary to our Warrent and to most other Rogue Traders house was seen as a starting sign of the aging the house about to fall apart. After the Inquisition blockaded Natarhan for 3 years claiming a cult had sprung up, our family coffers where nearly empty. Poorly timed for delays and even more poorly made bargains further destroyed our assets as my father sold ever more to pay debts. He made one final desperate attempts to lure in people back to Natarhan, but it was all in vain, Natarhan was indeed found to have a cult a few years after, many member of the line were killed or went into hiding. My father was cleared of all charges as was the majority of the family, but the damaged had been done. It took 2 months for our enemy to move in, but by then I think my father had understood that maybe it was too late to save Natarhan. He put all of us on a ship and sent us in any direction. We had almost no time to flee, before our enemy bore down on us. At the time, we had a mix of transport, frigates and a dozen old captured raiders turned escort two even now bound for ever to the system, deemed to hazardous for warp travel. The Light of Ambition the flag ship of our house sat motionless in the void, as the crew stonily refusing to move. It was not until the command cane's confirmed my orders, that they accepted me in command, and by then even the murder servitor made that true. They were programmed to shooting anyone trying to force the ship to active that the cane did not approve of. One of my other cousin found it out a bit too late even as the crew shouted at him to stand down guns raised. How shocked was I, seeing the resolution to kill the intruder daring the order them around, for they cared not who it was that would die, only that it was one of the line that had tried to active the ship. I cursed my father as I realized the ship was known as a Church against the sins of Natarhan more than a cruiser anyway having been under construction for decades since the last Maximus death. My father had put those he cared the most for in the most able ship, and now I was here. He trusted the cane in my hands and with it the house. The whole time with a shilling resolute smile on his face. It was shortly after that when my brother's fleet came in, and shortly after that we found ourselves gunning the engines.

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6-814-816.M41

We had another we the forces perusing us as we make our way for the expanse. I am unsure how they have been tracking us, but that marks our 7th engagement with them since leaving Natarhan. Regardless, we are nearing the jaws of the Expense, and they won't dare follow us there, at least I think not. At least these battles have allowed me to garner some trust form the rest of the crew. Today, I was in the deepest part of the ship I dare go, so far that I even need a translator, but even there they showed respected, and admiration.

I spotted my great cousin Cludious on the trip, he said he is 2nd man to targeting and was proud when he said it. He even saluted me. He boosted he had scored a hit on one raider that had tried to get to us when we where hiding near a dead spot. Apparently, we were not the only one thinking this spot safe haven. That hit had been lucky indeed, he crippled the raider from the 1st seconds of battle before even the enemy had sprung their trap. We talked for awhile before he deciding to do impromptu firing drill to impress on me why he was in charge of the guns and not me. It was pleasant experience, I have now the 1st real friend I think I ever had.

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3-934-816.M41

We made it to Port Wander, the gates of the Koronus Expense await. I am no longer the young fool that spent my family fortune with a careless attitude. We will need to acquire a few friends around before we set forth and we desperate need a safe house for the women to start bringing a new generation. Speaking of which, I may need to find a wife.

an excellent start - I look forward to more

----------------Somewhere deep in the bowels of The Light of Ambition------------

“I told you, I saw him on the railing, he looked just like Grand Pa used to say.” The young bridge officer looked to is older sibling, a 1st gunner master and 2nd sergeant of counter-boarding party.

“How can you know what they looked like before, hmm? Grand Pa used to say all kinds of things! Like he was sure this damned cruiser would finally leave the dry dock every other month.”

The young officer looks at the floor, now uncertain. “So you think we are doomed too?”

With an exasperated voice the older officers says, “For Imperator’s sake, why do you say those things?

- Well the word is he was not a chosen, not even looked at. He is weak and as not guts, they say. He never did anything to even make himself visible to the family.
- So what, you really think those old geese know everything? They claim to be the most knowledge full of crew but if you look at the dates correctly they haven’t left dry dock ever. So, I am sorry if my words offend you but bullocks for the old farts and bullocks for your house wife fears, go back on the deck and be a man. Old fast as she does, HE IS Maximus Horalis ALIVE AND STRONG.”
- Yes,… he is Maximus Horalis alive and… strong.”

Beaten the younger officer head lowered even more. How pathetic the older brother tough, how did he score a bridge assignment? “Listen, I got something for you, read this but be sure no one knows where it comes from and that our good captain doesn’t read it too, I don't think he would be very happy this was made public…”

Curious the young officer took the folded new paper article and went to his duty until later that night, he finally had time to reading it.

“The Natarhan Real News --- Result of the inquiry into the underground pit fighting has been stopped. The ring leader who is supposedly attached to the infamous cult of pleasure was found dead inside the fighting pit. This man had been under arrest orders by mostly all the branches of the Imperium from the Adeptus Arbites to the Inquistion itself. “He was beaten at his own game of swords; the Imperator Might was shown to him. If we could only know who this local vigilante is so we could reward him.” The article goes on and on, it describes how this man was a sword master and a very dangerous psyker… The young man just realized this article came from a banned news paper that had tendency to write about censured topics, why did is older brother want him to read this... a second smaller article fell off. He pick it up and read, “The Natarhan Digest –- Yesterday night, it is rumored that Matheus Horalis was admitted to the Natarhan greater hospital for he is grievously wounded. He is in an uncertain state nad kept in an artificial coma, the 10th heir to the House Horalis is renowned for is strong word and drinking habits. An hospitals staff said, under the cover of anonymity, that he was bleeding to death, scored with battle marks and had cuts all over is body, he also refused any help to walk or stand until he had reached the house Horalis personal quarter inside the Hospital walls…” Why did my brother want me to read this… The article date where the same realized the young man, maybe there was more to the man… Anyone willing to put is life and standing on the line to save is family and yet not claim the reward back for himself should be able to lead the family.

I'm interested in your game, could you tell me what time zone your working off, what slots are open etc?

I'm interested as well.

I am thinking we will start at 7pm central standard time. As for slots, the only one taken is the Rogue Trader by crisaron. If there is something you would like to play as that is not in the rules, let me know and I will see what we can work out.

I am thinking of playing an astropath, void master, or a explorator. I am leaning towards the last two though, esp. because I assume there no Blood Ravens on board.

The day of the week for the game has been changed to Thursdays.

US or europe time? I'd love to join but if it's US time I can't join unfortuneatly.

CST is one of the American time zones- iirc 7PM CST is like 2AM GMT.

I'm out as well, then, but good luck with your game!

it's Timeless call

Sorry, can't stay up till 2am for a game. Your not that cool dude...

Aww, fiddlesticks. Anyway, have fun and may the emperor protect!

So we on for Thursday?

I would like to get one more player before we start. So we will wait one more week.

I would like to formally throw my hat into the ring. Although I'm unfamiliar with vent (as the only ever online RT game I've been involved in has been over skype) Thursday evenings should work out for me with the occasional absence due to my ongoing education. I'd be interested in seneschal, Arch-Militant Swashbuckler or Explorator (maybe arch-hertek?) but would be open to almost any other roles if they would fit the party better. Anywho, more info would be appreciated as to the mechanics of playing over vent and I can be contacted over the forums or at [email protected].

Greetings all,

The ship information can be found here . I will continue to post additional information as it is finished.

So i replied to your email, but realized (since there was no reply) that I had not replied here ad should likely do so. What position are you hoping to have filled?

My friend Crisaron (whom I play Black Crusade with in another skype group) referred me to your thread, and I am pleased to say I am very interested in your game.

If the slot for Rogue Trader is still open, I would certainly love to take that one, if not I could go for a Void Master or an Astropath.

Noctus-Cornix said:

Scratch the Rogue Trader part, seeing as I was too oblivious to look at the first line.

However I am still up for Navigator, Astropath, or Void Master.

Hi guys things are settling down for me at school into a normal day to day affair and if it is thursday i might be able to make it as well as for the slot I would play if I can join is Seneschal.

Is anyone opposed to me stepping in as the Astropath?

Hi, I'm the Arch militant, I had someone help me get started and recommended to the group. I'm brand new to this online gaming thing as well as this game, so it should be interesting and I'm looking forward to it.

To all players except getit

Please send your character's backstory and character information to crisaron. He must approve all characters and backstories before they are sent to me. if you are unsure what kind of characters he is looking for in his crew, I would recommend you contact him. If you have already sent me your character ,and his backstory I will send the information to him. If for any reason there is a issue with your character by the time it reaches me, I will work it out with you before Thursday.