+++Rogue Traders+++

The Rogue Traders fulfill a vital role within the Imperium as freelance explorers, conquistadors and merchants. A Rogue Trader is a trusted imperial servant, he is given a ship, a crew, a contingent of marines and carte blanche to roam the worlds beyond the Imperium.

The Imperium is a vast, scattered realm, extending over almost the entire galaxy, impinging itself upon the more compact areas of alien settled space. The Imperium contains a million inhabited worlds, but even this is but a tiny fraction of the galactic whole. Then there is the eastern fringe, the remote area of the galaxy where the Astronomicon does not reach, and where the only human settlers are renegades or pioneering groups whose ancestors were forgotten millennia ago. Most of the galaxy remains unexplored, unknown and dangerous.

The potential of new worlds, alien civilisations and unimaginable resources has stimulated the growth of free-ranging imperial agents known as Rogue Traders. Licensed and equipped by the priesthood, the Rogue Trader is free to explore the far regions of the galaxy, the areas where the Astronomicon does not reach, and those areas within its range as yet unvisited. Rogue Traders have even attempted to cross the void of inter-galactic space, but over such distences even the Astropaths' powers of communication are useless, and whether such missions have succeeded is unknown. Operating in isolation from the central authority of the Imperium, the Rogue Trader must decide how to react to alien cultures, new discoveries and threats. If he judges a race potentially dangerous he may attempt to destroy it, or gather as much information about it as he can so that others may do so. If he decides a race may be of use to humanity he may attempt to make contact and establish relations. If merely technologically or minerally rich, a planet may be plundered, and the Rogue Trader will return to Earth laden with the treasure of space; alien artifacts, rare and precious minerals and undreamed of technology.

Needless to say, the Rogue Trader requires a fair compliment of spacecraft, troops and other staff if he is to complete his mission. His total responsibility may extend to a dozen spacecraft, often huge, lumbering cargo vessals crammed with a small army, a full crew of technicians and volunteer settlers to establish colonies on new worlds. Most important, however, are the fighting troops, for it is they who will have to deal with any potential threat.

Profile. Rogue Traders are individuals who have reached a position of power within the imperial hierarchy. They come from the ranks of the Adeptus Terra, the Inquisition, army or fleet - a few are influential civilians, amongst whom the navigator families are the most famous. Politics sometimes obliges this course, for free of imperial command the Rogue Trader is also conveniently out of the way, beyond the centre of real power. Rogue Traders have a reputation as outcasts, many are people whom the priesthood deems better kept at a safe distance; vociferous Space Marines leaders, influential Navigators, liberal-minded Inquisitors and rebel Imperial Commanders. A Rogue Trader is an experienced individual.

Rogue Traders are frequently possesed of psychic powers, 30% are psykers compared to 5% of normal human characters. Non-psychic Rogue Traders may be Navigators, there being a 5% chance of this.

Organisation. The Rogue Trader works under instruction from the priesthood - but his is a wide one. Furthermore, once contact with Earth has been lost, the Rogue Trader is effectively independent.

Equipment. Equipment can be of any type, often alien or otherwise unavailable within the Imperium. In battle a Rogue Trader would typically appear in powered armour and some sort of armour energy field. Weaponry carried at all times would be at least one pistol weapon, usually a bolter, and a power sword or chainsword. Digital weapons are regarded with high favour too.

A Rogue Traders personal equipment is likely to be extensive. The equipment abord ship would include almost all possible things, including vehicles.

A typical Rogue Trader. Jan Van Yastobaal enjoyed a successful career in the Administratum before reaching the supreme position of High Lord of Terra. It was old age that finally spurred this tireless warrior into the outer galaxy, where he quickly gained a reputation of being particuarly successful at finding and plundering alien worlds. His suit of powered armour is worn underneath a sleeveless tabard. His helmet is moulded into a horned skull. He carries a stasis field and refractor field defences, and his weaponry includes a bolt pistol, autopistol, laspistol, power sword and three Jakaero digital weapons (1 each of laser, needler and flamer). Additional equipment includes a communicator, bio-scanner, nose filters, photochromatic eye drops, an immune injector, infra-vision contacts, chemicals for the Jakaero needler, a rad-counter, a stimulant chemical, a sys-skin applicator and sufficiant chemical for 3 uses, 3 suspensers and web solvent.

Retinue. Rogue Traders do not take to the empty voids of space alone - each commands a small fleet, a contingent of warriors, settlers, and all manner of support personnel. With them go supplies to last for several years, vehicles, prefabricated research stations, housing, transport, weaponry, etc. A typical retinue would be an entire company of Space Marines (100 warriors) plus two companies of ordinary imperial troops all with the standard vehicles and auxiliary equipment.