Explorers and privateers under the command of a legendary Rogue Trader; venturing into uncharted reaches to claim new worlds in search of profit and glory, they also face new terrors
and dangers.
“This fleet has travelled all over this galaxy, and I’ve seen things I can’t
describe—alien things that lead to nightmares and death. But you know
what else they lead to? Riches, mate, riches.”
–Perrin Fisk, Cargo Master of the Rogue Trader vessel Golden Nebula
Starting skills
Charm or Scrutiny, Commerce, Common Lore (Rogue Traders), Linguistics (pick one alien language), Operate (Surface or Aeronautica)
Starting talents
Weapon Training (Las or Solid Projectile, Shock)
Starting equipment
Laspistol or autopistol (fitted with Compact weapon upgrade), shock maul, mesh cloak or carapace chestplate, auspex, chrono
Background bonus
Inured to the Xenos: A character from a Rogue Trader Fleet gains a +10 bonus to Fear tests caused by aliens and a +20 bonus to Interaction skill tests with alien characters.
Background aptitude
Finesse or Social
Recommended roles
Ace, Desperado, Hierophant, Seeker
Armed with their prized Warrant of Trade, Rogue Traders
command starships throughout the Imperium and—most
importantly—outside its borders into Wilderness Space.
Those serving aboard these fleets have lives unimaginable for
even those who also travel the void. Where others might crave the
comforting drudgery of forging munitions or assembling ration
packs, these men and women journey to distant and unexplored
worlds with no protection or law other than what they bring with
them. Some might desire only to spread the Emperor’s Light into
these dark reaches, or are obsessed over the violent extermination
of alien races wherever they may be found, but for most, exploiting
the riches from newly discovered planets and ancient civilisations
dominates all else. Many die unknown and unmourned in these
efforts, but through them Mankind expands even further across an
ever-hostile galaxy.
r ole w iThin The i mperium
Rogue Traders are sanctioned operatives of the Imperium, granted
rights to explore, conduct trade with humans and aliens alike,
and claim new systems in the Emperor’s Name. Their fleets may
contain only a few vessels, or several, depending on the successes
and the power of their dynasty. No matter how many or few ships,
these fleets always need crew.
Rogue Traders, and thus their fleets, are unique and often
idiosyncratic, and this can be reflected in those who serve under
them. As such, they can often perform a variety of functions for
Imperial agencies. Many feature impressive armaments and might
operate in conjunction with Imperial Navy ships in defending
against xenos invasions or pacifying rebellious worlds. Some fleets
explore alongside the Adeptus Mechanicus to discover archaeotech
and quest for fabled STC patterns.
Others are constellations of floating cathedrals, with the crews
more concerned with spreading salvation and converting the souls
of those lost humans found under newly discovered stars than
mere profit. These fleets often travel with devout contingents from
the Missionarus Galaxia, and can even lend their fury in Wars
of Faith against heretics and heathens. At any time, and for the
proper payment, the ships can even act as transport for personages
of importance, from mere system lords to Inquisitors—especially
when discretion is necessary. Like the power their master wields
due to his Warrant, there are few limits as to the roles a Rogue
Trader’s crew can take on.
While most on board perform the harsh labour necessary
to keep the plasma drives fed and the hull plating sealed, like on
any other Imperial vessel, many members of the crew on a Rogue
Trader’s ship are more flexible in their duties. As these ships often
operate outside of Imperial rule and support, those aboard must
encompass a wide range of specialities, from combat expertise
to engine repair, from stellar navigation to negotiation with alien
races, from command to proselytism. Each new world represents
new challenges and opportunities, and so the men and women
of Rogue Trader fleets must be prepared for everything from
friendly natives to torpedo salvoes. Such flexibility, both mental
and physical, is a necessity given the nature of their missions. It
also makes them ideal for service in a greater cause than simply
increasing their master’s wealth.
r ogue Trader fleeT c haracTers
Service in a Rogue Trader fleet often is a hereditary one, with
families serving their master’s dynasty for endless generations.
Some might even be part of the dynasty, perhaps being groomed
for a captaincy one day or relegated to lesser duties as lessons
in showing proper respect. These hereditary crew could be born
aboard their ships, or taken aboard during visits to family holdings
or colony worlds across the galaxy. Other clans might originate
from those rescued from pirate attacks or from planets overrun
by ravenous xenos creatures, where the survivors might require
generations of service to repay the debt owed their saviours.
The personnel in these fleets often follow in the mould of
their master. Should their leader be obsessed with conquest, they
might further their martial abilities and study the tactics used
in both stellar and planetary war. Those aboard ships devoted
to exploration and seeking out the treasures of uncharted space
could delve into forgotten datavaults of crumbling Warp route
parchments or become experts in tracking the paths of xenos
raiders. Similarly, crew working alongside fiery preachers might
discover within themselves an eagerness to spread the Word of the
Emperor wherever they go. The deadly nature of politics within
Rogue Trader dynasties can lead some to darker but still necessary
skills in assassination and secretive death.
Many, though, take on their master’s zeal for riches, glory,
and independence where both trading and dealmaking is foremost
in every situation. Even the lowliest of deckhands can share this
spirit when their fleet sails under the command of a suitably driven
Rogue Trader. Familiar with making their own way and following
their own lead rather than merely obeying outside dictates and
laws, they can easily attract an Inquisitor’s attention. All also have
experiences with the unusual and alien that are exceptionally
valuable as well. Though they are perhaps less inclined to perfectly
obey their new master’s orders, they can achieve much that a more
tractable citizen could not.
sample rogue Trader
f leeT background : T he Boundless e ndeavour
Rogue Trader Eliza Diamonde was
exploring far spinward of Thaur
when Eldar raiders ambushed and
crippled her ship, The Boundless
Endeavour, and left the crew for
dead. Only the unexpected arrival
of a nameless Inquisitor saved
them. Diamonde now supplies
the mysterious individual with fast
passage to wherever he requires,
any information she gathers in her
voyages, and the pick of her crew
as he demands. Though most taken
never return after they depart with
him, it is still considered a high
honour to be chosen. Diamonde,
though, has begun to wonder if
the Inquisition had a hand in
arranging the ambush and the
lifetime of debt she owes him.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 