“Squad, ATTENTION! Eyes front, you miserable excuses for soldiers! I don’t care if you’ve survived a thousand battles against the enemies of the Emperor, if you can’t march straight, you’re not worthy to serve in His glorious armies!”
“Do you call this a formation? You’re marching like a bunch of grox-herders on a backwater planet! Heels together, shoulders square, SPINES STRAIGHT! You march like you mean it, or I’ll have you marching around the parade ground until Terra rises in the sky!”
“If you can’t keep your lines straight, how in the name of the God-Emperor will you hold the line against a xenos horde? You WILL march in perfect unison, or by the Emperor’s light, I’ll send you back to the barracks for remedial drill until your legs fall off!”
“The Emperor demands PERFECTION, and by His grace, I will have it! When you march, you are the embodiment of Imperial discipline! Now, FORWARD MARCH! And if I see a single boot out of place, you’ll be polishing your lasguns for a month!”
Age:
Middle-aged, recently underwent a rejuvenation operation to extend his lifespan and restore some physical vigor. Despite this, there is a noticeable weariness behind his eyes that no procedure can erase.
Height/Build:
Medium height with broad shoulders, Diocletian has the solid build of a man who has seen more than his fair share of combat. His posture is always disciplined, and his presence gives off a sense of controlled power.
Race/Species:
Human, noble-born, with ties to the Von Ulm Rogue Trader dynasty, though he has distanced himself from traditional aristocratic duties in favor of military service.
Demeanor/Personality:
Diocletian is stoic and detached, a man of few words who rarely shows emotion. He comes across as cold and calculating, but it is a defense mechanism born from years of trauma. Those who work closely with him recognize his uncompromising sense of duty and perfectionism, but they also see the strain it puts on him.
Nature/Core Identity:
At his core, Diocletian is a veteran of countless battles, shaped by the brutal realities of war. He is fundamentally a soldier, but one who is tired—emotionally drained from years of violence and trauma. Despite his desire for peace, he finds solace only in the rigid structure of his duty.
Background/Origin:
Diocletian served as an officer in the Imperial Guard, where he earned a reputation as a capable and fearless leader. His unit participated in a grueling campaign against the Eldar and the forces of Chaos, a conflict that scarred him deeply both physically and mentally. His time in the trenches left him with profound respect for discipline, but also intense trauma.
Goals & Aspirations:
Diocletian’s greatest goal is to avoid returning to active duty in any large-scale war. He seeks to serve his duty aboard the Von Ulm ship without having to face the horrors of another full campaign. His only aspiration now is to uphold his family honor and ensure the Von Ulm dynasty remains strong.
Fears & Insecurities:
Diocletian suffers from combat trauma flashbacks that leave him paralyzed with fear at times. He is emotionally numb due to the horrors he has witnessed and represses his emotions to maintain control. His most significant fear is encountering the Eldar again, as he blames them for the losses and suffering of his past. This hatred drives him, but it also deepens his inner torment.
Motivations:
Diocletian is primarily motivated by a sense of duty to his family and the Von Ulm dynasty. His loyalty to them is unshakable, and he would sacrifice his own desires and well-being to ensure the dynasty’s prosperity and survival. The honor of his family is the last meaningful cause left to him.
Strengths/Skills:
Diocletian excels in situations where a last stand is required. His ability to keep calm in the face of overwhelming odds is unmatched, and he has led his troops through desperate situations where most would have fallen. His experience in trench warfare gives him an intuitive understanding of defensive tactics and endurance under siege.
Weaknesses/Flaws:
His PTSD and emotional trauma manifest in a crippling obsession with perfection. He demands the same flawless execution from those under his command, which can lead to him becoming overly harsh or unyielding. This often creates friction with others, especially those who do not understand the weight he carries from his past.
Alignment/Values:
Diocletian embodies the traditional Imperial Guard ethics of loyalty, duty, and honor. He believes in the Imperium’s hierarchy, the divinity of the God-Emperor, and the righteous cause of humanity’s survival. His values are unwavering, though his rigid adherence can sometimes blind him to the complexities of diplomacy or more nuanced approaches.
Quirks/Habits:
He has a habit of meticulously maintaining his weapons, even when it’s not necessary, as it gives him a sense of control over his surroundings. Diocletian also participates in parades and ceremonial displays with great care, finding solace in the strict formality and structure they offer—a way to distract his mind from his internal chaos.
Speech Patterns/Accent:
Diocletian speaks with the clipped, precise tone of a military officer, giving orders in a firm but measured way. His voice rarely rises, and he keeps his conversations strictly formal, even in casual settings. He is often seen as distant because he avoids idle chatter, preferring to focus on the mission or task at hand.
Appearance/Style:
His appearance is severe, with his rejuvenated features giving him an oddly youthful yet hardened look. He wears a pristine officer’s uniform that displays his rank and former Imperial Guard affiliations with pride. His face is clean-shaven, with a bionic eye replacing one lost in battle, a reminder of his many campaigns.
Occupation/Role:
Diocletian serves as the Master of Arms aboard the Von Ulm flagship, responsible for the ship’s defense and leading its military forces in boarding actions, repelling attackers, and keeping the crew combat-ready. His authority is unquestioned, though his methods are sometimes viewed as extreme.
Relationships:
Diocletian keeps distant relationships with those around him. He respects the Von Ulm family and is fiercely loyal to them, though he is not particularly close to any of its members. His officers and soldiers respect him for his experience and leadership, but few dare to approach him on a personal level due to his emotionally cold demeanor.
Reputation/Influence:
Among the crew and officers, Diocletian is known as a no-nonsense commander who can be relied on to hold the line, no matter the odds. His reputation as a survivor of countless battles has made him somewhat legendary among his peers, though his harsh personality has also earned him the reputation of being inflexible and difficult to work with.
Secret:
Diocletian harbors the guilt of having made a tactical retreat during one of his campaigns that led to the deaths of many soldiers under his command. This decision haunts him, though it was officially deemed the right choice. He feels responsible for their deaths and believes that if the truth were known, his honor and reputation would be shattered.
Likes/Dislikes:
Diocletian dislikes parades and ceremonial events, though paradoxically, he takes part in them because their formality gives him solace. He detests informal gatherings or idle chatter and has a deep-seated hatred for Eldar, whom he blames for much of his trauma. He finds strange comfort in maintaining military discipline and finds relaxation in working with weapons and tactical plans.
Emotional State:
Diocletian’s emotional state is unstable, marked by periods of emotional numbness punctuated by occasional bursts of rage or anxiety, particularly triggered by reminders of his past campaigns. He manages to suppress most of these emotions through discipline, but they often seep into his interactions with others.
Notable Equipment/Items:
Diocletian carries a power sword, gifted to him by the Von Ulm family for his years of service, and a customized laspistol that has been with him since his time in the Imperial Guard. His most important possession is a bionic eye, which grants him enhanced vision and is a constant reminder of the battle in which he lost it.
Beliefs/Religions:
Diocletian is a devout follower of the Imperial Creed, holding firm to the belief in the God-Emperor and the divinity of humanity’s rule over the galaxy. He has a particular reverence for Saint Brannicus, a martyr of the Imperial Guard, whose teachings on perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds inspire him.
Combat Style:
Diocletian specializes in trench warfare, having spent much of his military career in the mud and blood of endless sieges and fortifications. He favors defensive tactics, ensuring that his forces can hold out against superior numbers. His combat style is methodical, focusing on discipline and endurance rather than flashy heroics.
Social Status:
As an officer aboard an Imperial ship and a noble by birth, Diocletian commands a high level of respect and authority. However, he tends to avoid the political games of nobility, preferring the structure and clarity of military life over the subtleties of courtly intrigue.
Diocletian Gorgo is a complex, battle-hardened officer whose past haunts him but whose discipline keeps him functional. Though feared and respected, his inner turmoil makes him a character torn between duty and the trauma of his service.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 