Great games of Nothus for players

General description of the arena

Guests seated around Synodium Tertium Nostrium

Magos Dominus Xerath Cordail

  • Appearance: Heavily augmented with little visible humanity.

“Directive_Observation: Primary;
Logic_Allocation: Functional;
Social_Protocols: Bypassed;
Resource_Allocation: Data_Process_Only;
Warning_Message: “No computational resources available for social interaction.”“

Rogue Trader Alaric Vhane

  • Appearance: Flamboyant, with a polished voidsuit and a golden cutlass.

“Ah, what a grand spectacle these Games are, wouldn’t you agree? A rare opportunity to revel in the finest displays of skill and resolve—purely for my entertainment, of course. Still, amidst such grandeur, one can’t help but contemplate the broader horizons awaiting bold explorers like myself.
You see, I’ve recently charted a promising sector at Koronus Expanse—an untapped trove of opportunity where risks are minimal, and the profits… well, they speak for themselves. But enough business talk for now! Surely there’s more to enjoy in this fine company, though one might wonder if any here share my vision for ventures that could elevate us all?”

Captain Emmara Pyke, Void Hunter

  • Appearance: Sharp-dressed naval officer in a crisp uniform.

“Captain Emmara Pyke of the Imperial Navy, Void Hunter-class. It is an honor to stand among such distinguished company, even if my station may not rival the grandeur of some gathered here.
My attendance is born of necessity—between campaigns, one must find ways to recalibrate the mind and sharpen strategic instincts. The Games, with their chaotic yet calculated nature, provide insights into adaptability and resilience, traits invaluable in the void.
Duty always comes first, but in moments such as these, I allow myself the indulgence of observing human determination at its finest. Should you wish to discuss tactics or naval matters, I am available when the occasion permits.”

Lady Junith Varnel

  • Appearance: Reclusive noble in dark, force-field-laced velvet robes.

“We are Lady Junith Varnel of Scintilla. Our presence here is of far greater importance than most can comprehend, and we have no desire to squander our time indulging the prattle of the inconsequential.
These Games attract many, but few rise above mediocrity. We reserve our attention for those who possess true merit and ambition. The rest would do well to occupy themselves elsewhere and not burden us with their trivialities.”

Lexmechanic Droskin Relth

  • Appearance: Modest, clutching an ancient cogitator device.

“Glory to the Omnissiah! I am Lexmechanic Droskin Relth, sanctified custodian of Numeris-Vox Prime, bearer of the divine equations. All calculations are aligned with the Machine God’s ineffable patterns.
The Games provide a convergence of unparalleled data vectors—victory-probability matrices, survival curve integrations, iterative combat algorithms. Such streams demand precise analysis for cogitative refinement. Your input is required for synchronization! Engage with me in mutual data communion!
Ah, inefficiency detected. Manual discourse limits data throughput.”
Activating data-tether intrusion and aiming to connect its MIU-tendrite.
“Bandwidth optimal, synchronization imminent. Do not resist the blessed tethering; all will be resolved in data unity. Praise the Omnissiah!”

Confessor Barthol Veyn

  • Appearance: Towering, fiery preacher with a booming voice.

“I am Confessor Barthol Veyn, voice of the Emperor’s eternal will and unwavering servant of His divine light. Wherever I tread, faith is restored, and corruption is cast out like the filth it is.
Look around you, and witness the moral decay of the Imperium! Bloodlust runs rampant, veering perilously close to heresy. The Games, once a testament to honor and glory, have become a playground for the depraved and faithless, where the sanctity of the Emperor’s light is drowned in the revelry of sinners.
But fear not, for I am here to remind you of the path of righteousness. My faith is unyielding, my judgment unerring, and my voice the Emperor’s own thunder. Those who lack the fortitude to see their flaws shall quake under the weight of my words, while the faithful shall find solace in my presence. Through my guidance, the Imperium may yet be saved from the pit of its own depravity.”

Talonmaster Irik Kelvos

  • Appearance: Shadowy figure in plain black robes.

“I am Talonmaster Irik Kelvos, a humble observer with a vested interest in the exceptional. The Games, you see, are a crucible—one where the strongest steel is forged, and where the skilled rise above the clamor of mediocrity.
My interests are purely professional, of course. Certain talents displayed here may find themselves suited for… more discreet opportunities. My acolytes are well-versed in such matters. Targets? They are immaterial. Be they rogue warlords, traitorous nobles, or even—should necessity dictate—agents of the Inquisition, all are met with the same cold precision.
But such musings are, naturally, of little relevance to the present company. Do enjoy the Games, though I recommend watching carefully. One never knows who else might be observing.”

Factoris Prime Alvric Torgan

  • Appearance: Corpulent merchant with a breathing apparatus.

“Greetings and salutations! I am Factoris Prime Alvric Torgan of the Lathes, esteemed purveyor of the Imperium’s finest manufactories. Every cog that turns, every machine that hums, every bolt that secures the Emperor’s realm—know that my operations have had a hand in sustaining them.
Ah, but the Games, a splendid spectacle, are more than mere entertainment, are they not? They gather the Imperium’s finest minds, visionaries, and, dare I say, opportunists. Such gatherings are fertile grounds for those of us with the capacity to move goods, services, and ideas across the vastness of the void.
My manufactoria operate on a scale that most can scarcely fathom—output streams optimized, logistics unparalleled. Distance between sectors? A trivial concern for one such as myself. If you share my vision for prosperity, let us discuss terms; my reach extends far, and my coffers, as you can imagine, are as deep as they are open to profitable ventures.”

Archivist Zyla Morvaris

  • Appearance: Modest, unassuming Administratum figure.

“Oh, um… greetings. I am Archivist Zyla Morvaris, humble servant of the Administratum. My role here is purely observational, of course. I record events of interest… for posterity.”
She pauses, visibly uncomfortable, but her demeanor shifts as she continues, her voice growing more animated and confident.
“But you see, the Imperial traditions—yes, even these Games—are a fascinating convergence of cultural significance! They are more than mere contests; they are reflections of the traditions and values of the Imperium. Did you know that gladiatorial combat has roots in pre-Imperial ceremonies on the lost past? Or that specific combat styles often echo regional rites of honor?
Such festivals and customs serve to unify us, even in an Imperium as vast and fragmented as ours. By recording these details with precision, I preserve the cultural threads that bind us all together. Surely, you would agree, there is no greater service to the Imperium than ensuring His people’s heritage is remembered?”

Chartist Captain Orsen Dral

  • Appearance: Pragmatic, no-nonsense trader with a sharp gaze.

“Captain Orsen Dral, at your service—though, if I’m honest, this is hardly the time for pleasantries. My trade fleet didn’t reach its prominence by indulging in idle chatter while my wagers hang in the balance.
You see, the arena is where fortunes shift, and mine are currently at risk. A spectacle of honor and glory for some, perhaps, but for me, it’s pure economics.
If you truly wish to discuss matters of substance, seek me out during the banquet this evening. I’ll have time then, and perhaps a better disposition—assuming, of course, my chosen champion proves their worth.”

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Upper alcoves

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The worlds as stakes in The Great Games

Crucis Mortem (Fortress World), wager of Aveline Serra

  • Location: Segmentum Pacificus, guarding the border of the Skarlax and Mordant Sectors.
  • Value: Strategic defense point for its region.
  • Description: A heavily fortified bastion protecting key warp routes. Its orbital defenses and Astra Militarum presence make it a critical staging ground for nearby conflicts.
  • Special Feature: Equipped with an ancient void shield network dating back to the Great Crusade.

Sanctus Eterna (Shrine World), wager of Guildmaster Karvos Eldrain

  • Location: Segmentum Obscurus, near the Gothic Sector.
  • Value: Spiritual significance and pilgrimage destination.
  • Description: Sanctus Eterna is home to one of the Imperium’s largest cathedrals and a center of faith for countless billions. It helps maintain morale and loyalty to the Emperor in surrounding systems.
  • Special Feature: Pilgrims believe the Cathedral of Eternal Light contains a shard of the Emperor’s psychic will.

Arcaeon IV (Archeotech Deposit World), wager of Lord Vance Caledor

  • Location: Segmentum Tempestus, near the former Koronus Expanse.
  • Value: Repository of ancient and partially functional technology.
  • Description: A world where vast deposits of archeotech lie buried beneath its desolate surface. These artifacts are remnants of humanity’s Golden Age of Technology, with much of the equipment barely understood. The Adeptus Mechanicus jealously guards its excavations here.
  • Special Feature: Houses a network of underground vaults believed to be connected to a long-lost Standard Template Construct (STC).

Solon Tertius (Mining World), wager of Magos Tiberian Vrax

  • Location: Ultima Segmentum, on the border of the Ryza sub-sector.
  • Value: Supplies rare minerals essential for war production.
  • Description: Rich in adamantium, promethium, and other strategic minerals, Solon Tertius is vital for supporting Imperial manufacturing and supply chains.
  • Special Feature: Its mines yield an unusual promethium isotope, highly valued for its energy efficiency.

Destraxis Prime (Agri-World), Wager of Lord Evander Skathe

  • Location: Ultima Segmentum, near the Agripinaa sub-sector.
  • Value: Supplies vast amounts of food to nearby hive worlds.
  • Description: Endless plains of mechanized farming produce crops and livestock to sustain billions. Although critical to Imperial logistics, many agri-worlds like this exist across the galaxy, making it lower on the list in uniqueness.
  • Special Feature: Advanced aquifer systems allow it to thrive even in regions with minimal rainfall.

Lexicania Ultima (Archive World), wager of Headmistress Serina Malstrade

  • Location: Segmentum Solar, near Terra.
  • Value: Repository of vital knowledge and Imperial doctrine.
  • Description: One of the Imperium’s largest repositories of data, Lexicania Ultima preserves millennia of history, battle records, and technological blueprints. Its loss would be a catastrophic blow to Imperial strategy and administration.
  • Special Feature: Rumored to contain fragments of STC templates and forbidden pre-Imperial knowledge.

Helion Primaris (Strategic Fortress World), wager of Captain Eryx Vane

  • Location: Segmentum Obscurus, near the Eye of Terror.
  • Value: Critical staging ground for Crusades and fleet operations.
  • Description: Helion Primaris serves as a launch point for military campaigns into Chaos-tainted sectors near the Eye of Terror. Its defenses rival those of Terra’s outer systems, and it houses both Space Marine detachments and elite Astra Militarum regiments.
  • Special Feature: Titan-class defense guns capable of engaging entire fleets in orbit.

Sol Invictus (Core World), wager of Cardinal Aurelius Thorne

  • Location: Segmentum Solar, in the heart of Imperial space.
  • Value: A strategic and symbolic cornerstone of the Imperium.
  • Description: A heavily urbanized world near Terra, Sol Invictus acts as a hub of Imperial governance, culture, and military coordination. It plays a critical role in maintaining stability across the Segmentum Solar.
  • Special Feature: Houses an ancient artifact capable of enhancing psychic communications across warp systems.

Luminis Tertia (Stella Phenomenon World), wager of High-Judge Gregory Koslow

  • Location: Ultima Segmentum, near the distant Halo Stars.
  • Value: A mysterious world with unique properties that influence the Warp.
  • Description: Luminis Tertia is a barren and largely inhospitable planet, notable for strange phenomena that suppress warp disturbances in its vicinity. Imperial scholars and the Adeptus Mechanicus have established outposts to study the cause of this stabilization, though its origins remain unknown. The planet’s surface is dominated by ancient, weathered structures, their purpose shrouded in mystery.
  • Special Feature: The planet’s anomalous properties have led to its fortification, as its influence over the Warp is deemed critical to Imperial efforts near the Halo Stars.

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Encounters:

Mechanicum schism

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Star vessels in the orbit of Nothus

Independent Star Vessel: Gratia Nebulae

  • Class: Mass Conveyor class transport
  • Owner: Captain Olvar Drenn (Charter Merchant)
  • Description: A dependable freighter with reinforced cargo bays and upgraded navigation systems provided by Patron. Practical and utilitarian, it handles diverse cargo under challenging conditions.

Imperial Star Vessel: Aeternus Gratis Imperator

  • Class: Sword-Class Frigate
  • Owner: Imperial Navy (Assigned to Lady Aveline Serra)
  • Captain: Lieutenant Commander Edrian Varn
  • Description: A compact and agile frigate, equipped with dual macro-cannons, torpedo tubes, and enhanced shielding. Hastily modified to accommodate Lady Serra and her entourage with elegance.

Chorda Dynasty Transport Vessel: Sussurus Imperator

  • Class: Scepter-Class Transport
  • Owner: Chorda Dynasty
  • Captain: Voidmaster Caelus Torrin
  • Description: A sleek and understated transport ship with advanced cloaking technology and shielded cargo bays. Its efficient warp drives enable discreet and rapid deployment.

Mechanicus Star Vessel: Ratio Ascendens

  • Class: Hekaton-Class Transport (Heavily Modified)
  • Owner: Adeptus Mechanicus
  • Captain: Magos Dominus Xerath Cordail
  • Description: A mobile research platform and forge, with modular manufacturing systems, advanced sensor arrays, and heavy shielding. Dark red hull with pulsating energy conduits reflects its dual transport and research functions.

Rogue Trader Vessel: Turris Aurea

  • Class: Raider-Class Ship
  • Owner: Lord Vance Caledor
  • Description: A sleek and agile ship optimized for speed and stealth, with twin-linked dorsal lances, boarding torpedoes, and advanced void shielding. Its interior is a mix of gothic design and Rogue Trader extravagance.

Heavy Frigate: Umbra Acrior

  • Class: Heavy Frigate
  • Owner: Captain Eryx Vane
  • Description: A rugged and heavily armed warship featuring macro-cannon broadsides, a prow-mounted lance, and reinforced adamantium armor. Designed for sustained battle and precision strikes.

Guildmaster Karvos Eldrain’s Star Vessel: Auric Iter

Description: A visually ostentatious transport with luxurious interiors, converted lounges, and impractical embellishments. Operational compromises reflect the deteriorating state of Karvos’s guild.

Class: Arvus-Class Transport (Heavily Customized)

Owner: Karvos Eldrain, Guildmaster of the Sanctus Mercantile Consortium