A self-indulgent and ostentatious figure, Karvos Eldrain relies on wealth and spectacle to mask the crumbling state of his guild. Surrounding himself with a retinue of pragmatic allies and a flamboyant champion, he projects an image of power and control. Beneath the surface, personal ambitions and hidden agendas within his entourage threaten to destabilize his precarious position. Wagering the shrine world Sanctus Eterna, Karvos sees the Games as a fleeting opportunity to reclaim prestige and distract from his failing legacy.
Introduction
Guildmaster Karvos Eldrain approaches the Synodium Tertium Nostrium with a self-satisfied grin, his gilded robes catching the flickering light of the banquet hall’s chandeliers. The weight of his presence, or at least the sheer audacity of his attire, commands attention as he addresses the Synod with a tone that blends arrogance and mock joviality.
“Ah, the noble Synodium Tertium Nostrium, the venerated arbiters of Imperial faith and tithes! How fortuitous to find you gathered so conveniently in one place—saves me the trouble of tracking down the depth of your tithe coffers one by one.”
He chuckles lightly, but his sharp eyes betray a calculating assessment of the group. Counselor Lina Vesh, standing slightly behind him, leans in with a faint smirk and murmurs, “Careful, Lord Eldrain; not everyone appreciates your candor as much as you do.”
Ignoring her subtle warning, Karvos continues unabated, gesturing expansively with his jeweled hands. “You see, value, in my humble estimation, is measured by the weight one shoulders for the Imperium. Some measure it in piety, others in power—but I? I measure it in thrones and tithes. After all, can a soul be more devout than their purse is deep?”
Enforcer Jax Tolar, looming a few paces behind him, shifts his weight with a visible sneer, clearly unimpressed by the assembled clergy. Karvos notices and waves a dismissive hand at Jax. “Do behave, Jax. These fine individuals are hardly the rabble you’re used to intimidating.”
Returning his attention to the Synod, Karvos lets his tone take on a conspiratorial edge. “Sanctus Eterna is my humble wager for these Games. A shrine world revered, of course, but also… an exquisite symbol of what a guildmaster with a refined understanding of value can place on the table.” He leans in slightly, his voice dropping, though not enough to lose the air of superiority. “And I do hope you’ll indulge me in further discussion, perhaps over a finer vintage, about the… efficiency of Imperial tithe collection. Surely, we can exchange a few ideas on streamlining the faithful’s generosity?”
Before the Synod can respond, Brenna “The Crimson Drake” Arvel, Karvos’s champion, steps up beside him with a theatrical twirl of her crimson-scaled armor, her plasma glaive gleaming. “Is this the part where I do my little bow for you all, Guildmaster? Or perhaps I should just recite a hymn while I’m at it?” Her voice drips with sarcasm, though her charismatic flair masks the disdain beneath.
Karvos offers a knowing smile, clearly enjoying her irreverence as a diversion. “Patience, Brenna. You’ll have your stage soon enough. Let the dignitaries admire what true investment looks like.”
With a final glance at the Synod, Karvos straightens his gilded collar, his grin widening. “Now, do let me know when you’re ready to speak of thrones, saints, or perhaps… the occasional misplaced tithe. You’ll find I’m quite an accommodating listener.”
Without waiting for a reply, Karvos offers a shallow bow, Lina watching the Synod’s reaction intently, and moves on to the next group, leaving a faint trail of hubris and the lingering suggestion of ulterior motives.
Guildmaster Karvos Eldrain, The Nepotistic Magnate
Appearance: A portly man draped in opulent robes trimmed with shimmering gold and guild insignias, Karvos Eldrain moves with an air of indulgent superiority. His balding head glistens under the light, and his jeweled fingers clink noisily as he gestures. His calculating eyes betray a predatory hunger for prestige and validation.
Personality: Karvos exudes arrogance and unrepentant corruption, openly practicing nepotism to maintain control of his faltering guild. Entering the Games on a dare from his political peers, Karvos wagers Sanctus Eterna, not for its spiritual value but to project an image of unparalleled wealth and power. His goals are fleeting, focusing on savoring short-term prestige while distracting rivals from the dire state of his guild.
High Stakes:
- Sanctus Eterna (Shrine World):
- Location: Segmentum Obscurus, near the Gothic Sector.
- Value: Sanctus Eterna is a cornerstone of faith and morale for surrounding systems, drawing billions of pilgrims annually.
- Description: Home to the Cathedral of Eternal Light, one of the Imperium’s most revered sites, this shrine world is essential for sustaining loyalty to the Emperor across nearby sectors.
- Special Feature: The cathedral is rumored to house a shard of the Emperor’s psychic will, amplifying its spiritual significance.
Dark Secret: Karvos’s guild teeters on the brink of collapse, its coffers drained by years of mismanagement and nepotism. Sanctus Eterna, though strategically invaluable, is an expendable tool in his ploy to maintain a facade of grandeur and distract from his failing legacy.
Members of His Retinue
Counselor Lina Vesh, The Whisperer
- Role: Political Advisor and Manipulator.
- Appearance: A sharp-featured woman in muted yet elegant robes, Lina exudes professionalism. Her piercing gaze and subtle smirks underscore her talent for scheming.
- Personality: Cunning and pragmatic, Lina operates as the true architect of Karvos’s public image. While outwardly loyal, she harbors deep contempt for his incompetence, seeing him as a temporary stepping stone.
- Dark Secret: Lina has been diverting funds from Karvos’s accounts to ensure her own escape once his empire collapses.
Enforcer Jax Tolar, The Hound
- Role: Bodyguard and Intimidator.
- Appearance: A hulking figure clad in reinforced armor adorned with the guild’s insignia, Jax wields a brutal power maul and projects an aura of menace.
- Personality: Loyal to Karvos out of greed, Jax thrives on the violence his position allows. His loyalty is shallow, rooted in self-interest and dependent on the rewards he receives.
- Dark Secret: Jax secretly courts rival factions, seeking opportunities to abandon Karvos should his fortunes take a decisive turn for the worse.
Champion Fighting for Guildmaster Karvos Eldrain
Name: Brenna “The Crimson Drake” Arvel
- Role: Gladiator and Performer.
- Appearance: Clad in crimson-scaled armor adorned with draconic motifs, Brenna wields a plasma glaive with theatrical flair. Her commanding presence is heightened by her flamboyant style.
- Backstory: A professional arena fighter with a flair for the dramatic, Brenna views the Games as an opportunity to cement her legacy. She recognizes the dangers of representing Karvos but gambles on making her mark before her likely demise.
- Dark Secret: Brenna harbors no allegiance to Karvos and uses the Games as a platform to advance her own fame, even at his expense.
Demeanor of the Retinue
Karvos’s retinue is a fragile construct of calculated appearances and selfish motives. Lina’s manipulations maintain an illusion of control, Jax’s intimidation staves off dissent, and Brenna’s theatrical prowess distracts from the cracks beneath the surface. However, their individual agendas threaten to unravel this precarious unity.
General Description of the Retinue
- Aides: Three assistants manage Karvos’s public appearances and ensure his ostentatious persona is always on display.
- Guards: Two guild mercenaries bolster Jax’s intimidating presence.
- Steward: A personal valet attends to Karvos’s comfort, underscoring his self-indulgent nature.
The Hidden Truth
Karvos wagers Sanctus Eterna not for its spiritual importance but as a prop in his desperate quest for validation. The Games are a fleeting chance for him to bolster his crumbling image, even as his guild teeters on financial ruin. His retinue’s hidden agendas—Lina’s schemes, Jax’s wavering loyalty, and Brenna’s self-serving ambitions—threaten to shatter the veneer of unity at any moment.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 