Draped in obsidian and gold, Lord Evander Skathe is the epitome of aristocratic charm and calculated decadence. His piercing gaze and polished demeanor mask a man driven by desperation to reclaim the wealth and prestige stolen from him. Once a scion of Imperial nobility, Evander was cast out after a scandal orchestrated by his own brother. Now, he wagers everything—his cunning, his retinue, and the agri-world Destraxis Prime—on the Games, seeing them as his final gambit to restore his name and exact revenge. Charismatic and ruthless, Evander thrives on intrigue, using sharp wit and veiled threats to weave allies and rivals into his schemes
Introduction Speech at the Banquet
The grand hall buzzes with the mingling of nobles, traders, and champions, the air thick with intrigue and veiled competition. Evander Skathe, his robes of obsidian and gold catching the dim light, approaches the group representing Synodium Tertium Nostrium. His piercing gaze sweeps over them, appraising their worth even as his ever-present smirk hints at concealed intent. Behind him, Zandra Helk and Quintas Druul hover like ominous shadows.
Evander begins, his voice smooth and commanding, resonating with the cadence of formal court decorum.
“My lords, my ladies, and those who possess ambition enough to find themselves amid the currents of power, allow me to present myself: I am Lord Evander Skathe, a humble exile who once graced the halls of Imperium’s nobility, now navigating the perilous seas of destiny with measured resolve.”
He pauses, his gaze lingering on one of the Synodium members whose ornate attire marks them as influential.
“Indeed, it is the plight of men cast from the heights that compels them to forge new heights of their own design. It is with such purpose I dare to wager Destraxis Prime, an agri-world of no small worth, upon the sacred stage of the Games. A bold gesture, I concede—but then, boldness often reaps rewards unseen by cautious hands.”
Evander gestures subtly to Zandra Helk, who stands beside him with a feral grin, her crimson tattoos faintly glowing in the banquet’s low light.
“My lieutenant, Zandra Helk, aptly known as ‘The Bloodmist,’ assures me that risk, my noble companions, is the crucible in which true mettle is tested. Is it not so, Zandra?”
Zandra chuckles, her voice low and predatory.
“True, my lord. And the weak who fail the test… well, they are excellent examples for the rest.”
Her words hang in the air, a predatory undercurrent that unsettles as much as it intrigues. Evander’s smirk deepens as he smoothly deflects any discomfort.
“And speaking of examples, allow me to introduce my esteemed chronicler, Quintas Druul. While many waste words on trivial pleasantries, he preserves the essence of history itself. Every stroke of his pen grants eternity to the fleeting moments of violence.”
Quintas steps forward slightly, bowing with practiced grace, his servo-skull hovering ominously above his shoulder. His voice is dry, with a hint of macabre humor.
“Indeed, my lord. To chronicle this esteemed gathering of fighters is a privilege. One day, perhaps, these very moments shall serve as a parable for ambition—or folly for the Imperium.”
Evander chuckles softly, his tone carrying a hint of camaraderie.
“You see, my lords, my retinue is both my strength and my caution. They remind me daily that power is as fleeting as it is precious—a lesson I suspect we all must learn.”
Turning his attention fully to the Synodium, his tone shifts slightly, taking on a sharper edge of purpose.
“I have long admired the wisdom of Synodium Tertium Nostrium. Your reputation for discerning alliances is unmatched. Should the stars align, I hope to find in you kindred spirits who appreciate the value of ambition tempered by foresight.”
His gaze sharpens, and he tilts his head in a gesture of feigned humility.
“But forgive me, I should not presume upon your time. The Games are still young, and no doubt, there will be much to discuss in the days ahead. Until then, my lords and ladies, may the Emperor’s light guide your endeavors—be they of profit, glory, or survival.”
With a graceful bow, he steps back, signaling to Zandra and Quintas to follow. Zandra sneers faintly at a nearby noble who has been gawking at her tattoos, while Quintas mutters something to his servo-skull, likely cataloging the interaction for future use. Evander, unperturbed, glides further into the throng, his smirk lingering as if savoring a private victory.
Lord Evander Skathe, Rogue Noble
- Appearance: Draped in flowing robes of obsidian and gold, Evander’s aristocratic features are complemented by a penetrating gaze that seems to strip away pretense. His every movement is deliberate, exuding an aura of calculated decadence. His smile, charming yet predatory, hints at a man who thrives on intrigue.
- Personality: Evander’s disarming charisma masks a sharp intellect and a ruthless ambition. Beneath his polished exterior lies a man consumed by desperation, determined to reclaim the wealth and status he once enjoyed.
- High Stakes: Evander has placed Destraxis Prime, a critical agri-world near the Agripinaa sub-sector, as his wager in the Games. The planet’s immense value underscores the gravity of his gamble: victory is the only way to restore him to the high life he craves.
- Dark Secret: Evander’s disinheritance was not entirely his doing. His own brother orchestrated his fall, framing him for a scandal that left him exiled. The Games are not only a means to regain his fortune but also a platform to exact revenge.
Members of His Retinue
- Zandra Helk, “The Bloodmist”
- Role: Lieutenant and Enforcer.
- Appearance: Zandra’s crimson tattoos, faintly glowing in the dark, trace intricate patterns across her scarred arms. She wears lightweight, spiked combat armor that allows for agility while wielding her signature blood-slicked power claws. Her feral grin and piercing amber eyes mark her as a predator.
- Personality: Zandra revels in violence and chaos, often acting as Evander’s sword of retribution. Though fiercely loyal, her bloodlust often overshadows her master’s more calculated plans.
- Dark Secret: Zandra’s tattoos are not merely ornamental; they are bound to her through a dark ritual, feeding on the agony she inflicts. This bond gives her heightened strength and resilience, but it gnaws at her sanity.
- Quintas Druul, Historian of Violence
- Role: Advisor and Chronicler.
- Appearance: A wizened figure clad in tattered scholar’s robes, Quintas is always accompanied by a menacing servo-skull equipped with data-recording lenses and a vox-recorder. His face is marked by ink stains and a perpetual smirk that betrays his macabre fascination with suffering.
- Personality: Quintas possesses a detached demeanor, observing and analyzing the carnage of the Games with morbid fascination. His intellect and vast knowledge of warfare and Imperial history make him an invaluable strategist.
- Dark Secret: Quintas has become a vessel for the schemes of Tzeentch. His obsession with cataloging violence is a front for his subtle manipulations, ensuring events unfold according to a hidden agenda that even he barely comprehends.
- Champion Fighting for Lord Evander
- Name: Kaelos “The Wraith” Venir
- Role: Gladiatorial Champion.
- Appearance: A lithe and shadowy figure, Kaelos wears a sleek bodysuit reinforced with reactive plating and bearing no insignia. His face is obscured by a mirrored helm, and he wields paired blades crackling with disruptive energy fields. His movements are unnervingly smooth, like a specter on the battlefield.
- Backstory: Once an assassin for hire, Kaelos was betrayed and captured by Evander, who offered him a simple choice: serve or die. Bound by an unspoken contract, Kaelos now fights with cold precision, his every strike a testament to his deadly skill.
- Dark Secret: Kaelos harbors a hidden vendetta against Evander, plotting to turn on his master once the Games provide the perfect opportunity. His silence conceals a growing hatred that threatens the unity of the retinue.
Demeanor of the Retinue
Evander’s retinue radiates an air of sinister sophistication. Zandra’s predatory energy contrasts sharply with Quintas’s scholarly detachment, while Kaelos’s quiet menace adds an air of deadly unpredictability. Together, they present a unified front of refined elegance laced with barely contained savagery. Subtle gestures and unspoken tension reveal a web of personal agendas lurking beneath their polished facade.
General Description of the Retinue
- Guards: Six heavily armed mercenaries dressed in darkened carapace armor, loyal to Evander through payment rather than ideology.
- Attendants: Four aides handle logistics, communications, and Evander’s appearance, ensuring he always projects power and wealth.
- Scribes: Two scribes accompany Quintas, assisting in chronicling the events of the Games and gathering intelligence for Evander’s schemes.
- Steward: A single steward oversees the retinue’s day-to-day operations, liaising with local officials to ensure Evander’s comfort and prestige.
The Hidden Truth
Evander’s gamble with Destraxis Prime is a desperate bid to return to the high life he was cast out from. While his retinue outwardly supports him, hidden fractures and personal agendas threaten to undermine his chances. Quintas, under Tzeentch’s influence, manipulates events subtly, ensuring chaos serves his master’s goals. Zandra’s feral bloodlust and Kaelos’s growing resentment add volatility to the mix. With everything at stake, the Games are not just a battle for survival but a test of whether Evander can outmaneuver both his rivals and his own inner circle to reclaim the glory he craves.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 