NPC Master Cannoneer Haakon Umberhowl

The banquet hall aboard the Ignis Aeternus thrummed with low organum hymns and the clinking of ceremonial goblets. The scent of oil, incense, and wealth hung heavy in the air. Master Cannoneer Haakon Umbrerhowl, his formal jacket slung open and medal-chain tilted just askew, was already two-thirds into his third glass of engine-wine.

He thumped his gauntleted fist on a table and declared, loud enough for nearby officers and half the visitors to hear:

“Sixteen years on deck, sixteen years under iron sky—and by the Throne, not a single shot missed on my watch. Not one.”

He swept the room with a grand, sweeping gesture—half salute, half toast—as his organic eye locked reverently onto Lady Astral von Ulm, a noble of the dynasty whose robes glittered with red void-stitched silk.

“Every round a sermon. Every shot a benediction. The Emperor aims through me.”

Behind him, a pair of younger officers exchanged glances. One leaned close, just under the level of the hymn-chant.

“…The target was the bloody moon,” the junior lieutenant muttered dryly.
“It covered half the horizon. A blind servitor could’ve hit it.”

But Haakon didn’t hear. His attention was wholly consumed by the graceful tilt of the noblewoman’s head as she accepted a servo-flute of spiced amasec. He raised his own glass in silent admiration, oblivious to the quiet discussion behind his back.

Rank & Authority

Holds supreme command over the macrocannon batteries, lance arrays, torpedo systems, and all offensive weapon systems aboard the Ignis Aeternus.
Reports directly to the Lord-Captain, and interfaces with ship’s strategium command, chief enginseers, and void navigation staff during battle readiness.
Authorized to prime, sequence, and fire all shipborne armament, save those under Mechanicus sacred control (e.g., relic-weapon systems requiring dual-signature).
May issue battle readiness alerts, initiate voidfire protocols, and override officers on gunnery-related decisions during combat conditions.

Primary Responsibilities

Oversight of Shipborne Firepower

Directs the operation and maintenance of the entire arsenal of macrocannons, lance batteries, torpedoes, flak arrays, and nova weapons.
Coordinates all targeting protocols, timing sequences, and munitions allocations during battle.
Trains, drills, and disciplines the artillery crews, gunnery officers, deckfire coordinators, and void-range augur tacticians.

Tactical Fire Discipline

Ensures firing patterns adhere to Naval Codices, von Ulm combat doctrines, and sacred fire rites.
Approves or denies non-standard firing solutions, including celestial bombardments, fireworks demonstrations, and orbital bombardment.

Ritual and Sacred Maintenance

Oversees the Rite of the Loaded Silence, Litany of Calibrated Destruction, and Blessing of the Ignition Relays before major engagements.
Works alongside Tech-Priests to ensure machine spirits of the ship’s guns remain appeased and combat-capable.
Carries the Chain of Firing Keys, a ceremonial device bearing authority to unlock primary weapon systems.

Void Combat Protocols

Sits as a senior advisor during battle council sessions, aiding in fire arc calculation, ship-to-ship engagement range, and tactical bombardment decisions.
Acts as liaison to fleet artillery coordination in multi-ship engagements.
Maintains readiness for emergency planetary strike operations, including execution of Exterminatus if granted by proper Inquisitorial authority.

Additional Notes

Holds ceremonial rank equal to that of a cruiser gunnery colonel in Navis Imperialis command structure.
May personally nominate Exceptional Gunners for elevation to dynastic service, medals of voidfire honor, or posthumous sanctification (if consumed in duty).
In times of peace, may be called upon for ceremonial firings, including funerary void-shell salutes and dynastic celebrations.

!GM only!