A frail but imposing figure, High-Judge Gregory is a master of Imperial law, known for his sharp intellect and commanding presence despite his failing health. Draped in ornate crimson and gold robes, he conceals years of wear and the toll of rejuvenat treatments behind a veneer of meticulous composure. Pragmatic and calculating, Gregory approaches the Games as a desperate gambit to restore his tarnished legacy, though whispers suggest his wager—a struggling planet of minor worth—belies his once-formidable stature.
Introduction at the Banquet
The grand hall shimmered with the glow of gilded chandeliers as High-Judge Gregory’s grav-chair glided through the mingling crowd. Conversations hushed as he approached the gathering of the Synodium Tertium Nostrium, his frail yet imposing figure commanding respect. Draped in crimson and gold robes, his sunken eyes gleamed with a fire that belied his withered form. With a thin smile, he inclined his head toward the ecclesiastical delegation and began to speak, his voice a rasping but deliberate tone.
“Your Graces, I am humbled to stand—or rather, sit—before you. I am High-Judge Gregory of the Calixis Court, a servant of Imperial law and a humble adherent to the Emperor’s will. This gathering, with its esteemed guests and weighty wagers, is truly a spectacle worthy of the Imperium’s grandeur.”
He paused, his withered hand gesturing lightly toward the room’s opulence.
“As you may know, I have placed my own stake in these Games: Luminis Tertia. A world of… let us say, peculiar qualities. Though it may not gleam with the promise of immediate riches, it seems its potential was enough to pique the interest of the Games’ patrons.”
His lips quirked into a sardonic smile. “Indeed, I was surprised to find it accepted at all, but the Emperor works in mysterious ways, does He not?”
The murmurs from the Synod hinted at polite amusement, though a few members exchanged skeptical glances. Gregory pressed on, his tone growing sharper, his presence more animated.
“The truth, however, is that the Games have stirred a vigor in me that I have not felt in years. High stakes and daring moves—even for a world as modest as mine—have a way of reminding us of life’s vitality. One might even say it feels… rejuvenating.”
He chuckled softly, his trembling hand lifting to indicate Arbitrator Crain, who stood like a sentinel at his side.
“Of course, my retinue ensures that I do not overstep myself. Arbitrator Crain here watches my every move, ensuring I remain on the straight and narrow—a task he performs with a dedication that would make the Emperor Himself proud.”
Crain’s impassive expression barely shifted, though he gave a curt nod in acknowledgment. Gregory’s gaze then shifted to Advisor Halyra Venin, who gracefully stepped forward, her dark silks flowing like shadows.
“And my trusted advisor, Halyra Venin, whose sharp mind and legal acumen have proven invaluable. Were it not for her counsel, I may not have even considered wagering Luminis Tertia in the first place. Her advice, I assure you, is often as illuminating as it is sobering.”
Halyra inclined her head slightly, her voice smooth and composed. “Your Graces, the High-Judge’s courage in these Games is a reflection of his unwavering commitment to the Imperium. Even a modest stake such as Luminis Tertia carries the weight of Imperial law, a reminder that every world, no matter how small, serves a greater purpose in His divine plan.”
Gregory’s thin smile returned, his voice turning more conversational as he addressed the Synod directly.
“It is this greater purpose that drives us, is it not? To safeguard the Imperium’s unity, to preserve its laws, and to serve the Throne in whatever small way we can. Though my wager may be humble, I hope it serves as a symbol of the Emperor’s light reaching even the farthest and dimmest corners of the galaxy.”
Reaching for the amasec handed to him by a servant—after Arbitrator Crain’s meticulous inspection—Gregory raised the glass slightly in toast.
“To the Games, to the Emperor’s justice, and to the enduring strength of faith and law. May these bonds never falter, even when tested.”
He sipped the drink, a faint flicker of satisfaction crossing his gaunt face. Lowering the glass, he continued with a faint smirk.
“Now, I must not impose too long upon your attentions, but I would welcome any of your wisdom on matters of law and governance—especially in ensuring that wagers like mine, modest though they may be, serve the Imperium’s greater good.”
With a subtle gesture, Halyra lingered a moment to offer a final polite word to the Synod, while Gregory’s grav-chair began its slow departure. As he moved deeper into the crowd, whispers followed in his wake, a mix of respect, curiosity, and faint incredulity at the audacity of the High-Judge’s wager.
High-Judge Gregory Koslow of the Calixis Court
- Appearance: Frail and gaunt, Gregory is transported in a lavish grav-chair adorned with gold filigree and crimson velvet. His once-commanding frame is concealed by heavy robes of crimson and gold, yet his sunken eyes burn with the fire of a man who wields Imperial law like a weapon. His trembling hands, partially concealed by fine gloves, hint at the toll of prolonged rejuvenat treatments.
- Personality: Stern and meticulous, Gregory’s rasping voice carries the weight of centuries of judgments. Though diminished in body, his mind remains razor-sharp, and his mere presence commands deference.
- High Stakes: Gregory has pledged Luminis Tertia (Stellar Phenomenon World),
- Location: Ultima Segmentum, near the distant Halo Stars.
- Value: A mysterious world with unique properties that influence the Warp. Its fate now hangs in the balance, placing immense pressure on Gregory and his retinue.
- Dark Secret: Gregory’s decision to stake Luminis Tertia is not purely strategic; it is driven by desperation. Recent mismanagement and siphoning of planetary resources have left the world struggling, a scandal Gregory hopes to mask with victory. If he loses, the truth may surface, further tarnishing his legacy.
Members of His Retinue
- Arbitrator Ulthar Crain
- Role: Security Commander.
- Appearance: Towering and broad-shouldered, Crain’s black carapace armor gleams with the sigils of the Adeptus Arbites. A shock maul and suppression shield are always at his side, and his stern face reveals a lifetime of discipline.
- Personality: Crain is stoic and utterly loyal, serving Gregory with an unwavering sense of duty. His presence is intimidating, and he speaks only when necessary, preferring action to words.
- Dark Secret: Crain harbors a deep distrust of Gregory’s “legal advisor,” whom he suspects of undermining the High-Judge. Despite lacking solid evidence, Crain secretly investigates her, a risk that could compromise his role as a protector.
- Lady Tana (Alias: Advisor Halyra Venin)
- Role: Legal and Political Advisor.
- Appearance: An elegant figure draped in dark green silks subtly lined with gold, “Halyra Venin” carries an air of authority. Her raven-black hair is tied in an elaborate braid, and her sharp, intelligent eyes miss nothing.
- Personality: Poised and calculating, Halyra serves Gregory with precision, offering shrewd advice and skillful diplomacy. Her silver tongue makes her indispensable, yet her true goals remain hidden.
- Dark Secret: Halyra Venin is a false identity crafted by Lady Tana of the Chorda Dynasty. Operating covertly, she subtly manipulates Gregory’s rulings to serve Chorda’s interests, planting seeds of influence in key decisions. She has also secured the placement of several agents within the Judge’s retinue, ensuring her reach extends into all facets of his operations.
- Tana has carefully orchestrated Gregory’s decision to stake Luminis Tertia, knowing that the planet’s loss would weaken him politically and create opportunities for Chorda to seize control of its resources.
- She has planted subtle doubts about the loyalty of Gregory’s other allies, ensuring her own position remains secure while fractures within the retinue grow.
- Champion Fighting for High-Judge Gregory
- Name: Sevran “The Unbroken” Kael
- Role: Arena Champion and Symbol of Gregory’s Justice.
- Appearance: A hulking figure clad in rugged, patched carapace armor adorned with purity seals, Sevran wields a two-handed power maul engraved with the sigils of the Arbites. His face is a mask of determination, marred by burns from a past sentencing.
- Backstory: Sevran was once an Arbites Precinct Marshal betrayed by his own peers during a high-profile corruption case. Left for dead in a rigged trial by combat, he survived against overwhelming odds, earning the moniker “The Unbroken.” Now bound to Gregory, he fights as a manifestation of Imperial law, though his loyalty is not without cracks.
- Personality: Quiet and introspective, Sevran fights not for glory but to prove that the law can never be truly defeated. However, he remains wary of Gregory’s political machinations.
- Dark Secret: Sevran has been contacted by rogue elements promising evidence of Gregory’s past misdeeds, and he struggles with whether to use this information to expose the Judge or to demand answers himself.
Demeanor of the Retinue
Gregory’s retinue moves with the disciplined authority of an Imperial court, flanked by black-armored Arbites and marked by the austerity of Imperial law. Arbitrator Crain’s stern vigilance and Halyra Venin’s composed poise dominate the atmosphere, but an undercurrent of tension runs beneath the surface. Crain’s suspicion of Halyra is palpable, while Halyra’s serene confidence hides her machinations. Sevran Kael, the silent presence among them, adds a sense of grim inevitability, his every movement weighted with purpose.
General Description of the Retinue
- Arbites Guards: A squad of ten enforcers in gleaming black carapace armor, armed with shock mauls and suppression shields. They maintain discipline and order, flanking Gregory’s grav-chair at all times.
- Clerks: Three scribes meticulously record Gregory’s legal rulings, correspondence, and observations. Unbeknownst to them, some of their reports are subtly altered by Halyra.
- Attendants: Five personal attendants manage Gregory’s grav-chair, attire, meals, and other needs, ensuring his comfort in all settings.
- Quartermaster: A single steward oversees the logistical needs of the retinue, unknowingly influenced by Halyra’s covert instructions.
The Hidden Truth
The stakes of the Games have elevated the tensions within Gregory’s retinue. Lady Tana, under her alias Halyra Venin, has ensured that the decision to stake Luminis Tertia serves her masters in the Chorda Dynasty, whether Gregory wins or loses. Crain’s investigations and Sevran’s growing doubts threaten to expose the fragile alliances within the entourage. As the Games approach their climax, the fate of Luminis Tertia becomes not only a gamble in the arena but a fulcrum for the retinue’s survival.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 