Retinue of Lord Vance Caledor

A charismatic Rogue Trader draped in gilded armor, Caledor exudes charm and ambition. Wagering Arcaeon IV, he seeks to reclaim his lost status and secure his legacy. Beneath his confidence lies desperation, with risky deals and rivalries threatening his path to redemption.

Lord Vance Caledor’s Introduction at the Banquet

As the mingling at the banquet hall crescendos into lively discussions and quiet power plays, Lord Vance Caledor strides confidently through the crowd. His gilded armor catches the light of the grand chandeliers, and a charming smirk dances across his face. Spotting the Synodium Tertium Nostrium, he approaches, his retinue trailing a few paces behind like shadows.

“Ah, the illustrious Synodium Tertium Nostrium!” Caledor’s voice carries an almost mocking exuberance, as though he’s greeting old friends while knowing full well he’s the newcomer. “I thought I’d introduce myself before the night’s festivities blur faces and intentions. Lord Vance Caledor of the Gilded Spire. Perhaps you’ve heard of me?”

He pauses, as though basking in the weight of his own reputation, before continuing with an air of practiced nonchalance. “I must confess, this gathering of the Imperium’s finest intrigues me. They say the Games reveal much about a person—what they’re willing to risk, what they truly value. Some wager their lives; I, naturally, wager my worlds. Arcaeon IV,” he adds, letting the name hang in the air, “a little gem of the Segmentum Tempestus. Ancient archeotech hidden beneath its barren wastes, craved by the Mechanicus with all the enthusiasm of a miser counting his coming salary.”

He glances at Anya Drax, standing just behind him, her sharp eyes flicking over the gathered nobles. “Anya, didn’t the Magos we dealt with call it ‘a potential key to humanity’s lost golden age’?”

Anya nods, her voice clipped and professional. “Their words, my lord. Though they’d happily drown it as forbidden zone for the next millennium.”

Caledor chuckles, leaning in slightly toward the group. “Ironic, isn’t it? For all their zeal, the Mechanicus can’t help but trip over their own dogma. But me? I prefer action to endless cogitation.”

He steps back, his smirk sharpening into something more predatory. “And yet, with all I’ve achieved—treasure, power, the occasional planet—I find myself… wanting. Perhaps I’m addicted to the chase, or perhaps I’ve grown bored of having it all. That’s why I’m here, I suppose. A challenge worthy of my time, and rivals worth defeating.”

Behind him, Captain Daryn Hest stiffens, his eyes scanning the room. Caledor catches the movement and waves a hand dismissively. “Relax, Hest. I doubt even this august assembly harbors anyone foolish enough to threaten my life in a hall so well-guarded. If they do, I’m sure you’ll handle it before I notice.”

Turning back to the Synodium, Caledor’s tone grows more casual, though the sharpness in his gaze never fades. “But enough about me. The Synodium Tertium Nostrium—now there’s a name that commands attention. Surely you didn’t come here just to observe. What intrigues you about the Games? What secrets are you plotting to uncover?”

He tilts his head slightly, his smile taking on a conspiratorial edge. “Or is it all just entertainment? If so, we have that in common. Perhaps, after the spectacle, we might share a toast to our mutual success—or, dare I say, mutual survival?”

With a slight bow of his head, Caledor steps back, allowing the Synodium members to respond. Anya Drax subtly adjusts her position, already gauging the group’s reactions, while Eryk Voss hovers nearby, his expression blank but his ink-stained hands gripping a dataslate tightly. Caledor’s confidence radiates, even as his piercing gaze seems to take in every twitch and gesture, ever the Rogue Trader on the hunt for opportunity—or threat.

Lord Vance Caledor, Rogue Trader of the Gilded Spire

Appearance: Lord Caledor’s gilded armor dazzles under the arena lights, its plates inlaid with rare gemstones and adorned with trophies from his xenos hunts. A flowing black cloak trimmed with gold enhances his regal bearing, while his sharp smile and calculating gaze mark him as a master manipulator and strategist.
Personality: Charismatic and ambitious, Caledor projects an image of indulgent confidence, masking the ruthless cunning of a seasoned Rogue Trader. While he claims to participate in the Games for entertainment, his presence hides a deeper agenda of rivalry and expansion.
High Stakes: Caledor has wagered Arcaeon IV, an archeotech deposit world located near the Koronus Expanse in Segmentum Tempestus. This desolate planet is a treasure trove of partially functional relics from humanity’s Golden Age of Technology, guarded zealously by the Adeptus Mechanicus. Beneath its surface lies a labyrinth of underground vaults, rumored to house fragments of a lost Standard Template Construct (STC). The planet’s immense value as a resource and its potential to influence Imperial technology make it a prize worth fighting for.
Dark Secret: Behind his polished facade, Caledor has a history of illicit dealings with xenos traders and privateers. He uses the Games as a smokescreen to distract from these suspicions and to further his rivalry with the Chorda Dynasty, who covet his trade routes and influence.

Members of His Retinue

Captain Daryn Hest, Voidmaster of the Gilded Spire

Role: Enforcer and Personal Guard.
Appearance: Hest’s void-hardened carapace armor is as practical as it is imposing, with a plasma pistol holstered at his hip and a mono-edged saber across his back. His scarred face and piercing eyes reflect decades of battle experience.
Personality: Stern and disciplined, Hest is fiercely loyal to Caledor, ensuring the Rogue Trader’s safety amidst the chaos of the Games. He serves as both protector and executor of Caledor’s plans.
Dark Secret: Hest has a burning vendetta against the Chorda Dynasty, whose agents destroyed one of Caledor’s trade convoys. His hatred drives him to push for increasingly aggressive actions, potentially jeopardizing Caledor’s measured approach.

Anya Drax, Operative and Strategist

Role: Advisor and Tactical Planner.
Appearance: Anya’s combat-ready attire, sharp eyes, and no-nonsense demeanor mark her as a seasoned operative. She carries a compact laspistol and exudes a constant aura of alertness.
Personality: Pragmatic and resourceful, Anya is Caledor’s trusted advisor, using her keen insights to navigate the complex rivalries of the Games. Her ability to anticipate her opponents’ moves makes her an invaluable asset.
Dark Secret: Anya once worked for the Chorda Dynasty before defecting to Caledor’s service. While her loyalty appears genuine, her former ties to the Chordas could be exploited, threatening Caledor’s plans if exposed.

Eryk Voss, Logistics Overseer

Role: Handler of Supplies and Operations.
Appearance: Eryk’s plain, functional attire belies his importance, his ink-stained fingers and gaunt face reflecting his meticulous attention to detail.
Personality: Reserved and methodical, Eryk ensures Caledor’s operations run smoothly. He speaks sparingly, focusing entirely on logistics and resource management.
Dark Secret: Eryk has been secretly selling information about Caledor’s supply chains to agents of the Chorda Dynasty, driven by a desperate need to settle a debt incurred from a failed venture. His betrayal poses a dire threat to the retinue’s cohesion.

Champion Fighting for Lord Vance Caledor

Name: Kaelen “The Thunderblade” Drask

Role: Gladiator and Former Navy Officer.
Appearance: Kaelen’s reinforced carapace armor bears lightning motifs, and his massive power sword crackles with disruptive energy. A long scar across his cheek gives him a grim, battle-hardened demeanor.
Backstory: A former Imperial Navy officer disgraced for defying a suicidal order, Kaelen found redemption in the arena. Recruited by Caledor, he now fights with precision and valor, representing his master’s ambitions in the Games.
Dark Secret: Kaelen has been approached by the Chorda Dynasty with offers of wealth and freedom in exchange for sabotaging Caledor’s plans during the Games. Though he has resisted so far, the allure of their promises weighs heavily on him.

Demeanor of the Retinue

Caledor’s retinue operates with professional detachment, blending military precision with the opulence expected of a Rogue Trader’s entourage. Hest’s disciplined vigilance, Anya’s calculated strategies, and Eryk’s quiet efficiency create a facade of unity, but hidden resentments and secret agendas threaten to destabilize the group. Kaelen’s grim resolve adds a deadly edge to their presentation, though his inner conflict introduces further tension.

General Description of the Retinue

Guards: Five heavily armed security personnel ensure Caledor’s safety, loyal more to their substantial pay than any personal attachment.
Attendants: Two aides manage Caledor’s public image, ensuring he maintains his air of noble authority.
Archivist: A single scribe meticulously records the events of the Games, preserving a detailed account of Caledor’s achievements for future use.

The Hidden Truth

Lord Caledor’s wager of Arcaeon IV is as much a declaration of confidence as it is a calculated gamble. The planet’s archeotech treasures and rumored STC fragments could cement his legacy or fall into the hands of his rivals. However, the cracks within his retinue—Hest’s vendetta, Anya’s concealed past, Eryk’s duplicity, and Kaelen’s wavering resolve—create vulnerabilities that the Chorda Dynasty is eager to exploit. For Caledor, the Games are not only a test of martial and strategic prowess but a dangerous dance of survival in the face of betrayal and intrigue.