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Rogue Trader

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Targetdrone.gif This article is about the Space explorers; for the other uses, see Rogue Trader (disambiguation).
Symbol of the Rogue Traders[19]
A Rogue Trader and his retinue

A Rogue Trader is a combination of freelance explorer, conquistador and merchant. They are Imperial servants, given a ship, a crew, a contingent of marines or Guardsmen and carte blanche to roam the worlds beyond Imperial control.[1b]

In their task of exploring and exploiting uncharted regions of the galaxy, Rogue Traders might come across worlds harbouring long-forgotten Human civilizations which will be incorporated into the Imperium. Other times they find empty or alien-dominated planets ripe for colonisation or exploitation.[1b]

Rogue Traders

All Rogue Traders are highly exceptional individuals who are driven to success even though these exceptional people often have extreme character quirks themselves; some destroy entire worlds for the slightest reason, or include alien warriors and mutants among their entourage.[1c] Some are highly pious while others are no more than legitimised pirates. One infamous Rogue Trader was Jan van Yastobaal, who became little more than a desperado plundering whatever world he came upon.[2]

Rogue Traders are often flamboyant individuals, commonly dressed in the most extravagant finery they can acquire. However, each Rogue Trader is a unique individual from a particular background, some newly created Rogue Traders come from backgrounds such as the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy, the Merchant Fleets, the Administratum or even the Inquisition where they will have developed unique outlooks and approaches to situations.[1b] Some Rogue Traders are relatively poor, possessing a single ancient and dilapidated ship. Others are incredibly wealthy and powerful and have whole fleets and entire private armies at their disposal. Certain favoured individuals may even call upon detachments of Space Marines having entered pacts with individual Chapters. Some Rogue Traders operate as mercenaries, renting the service of their ship(s).[1b]

Legal status

The most valuable possession of a Rogue Trader family is a Warrant of Trade, an ancient legal document that describes the accepted limits of its operations. These charters are hereditary thus creating a Rogue Trader dynasty. These dynasties are granted a personal coat of arms identifying them amongst the Imperial elite[1d]

Rogue Traders are empowered with the authority to travel freely within the Imperium and beyond, this allows them to interact with cultures for which contact with is normally forbidden, be they non-Imperial human worlds or Xenos-controlled planets. Not only that, but Rogue Traders are granted the permission and freedom to deal with these cultures as they see fit, so long as it is in the interests of the Imperium.[1] Upon stepping on a non-Imperial world, the Rogue Trader may claim it for the Imperium by uttering:

"I claim this world for the Emperor of Humanity and his Imperium. I bring justice and truth for the loyal. Punishment and death for the guilty."[4]

Despite their free-ranging powers, one can assume that a renegade Rogue Trader guilty of heresy or treason will be severely prosecuted by the Inquisition. It is very likely that he is considered to have forsaken the Emperor's trust upon his family and that his punishment will be much more severe.[Needs Citation]

The Warrant of Trade

A Rogue Trader Cruiser[36]

It should be noted that although Rogue Traders are shipmasters who travel the vastness of space, their authority to do so comes not from a Merchant Charter, but rather a letter of appointment that elevates them to the authority equalling Space Marine Chapter Masters, Inquisitors and Planetary Governors[1a] Some of the more ancient ones are dated from the very beginnings of the Imperium, and some were even signed by the Emperor himself. Others were signed by Primarchs or other leaders of the Great Crusade. These charters are very valuable and give its owner great leeway. They are tailor-made and unique. They cannot be re-appealed as according to Imperial law and Imperial religious dogma no one is empowered to overrule these persons.[5]

Certain powerful lords of the Adeptus Terra offer warrants of trade as a bribe to their rivals, especially if those rivals have ambitions for higher stations. Being too powerful to come into direct conflict it can be arranged for the individual to recieve a warrant of trade, the honour of which cannot be refused. The rival then must simply walk away into a life of adventure and wealth and no longer causes trouble for their former opponents.[1c]

Letters of Marque are similar documents issued more recently. The Letters of Marque are rather restricted in some aspects and controlled more effectively by Imperial authorities. This may be of geographical nature (e.g.: restrict the Rogue Trader into a single sector) or something similar. The more recent letters of marque are not hereditary at all; hopeful heirs must return and reapply for a new charter.[Needs Citation] Some Letters of Marque are only valid to those they are given to and these Rogue Traders are regularly contacted by the Administratum. These Marques are officially no longer valid once the Rogue Trader dies and will be revoked, when the Administratum learns of their deaths. However until that occurs, the Marques can illegally be used by someone pretending to be the deceased Rogue Trader they were issued to.[35]

Though a Warrant of Trade or a Letter of Marque grants extraordinary freedoms within the Imperium, they also invariably contain particular conditions; sometimes Rogue Traders will be required to make regular visits to certain troublesome Imperial worlds, or sent to enact military action on world which do not require the force of the segmentum battlefleets. Often however, Rogue Traders will be required to travel outside the established territories of the Imperium in the name of settlement or exploration.[1e]

Frequently Used Ships

In practice, Rogue Traders have access to ship classes up to and including Grand Cruisers - these are surprisingly prevalent amongst the wealthier Rogue Trader fleets.[3a] They are also known to use ship hulls not typically used by the Imperial Navy, such as the Hazeroth Class Privateer.[1f]

Known Rogue Trader Varieties

Retinue

Rogue Traders invariably surround themselves with a coterie of allies and retainers. No Rogue Trader can undertake their mission alone, for no man or woman can be master of every single aspect of trade, exploration, exploitation, and war. As a result, all of the most successful Rogue Traders have the ingrained ability to recognise the value of others and their motivations and, as a leader, are able to utilise every weapon and ability in their human arsenal to their full potential.[1h]

Though they must rely on others for the most specialised of skills (not to mention certain needful resources), it falls to the Rogue Trader to know how and when to exercise their own judgement and how to delegate where needed. They may not steer the helm of their void-cruiser, nor fire and aim every macrocannon in person, but the Rogue Trader selects and commands those who do and it is their orders that are obeyed. Likewise they may know little of the arcane rites of the augury and auspex, but it is ultimately their decision whether or not to trust the word of the Explorator who claims it safe to breathe the air of a newly discovered world.[1h]

A Rogue Trader and their retinue battle Dark Eldar[37]

Known Members of a Rogue Trader's retinue include:[1h][1i][1j]

Known Rogue Traders Houses

Notable Rogue Traders

Main article: List of Rogue Traders

Images

Sources

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