The Varonius Dynasty

The Imperium must feed its hungry populations and even hungrier manufactorums. It is always desperate for resources as existing planets fall to external predation, internal collapse, or decree of Inquisitorial Exterminatus. Rogue Traders, empowered by Imperial Warrants, seek out new worlds to plunder — all in the name of the Emperor, of course. It is rare that one comes to the rescue of an isolated system, but Rogue Traders are nothing if not unique.
Let none say that Jakel Varonius never dared to take huge risks when there were profits and renown to be had. Navigating the Great Rift, however, was the easy part. He arrived in Gilead as a saviour, and a desperate system now looks to him for salvation. The dynasty cannot access its holdings elsewhere in the Imperium and beyond, and so must look for new ones.
Opportunities beyond imagining await him here. Priceless archaeotech awaits in unexplored regions, and the rift itself may open up new Warp routes to unclaimed systems. Varonius’s alliance of convenience with the Aeldari, if firmly cemented, could pay off handsomely once the storm fades and Warp travel resumes. His dealings with these xenos is kept a secret from the rest of Gilead. His connection to the untrustworthy Rogue Trader Dyre Kedjrick who supposedly negotiates deals with all manner of unholy xenos is one he keeps to himself.

Training

Rogue Traders are a breed apart from Humanity, each unique with their own style of operating. All generally have some degree of martial skills, but it is their social skills that keep them successful. A good trader is exceptionally cunning and persuasive, and able to discern the motivations of anyone, even xenos, in a negotiation. They are also able leaders, for what is a Rogue Trader without a loyal crew? Lastly, they spend far longer than desired studying Warp routes, xenos civilisations, and even historical tales for signs of profitable journeys to be had and new systems to exploit.
Politics The dynasty serves the Emperor — as clearly stated on the Warrant. The ways it serves Him allows for a great deal of flexibility, however. Varonius makes no secret that profit is a motivation, but always incorporates a sincere desire to defend Gilead.
To do so, the dynasty has a large fleet, including the cruiser Ducal Circlet. With it, Varonius controls much of the vital shipping between the Heartworlds. Its firepower also allows it to fend off pirates and quash insurrections. One day this could be the Varonius system, after all.

Relationships

The arrival of the fleet has offered hope that the Emperor sees Gilead, though Varonius’s claims that a long-dead Primarch has returned only to ally himself with xenos forces was nervously dismissed as jest. Despite this, the Administratum has agreed to work jointly to oversee planetary ways as the adepts had for millennia before. The lure of archeotech and mysterious devices has proved too much for some Tech-Priest Magi, who eagerly assist Varonius however they can. Other Rogue Traders, eager for their own profit, have aided Varonius with their own connections and ships.
The more traditionalist elements of Gilead, such as the Absolvers and Lord-Militant Fylamon, find little appeal in the Rogue Trader’s ways. Rumours of consorting with xenos are rife and have attracted Inquisitorial attention. The Aeldari have proved excellent assets, able to carry out raids and assassinations that cannot be linked to him.
The most dangerous relationships are within the dynasty itself, for the intrigues and schemes for succession, power, and shares of profits are unending. Few outside the lineage know of the Golden Cull, or the terror of the Final Desert. The family comes before all else, but who controls the family must be the most ruthless, devious, and charismatic member. Otherwise, the family fails.

Important Writings

The Warrant: An Analysis, centuries of commentary, scrutiny, and wishful thinking by the Varonius family
Lineage Varonius, a who’s who in the family, along with the current line of succession and cryptic notes on each.

Symbols

Crux Varonius (the dynastic icon)
individual ship badges
subtle signal of hand pointed down with two fingers in V shape

Heroes

Jakel Varonius
Captain Gillan Lej of the attack boat Hard Bargain
Commander Felice Varonius, the family’s lead negotiator for Imperial matters and high in line of succession

Type

Political, Faction / Party

Duties and Strictures

• Family First.
• Determine the profit, then act accordingly.
• This is just one provincial system among millions. No great loss should it fall, so long as we’re not here when it happens.
• It matters not what species is across the negotiating table, only that a deal can be struck.
• Your greatest friend is the relative ahead of you in succession.
• Your greatest enemy is the relative behind you in succession.
• Explore and Exploit!
• A trader not in motion is a trader who is dying.
• A placid system is an exploitable system.
• We do the Emperor’s Will, as per our charter. As we have since the Great Crusade! It is not yours to question us.