Rogue Traders, originally called Rogue Traders Militant during the era of the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy, and bearing the ancient title of Lord Captain first granted by the Emperor Himself, are unique and powerful Human individuals who serve as a combination freelance explorer, conquistador and interstellar merchant for the Imperium of Man.
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In a lower level setting, Rogue Traders might simply be extremely successful merchant lords of the world who come from powerful nations, wielding land convoys, naval ships, and airships without abandon in their search for the technology and riches of the world through trade and military might. They may also perform exploratory functions, such as exploring far flung lands, the likes of which civilization has never seen before. In this, a Rogue Trade and their contingent may instead pierce deep into unknown lands, paving the way for their home country's arrival.
They operate with the express permission of their flagstone country and may claim territory for their home country, though their operations are independent in nature.
You start out with a vehicle of sorts depending on your DM, which may be expanded over time to other forms of travel or just more of them.
In such settings, the Rogue Trader may be the leader or face of your party, or perhaps the DM who wishes to take a more active role in the campaign by assigning quests as in game quest giver.
TLDR: Rogue Traders in fantasy land work for by doing trade deals, conquering new land, or exploring new places by their own choices.
- Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
- Feat: Keen Mind
- Skill Proficiencies: As a Rogue Trader, you are trained in the talents of persuasion, strategy, and commerce. You gain expertise in Persuasion, proficiency in History, and proficiency in strategy and commerce (+2 INT, WIS, or CHA).
- Tool Proficiencies: Choose one gaming set
- Languages: You gain 2 languages.
- Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Gaming Set (same as above), Fine Clothes, Perfume, 29 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Vehicle of choice (Cargo Wagon, Longship, Airship)
You also start out with specific equipment for your Rogue Trader, such as rare items from your family's treasury.
Suggested Characteristics
- Rogue Traders generally come from noble lineages, play to this by making your character well learned and intelligent in matters of commerce and negotiation.
Some however, come into possession of their Warrant of Trade through other means, and may thus come from lower blood.
Contacts
The Imperium of Man is willing to trade with you, and you wield considerable authority amongst the various citizens and troops, as ordained by either the High Lords of Terra or the Emperor himself.
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In other settings, your name is recognized by most international organizations as a result of you being under the general umbrella of one of the most powerful nations in the world. Merchants are willing to trade with you, lords may accommodate you as a result of your famed status and the wealth that you may bring to their realms, and the peasantry laud you as a person of a much higher status but also someone who may improve their lives.
On the flipside, criminal organizations will see you as an extremely high value but also high danger target, owing to their insane entourage of armed to teeth troops and private militaries, though this depends on the level of the party. While Rogue Traders operate with their endorsement of their country who may send troops if their Rogue Trader is threatened to a great extreme, most countries will tolerate Rogue Traders as a result of the business and technology they spread across the world. But countries are not obligated to protect Rogue Traders unless they make specific contracts (Which means small criminal organizations may still attack fledgling Rogue Traders).
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