Editing The Viaticus Dynasty

This is the page for the game cocerning the rise of the Viaticus Dynasty from the ashes, run by the thoroughly evil Cthulhupunk.

[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?576650-Rogue-Trader-Viaticus-Invictus IC Thread]<br>
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585780-Rogue-Trader-Viaticus-Invictus-Vol.-II OOC Thread]<br>
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?576651-Rogue-Trader-Viaticus-Invictus '''Old''' OOC Thread]<br>

==The Dynasty==
    
Once one of the most powerful Rogue Trader Dynasties in the Imperium, the remnants of the broken house now live in a few apartments maintained above the opulent family tomb with the interest of a few ancient investments and holdings. Ever since the last true Rogue Trader of Viaticus was lost in the Warp along with the Dynasty's flagship, the Dynasty has fallen into ruin. Now lacking a voidship of any kind, the planet-bound dynasty lives for the pride of its faded memory.
 
A few short months ago, the flagship reappeared above Exaviar's World without a soul aboard. Many took this as a sign of ill-omen, however with a ship again the dynasty has a second chance. The curse of House Viaticus might be at an end.
  
==The Viaticus Demesne Subsector==
''See Also: [[Subsector Viaticus]]''

Named for the family that discovered, founded and gerrymandered it into it's current form, the Viaticus Demense shared in the fall of House Viaticus. Once the base of operations for a powerful Rogue Trader Dynasty, it is now a ruined subsector struggling to survive.
    
===Exaviar's World===
    
When the Viaticus Demense was settled, Exaviar's World was the largest and most beautiful world capable of supporting human life in the subsector. Now it is a hellish cross between a Hive World and a Forge World where no human could live for more than a minute outside of the artificial environments of the Hives or the massive Forge Cities. The places between the Hives are forests of scrap and seas of sludge, all composed of materials that have no possible use in voidship construction. The sky above is filled with a massive shipyard that over the centuries has eaten the entire planet and still hungers for more.
    
Exaviar's World is the subsector capital, and a world under the yoke of an impossible tithe. Expected to supply the Imperial Navy with an Emperor-class Battleship every 100 years, the planet has been exhausted past the point of endurance to keep up. The problem can be traced back to the fall of the Viaticus Dynasty, which eventually led to the private Viaticus shipyards on Exaviar's World being counted as possessions of the world itself and therefore relevant to the calculation of it's tithe. This quickly led to the consumption of all the world's natural resources, but even then the tithe grade was not lowered. Now Exaviar's World struggles not just to build, but to find the materials to build the voidships that have crippled the planet. To make matters worse, irregular food shipments from Orgicus means famines are common, and breeds discontent in the lower levels.

Exaviar's World has two moons: Drustilla and Silva.

====Drustilla====
The larger of Exaviar's World's two moons, it is a polluted ruin of a Hive that has all but been depopulated by centuries of famine and disaster. Only strange degenerate mutants still live in the parts of the underhive that can still support some semblance of human life.

====Silva====
The smaller satellite of Exaviar's World, Silva was originally a prison moon until the prisoners led a revolution and took over. Now the moon is self-sufficient, and runs on a feudal society based primarily on servitor-serfs created from the original prison guards and their descendants. Exaviar's World has too many problems of it's own to try and retake the prison.
    
===Orgicus===
    
Orgicus is an efficiently-run, bountiful agri-world that has to throw out much of it's yield each year because it cannot get it moved off-world. The chartist captains who ship the food to the other planets in the sector are being preyed on by pirates, and attrition has worn down the fleets. There just aren't enough voidships to move food in the quantities that are needed.

Of all the pirates, the world are the crew of the Good Omen. Originally a ship in the Viaticus fleet, when Agamemnon XXXIII disappeared the ship and her crew turned pirate. The Good Omen is a very fine craft, and more than a match for anything the subsector can muster. Exaviar's World is pushed to it's limit building it's tithe ships, it doesn't have the capacity to build more transports or warships to deal with the pirates.

===Formica===
Formica is an Imperial World that declared independence from the Imperpium of Man almost 50 years ago. It didn't bother to inform the Imperium, and as their tithe is only due every 100 years the Imperium hasn't found out yet. Being from a remote and near-forgotten subsector, the people of Formica don't fully understand what they're doing by 'revolting'.
    
Formica's primary complaints are the inability of the Imperium to properly police shipping routes for piracy, what they see as excessive tithes, and a desire for freedom of religion.

===Kelevor===
Kelevor is a planet with an extremely large quantity of adamantium, to which the Viaticus Dynasty still has hereditary mining rights to. The mining colony had already been built, and the most profitable period of the mining procedure was about to begin when the planet was overrun by a genestealer cult. Nobody knows what's going on down there anymore.

===Rixis===
Rixis is a primordial jungle hell out of some genetic nightmare. Rixis is teeming with an overabundance of life, all in direct competition with each other for microscopic niches. It is impossible to ever be truly safe on Rixis, for no matter how much you know about the planet and it's many horrors, it is constantly evolving new ones.

There is evidence of an technologically advanced xenos civilization that once lived on Rixis. A research colony was set up to study one of the more promising ruins, but in the centuries of surviving on Rixis the inhabitants 'went native'. The expression is not further defined in the report.

===Volucris===
Volucris is the site of a failed human colony, but is otherwise uninhabited. It is perfectly habitable by humans, although it's cold and has harsh winters.

===New Kaiser===
New Kaiser was once a nominally democratic planet, with an elected Planetary Governor and a Senate. When Agamemnon XXXIII disappeared the resulting political ramifications led to a civil war, which utterly devastated the planet. It has since regressed into a near-feudal state, and has been slow in developing further. New Kaiser is self sufficient, and it's now hereditary Planetary Lord is still loyal to the Imperium.

== Ships of the Dynasty ==
''See Also: [[Vessels of the Viaticus Dynasty]]''

=== [[Vessels of the Viaticus Dynasty#The Aetherius Aeternus|The Aetherius Aeternus]] ===
'''Ship Description'''<br>
The first keel laid at the shipyards of Exaviar's World and the flagship of Viaticus Dynasty throughout the House's long history, the Aetherius Aeternus was the dominate naval presence in the subsector until its untimely disappearance two centuries ago. It has been said that this ship is a symbol of the world that spawned it, and that while it was under the charge of House Viaticus no harm would befall Exaviar's World.<br>
A mighty battlecruiser, this vessel has seen conflict after conflict, often emerging nigh-unscathed while leaving behind the shattered hulks of pirates, xenos and traitors who would dare lay claim to the subsector. Never defeated in battle, and always appearing in the skies above Exaviar's World when the docks were threatened, it is the subject of countless myths and legends among the people who live in the great Hives below, many of whom see it as something akin to an Imperial Saint.<br>
Its disappearance shattered the morale of the planet - the rapid decline of the fortunes of House Viaticus after seemed to be but a natural progression of this loss to many - although, in truth, the fortunes of the Dynasty had been dwindling for many decades before... the mission upon which it vanished was a desperate attempt to reverse the decline, in fact. Now that it has reappeared, the Aetherius Aeternus again appears in the skies above Exaviar's World, and a new generation dreams of being selected to crew it.

'''Speed:''' 6, '''Maneuverability:''' +26, '''Detection:''' +20, '''Armour:''' 21, 25 prow, '''Void Shields:''' 2, '''Hull Integrity:''' 66, '''Space:''' 69/78, '''Power:''' 68/90, '''Population:''' 100/100, '''Morale:''' 99/99, '''Turret Rating:''' 2, '''Weapon Capacity:''' Dorsal 1, Prow 1, Port 2, Starboard 2<br>
'''Objective Points:''' +50 (Exploration, Military), +100 (Creed), +150 (Criminal, Trade)<br>
'''Notes:''' +5 to all Navigation and Piloting rolls, +10 to fire guns (+15 against planetary targets), +20 Intimidation against planetary targets, halve the duration of warp travel, roll twice for Warp Encounters every ''three'' days travel and take the lowest.<br>

=== [[Vessels of the Viaticus Dynasty#Vanguard of Justice|Vanguard of Justice]] ===
Once a frigate of House Viaticus under the name ''Good Omens'', captained by a loyal servant of the Dynasty, this ship turned pirate shortly after the disappearance of the ''Aetherius Aeternus''.  Rising to prominence as the leader of a band of pirates, this vessel terrorized the sub-sector for many years.
Ambushed by the newly-regained flagship and captured in a daring boarding action by the new captain, [[Lord-Captain Alexis Nikolaos Viaticus]], it is currently undergoing purification before being brought back into faithful service.  All its former crew were killed due to their servitude to a captain willing to bind a daemon into himself to fight off the vessel's rightful owners.

=== [[Vessels of the Viaticus Dynasty#Righteous Anger|Righteous Anger]] ===
A destroyer found escorting the pirate vessel ''Good Omens'', this vessel was caught in the same ambush and, while its crew were spared immediate death, it likewise is undergoing purification at the docks of Exaviar's World in case the chaos-taint of its leader-vessel's captain had spread.

==Command Crew==
=== [[Lord-Captain Alexis Nikolaos Viaticus]] ===
Born as the second son of Stavros and Sofia Viaticus thirty-eight years ago, Alexis became a lay brother of the Adeptus Ministorum , until the despair-borne suicide of his elder brother Kyrill twelve years ago. After that, Alexis was torn from a life of worship, forced to take up the mantle of a Trader. It rendered him a bitterly cynical creature at the same time.

For more than half his life, Alexis was surrounded by the trappings of the Adeptus Ministorum - and every time he met his brother, was secretly glad it was not his duty to be the Rogue Trader. Life as a brother of the Ministorum taught him the importance of social networking and sparked a keen interest in the fine art of Imperial oratory. 

During the later years of his tenure with the Adeptus Ministorum, Alexis' aptitude for grandiose speeches and commanding men became more and more obvious. When starving mid-hive rioters threatened the local shrine to the God-Emperor, Alexis' stern rebuke reminded more than two thirds of them of their duties to God-Emperor and Imperium. Those who would not stand down from their intent to desecrate the shrine's stores, uncaring of the sacrilege in their hunger, were met with gun and blade from a quickly-rallied unit of faithful led by Alexis. 
Two weeks later, shortly before he would have been allowed off-world to join the never-ending Wars of Faith in His name, Kyrill Viaticus shot himself, chaining his brother to Exaviar's World for the next twelve years. 

Pity and mockery would become the constant companions of Alexis for the next twelve years. As many of his former brothers and sisters of his Ministorum time left, either for far-off cities on Exaviar's World to tend to the faithful or to the stars, oh, the stars, to fight, kill and die in His name, Alexis' wroth rose to a boiling point.
His swordplay improved as much as his anger grew as he became less and less tolerant of outsiders mocking the fate of him and his family - and so far, he has not lost a duel of honor to avenge his family's name.

Now that House Viaticus has a voidship, nothing and nobody short of the God-Emperor (or, of course, an untimely death) will stop Alexis from returning House Viaticus to where it belongs: The uppermost strata of Imperial society. Entire fleets will fly the flags of Imperium and House, and the sub-sector will work like a well-oiled machine lest they attract the wrath of Alexis Viaticus. 

Though fallen from grace through ill fortune, House Viaticus was once a major power. For more than a decade, Alexis has worked harder than ever before to live up to the image set by his ancestors: Charming to his friends, but without mercy to those who would stand against him. 
Even without a ship, Alexis has tried to bend his bitterness and cynicism to worthier efforts, channeling the simmering resentment against his fate into his presence: Stern and commanding, until you become either a friend or an enemy - or if you happen to be a mark he needs to con.

Of average height compared to his family, Alexis stands noticeably taller than most people from Exaviar's World at 1.9m, owing to a healthy upbringing and a lifelong drive to avoid complacency. 
Keeping both hair and beard cropped short to avoid frustrating events involving ill-fitting helmets (not, he says, that something like this ever happened, but still...), Alexis goes about in armor for most of his waking time. It would not be wrong to call it paranoid, but he likes his armor.

Eyes are of an unremarkable light brown, usually visible beneath Alexis' helmet, as he prefers not to wear the full face-mask unless absolutely necessary. 
Aforementioned armor itself is held in matte black with silver highlights and an Aquila Imperialis embossed on the chest, also silver.<br><br>

'''Opinions'''<br>
''"... The captain shows a certain irrationality that, while expected of one not supported by the holy mantle, may lead to problems at a later point. Recklessness in particular is worrisome - should be tempered with caution... Shows signs of brilliant leadership; even I find it easy to follow his orders without thought. Coupled with strategic training and with proper backing by the senior officers and emissaries on-board, he can be expected to go very far in revitalizing his House and the entire sub-sector..."'' - Quintus<br><br>
''"Captain just like stories Mama use to tell. He have fire instead of heart and know no fear. If he bigger, he could be Space Marine. But he small, so he Lord-Captain instead. I don't know if Captain decisions all that good, but he make me want to believe in him.  That said, Captain like making speeches and shouting all the time, get boring after a while. He completely mad too, which is good and bad thing."'' - Boris<br><br>
''"He accepted me as his Navigator. He accepted ME as his Navigator! Is he that desperate, or just foolish, or both? Probably neither. Probably he's not afraid of my reputation. Fearlessness, an admirable quality for a leader."'' - Ramirez<br><br>
''He does have a rather inspiring gentleman that is a man of the Emperor which is admirable and she could use more of. His way with people is something that she wished she could do, actually talking to them than simply bellowing at them to obey or else they will be fried to a crisp.  Though he is an admirable man in may ways, he has the mindset of a cleric first, and that would mean things might be more lax than a proper military manner. He is also worried that he might be a little weak willed to make the hard, grey choices a Captain will have to make.'' - Aeysha<br><br>
''An imposing man, driven and commanding. Surprising considering how little he wanted the job, before the death of his brother, Kyrill. I'd imagine that I'd get no thanks for killing that wastrel. My lot.'' - Darrius<br><br>

=== [[Enginseer-Prime Quintus Aureleus]] ===
Quintus Aureleus (so-called because he was the fifth-named orphan in the month at the housing facility where he grew up) is a somewhat small man, in spite of his augmentation. Reaching barely 1.6 meters at full height, his solid presence might bring to mind a rather thin Squa-err, that is, he's rather short. Nevertheless, he radiates a strong sense of presence and a competence that is matched only by the reality of his capabilities.

While well-versed in the ways of Machine Spirits, he is somewhat of an oddity among his fellows in his sense of... aesthetics. A strong belief in the holy perfection of the human form, he feels that form does not always follow function, but that function may be improved by form. Disdaining the sometimes ostentatious displays of machinery sticking out of flesh, his implants, while just as capable as those of other tech-priests, tend towards smooth and shiny over loud and crude (in his opinion).

It is hard to put years to the face (or what can be seen of it) of a member of the Priesthood of Mars, but Quintus looks to be somewhat on the young side of middle-aged, or on the old side of youth, whichever. His mouth and chin are covered (or replaced, more likely) by a smooth metal mask that follows the shape of a human jaw, and which has a scalloped deformity where the lips might be - from the grille this surrounds comes his voice, and, one would assume, somewhere underneath he drinks the nondescript nutritious sludge that he carries around with him. His head is covered in electrum bands that lie flush into the skin, and similar bands cross his torso, interrupted by the softly glowing amethyst crystals that are the visible portions of his sacred potentia coil. His left eye is usually covered by a golden gear-like monacle filled with green crystal, through which flickering symbols might be seen, with his right being more or less normal-appearing, and a bright green that matches the crystal. Traces of metal that appear like circuits cover his arms (and, one would assume, his legs), and his wrists contain ports for who-knows-what.

He gets along remarkably well with normal citizens of the Imperium, considering his station in the Priesthood of Mars. Always looking for new things to learn (particularly any new incidents of lost human technology), he was attracted to the ship-yard of Exaviar's World from rumors of ancient blueprints hidden in the depths of the cogitators. His placement there put him in an excellent position when the long-lost Viaticus flagship reappeared - first to lead the repair efforts and to certify the ship as ready for use and then to get himself placed in charged of the company of Tech-Priests charged with its upkeep.

Now, he is sure, he will find plentiful examples of lost Imperial technology, and have many opportunities to demonstrate the value of his aesthetics and his abilities to those that scoffed at him many years before.<br><br>

'''Opinions'''<br>
''"Having an emissary of the Omnissiah with us is excellent. The ship will run smoother for it, I can feel it. And his monocle is a thing of pure style; I shall have him build one for me at some point.  He is suspiciously good at conversing with the mundanes of the Imperium. And how much of his ideas about the world could be considered heresy by his more orthodox brothers and sisters in the Mechanicum?"'' - Alexis<br><br>
''"Cogboy? Cogboy always good to befriend. If not your lasgun stop working in middle of fight and then who is iron jellyfish now, eh? He get along well with Didi, so I guess is okay chap. I guess is just his incense, leave ash everywhere, hell to sweep."'' - Boris<br><br>
''"Aesthetics of some of his bionics seems too... frivolous. Is it a sign that his skills and reverence are lacking? I don't know. Anyway, I haven't had good long philosophical discussion for a long time, and he's, without doubt can provide one."'' - Ramirez<br><br>
''The personality of Quintius is rather light compared to the usual tech priest.  His obsession with human perfection, is rather off setting for the crippled mutant especially the when he wants to start implanting things into her head, even if it would aid her.'' - Aeysha<br><br>
''Quintus Aureleus is an oddity, even among the Tech-Priests of the Mechanicum but very tolerable. His skills are obvious, and I find his social graces a surprising change given his professions usual lacking.'' - Darrius

===[[Master-at-Arms Kommander Boris Ilyich Yevgeny]]===
House Yevgeny is of noble Valhallan stock. Once, they were a loyal vassal family to the Viaticus Dynasty, before the gradual dwindling of the Dynasty's fortunes meant that the Yevgenys were essentially absolved of their oaths to the once-great Rogue Trader house and left to find their own fortune in the galaxy. They chose to take over the defunct radethium mines that they negotiated with House Viaticus for, and as luck would have it, a new seam of the precious mineral was found the moment the ink dried on the Instrument of Transfer. 

Since then, the Yevgenys dedicated their industry to mining and farming, and their coat of arms represents this with a crossed hammer and sickle of gold. It has also been traditional for every Yevgeny male to join his fellow workers in the mines, so they will not lose touch with those who produce for the greater good. Unfortunately, radethium is teratogenic, and as a result every male Yevgeny has been plagued with mutation. Boris' own father had literal skin like granite, and even that was nothing compared to Two-Eyed Uncle Vanya (who lost his other two eyes in work accidents) and Boris' grandfather Dagonov, who had a very... animated beard. 

Boris himself was born with no defects, and his mother rejoiced in his normality. He grew up to be a large, well-fed young lad... and grew... and kept growing. Soon Boris' mother instead rejoiced that she had had him so early, because she would not have survived the birth if he'd been even a month late. It is commonly said that Boris only stopped growing because the mines were too small for him, and even as a youth, he was a believer in hard work and team spirit.

When the time came for Exaviar's World to raise a regiment for the Guard, Boris would normally have been exempted, being of noble birth. But like all Yevgeny men, he could not allow his people to go into service without experiencing what it was like himself. Against his mother's wishes, he enlisted in the tithe, not as an officer, but as a basic Guardsman. 

For the next few years, Boris' life was consumed in war. He survived where everyone else had fallen, and when the Exaviar 106th was depleted down to himself, he volunteered to join other units, where the winnowing continued apace. Along the way, he met several people who, like himself, were resistant to destruction. Eventually, they decided that they had had enough of pointless war, and after the end of a campaign which left them the only survivors, once again, Boris decided to return to Exaviar's World to reassure his mother, who must surely have thought that he was dead like the rest of his regiment.

Imagine his surprise when he found a strange vessel orbiting Exaviar's World, and even more so his mother telling him that the Viaticus Dynasty had finally regained its flagship. An idea came to Boris; he would renew the Yevgenys' oath of fealty to the Dynasty, and thus boost the fortunes of his household as well. This idea met with far less resistance than his original intention to join the Guard; at least this way he would be an honored retainer, and not a disposable pawn. His companions, now known as The Squad, agreed to follow Boris on his endeavour.<br><br>

'''Opinions'''<br>
''"They say 'Speak softly and carry a big stick'. I shall speak softly and, when necessary, point at Boris, who, even unarmed, would qualify as a big stick... As inconspicous as an Astartes Dreadnought in a china shop. And it is mightily convenient that only now the Yevgenys renew their oaths instead of sticking with us when we most needed them."'' - Alexis<br><br>
''"... It is gratifying, from the reports of Olim (File O-5-164-C), the reverence with which the Master-at-Arms treats his weaponry. It is unfortunate that he does not extend that proper respect to other equipment; Olim has reported abnormally high wear and tear on other machinery Boris interacts with... Boris, of abnormal size and appetite (note galley shortage and food entry 'sandvich') is suspected of mutation. As a proper blood sample has not been taken, claim is unsubstantiated. Discrete tests of mental function and stability have shown strong unused cognitive abilities, but no corruption of the mind - further observation on this front may be required. No twisting of the holy form is noted aside from the abnormal size, which is not outside (if barely) observed cases that have tested negative for mutation. If the possibility of mutation is correct, then subject should be placed through a set of tests to determine any future vulnerabilities in mind or body..."'' - Quintus<br><br>
''"Brawn all over the brains, oh my. We're lucky he haven't born as an Ork.  Still, alienating him might be hazardous for my health, and seeing him fumbling around will certainly raise my self-esteem."'' - Ramirez<br><br>
''He is a mutant, and there is a little bit of camaraderie in that fact, not to mention she admires his tenacity. The fact he can actually think on a deeper level than, "Shoot'em dead!" Like many guards.  Though her platoon is officially under Boris' command, the fact that he has been ordering them about under her nose despite being through hell. She does wish that his tactical infantry tactics were a bit more varied than hard defense.'' - Aeysha<br><br>
''Boris, what can be said? He's loyal to the Captain, and his oath. That is more then most. He does his job with admirable enthusiasm, but some of his squad bear watching.'' - Darrius

=== [[Navigator-Primaris Ramirez Sanches Modar de Nueva Rossignol]] ===
A scion of a minor branch of famous Shrouded House of Navis Nobilitae, he was sent out to the world as expendable test subject. If he survives, that's for the glory of the House, if not... well, fate's ways are unpredictable.
He did return, but not in the way everyone expected. He was assigned as junior Navigator to the Giganticus XIII transport; during his first flight, the ship suffered a breach of Gellar field and had to immediately return to Materium.
Unfortunately, the return point was too close to the planet, and the Giganticus XIII crashed on the surface.

Most of the crew and passenger perished during the crash. Ramirez didn't.
Most of the survivors killed each other in the struggle to survive (which wasn't made easier to the fact that some of them were posessed.) Ramirez didn't.
Most of the remaining humans haven't left the planet even after the crash site was stumbled upon by Navy frigate. Ramirez did, however: by a chance a group under his command was most organized of the rag-tag tribes that were discovered, so they managed to negotiate the passage off-world.

Upon the returning to the civilization, Ramirez (and other survivors) found themselves among the trash of the society. Yet, they saw a chance when a long-lost ship of House Viaticus returned...<br><br>
'''Opinions'''<br>
''"A hardy survivalist, which will come in handy if we ever find ourselves seperated from our ship. If he crashes my ship as he did his last one, I swear to the God-Emperor I will rip out one of his arms and beat him to death with it, or, failing that, nail him to a wall through his third eye."'' - Alexis<br><br>
''"Navigators are a stable and necessary off-shoot of Humanity, and Ramirez is a reliable member of the crew.  Unconfirmed rumors concerning his House make require caution in working with him until his loyalties can be properly tested."'' - Quintus<br><br>
''"Oh, he ugly. And creepy. But Captain say he guide ship through warp and without warp travel, we grow old and die before reaching next system. So... good guy, I guess? Maybe if he can drink, we can be friends. Get drunk, sing Foreskin Song, all is good, yes?"'' - Boris<br><br>
''Being mutants dealing with the warp, as well as survival literally through Hell forms a good deal of kinship between the two, and if Ramirez needs something, the Astropathic commander will bend over backwards to help him.  Being a navigator, his wealth and aduration for a very similar power, and in general less powerful version, is grating with all the scraping and bowing to him while barely giving her the time of day.  
Also pirate clearing is always a good way to start. Too bad the Astropathic Chamber can't channel offensive techniques to grant another gun.'' - Aeysha<br><br>
''Navigators aren't easy to come by, especially for a House barely holding on. You take what you can get, and Rossy is what we have. He'll do, but he also bears watching. That far away look, back to the crash. I wonder if he brought anything back with him?'' - Darrius

=== [[Choir-Master Telepathica Aeysha Marlith]] ===
Born on the Imperial world of Vanthek in the Tempus Segmatum, a world well known for it's artists, stark beauty, and being a hotbed for cultist and rectivist activity, leaving horrible things lurking in the dark corners of that world. The Marlith family was a rather well to do artisan family, operating a media empire that churned out penthrift dreadfuls and holo-plays across the sector showing the unusual view point of that uncertain world. Aeysha was the youngest of three children, and was always a bit of the odd one out when family was concerned save for her loving mother that tried to support her in becoming one of the artists in the family's many studios. Of course living on a world full of corruption meant that the Inquisition was all but ever present, and when young Aeysha found she had the gift for witchery the Inquisition wasn't too far behind. 

Once on the Black Ships heading to Holy Terra to be judged, young Aeysha proved to be rather forceful in personality as well in psychic talent that the Schola Psykana gave her a bit more combat training than the typical Astropath. Once her years of training and recovery after having her soul seared by the Emperor's Light, she was attatched to the Imperial Guard regiments, the 328th Brelish Commandos that awere scheduled to take back a world called Byrion's Hope from Chaos pirates to keep them from preying upon ships coming out of the Viaticus Subsector. So soon after her training she was put back into boot camp to be able to keep up with the rest of her unit and provide some firing support as well as communication with the ship in orbit or defending against any warp usage. It was brutal on the young woman, but she managed to soldier through, despite a Commissar Ilyan watching over her for a chance to put a bolt round into her witch head. That was a constant concern for her as they landed upon the war torn world to start a long and bloody campaign that destroyed both sides in body, mind, and material. After a year of fighting, the planet was silent with both pirate raiders and the Imperial transport shattered in orbit with only a few Guardsmen left on an otherwise undeveloped world. 

Ilyan, being the only sort of officer left alive started to panic about there not being any sort of rescue, as well as the fact that the enemy knew of Aeysha and would be back for her, despite the fact she kept saying she was their best chance to get off that world. It ended in a rather brief fire fight that saw Aeysha standing over the headless corpse of her former warden and two dozen or so men uncertain of what to do. Since she was the only one with an idea on what to do, organized the survivors into a camp to keep them alive until rescue arrived whil e she sent out distress messages to any possibly friendly world she knew of. It was a long time before someone came to that blighted world, a Chartist captain heading into the subsector and caught Aeysha's message. Unfortunately he wasn't going to turn back to bring a platoon of grunts to some out of the way world and just dropped them off at their next stop, Exaviar's World to make their own way back. It wasn't an envyable position, but at least she was able to get the men back to civilization and report in, though it's likely to be another decade or so until they get a response from command. Until then she'll have to find a way to keep fed as well as keep them out of trouble in the orbiting stations above the planet. At first she just provided some protection and organization for some of the disenfranchised astropaths either kicked to the curb or had lost their captains one way or another from the regular wytch hunt. Eventually when a rather prostigous Rogue Trader needed reliable communication, she jumped to the front with her men and the hungry psykers to man their choir.<br><br>
'''Opinions'''<br>
''"Competent enough to survive being stranded on Exaviar's World for years, and bringing a retinue of pet astropaths along. Excellent. Competent or not, the moment one of them starts gibbering madly and/or turns inside out because some horror from beyond takes over, I will shoot them. Better safe than sorry."'' - Alexis<br><br>
''"How she see without eye or bionic? Is big mystery. Captain say she is psyker, but she is not wet noodle poindexter girly-man like guard psyker. I still make Aquila and raise gesture of warding against evil anyway, but Captain tell me middle finger not needed. What he know? Maybe he like her..."'' - Boris<br><br>
''"She can appreciate me for my achievements, not my exterior. That's a lot. Pity that she's a combat-trained telepath -- only a fool let this kind of people become too close."'' - Ramirez<br><br>
''Psykers. Never been that comfortable around them. A man who makes his living through secrets learns to watch those that can read them through the air. But they have their uses.'' - Darrius

=== [[Seneschal Darrius Viaticus]] ===
Born the fifth son of Laurentine and Septimus Viaticus, two idle nobles who made social climbing their art and passion. Their other children strove to the same level of idleness and wastrel, making Darrius the exception. He stood out with his skill for figures and commerce at a young age, a rare useful personage in a branch of the family tree that was withering.

He found himself raised up to the head of the families mercantile wing, scrambling to find the currency to pay for the wastrels, and their drugs and gala balls. His personal tastes drifted lower, to the Hive below and the low life. 

Building up networks of spies, disguises, and secrets he made the next logical move and cut off several wastrel branches of the Viaticus family. The Imperial taxes laid on the House were crippling and even with that massive amount fed yearly into the Golden Throne's coffers the nobles of the family still found ways to spend more, and more. But convincing them of the costs, and the need for financial prudence led to nothing. So stronger measures were necessary. False charges, planted evidence, and accidents of convenience all pruning tools. Some were to improve the family finances, some traitor, and a few just because they annoyed him.

The return of the Voidship is just what House Viaticus and the holding sector needs. Increased commerce, and treasure is just what is needed to get ahead of the crippling Imperial taxes.

Darrius is average, just that. Average height, weight, and looks. A common looking man that could blend into a crowd into a Hiver bar, and a Imperial Gala.<br><br>

'''Opinions'''<br>
''"A cousin, twice removed. That makes him both a valueable ally, as I can trust him more than most to have the best interests of House Viaticus at heart. Unfortunately, it also means that he might consider it in the best interests of the House of it were his hand that guided it. I must find a path between paranoia and trust."'' - Alexis<br><br>
''"Darrius appears to have a strong understanding of the value of knowledge.  It is a pity that he was not picked up by the Priesthood of Mars on Exaviar's World and cultivated.  Moreover, going by suggestive rumors, he might have both a ruthless and an ambitious streak, which may cause problems on the vessel."'' - Quintus<br><br>
''"Efficient to a fault, one that has to admire that as well as rising above the temptations dragging down the rest of the family shows serious willpower. Though to deal so callously with them is very surprising and one has to be wary of kin-killers since they violate one of the most sacred bonds there are, what else is he capable of?"'' - Aeysha<br><br>
''"Surpirsingly, my own inquires turned empty on him. Either he's one '''very''' suitable for this job, or he's nobody that gained Lord Captain's trust through nepotism..." - Ramirez

==Crew==
=== Bridge Officers ===
'''Esmeralda Astaran, First Officer.'''  The hard-bitten First Officer is a former member of His Holy Navy, dishonourably discharged for striking a superior officer in battle.
What is not mentioned is that in doing so she saved nearly twenty-five thousand crew under her command and the Imperial Navy frigate Siriwan from the orders of their captain. After their captain froze up, paralyzed by indecision, during a battle against the vile Orkoid menace, she relieved him from command and avoided the destruction of the Siriwan and the subsequent looting of the attendant Munitorum supply convoy, outmaneuvering three Brute-class ram-ships. 
Repeated blows to her Captain to ensure his quiescence resulted in him losing six teeth and sporting an impressive broken jaw, which rendered him unable to deliver his testimony except by writing at her subsequent court-martial. Discharged by what she claims was a patently rigged court full of cronies.
Dropped off on Exaviar's Prime Hive, she gained the attention of Alexis' agents after loudly decrying the sad state of rampant piracy in the sub-sector. 
Further investigation into her background led to a quick commission as his new XO.

'''Tristan Valliere, Master Helmsman.'''  More than twenty percent bionic after the loss of his previous ship, he endured for nearly four weeks in an escape pod nursing the cauterized stumps of his legs. Left on Exaviar's World as unfit for further service aboard void-ships. However, proved a skilled operator of all kinds of industrial machinery that did not require foot-pedal operations, eventually earning enough Thrones to buy augmetic legs. Spotted by a talent-seeker sent out by Alexis. Impressed Alexis himself with his tenacity, and is a kindred spirit to the Lord-Captain: Both desire, above all else, to ply the void instead of remaining planet-bound.

'''Gorol Tridarmo, Master of Etherics.'''  Last scion of the Tridarmo family, who have for centuries provided House Viaticus with Auger-Adepts, this middle-aged man was overjoyed when Alexis himself visited Gorol and his wife in their middle-hive quarters to tell him of his duties. While technically not trained in the use of shipboard augers, Tridarmo is a remarkably fast learner and a skilled organizer, putting his years as a low-level clerk to good use by providing the Lord-Captain with concise, precise summaries of the auger-data collected by his subordinates. Childless despite fifteen years of happy marriage, he and his wife plan to permanently move onto the ship and, maybe, adopt so that the line of Tridarmos can continue to serve House Viaticus, pending the approval of Lord-Captain Alexis.

=== Priesthood of Mars ===
'''Olim, Master of the Armoury.''' A tall and imposing mixture of machinery and flesh, this tech-priest catalogs and maintains the weapons on the ship as well as the great shells of the vessel itself. Often called upon, with his fellow priests of the sacred armaments, to repair worn equipment, Olim has a rather low opinion of the on-board military.

'''Maxis, Numerological Diviner.''' A constantly in-motion figure, distinctive with the goggles that replace his eyes and the constant flutter of long strips of parchment filled with arcane formulae and incomprehensible numbers that move behind him, Maxis is undoubtedly quite insane. At the same time, however, Quintus (and the other servants of the Machine-God) recognize his incredible grasp of numerology and the depths of logic. Able to perform calculations at lightning-speed, he is a valued servant of the Omnissiah.

'''Alicia, Enginseer of the Sacred Drive.''' Her(?) name indicates her gender, but little else suggests it about this tech-priest, upon whom no scrap of skin is visible through all the cybernetic implants and tools. In charge of the giant drive that both pushes the vessel through space and powers all the systems aboard, hers is a duty performed without peer. Having little interest beyond the function of her charge, she barely pays attention to orders on subjects beyond - a habit which irritates Quintus on the occasions that they meet.

'''Vitalis, Chief Attendant of the Aerie.''' While his title refers to the common habitat of the servitors known as cherubim, he does not actually tend to one (there not being one on the ship aside). Instead, his is the charge of ordering, maintaining, repairing and replacing the servitors that function to perform menial tasks in the domains of the Priesthood of Mars. Recognizable by the small constantly-smoking pipe that extends from one shoulder and the odor of brimstone, he is skilled at his task, although disinclined to speak any language but Binary (rumor has it that he cannot speak any other language, although he can certainly understand Low Gothic).

'''Desiree Chastel, Omnissianic Congregator''' The perky tech-priestess who seems utterly unfazed by just about anything thrown at her. Takes responsibility for the team's wargear and like most tech-priests, ends up spending a lot of time talking to the machines she is assigned to look after. Is a close friend of Florence and is frequently found in the apothecarion doing maintenance on the equipment there.

=== Ecclesiarchy ===
'''Elias Viaticus, Confessor'''.  Second cousin to Alexis and a pious member of the clergy.  While young, his ability to bring the stories of saints and legends alive during his sermons inspires faith in even the most cynical guardsman.  However, his lack of ambition or even understanding of worldly matters means that he will likely never reach a higher post than that of a House priest or (as in this case) a ship's confessor.

'''Diona McOrdas, Chaplain'''. A plain-faced plain-spoken ex-guardswoman, Diona serves as a military chaplain aboard the vessel, ministering to the spiritual worries of the House's armed forces on-board. While she deals with many minor problems herself, she regularly reports any wide-spread or serious concerns to Elias, who, while younger than her, she acknowledges has a sincere and pure faith that somehow finds a way to resolve such concerns, often in his sermons every five days. Her views of the Ecclesiarchy as a whole are perhaps more secular and cynical than Elias would prefer, but he cannot deny her unwavering dedication to the Emperor and his Faith.

'''Titus Androna, Deacon.''' Titus manages the day-to-day tasks at the ship's somewhat meagre (for an Imperial capital ship) chapel, and, similarly to Diona, hears the concerns of the faithful, from minor worries over points of faith to nightmares that shake the roots of their souls. An older man with a neatly-trimmed white beard, gentle blue and weathered face, he is a reassuring presence for many as he cleans the altar or ministers to the cares of the flock. He has few ambitions in life, being satisfied by the fulfillment of his duties, but he does seem to have a problem with speaking when a certain attractive captain's personal aide comes by...

'''Malakai Nommo''' Thanks to him, Ramirez return under the Throne's Light with sound mind and soul. This man had a talent to calm down the afraid or enraged people, as well as inspire them to great deeds.

=== Astropathic Choir ===
'''Davis Rosienada''' The best astropath on the team, a rather old man who seems to keep age at bay by foul language and simple stuborness. Often keeps his white hair long, letting it cover his hollow eyes making him look like a shaggy dog wandering about the ship. Anybody choosing to make fun of this fact usually finds themselves punching themselves in the face a few second latter. He is a bit miffed that Aeysha is the head of the choir despite not being that skilled in singing to the void, but the fact that she can seperate himself from the blunt fools, makes it well worth the trouble.

'''Mikah Aldiway''' A young psyker that must have been born on the Black Ships as a life of blindness and scorn is all he has ever known. Generally the low man in the astropathic totem pole sent to make dinner or grab something while the others are communing with other worlds. He's not shabby in the psychic department, but will need a bit more control before he becomes primary material.

'''Allegra Paitosia''' Coming from an artistic background like Aeysha, they usually get along fairly well, save for when she is screetching out a message in some foreign Hive Dialect. Sees herself as an artist of the Warp and sings her messages to the stars, much to many of the other choir member's horror. While Davis is the best astropath, Allegra definately has the most range out of the choir able to hit worlds many light years distant from her senior's targets. Unfortunatley often those far flung worlds mostly get a melody or the vaguest of messages drowned out by her own emotions.

=== Navigators ===
'''Lom''' He might seem like a dull and dumb boy, this appearance is deceptive. He's rather smart and inventive, but only in two areas: 1) avoiding studying, work, and the similar chores; 2) getting out of the mess he created thanks to his lack of skills. He isn't, of course, always successful in that.

'''Fuchs''' Well, she's a girl who studies hard, and have a good, cheerful personality. On the other hand, she's curious to a fail and talks too much and too fast. This caused her a lot of troubles in the past and Emperor alone knows how much are still waiting to happen.

=== Warrant Officers ===
'''Corporal D'Amage, Master of Ordinance''' The Squad's resident demolitions expert. Prone to cackling and using far more explosive than is required, reasonable, safe or sane. Despite his own lack of faith in the Imperial Creed, has invariably converted his fellow squadmates to worship of the Emperor. At least, everyone suddenly finds some piety when they realise that they're in the same fireteam as him. Has only one eye, and it is rumored that the other one is a grenade for when he invariably decides to go out with a bang.

'''Sergeant Serjessur, Chief Bosun''' A failed candidate to the Chaliced Commissariat who hasn't quite gotten the idea of shouting and lockstep marching out of his head. Is a big fan of Improving Literature and distributes it to everyone in the Squad whether they like it or not. Seems to have acknowledged Boris as his natural commander. Despite his fairly mediocre intelligence test results, has committed the Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer to memory and is currently working on Chapter D of the Tactica Imperialis.

'''Number Seven, Infernus Master''' A perpetually masked and suited person with a flamer. Can somehow be understood by the rest of the Squad despite the respirator mask's speech distorting properties. Seems very fond of fire, but wields an axe and shotgun with equal ease.

'''Dr. Luscinia, Chief Chirurgeon''' The busty, attractive medicae of the Squad. Always found with a pleasant smile on her face, and is deeply concerned for her patients. She has a warm and caring personality, and is the second in command of the Squad when Boris isn't around. She also performs amputations in person with a Ministorum battlepriest's eviscerator, and as of their demobbing, has had more close combat kills than the entire rest of the Platoon combined.

=== Personal Assistants and Guards ===
'''Annabelle Smith, Personal Aide to the Lord-Captain''' The twenty-something aide to Lord-Captain Lupin is, snarky tongues say, the singlemost deadpan individual on Exaviar's World, someone who would use the same tone of voice describe the details of a thirty-megaton food hauler's cargo to an attack by blood-crazed traitor Astartes. Came into the service of Alexis after he won her work-contract in an extended game of Hexagon Chess with a less-than-legal individual. She, in turn, took it in stride with nothing more than a "Very well" and a rucksack's worth of personal possessions. Now, five years later, she is still very much the same: ever deadpan, entirely lacking a sense of humor and a talented time manager. Physically attractive, but rendered less-than-interesting to the Lord-Captain due to her wooden personality, though still highly valued as an assistant.

'''Sergeant Ashley Jergen''' A survior of the previous pirate battle and the second highest ranking person on that rock. Though her duty was to take control and put down the uppity psyker, the fact that Aeysha managed to get them out of a rather tricky situation earned her loyalty. Acts as the head of the Astropathic Guard and bodyguard to Aeysha despite her protests, a capable guardswoman that little can really phase her.

'''Maxwell Liliam''' The team driver for when one of the astropaths needs to be driven somewhere. Mostly a young and hyperactive guardsman that would just want to go faster than anybody else on the planet, partially for the thrill, but mostly due to the fact if you're going that fast, nobody is going to be able to hit you. Still a little twitchy about the whole Chaos landing, and has the odd nightmare but doesn't let it keep him from running over or shotgunning an enemy in the face.

'''June and Julie, Assistants to Kommander Boris''' The incestuously close identical twin sisters who say little and touch each other a lot. Boris and co. rescued them from a war zone and they were unofficially adopted as the platoon mascots during the campaign. As he was the first person to show any kindness to them, they seem to have adopted him as their father figure. June has a mole just below her left eye and specializes in stabbing people, while Julie has a mole just below her right eye and has a penchance for shooting people. Or maybe it's the other way around.

'''Regina Tarakihi, Personal Aide to the Principal Navigator''' She was blessed with perfect memory, and had memorized a lot of useful things while worked at Adeptus Munitorium. She handled the logistics of the 'tribe', and without her, about a half of survivors would die from starvation and diseases. 

'''Pak Himov''' Ramirez's personal guard. Silent guy; most of the time you'll won't hear his voice at all. The only exception -- during combat he's rather loud, taunting the enemy and shouting commands. He's very proffessional with all sorts of slugthrowers, and prefers them to more powerful weapons.

'''Adept Crannis''' A survivor from a failing Archive house. He came into Darrius's service by dint of being honest. The rest of the small House were cheating on their payments to House Viaticus, Crannis's were the only accurate payments. Darrius let Crannis survive the assassins and took him in. A quiet man, born into a life of accounting and for the most part content there. While not an attractive man, he has a lust for women and Darrius keeps him supplied. A Senechal always has need of a good scribe, and a honest scribe more then others. 

'''Former Arbitrator Thomas Patric''' Every man has his weakness and Thomas's was the drink. His keen detective mind didn't prevent him from loosing his postion, his rank, and what remained at that point of his life. Darrius collected him up from the gutter and put him to work ferreting out trouble makers and traitors. Keeping him out of the bottle, that's a job unto itself.

'''Private Molly Sammus, ret.''' The Imperial Guard sent her across the galaxy to ply her trade, killing. Adept with anything smaller then a Leman Russ she serves as Darrius's bodyguard and murderer. Known as Old Dead Molly to the crew, she likes to wander the decks casting a shadow over the crew.

'''John Sammus''' Old Dead Molly's aren't easy to find. Killers, sure. But not loyal killers. But when you rescue their son's from Imperial prisons and erase what records you can find, that usually helps. John pulls his weight on the ship though with his ability to find a black market deal three decks away. If its illegal, and valuable John can usually track it down. A skill his mother looks on with no small amount of pride at.

===Monstrous Creatures===
'''Catstartes''' is Enginseer Didi's pet kitten. She has white fur and likes curling around the techpriestess' neck. Very fond of backrubs and anchovies, but will disembowel mice in a pinch.

'''Valnier''' aka Fluffy. A giant mutated albino scrap dragon which terrorized a Yevgeny mining community until Aeysha tamed it. Now it lives on the ship, because that couldn't possibly go wrong.

==Family and Friends==
===The House Viaticus===
'''Lady Bouvardia Viaticus''' Grandmother to Alexis and Darrius. A cagey and shrewd old lady with a talent for manipulation.

===The House Yevgeny===
'''Lady Ekaterina Yevgeny''' Mother to Boris Yevgeny. Widowed.

===The House DeGuile===
'''Lady Millicent DeGuile''' Fiance to Alexis. Heir apparent to the DeGuile Warrant of Trade. Mildly unhinged.

'''Lady Sloan DeGuile''' Aunt to Millicent. Arranged the marriage of Alexis and Millicent with Grandmother Viaticus.

'''Lord-Captain Androkles DeGuile''' Holder of the DeGuile Warrant of Trade and brother to Millicent. Hedonist and homosexual, not necessarily in that order. Not expected to produce an heir.

===Friends and Allies===