Maggots in the Meat, part 1 - Arrival

by DM B  

Timestamp: 6.825.997.M41

Location: Acreage, Josian Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Rogue Trader vessel Maiden of Golgenna arrives in the Acreage system

Body: The trip from Iochantos to Acreage follows a slow but steady warp current, taking eighty days real and twenty-six days perceived for the Maiden, well within ordinary parameters. It is a route rarely taken by traders, both because Acreage has preciously little to offer and because its situated far from any major trade lanes or interesting systems. It is listed as a feudal world, but is somewhat more technologically advanced that what you would normally associate with a world bearing that classification. Acreage sports gunpowder weapons and is on its way towards a beginning  local industrial revolution (OOC: It's fairly similar to 18th century Europe). This technological 'revolution' is relatively new - it was initiated only two generations ago by High King Grayconnor of Ascandia (also the Imperial Governor of Acreage) and later even more vigorously pursued by his son High King Gordanus.

Less than a century ago the situation was quite different - the technological base was on a knights-and-castles level and feudal lords held far more power than they do today. The High Kings of Ascandia surely intended to use this introduction of technology to gain the upper hand against the other kings and princes of Acreage, but in this they were only partially successful. As it were there were several larger realms that managed to keep up with the advances in technology, both in terms of per-industral production and military science. This must have come as a surprise to the High Kings, for by ancient decree all contact with the outside galaxy is strictly regulated. It is physically limited to two landing zones, one located within the premises of the Royal Palace (more like a small city within the capital) of Ascandia , and thus completely under the thumb of the High Kings. Special licenses are required  to purchase or possess 'items or knowledge of off-world origin'.

The other site is the artificial floating island known as the Emperor's Island - the only part of the planet that doesn't fall under the purview of the Governors. Emperor's Island is situated just offshore from the City-State of Orlankan, the City-by-the-Sorrows. Small in area Orlankan was able to prosper through illicit trade with the outside galaxy through Emperor's Island - and they readily exported what they gained to the other kings and princes. This did not sit well with the High Kings of course, but the Princes of Orlankan were cunning; they kept only within the limits of technology that the High Kings themselves had declared 'to be of Acreage, and not of the Imperium'. So the High Kings could complain, but not really do anything...

In 991.M41 Gordanus High King of Ascandia died, leaving two twin daughters - Rhozena and Rhozeia - as contenders for the throne. The King had not planned on dying so soon, for there was no will, and the line of succession was unclear. Both daughters turned to their supporters and made a bid for the throne. The result was predictable - civil war. Both 'Queens' also petitioned the Imperium for confirmation of their status as High Queen, but the Imperium has yet to make an official ruling.And so the war continues...with each side trying to gain the upper hand. And each side sending a full tithe to the Imperium...an impossible task were it not for the increased production capacity brought about by the technological advances made during the last few decades. But the current situation cannot last forever...

---

This is Parsifal's homeworld. Ten years ago, when Gordanus was still King, Parsifal was a young squire in the Order of the Eagle, a valiant and honorable order of templar knights. Acreage was at the time still home to a number of such religious orders. Orders that were both wealthy and had significant military potential. A bad fit for the new age ushered in by the High Kings. So the Order was declared heretical and the King's army fell upon it in a gruesome and cowardly assault. The templars were killed or dragged for to mock trials. The lands and treasures of the Order were seized. One a few managed to escape - such as Parsifal, who found is way to Orlankan and then to Emperor's Island, where he was found by Globus...

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Categories: Adventures, Chapter 1 - In the Service, Adventure 1.4 - Maggots in the Meat
 09/01/10 10:46:52 pm,

4 comments

Comment from:
Haxtes, Maxi, Parsifal and Venus head down to the surface in one of the Maiden's shuttle-craft. You set down on Emperor's Island. The Ascandia landing site seems less promising given the civil war between the two sisters. That's the official story anyway. The real reason is that Aristarchus was probably working out of the nearby city of Orlankan. Emperor's Island turns out to be one vast floating platform. Or really several independent but interconnected platforms, one of which sports a modest landing field. Rather than waste any time on the Island the team immediately sets about getting local transportation to Orlankan. Turns out the city is under siege - from BOTH Queen sisters - but for the right amount of Thrones you are able to hire one Captain Tiplis to take your through the gun-ship blockade.
09/02/10 @ 15:00
Comment from:
You could of course have landed you shuttle in Orlankan. The lack of landing facilities would be an inconvenience, but not a show-stopper. And despite the entire planet being a no-fly zone outside the two designated landing areas - by decree from the High King/Governor no less - there is no way they could have enforced it. Black powder gun versus orbital strikes. Yeah right. Besides there is no High King nor any Governor, just two pretender bitches. You could even have claimed legal right - Jax' Rogue Trader Charter is an old one issued by the High Lords, one that could be said to give access to all Imperial worlds. And don't get me started on the authority invested in you by the God-Emperor! But for now you elected to keep a low profile and maintain your cover. Captain Tiplis turns out to be a bargain. Orlankan is located on an island situated by the mouth of a great river delta, with countless islands and endless mangrove forests stretching along the coast, and great swamps and wetlands framing it all. For someone who knows these waters so well as Tiplis it's no problem at all to evade the patrols of the pretender Queens. So welcome to Orlankan, the greatest free city on Acreage (OOC: Imagine the city as a cross between New Orleans, Venice and 18th Century Paris). You are greeted, not unknidly, by an army patrol under Lieutenant Rabalias, Orlankan 9th Infantry Regiment. This strapping young lad becomes an important go-between for you, helping you secure lodgings at the Grand Hotel Royale and sets up a meeting between you and First Minister Raltos. You are, after all, part of a Rogue Trader's retinue, carrying a crago of Imperial guns, enough to equip an entire Brigade. A purchase would be a clear violation of planetary laws...but seeing as Prince Orcan XIII is currently under siege by both pretender Queens you could not have come at a better time...
09/03/10 @ 12:57
Comment from:
I don't want to cause ripple in the flow on this thread. (I write this so I understand I do ... (repeat sentence above without "I don't") But... Planetary law is deemed inferior to IMPERIAL law. So the planetary 'participant' of a contract is the one who have to face planetary 'judgement'. The Rouge trader clause has stated that it only can be scrutinized and judged by the higher (or highest) court of law. In this case it's not the exporter but the importer who have to keep his papers in order. The Administratum or the Presinct have the final decision on Jax's charter but it seems that the Trader have sought planetary permission in his rightful trade.
09/04/10 @ 00:02
Comment from:
Could it be any other way? Of course Imperial law outweighs local laws, even those put in place by a Governor. So given that the Rogue Trader charter is signed by the High Lords of Terra the laws of Acreage does not prevent you from trading with the planet. Arguably you could even trade with forbidden items - the Charter doesn't explicitly state so, but there is a long precedent of Rogue Traders being allowed to trade with exotic and unusual items. Then the landing zones - it could be argued both ways, that you can go wherever you like or that you must keep to the zones. You should bring in some lawyers. Have the Chancellery Court on Solomon settle the dispute. Estimated time until a ruling is made: 4 years, 112 days. Any decent Governor would of course have just blown you out of the sky if you got blatantly violated his laws - so normally Rogue Traders try to either stick to local customs or bribe their way around them. Makes it more profitable for all. And that's the key here - profit, profit, profit.
09/04/10 @ 09:20


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