The Emperor's Tarot (also know as the Imperial Tarot) is a pack of seventy-eight psychoactive liquid-crystal wafers that are linked to the will of the Emperor. The Tarot, commonly believed to have been designed by the Emperor himself, is used throughout the Imperium as a form of divination.

New decks are crafted by Scholastica Psykana-trained psykers all over the Imperium, but they are quite rare and tend to be quite expensive, especially for high-end models made by master craftsmen utilizing only the best of materials. Decks are also thought to become more attuned over the years, so that older and well-used decks are much sought after – especially if they have been in the possession of a diviner of some skill.

Since the Tarot is made from psychoactive materials, it is primarily used by psykers. Although anyone could potentially use the Tarot, training in its use is a prerequisite for getting consistent readings, and long experience is usually required for any meaningful interpretations. Imperial Astropaths are often skilled operators, since they have the psychic power, are attuned to the Emperor's will, and possess the training needed to utilize the Tarot to full effect.

To help a sanctioned user focus on the future and protect him from malefic influences, and to prevent abuse by non-sanctioned psykers, the Tarot cards usually has form of built-in defence. Each card contains within the crystal matrix one or more devotional prayers (or similar), which repeats over and over in the mind of whomever uses the deck. Needless to say there are very few rogue psykers – let alone Chaos sorcerers – that can endure this.

This common devotional prayer is found embedded in many 41^st Millennium decks:

Adore the Immortal Emperor
For He is our Protector
Admire the Immortal Emperor
For His Sacrifice to Mankind
Exalt the Immortal Emperor
For His Strict Guidance
Revere the Immortal Emperor
For His Undying Guard
Venerate the Immortal Emperor
For His Holy Wisdom
Honour the Immortal Emperor
For His Eternal Strength
Glorify the Immortal Emperor
For His All-seeing Vision
Praise the Immortal Emperor
For His Enduring Rule
Hail the Immortal Emperor
For He is the Lord and Master
Worship the Immortal Emperor
For without Him we are Nothing

There are rumours that rogue psykers can find unwarded Tarot decks on the black market. But given the fact that such wretched heretics cannot feel the guiding light of the Emperor their ability to read the future is much diminished. Finally there are those dark-hearted and soul-less villains who have embraced sorcery. These cretins are known to have their own ways of peering into the future – some have even been revealed to use corrupted versions of the Tarot!

Timestamp: 5.045.998.M41

Location: Solomon system, Markayn Marches, Calixis Sector, House of Dust and Ash

Situation: Preparing for the last day of the Haarlock auction

Body: A new day begins. You are all gathered together back at the appartment after a refreshing night's sleep - or not for those of you who have trouble sleeping soundly. Come to think of it that includes all of you. Strange sounds in the night, restless sleep, the blurring of deam and reality - and a sense of foreboding. Let the day begin - better to face what it brings than languish in bed any longer.

The final auction day is about to begin. All sorts of oddities and strange atificat will be presented. Some are expected to sell for tens of millions, if not more. Others considerably less. You can expect all the other attendees to be there, dresed in their finest.

(OOC: One Imperial Currency Unit - called a Throne on many worlds in Calixis - seems to - very roughly speaking - have a buying power along the lines of 10 USD).

You've got time for a nice breakfast and some planning/orders before it all starts.

DROPBOX

I just sent invites to Dropbox for Torleif and Kurt. It's a small app I use to synch files independent from my various PCs - and to share those files with players. I'll be using it to tore files for the rules, maps/images etc.

You don't have to accept if you don't want to. I can always e-mail you stuff.

---

RULES

v2.5 is the current version of the rules. It lacks a few things, mostly having to do with Careers and advances. I'm intending to remedy that shortly.

Is there a pattern beneath all this, or is it all Chaos...

My intention is to post SOMEthing each day as far as my schedule permits. Might not be much, but a little is better than nothing. And if I see replies I generally get more motivated :)

That said - if there are no major replies I'll always be moving things forward. I'm not halting the tory due to a lack of player input - except under special circumstances perhaps.

Sounds reasonable?

The wise Inquisitor Tancred has arranged through his Mechanicus contacts to have the blog upgraved to something called 4.0.4.

You wont notice a lot of changes, except perhaps the addition of avatars. You should perhaps try to find suitable images. If you want you can send them to me for croping and uploading.

NOTE: If you want your avatar displayed you need to be logged in - visitor posts have no avatars (duh!)

Anti-spam: Should also be enhanced - in that I'm implementing a sort of workaround; Throne Agents (you) and Inquisitors (me) are NOT chenced against the anti-spam blacklist. This new setting allows me to basically add the whole english dictionay to the anti-spam blacklist, without it affecting you.

Should help a lot...

There are somewhere between 100-200 people attending the auction. And many of those are accompanied by staffs and retuines large and small. In addition there is a large Administratum staff overseeing things, Imperial Guard guards (pun), as well as the members of the Mourner's Guild (the staff that acutally runs the islands and its facilities - a robed bunch that can be described as a cross between tech-adepts, preachers and accountants).

I cannot hope to describe this multitude of people in any great detail, but I hope you get a glimpse of the colorful cacophany of people that are now housed within the labyrinthine halls of the House of Dust and Ash.

Some of the more prominent attendees include:

Captain Rubio of the "Ozmandius": A very vocal and visally flamboyant Rogue Trader. Seem more interrested in just being present at the event, rather than actually spending his gelt on auctioned items.

Magyar Marshrek: A low-key figure that has more gelt than you would expect. He has a very small staff (only 2 bodyguards). He seems more of an adventurer or explorer than anything else.

Master Sunoench: A ranking Solomon Guildmaster. He's representing a large conglomerate of corporate interests. He has a big staff and money to spend.

Some other characters:

Locutor Mayweather: Minor Administratum adept. Inquisitor Marr's inside man. He's you're contact here - if you want to use him that is.

Greel, the Head Mourner: A very tall dark-robed figure. Leader of the Sorrowful Guild (aka the Mourners). Seen lurking about from time to time, or speaking with the Adminitratum staff.

Provost Hiram Bland: The leader of the Administratum contingent. Empowered by the High Lords of Terra (through the Chancellery Court) to dispose of the estate of Erasmus Haarlock.

As you known by now the last scion - one Erasmus Haarlock - of the Rogue Trader House of Haarlock vanished more than 200 years ago. More specifically Erasmus was last seen in 703.M41 when he departed into the vast and uncharted regions of the Koronus Expanse. That wasn't the first time Captain Haarlock undertook a journey beyond the borders of the Imperium, but it was his last.

Normally the disappearance of a Rogue Trader would not mean an end to his line. A heir, however distant, would be found and the charter passed to him. But in the case of Erasmus he had risen to become head of his house only after murdering, frequently in a most cruel and spectacular fashion, all his blood kin (however remote). So ended his line.

And the Charter could not be handed over to create a new Rogue Trader either, since Erasmus carried with him the ancient charter given to his ancestor by Sebastian Thor himself (Rogue Trader dynasties generally keep their charters at a secret well-guarded location to avoid loosing them if an expedition goes badly).

It took quite a while for Erasmus to be declared missing. And even longer for him to be declared dead in absentia. No surpprise given his status as a Rogue Trader perhaps. But as years turned to decades and decades turned to centuries the domain of Erasmus Haarlock slowly withered and died. Competitors seized markets. His holdings were seized by dubious legal procedures. His assets sometimes looted. So that most of his legacy was long gone by the time the Imperium and the Administratum declared him dead, his line ended - and seized his remaining estate.

After that things took even longer - for it was now up to the Chancellery Court on Solomon to decide what to do with his belongings. And the Court does not act in haste. But now the stage is finally set - Haarlocks remaining estate is now on sale.

The sky-ship you came with will not be departing anytime soon. As you might have noticed the ship suffered some damage and the captain doesn't want to go anywhere before he's had the chance to do some repairs. There are a couple of other sky-ships also at anchor on the island, but not very many.

If you want to you may arrange for passage back with the same ship - or catch another vessel as you please.

You also have the option of leaving Parsifal aboard the Martyr. He's stable and showing signs of recovering. Your call.

Then there is Octavia Nile. If you tell captain Elias Shadrack that she was in contact with the Wreckers he will insist that she's locked up in the brig and later turned over to the law for aiding and abetting known pirates. Or you can keep quite and let her disembark to see what she's up to (and Haxtes has his own little revenge planned for her anyway - there will be no escape for Octavia Nile in the end).

Abbot Tamas won't be participating in the auction - his possession by the Crow Father made sure of that. That leaves only Lanus Cisten, the young guild representative, of the first-class passengers that will actually be bidding.

Then there is Vymer and Quill, the two bounty hunters that caught Maxi's attention. They too survived and are getting off. Surely their target is not the auction, but someone at the auction.

Inquisitor Marr told you that the Inquisition would have other agents besides you in the House of Dust and Ash:

The most visible of which is Inquisitor Herrod and his retinue. The Inquisitor, wearing a hooded white-and-gold robe and full regalia can be found wandering through the halls and corridors of the House at all hours. His guards and other staff are attending him, as well as patroling the grounds and - on occasion - speaking to people or examining objects up for auction (that part is probably mostly for show, since the Inquisition has surely examined the collection already).

Timestamp: 5.043.998.M41

Location: Solomon system, Markayn Marches, Calixis Sector, House of Dust and Ash

Situation: Currently disembarked from the Martyr and in place on/in the House

Body: A little over one Terran day later you have reached the House of Dust and Ash. The House is synonymous with a small volcanic island (a handful of miles in either direction) that juts out of the southern ocean, far away from any other land. Buildings, most of them mausoleums of some kind, cover the island (some are said to burrow quite deep into the rock). These structures belong to the rich and powerful of the region - not just on Solomon, but further out, to the sub-sector level at least.

This is where they bury their dead - and conduct their most secret affairs, well away from the prying eyes of the Imperium. As the personal fief of a Rogue Trader family (namely the Haarlock one) the House is exempt from all but the highest levels of Imperial authority. Even the Inquisition is (relatively speaking) cautious when it comes to exerting its power in places like this one. Note that once upon a time the entire planet was Haarlock property, but nowadays it belongs to the Departmento Munitorum.

Actually the place has seen better days. Since the end of the Haarlock line things have gone downhill. Or maybe the decline started before that. Whatever. The glorious years of Solomon and its Rogue Traders and nobles are long gone. Now only hidebound traditionalists bury their dead here, and very few conduct any business on the island. So this auction is an exception.

The biggest structure on the island is the actual House of Dust and Ash. Haarlock owned and operated it serves as family mausoleum on a very grand scale, a place for doing business - and now as an auction house. It's a sprawling collection of buildings old and new, centered around the great domed hall. The entire affair is well guarded - by Imperial Guardsmen (given the status of the island it's off-limits to PDF forces) brought in by the Adeptus Administratum bureaucrats that are running the show.

You have been assigned quarters befitting your station within. The auction is already underway - but currently only minor items are being sold away. You still have time to freshen up, get your bearings and have a look around before the main catalog is put on sale.

...we are not dead, despite appearances to the contrary. Dealing with other stuff ATM, but I'll be back with you shortly...

Ave Imperator!

Timestamp: 5.040.998.M41

Location: Solomon system, Markayn Marches, Calixis Sector

Situation: Aboard the sky-ship the Cygnan Martyr, off-course in the southern wastes

Body: The Cygnan Matryr is currently moving slowly along a mammoth black iceberg (its not really an iceberg Azhmut says, but rather a hive spire coated in hundreds of meters of accreted ice - also known as 'whatever'). The ship has sustained some damage, but is operational. Only six of eight engines are working, but that is more than sufficient to move the ship at good speed during normal conditions. But these are not normal conditions. The storm has driven you to extreme southern latitudes and icing is a big problem at the moment, effectively forcing you to move very slowly while external work crews (mostly press-ganged steerage passengers - whatever are left of their number) hack away at the ice (guided in their work by shotgun-armed crewmen).

As if that isn't bad enough you're in Wrecker territory now. Not just in their raiding area, but in what probably is their base area. If they catch you you're going to be in big trouble. You don't have speed and you'll be hard pressed to keep the defensive weapons working - again due to excessive icing.

Finally you don't have too much time to spare - you really should get back on course and race for the House, or you might come late for the action.

Timestamp: 5.038.998.M41

Location: Solomon system, Markayn Marches, Calixis Sector

Situation: Aboard the sky-ship the Cygnan Martyr, en route to the House of Dust and Ash

Body: You are now eight hours out of hive Gloriana and making good speed across the Balemire Sea (a dark smudge of toxic filth several hundred meters below the keel). Arrival at the House is an estimated 17 hours away at present speed and course. You have settled in your spacious cabins (the one for the R-T is of course by far the most opulent).

So far there has been very little to complain about. Maxi is obsessing with security - as he should. Jeb is hanging around with the crew of the Martyr. The rest of the cadre is doing very little. Jax has an invitation to dine with the captain.

Timestamp: 5.035.998.M41

Location: Solomon system, Markayn Marches, Calixis Sector

Situation: Just finished meeting with Inq Marr

Body: "That must be ranking among the most successful dress rehearsal in the history of man." Maxi spits, stands up and gives a sad look at the team.

"R-T. Never talk to your cadre. Talk AT them, if you must address us, do it in conversation as third persons or as furniture. Better yet silences us with a gesture of your hand or a cane. We are in a lack of better word your K-9's and you are the pack leader."

"Jeb... sigh... where to begin... Your motivation is being a bodyguard. If the R-T snuffs it...the most certain thing in the universe is not that our holy emperor loves you. No, it's your immediate death. It may be debated who will be the next R-T. But the universe will in a blink of perfect harmony agree that a bodyguard with a dead body is an useless abomination most vile and must be dealt with most violently. Eyeball threats not your demented lusts. And more you are jewelry to be seen not heard. Speak UP or shut Down. No whispering."

Maxi passes Azemuth not bothering to talk to him.

"Parsifal, Loved your passionate priest-type. I can see you as the R-T's favorite butt-boy. Being shagged by him while reading holy scripture. Attaboy, keep it up."

Maxi lastly squats down in front of Venus.

"Your a V-A-L-E-T. While playing a maiden in distress is kinda cute if you have a loaded daddy, it's mostly sad when you are a perverts second favorite play toy. Butch up boy!"

Maxi stands up again.

"Of course the fail is all mine. I wanted a perfect failure in this meet to test our response and I'm ecstatic of our success. While we have perfected our covers we have forgotten our positions. Come on. WE KNOWS THIS. We have seen it countless times. Everyone else does it because it W-O-R-K-S !!! Why shouldn't we???!"

"Step ONE. I, the the most wasteful M-A go in first and take a quick survey.
Step Two. I, call in the Ship-Magos who scans the area and in conclusion with the M-A gives OK.
Step Three. GO TEAM."

The Holy Ordos operate with a simple yet complex rank structure; here is presented a simplified version as applies to the outlying Segmentum Obscurus sectors and regions:

Inquisitors: Inquisitors are the true lords and masters of the Holy Ordos. They rank far and above even the most renowned and experienced of interrogators. They are empowered to act in His name, without any restrictions - save those imposed on them by their peers, and the God-Emperor of Mankind himself. All Inquisitors are - in theory at least - equal in power and authority. Particularly powerful and politically well-connected Inquisitors are, however, often given the honorific rank if Lord Inquisitors(sometimes High Inquisitors). The sector head of one of the three Ordos are given the title Master, as is the chief of sub-sector operations, while the master of a sector Conclave is titulated Grandmaster.

Initiates: Initiates are acolytes who have proved themselves repeatedly and been given a special rank to go along with their increased obligations. There are two main subdivisions within the ranks of the initiates - Explicators and Interrogators. Explicators are either field officers or long-serving specialists; this is the highest rank most members of the Inquisition can hope to achieve. Interrogators are Inquisitors-in-training or apprentice Inquisitors if you will. Many are empowered to act with the authority of their master if he is absent - within certain limits. Its fairly common to divide the ranks into junior/senior and some Inquisitors also employ other honorific ranks to bestow on valued servants.

Acolytes: Acolytes is a catchall people who have not only been recruited to work for the Inquisition, but empowered to act on behalf of the Holy Ordos. They are usually trusted and highly skilled people who have served in an Inquisitor's cadre for some time. They are given an acolyte's 'Rosette' to signify their rank (it also acts as an ID-tag and pass-card for restricted Inquisition areas) and have the moral and factual authority to act in His name. Acolytes who fail in the service or abuse their authority will quickly be stripped of rank and terminated. Most Acolytes are referred to as Agents, although some Conclaves or Cadres use other titles.

Operatives/spies/informants/contacts/etc.: These are people who work for the Inquisition in some capacity, but who are not in any way part of that august organization and thus lack the moral and factual authority of acolytes. Many might not even know that they are affiliated with the Holy Ordos, just that they work for some shadowy organization (there are many of those) that they may or may not suspect is part of the Imperium of Man.