Roe Van der Weyden

Roe Van der Weyden is an Arch Militant in Jason Marker's Rogue Trader campaign, played by Jacko.

Origin Path

Noble Born

Roe is the only heir and scion to the powerful Van der Weyden dynasty, their Warrant of Trade issued well over a thousand years ago and used to good effect in the Calixis sector following the Angevin Crusade.

Vaunted

Using his family's wealth and influence for his own selfish, indulgent means became a way of life for Roe as he grew up. Scholars and tutors tried to instill a sense of wonder about the art of commerce and leadership into the boy, but only his fencing tutor found any measure of success.

Chosen By Destiny (Fated for Greatness)

Roe's schooling for his eventual undertaking of the Warrant was going poorly in the Calixis Sector and so his father decided to send him elsewhere, somewhere less civilized, to learn the trade. The Koronus Expanse would be the perfect whetstone to hone his skills and temper his demeanor.

High Vendetta

Roe's spats with other notable houses have created an atmosphere of never forgive, never forget. His eagerness to duel (and propensity to win) has smeared the honor of some powerful figures. Getting to the Expanse was a move his father deemed necessary to protect his scion from retribution. While dueling is the honorable way to redress grievances, it's certainly not the only way.

Prestige

Roe was quick to begin spreading thrones and stories around the Expanse, hoping that his father's control was too short to reach him in the Expanse and he could return to his debaucheries and licentious adventures. Tragically for him, his father quickly curbed those plans by getting a missive to the Machariel seneschal and securing Roe for duty aboard one of their ships.

Description

A man of lean, whipcord muscles and razor sharp features. Roe is a fine specimen of breeding and he stands tall and regal. Wavy blonde hair is typically slicked back against his scalp, cut long enough to reach his jawline. Piercing blue eyes and an aquiline nose make the self-satisfied smirk that usually graces his mouth seem even more condescending.

Typical Quote

"Enough? I've barely begun."

Contacts

Lieutenant Antonius Seiger - Individual, Dangerous, has military connections, -40

Lt. Seiger is a member of an expeditionary unit that Roe accompanied on his journey to the Expanse, part of a compliment of Guardsmen attached to the Van der Weyden dynasty. Roe and Antonius were abrasive towards one another while aboard a Van der Weyden transport but things came to a head when the good soldier accused Roe of being a drunken wastrel in the foyer of a Footfall brothel. Roe made questions as to Seigers martial prowess, as well as his manhood, and things turned violent when Seiger struck one of Roes well-paid companions for joining in on the derision. Roe struck Seiger in return and threatened to remove the offending hand while reminding the soldier of his allegiances. Seiger's commission was garnered thanks to Van der Weyden influence and can be removed just as easily. Seiger and his platoon are currently at Footfall, awaiting to hear the results of negotiations that may require their intervention.

Kings of Vaccion - Group, Dubious, Able to reduce prices of all items 1 level, 100

The Kings are a criminal syndicate operating throughout the Expanse, largely centered around the drug trade but willing and able to smuggle the exotic and rare contraband favored by the nobility. Their discretion tends to see a small clientele and so they're happy to take goods in trade. They typically sell such goods at lower prices to clear them from the holds of their storerooms and ships. Roe has purchased from them in the past thanks to an introduction by another acquaintance who frequents with such groups.

Gunnar Tap - Individual, Talent (Peer: Rogue Trader), Expert (Skill: Charm), 80

Gunnar has been the seneschal of the Van der Weyden clan for over four decades now, known for his ability to smooth over difficult negotiations and to put enemies quickly at ease once at the bargaining table. It's joked that Gunnar could sell real estate on Isstvan III and his list of known associates is longer than a flagship.

Amelia Orthesian - Individual, Trusted, 110

One of his father's magnates in the Expanse, Amelia and Roe have known one another since childhood and remain in frequent contact. She is attached to one of the fast luxury transports operating in the Expanse, a member of the 'appraisal delegation' aboard that is used when encountering new peoples who appear friendly and are willing to negotiate. Her beauty is seen as an important business asset and she is typically an engaging, polite and entertaining commercial partner when plying her trade. She was glad to hear of Roe's journey to the Expanse though knows well enough to keep him away from potential 'investors' that she and the Van der Weydens may be courting.

Dynasty

The Van der Weyden dynasty grew to power in the wake of the Angevin Crusade, creating trade routes literally behind the advancing Imperial fleets. They brought with them the necessary provisions that recently conquered societies needed simply to survive, taking priceless artifacts of artistic or cultural significance in trade. Most of these artifacts found their way back to more populated space, selling for enormous sums to the nobility and elite alike. While some called them opportunists of the highest order, the ancestral patriarch, Sem Van der Weyden, dismissed these cries as the barbs of jealous, out-maneuvered rivals. The ancient Warrant of Trade that had seemed to do little for them in civilized Imperium space was creating worlds for the Van der Weydens.

The Van der Weydens had moved throughout the sector and Segmentum Obscurus in the settlement period after the Crusade. It was easy to establish lucrative routes and trade pacts with their ships and fleets already known by the inhabitants of the sector. Sem’s ruthless financial sense was predicated upon the theory that those who may be considered poor were usually rich in some other way. Taking exceptional individuals from their homes and into the void was one way to plunder planets considered to be dregs or slums by others and it paid off handsomely time and again. Sem found his coffers filling thanks to his patronage of others, taking a percentage of their own wealth as payment for his support.

The thousand years that have spanned since saw the Van der Weyden clan continue to promote Sems vision of being a clearing-house of talented individuals. Promulgations of alliances with other trader dynasties were announced often and made the clan a valuable source of manpower for many operations throughout the sector. Even in the 41st millennium, the Van der Weydens are spoken of as a reliable agency to speak with when one needs an individual to assist with a troublesome problem or issue. The descendants of Sem are constantly looking for the next font of skilled labor and their sights usually rest on the frontiers of the Void, space that most might find too dangerous.

The current fleets of the Van der Weydens are mainly fast transports, sleek vessels designed to transport small compliments of personnel quickly, safely, and usually in luxury. The appearance of most Van der Weyden ships are used as their calling cards and an impressive amount of filigree or artistically detailed (if structurally useless and tactically unsound) design has helped them win more contracts than guns or torpedoes. Likewise, the progeny that have descended from Sem and his bloodline are tall and handsome, leading to an impressive face to face meeting once aboard their decadent ships.

The flag ship of the clan is the Gilded Honour, a Gothic-class cruiser known for its ornate design. Sections of the hull are plated in gold and other precious metals, tons of material worked over the armor that runs along the forecastle and amidship from the bridge to the prow. As a glittering jewel in the Void, the ship has ably defended itself thanks to the lance batteries it bears and the oversized reactor at the heart of the ship. The ship sails with a compliment of escorts whenever it departs into the wilds of space, guaranteeing a vicious fight with anyone who would covet the ships rare adornment.