When Rogue Trader began, I had no idea how it would end – or if it would end. It was, in many ways, an extension of our Dark Heresy game. Here is the same Warhammer you know, but you have a spaceship. It was a massive cathedral spaceship housing tens of thousands, but a spaceship nonetheless.
The game started with a trip to a space station to trade some guns. From these humble origins, the players encountered alien races, fought those aliens races, and also pissed off one of the most powerful human factions in that sector of space. Also, one of our main characters blew up a planet as he ascended to demi-godhood. As space opera’s go, that is a definite step towards the right direction. Well, many steps, with explode-y bits.
Still, after 15 episodes, all the major players and events have been set. There are a few revelations that need to shown, but everything is quickly coming to a head. Each player has their own missions and goals ahead of them that will define their characters and who they are. Reynaldo has Daniel Kunan and his space armada to look forward too. Quantus has a new techpriest friend and a strange cube to wonder about. Natesevya is going deep into crazy town and laughing along the way, and as for Billy’s new character… well, let’s leave that as a surprise.
I’ve come to the point in the story where I could lead the group into a few more zany adventures, or bring everything to a satisfying end. As much as I love these characters, the storyteller in me knows that it’s time to bring about the closing chapters of the book. Does that mean next episode is the final episode? God no. I refuse to pull a Mass Effect ending on this game. I won’t ignore important plot points and try to tie everything into a nice, nonsensical bow. It would not only be a disappointment to our fans, but to me. No, the third and final chapter of this story will take as many sessions as necessary to bring everything together.
I am currently taking a break from GMing after running our latest Unhallowed Metropolis arc, but when I return, I expect to come back to Rogue Trader with characters old and new. Like all good space operas, I expect epic space battles, really big space things full of alien stuff, and tenuous alliances between desperate allies. I hope the next few session will not disappoint.
To tide you guys over, here is some epic space opera music and a question. Who is your favorite NPC from the Rogue Trader game and why?
Fandible.Com is now on Patreon! If you enjoy our weekly blog posts and actual play podcasts, please consider supporting us.
