Warhammer 40k Archives

Rogue Traders: Warlords, Supply Officers, and The Art of Outfitting Armies in Warhammer 40,000

Greetings, denizens of the Grimdark! We’re back with another deep dive into the endless abyss of Warhammer 40,000 lore. This time, we’ll be delving into the thrilling lives of Rogue Traders. More specifically, we’ll be discussing the herculean task of raising an army from scratch, arming them, and getting them where they need to go.

Rogue Traders are unique entities in the Warhammer universe. Not only do they act as warlords, leading their troops into the fray with courage and tenacity, but they also take on the role of a Supply Officer. They are responsible for the procurement of everything an army needs to operate – weapons, vehicles, armor, food, medical supplies, field equipment, uniforms, and a whole smorgasbord of other necessities.

This dual role is not for the faint of heart. It involves a significant financial outlay, often exceeding the cost of hiring the troops themselves. To manage these exorbitant costs, Rogue Traders have a couple of tricks up their sleeves – purchasing equipment in bulk or compromising on quality.

Yes, the quality of a soldier’s gear significantly impacts their effectiveness on the battlefield. Superior training can only get you so far if your Lasgun fails mid-battle or your armor falls apart. However, sacrifices must be made when outfitting large units, and soldiers typically have to make do with what they’re given.

Once the Rogue Trader has successfully recruited and equipped their force, the next challenge is transporting it to the battlefield. This involves the use of specially configured void ships to carry troops and equipment, escort ships for protection, and shuttles, landing craft, or drop pods to ferry everything from the orbit to the planet’s surface.

If the Rogue Trader’s troops lack the necessary void ships and aircraft, this is where alliances and connections come into play. The best option would be to contract transportation from an ally, a fellow Rogue Trader or chartist Captain specializing in troop transport. If that is not possible, a private military company that specializes in void lift work is the next best choice.

Now, let’s shift our focus to the intriguing term – ‘footfall.’ The footfall refers to inhabitants of the settlements in the Coronous Expanse, notably places like Footfall. These folks live in dens of iniquities, dealing with all manner of individuals – from renegade psykers, xenos, heretics, and chaos cultists to Rogue Traders and their crew.

The Footfallen are often considered the true children of the expanse. They are descendants of settlers and Rogue Trader vassals who have spent their lives interacting with the Coronous Expanse’s diverse denizens. Their experiences have endowed them with a unique trait. Over the last few solar decades, some Footfallen have been known to exhibit a strange sixth sense, possibly stemming from the warp.

Now, let’s return to the Rogue Traders, the stars of our story. Picture this: a gargantuan ship, 5km long, clad in 10m thick adamantium, with a statue of Celestine adorning its prow. This ship is more than just a transport vessel. It’s a symbol of the Rogue Trader’s power, ready to cut a swath through the Coronous Expanse.

So, there you have it. A glimpse into the lives of Rogue Traders, the taskmasters of Warhammer 40,000, who not only lead their troops into battle but also make sure they are well-equipped and ready for anything the universe throws at them. Stay tuned for more in this series!