Rogue Trader
This term is a little ambiguous. If you weren't looking for the profession, check the bottom of the page for other uses.
In the Warhammer 40,000 universe, Rogue Traders are like the conquistadors and explorers of the Age of Sail -- they go into the unknown to find new worlds for the Imperium, and hopefully get rich doing so. The existence of the traders is a Faustian bargain the Imperium has been making since the days of the Emperor himself. The High Lords of Terra recognize that there are still many parts of the galaxy (and many situations therein) that are beyond their control. By allowing the Rogue Traders to ply their trade with planets and even species outside of the Imperial peace they can maintain some tenuous influence over events there. The traders have almost complete discretion in their dealings, and are allowed to do almost anything so long as it can be seen as advancing Imperial goals. In this sense traders have incredible power second only to that of an Inquisitor.
Of course it's a bold and foolish captain who pushes this freedom too far. HERESY!*BLAM*
The Imperium has no great love for the traders, and those who pursue their own agenda or flaunt their deviancy too openly tend to come to a bad end.
Essentially smooth criminals in space.
The Warrant Of Trade
This being the grimdark far-future and all, not EVERYBODY can have "rights" or be given "freedoms". As such, the only thing separating a Rogue Trader from a plain ole' rogue is the Warrant Of Trade, a document written by the Emperor himself that gives the holder of the document the very rare liberty of travelling outside of Imperial space, trade with xenos, and even set up their own pocket-empire, as long as they officially remain a part of the Imperium and pay their taxes. Warrants Of Trade are also hereditary, meaning the scion of a Rogue Trader will inherit that power and so forth, creating a Rogue Trader dynasty. The granting of a Warrant usually includes one or two conditions, such as visiting some backwater rock in the vast emptiness of space, or lending aid to one of the countless wars the Imperium got itself caught up in. If a Warrant is granted without any conditions, that means the High Lords Of Terra hope the Rogue Trader will go fuck off and get NOMMED on some isolated shithole of a planet.
See Also
- Freebooterz, which are like Rogue Traders, but with more WAAAGH!
- Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, the first edition of Warhammer 40,000.
- Rogue Trader (RPG), a role-playing game from Fantasy Flight Games where the player characters are a Rogue Trader and his or her retinue.
