Orisha Rogue Trader House

Zephala

Zephala Xenos

Veilborn Legions

Basilisks

Other Zephala Divisions

*Some music for you to enjoy while you read, by Gaston Larrouy aka La Rouille*

House Orisha is a Rogue Trader house created by the Zephala Syndicate with the purpose of collecting information and technology while spreading propaganda that paints the newly revealed Syndicate in a positive light. Their creation was a process which spanned thousands of years. A result of detailed planning and meticulous engineering.

The House, which started as a relatively underfunded scouting mission quickly became a pet project for Basilisk Kwaku Anansi who wished to learn about human xenos troop dynamics from the House. As a result of the Basilisk's influence, the House actively seeks out and employs xenos of all types, if they are cooperative enough to serve, despite and sometimes because of their hidden loyalties. The House even takes in xenos that are seen as enemies of the Imperium, if their reasons are good enough.

Now, the freedoms of the Galactic fringe compile with the free reign provided by the barrier that is the Great Rift. With their carte blanche, the Orishas intend to learn all the galaxy has to offer, and take by force what it doesn't.

## History

### Aquiring A Warrant

During the Kiloanna of Fear, the Zephala Syndicate had a long time to think. With the Syndicate's desire to push back the darkness, it was necessary to research what was uncovered and prudent to profit from what was left of their studies. A contingent was also needed to gather information and spread propaganda, not only in liberated regions but also in uncharted space. No profession is more suited to the task than that of a Rogue Trader. With this in mind, the Syndicate procured a Warrant of Trade from an undeserving Rogue Trader during the tumultuous time of the Great Scouring.

A plan was made, and a target was selected. That target was the Delartev Rogue Trader House, a Rogue Trader known in the dark corners of the galaxy for entering systems Perdita and transporting heretical goods. The Rogue Trader was lured into an ambush through subterfuge and deception over many years. Subtly, the Headless spread rumours across the stars about a land of wealth and prosperity for those fond of questionable business practices. Those not afraid of breaking Imperial law. A trail of hints led to an abandoned star, within uncharted space. Just as planned, the first Rogue Trader to successfully reach the destination was Alwize Delarted. When he arrived, instead of finding suppliers of new and exotic xenos creatures and treasure beyond compare, the greedy trader and his flotilla was met with a fleet of ships which quickly immobilized, boarded, and purged all three of Alwize's ships, killing the Rogue Trader in the process. With the Warrant of Trade pilfered, the ships were brought to Zephala and restored. With this, all evidence of foul play was erased and the real Delartev bloodline was removed from the galaxy.

With the captured Warrant of Trade, the Zephla Syndicate went to work. The Headless network falsified documents spanning thousands of years, telling a story of the Delartev Warrant of Trade exchanging hands and eventually finding its way to the Orishas. It was a complex story which would deceive even the most thorough searches because of one fact. It was real.

### The Malingering

The Zephala Syndicate spent ten thousand years weaving lies into a tale of triumph and defeat a hundred times over. Originally, they gained power and wealth under the Delartev name, their dynasty fending off threats, both real and fabricated. House Delartev was eventually overthrown due to a successful coup, led by Shem Andresas, an agent of the Zephala Syndicate. This was an event orchestrated by the Syndicate to limit the success of any Syndicate Rogue Trader. Long surviving Rogue Trader houses were ones with an incredible amount of power, but with a reputation to match. These forces more often called upon for assistance by the Imperium, and even more likely to draw the prying eyes of the Inquisition. These were things the Syndicate in hiding desperately wanted to avoid. Without knowledge of how long the Veilborn Project would take, they continued, creating Houses and manufacturing their destruction in a different way every time. All of this they did while ensuring they retained the Warrant originally owned by the Delartevs. Though gaining a reputation could be dangerous, it was important to retain a Warrant signed by the Emperor himself. Such a relic would have untold value in the new age. Numerous times they were investigated by Imperial institutions, curious to know about the changing of hands. The temporary Warrant holders were forthcoming every time, telling all that was necessary while withholding the most important facts.

Whatever was asked of them would be completed, avoiding any suspicion which could have robbed the Syndicate of its treasure.

### Birth of the Orishas

The Syndicate played this game of cat and mouse, in which they were both, for more than Ten Thousand Years. This created the perfect, legitimate history for a new Trader House. One that drew no more attention than that of the countless other Rogue Traders that rose and fell over the millenia.

All the while, they modified vessels formerly controlled by the techpriests now residing on Xa-Skriark, creating imperial ships with xenos internals. Completely new ships were also created, with more extreme deviations from the Imperial norm. The most notable was Yent̪ʘa's Grace, a capital ship made for the use of a new House of traders. When the Velborn project was complete, and the Syndicate was prepared to take its fight to the Galaxy, the Warrant of Trade was ready to be put to its proper use.

The final recipients of the ancient Warrant of Trade is House Orisha who, accompanied by a contingent of Seraphine Afana Veilborn Marines, roam the outskirts of the galaxy. Their goal: Accumulating money, resources, technology, and, more importantly, information. All for the purpose of empowering the Zephala Syndicate in its push against the darkness.

## House Military

The military might of the Orisha House is a mystery. Zephala ships are highly automated, requiring a relatively small crew for piloting and maintenance compared to other vessels of similar size. The Orisha ships are no exception. Due to the low number of mandatory ship staff, it's possible to relocate some of the crew to combat-focused roles. As every member of the House is trained in warfare, almost every crew member is prepared for battle at any given time. This fluid crew composition does not take into account the combat dedicated soldiers aboard, who specialize in their own brands of war. The exact number of people on board the main flotilla's ships and the number of supporting ships is unknown, which means their military strength could be incredibly low or surprisingly high.

The number of Seraphine Afana on the Ignis Wyrm and the Wyrmling is also unknown. It's a terrifying thought that such powerful ships could contain an indefinite number of Veiled Marines.

Often, military might is withheld. The Orisha House prefers to use diplomatic means or clandestine methods to reach their goals. If their purpose was to club everyone they meet into submission, the Syndicate would instead send a Veilborn contingent, or a swarm of Kufyndrak vessels. Either would do a good job at scaring or pummeling a world until it agreed to whatever demands were made.

## House Fleet

The Orisha house is small and new to the Galaxy. An artificial truth that was orchestrated by the Zephala Syndicate to make the House seem more organically formed than it is in reality. The House fleet originally comprised of five vessels, all which made up one flotilla. Ships that were either inherited from the Xa-Skriark tech priests or created completely by the Zephala xenos ship yards.

In addition to the five ships of its main flotilla, it is know that the House either employs or owns transports that bring important artefacts through the warp discreetly, and directly to the Zephala System. The total number of ships controlled by the Orisha House is unknown.

### Orisha Ships

The three Orisha Ships in the official House fleet are all Zephala made xenos craft, utilizing the technology that this provides. All ships contain a Light Field Array, disgusting them as whatever ship would make the best impression at the time.

Yent̪ʘa's Grace

Yent̪ʘa's Grace is the House capital ship created by forming a sacred Yent̪ʘa tree around internal mechanical components. Though this process is long, the resulting ship is incredibly self sufficient, able to sustain itself for extended periods of time without resupply. Most repairs, including repairs for battle damage, are completed organically through the natural healing processes of the tree. The ship crew has a relatively large attachment of Xandilu Biomancers, who can use their power to increase the speed of the ship's healing.

Due to its unnatural appearance, it is must often disguise as the Exorcist class grand cruiser which the Orisha Warrant of Trade was originally aboard. The actual vessel has long been dismantled, studied, salvaged and forgotten.

### Seraphine Ships

Though technically the supervisors of the Rogue Traders, the Seraphine Afana, and their ships, make up a powerful part of the Orisha Flotilla. The Seraphine Afana controls at least two ships in the fleet, these being an Ark Mechanicus Battleship and Lance Escort. These craft were heavily modified by Zephala Voidcraft technology, enhancing its weaponry and armour. Using Sub-Skriarka technology, the las weaponry on board both ships was increased in power and efficiency. Melta ammunition is the preferred ammunition for use in the macro cannons.

## Orisha House Personnel

A less prioritized goal of the Orisha House is to test the dynamics of a team with a dramatic mix of xenos. This was an explicit request of Basilisk Kwaku Anansi, who has a vested interest in the House's findings, as his legion uses many xenos warriors of all Xephala forms. Their jobs in the Zephala Syndicate give each allied species a degree of separation most of the time, but differences of opinion are inevitable during the course of a crusade. Though the Zephala Xenos are known for being cooperative, it is no mystery that their combat methods sometimes clash. With the Orisha, the species diversity is high, with every trustworthy species gaining a place within the ship's crew. An ork even serves the House within Rogue Trader Oshoshi's squad.

Those employed by House Orisha are diverse in species and speciality. On such long voyages, it is necessary to keep a staff which has a member for every

## Orisha House Culture

The culture of House Orisha is rooted in that of the Zephala system. Those who are recruited are encouraged to join the Yent̪ʘa religion, but this is not mandatory. Music is a large part of the voyage experience, with the crew passing the time through song. Musical genres from across the galaxy are explored. Some xenos creations, unsuited for the hearing of other species, are banned in public gatherings for safety reasons. All recruited members of the House are required to take on the House colours. Exceptions are only made for those with religious reasons behind what they wear. Those who do not wear clothing at all are required to wear a green armband to display their loyalty.

## Notable Members

The notable members of the Orisha house all take names that describe them or their roles in the ranks of the house. These names originate from ancient Terran mythology and have remained vivid in the minds of the Zephala Syndicate over the millennia due to the jealous hoarding of knowledge seen in its culture.

### The Ẹ̀wá

The Ẹ̀wá is a group of trusted advisors and warriors who are members of Oshosi's personal retinue. They consist of Xenos and humans who owe a debt to the Orisha House or Oshosi himself but have established their own position close to the Rogue Trader. One member is kept around more as an experiment than as a trusted advisor. All members have abandoned their past lives, and have taken on the name of one of the Yemayan spirits, vowing never to disclose their past to anyone outside the Ẹ̀wá.

The Ẹ̀wá members offer a range of skills for Oshosi to call on, depending on the situation at hand. For example, Shango and Bayanni can provide muscle and intimidation, while other members can offer different skills as needed. With so many combinations possible, every problem can be handled with the appropriate amount of force and coercion.

### Ship Crew

Pilot Ọrunmila : A recluse Zikolo who lives to captain voidships. She has spent her entire life perfecting her craft, learning the ins and outs of all ships available to the Zephala Syndicate. Her drive to learn pushed her to aspire to go where no Zikolo had gone before. To fly in uncharted space, and unknown skies. As helmswoman of the flagship Yent̪ʘa's Grace, Ọrunmila got her wish, visiting some of the most dangerous places on the fringes of the Galaxy, and loving every minute of it. She is also the personal pilot of Oshosi and his retinue. As a non-combatant, she is only an honorary member of the Ẹ̀wá.

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## Relations

### Trade Partners

Stryxis
Luminar Concord