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So I was perusing the Lexicanum and they mentioned that some Rogue Traders will utilise the services of an IG or Space Marine detachment.

How would that work?

As it seems like an interesting backstory for my soon to be collected IG regiment.

Cheers,

LRB

Rogue Traders have no authority over the Imperial Guard per se, but they can have regiments put under their care (and on their ship/s) if they present the Adeptus Terra with a good-enough reason - such as colonising or conquering a new world beyond the Imperium's current borders. That is the sole reason why they have so much independence granted, after all; to further the Imperium's goals without various political concerns affecting the venture's efficiency.

Just look up Columbus' tours to America. That is a fairly good example of what a Rogue Trader would do in 40k, and how he would get the state to help him.

Yeah I was thinking about an IG detachment being placed under the care of a Rogue Trader. Just as part of building that compelling back story.

Essentially the regiment lost their home planet to the <insert generic threat here> and are fighting for a new homeworld.

Rogue Traders often have their own troops under their command, a personal army of sorts.

And the Imperium may occasionally hire their ships, if they don't have enough for transportation between planets for example.

Plus the above mentioned expansion missions.


Marines would only be under their command if the Space Marines thought something was worth helping out with. Such as conquoring a hostile series of planets and the chapter would gain something from it. And then the relationship would be more of a ally then one person being in charge.

I can also see a Rogue Trader hiring some Space Marines that have gone rogue. They are still loyal to the Imperium but for whatever reason they can't go back to their chapter and don't fancy the Deathwatch.

and even with marines on board, the Rt have no direct autority on them; sure they'll help him conquer Planet X, but they'll strike where they want to strike, even coordonating attacks with the main RT forces, but they are tactically (or well, wholefully) independent.

Rouge Traders can be vastily rich and control whole fleets of vessels and command a small army of men and servitors to do their bidding.

It is not unheard of for them to bribe to get what they want/need, or offer rare artifacts of reclaimed technolegy and weapons to entice Astarte/Machanicum alike to their banner.