Jakobi Mansamu- Missionary of the Prosperous

1. The blood or the precedence: The patriarch Parvus Filianatis has been consumed by two things: finding those of Filianatis blood who are not cursed, and finding those allies with the skills to help them. Are you one of the last of the Blood, from branched family, bastard couplings or rare occurrence who have the innate power that comes with it? Or are you one of Precedence, those individuals of rare and exotic skill that no-one can deny?

One of the Precedence

2. The path: All men walk a path to bring glory to humanity; all men walk a path to find the light of the emperor. What path do you tread? (In-game “character class”)

I walk the path of the Emperor’s most fortunate sons as a Missionary of the Prosperous.

3. The cradle: What type of world where you raised on? How does it mold its people? (As homeworld; please include a description of the world and choose the subsector the world is found)

I was born aboard one of the many commerce-oriented space platforms that permeate the sub-sector of the Capital. The Beholden Throne is one of the oldest and most expansive of these orbital stations, housing a large enough civilian populace that it has stratified in a way similar to the massive planetary hive cities.

4. The birthright: From birth to death, most Imperial citizens follow an immovable path towards their fate. However, some rare few are able to rise beyond their beginnings, however humble. What state have you risen from? What wretched or vaunted places did you tread as a child?

I was born amongst the masses of wretched, lower-class scum that lack the foresight or desire to rise from their filth through labor and ingenuity. I survived through the innate business acumen that He has blessed me with, and by scrounging through the discarded goods of the merchants and nobility, ensuring that their foolish losses would be my gains. When I heard the words spoken by a missionary of the Church of Prosperity, I knew that I had discovered the truth of my good fortune. I immediately made a pilgrimage to the Church and joined their congregation.

5. The lure of the void: It is a continuing, strange miracle of human nature that from the downtrodden, planet-bound masses arise adventurous, ambitious, and sometimes twisted or rebellious souls who seek more, or have it thrust upon them by uncaring fate. It is these men and women who through endeavor, fortune, or the turning of great events strike off from their home world and set foot on a greater stage. What brought you to this stage?

I find my limited travels to have impeded by ability to serve Him through the acquisition of greater and greater wealth for the Church. By traveling the stars, I may carry the Words of the Prosperous to the far reaches of our galaxy… in addition to turning a tidy profit in the curiosities’ trade.

6. Trials and travails: Individuals such as yourself are not simply the product of their background and training, but also of those experiences they have endured, experiences that have forged them into what they are where others around them were broken and destroyed. What tried to break you that you overcame? What has truly challenged you?

Just as I had finally dragged myself from the dredges of society and successfully opened my first market stall, I was press-ganged by the Imperial Navy to serve on one of their ships. Though I despaired at first, thinking all my work had been for not, the grumblings of the other crewman led me, instead, to see my forcible employment as a new opportunity. I became a hub of the lower-level “black market” where various goods of limited stock were bartered amongst the crew. The Emperor presents no challenge which cannot be overcome by providing what His Children desire.

7. Motivation: Whether motivated by burning ambition, greed, or vengeance, there is always a compelling reason that someone leaves his home world behind and ventures forth into the unknown. What drives you? What pushes you forward through every day?

I live only to serve – whether it be His Grace or the people of the Imperium. That I accumulate the Blessing of Thones is merely evidence that I am being aptly rewarded for my piety.

8. How you came to walk: What led to the path you now walk? What compelled you to the skillset that now brings you glory?

When the Throne speaks, all listen. And, as I have learned, Thrones speak louder than even the most beloved leaders. I had first thought that my talents were motivated solely by greed and self-interest, but I now know this to be false. These talents are blessings given directly by the Emperor; it would be heresy not to apply them as best as I am able.

9. The even more specific path: For each career, there are a number of paths they may cross. What organisations or groups have you worked for in the past? (A few examples in the table; though if you think of any I havent mentionned, do not hesitate to put it in your sheet)

Until I joined the congregation of the His Most Prosperous Sons, I was an independently-employed businessman. I do not consider my press-ganging to be “employment”, and hold no loyalty to the Imperial Navy, though I do thank them, now, for being instrumental in my path to discovering the Truth.

10. Religious leanings: The imperium is a place of strict religious order. Most are raised from birth to worship the emperor; though some such as the astartes honor him as a great man. How religious are you? Are you part of any specific cults? Are you more puritanical in your worship, or do you hold more peculiar beliefs? Do you see the emperor as a deity of a person of great honor?

I consider myself to be a singularly pious man, following the teachings of the Cult of Prosperity. Though many of my brethren take a more moderate approach to their worship, I believe that a more rigorous adherence to our founding texts is the true path to piety. If the accumulation of Thrones is the truest sign of His favor, I see no reason to waste any opportunity to maximize one’s profits for the glory of the Throne.

11. What is your greatest strength and weakness? Strengths are what others see as respectable or admirable in your, while weaknesses are what you would struggle to hide from others, lest they look down upon your failures. What do you regard as his strengths and weaknesses, and how does this differ from your actual abilities?

Psychological Profile Entry #01
Subject is extremely attentive. He is quick to note his observations to interviewers; relevance of observations is opaque, but appears to be coherent to some internal narrative. Subject is extremely self-assured in his answers; they are thorough, exacting, and precise. Attempts to agitate or confuse are ineffective; he is extremely focused and unaffected by stressors. His dogmatism is admirable.

Subject is of moderate intelligence. While quick to intuit the intentions of our inquiries, his responses are firm and inflexible. Single-mindedness prevents rapid shifts in perspective. Internal narrative appears to be linear; all responses seem aimed at similar objectives.

12. How would others describe your appearance?

Phenotypic Profile Entry #01
Subject is of above-average height, slight of build, below-average weight. Expected physicality for Void-born, pronounced musculature possibly explainable through long-term physical labor. Subject is mostly hairless, but possesses some blond hairs on head and face. Eyes are grey. Subject’s skin is pale, but prone to flushing.

13. Who is the person your character trusts the most in the world? We all have friends and allies. How did you meet them? What position do they have in society?

The leader of my parish, Ferengir, is my closest friend and partner. It was he who I heard speak aboard the station so many years ago, and I am thankful for his guidance in my service to the Throne. He has become my closest confidant and business partner, to whom I confess my sins of indolence and wastefulness, and is the first to hear of my insights and opportunities.

14. What do you think of the political games that infest imperial noble families?

That infest the noble families? Interrogator, that makes it sound as if those calculated maneuvers are some sort of illness! No… while many nobles engage in idle and vacuous confrontations, there are many amongst them who see the profits to be gained by such displays. Call it what it is: political intrigue. Intrigue is intoxicating; it draws many a curious eye and such attention is a benefit to those who obtain it. Many must cede their Thrones for such notoriety; why pay for what one can acquire for free?

15. Are you married? Do you have any children, and if so, how many? If from a high class, are you betrothed?

Marriage? Offspring? Such vanities are a drain on one’s resources. I am married to the Throne; the markets, my fickle mistress.

16. Are you more loyal to yourself, your allies, or to the imperium? Many people are quite selfish, putting their own needs and desires before everyone elses. Some have strong loyalty to their allies, and those who are part of the same organisations as them, or even to the gods they follow. Many are loyal to the “ideal” of the imperium as a beacon of civilization that must be kept lit . Only the loyal are trusted, so who have you given this loyalty?

As I said before, do not mistake my avarice as sinful or self-indulgent. They are the blessings of the Throne, and I use them to obtain His blessing. I am loyal to the Throne and those who allow me to serve it.

17. How would your parents and family describe you? Do you have a proper relationship with your parents or are you estranged? Was your upbringing a source of joy or dismay for your parents? Are they still alive, or were they taken from you at a younger age?

(Interviewer Note: subject displays no particular emotion to the question)
They would not or could not; they are either dead or as-good-as, existing in the squalor of destitution.

18. How do interact with your social/hierarchical superiors? How about your inferiors? Cultural expections vary wildly. Most in the imperium tend to be deferential to their superiors. Those of power can vary wildly however, with many respecting only the competent and treating the others with disdain. Treatment of inferiors (who can do little to oppose you) varies quite a lot depending on your personality. How do you treat your inferiors & superiors?

There are those who are blessed by the Emperor and those who are not. I seek to work with those who are, for they may assist my continued pursuit of prosperity. I do not waste time with those who are not, unless they are petitioners for my goods or services. In such cases, the relationship is strictly business and ends upon conclusion of the transaction. May He have mercy on them.

19. Who opposes you most? Who is your greatest foe? As power comes to you, so come those who wish you harm.

The most devout amongst the Prosperous challenge me often, but they are not my foes. The only foes I have are those who seek to steal the blessings of the Emperor from those who earned them. There are also infidels who do not see that competition is an essential component of Worship; I have taken great care to learn to protect myself from their blasphemy.

20. What does your character think of the power of the warp? Despite the critical need of Navigators & Astropaths to keep the imperium running, most react to these powers with fear and disdain. Some of the more educated (and possibly heretical) sees it as the only way to keep the imperium safe. Most simply avoid them, unsure about their ability to properly cope.

Without the warp, commerce in the Imperium would be an impossibility. While it presents the possibility of damnation, so to do all paths to greatness. Without it, we would be so limited in our ability to worship Him.

21. What does your character think of xenos? As one who goes beyond the borders of the imperium, you will be faced with xenos. A great many believe that death is the only just fate for the alien. Others wish to steal their secrets & power, practicing the cold trade. Some believe an equilibrium can be reached, avoiding conflict with those willing to do so, and crushing those who are a clear and present danger.

While we are right to treat the xenos with suspicion, I believe there is room for trade agreements with the more reasonable species that we have encountered. Their technologies and curios are of extreme interest in certain markets; if the unwise wish to put themselves in danger by acquiring said curiosities, I say: let them! I am glad to exchange dangerous commodities for Thrones; currency is a far less problematic holding than a xenos relic, don’t you agree?

22. What does your character think of heretics? Heretics have haunted the imperium since the fall of Horus. Some say they may yet be redeemed; but most believe that cleansing fire is too good for them.

Useless fools, the lot of them. They are, for the most part, a drain on the resources of the Imperium. And most have no interest in participating in the economic functions of decent society; the more of them we exterminate, the better.

23. How does your character react to archeotech? In the halo zone, far from the chaos of the eye of terror, many of humanity’s greatest technological works lie. Some of those are so far beyond mortal knowledge that they seem like magic. When faced with such wonders, what guides you: fear, fascination… or something darker?

Archaeotech? It is technology; often overvalued by the romantic due to its historical importance. Unless it is particularly effective in some way, I see it as a particularly lucrative piece of merchandise to be sold to the highest bidder.

24. Do you believe the patriarch and his belief in a curse? While Parvus is convinced that the family is cursed, it is easy to understand how some may believe him mad. Yet doom has consistently followed the Filianatis dynasty for the last two centuries. Do you believe it mere coincidence? Conspiracy? Or is something greater haunting the bloodline?

My employer’s beliefs are none of my concern. He has tasked me with the most glorious of missions; restore the wealth of his house and, through this, show that he is worthy of the Emperor’s blessing. The source of his misfortune is irrelevant.

25. A train races down a track, with a fork coming up. On one side, a Xenos; on the other, a Heretic. In front of you lies a lever that will direct the train to one or the other, and you are too distant to alter the situation to kill both. Which do you kill?

That depends on the Xenos. Unless it’s one of the marginally more civilized variety, I wouldn’t bother with the lever at all; either one is equally deserving. Why waste my time pulling levers – don’t I have somewhere better to be?