House Cassini
House Cassini is a Navigator House of the Navis Nobilite active in M41[1] and M42.[2]
History
The House was at one time a rising star within the Houses based in and around the Calixis Sector, its operatives ranging far and wide and its coffers swelling to overflowing. Cassini had interests in all the major trade routes within the Calixis Sector and was actively seeking a monopoly of Chartist vessels plying the Warp route between the Calixis and Scarus Sectors.[1]
The downfall of House Cassini came during the turbulent months when the Warrant of Trade of the Chorda Dynasty of Rogue Traders was being disputed by its baleful daughter Aspyce. Having come into the warrant unexpectedly, she was determined to ensure that none of her kin would challenge her, no matter their station or standing within the line. She unleashed a ruthless campaign against her own, by the end of which not one was alive to dispute her claim. Several dozen of the brightest sons and daughters of House Cassini were operating on Chorda vessels at that time and died as a result. Most Navigator Houses would be able to absorb such losses, for all are well-versed in the perils of dynastic succession, but its Novator, Sfor Cassini, had recently died and a successor had yet to be chosen. Thus, the House was struck at the most inopportune moment possible, its inner circle slain or scattered.[1]
House Cassini was forced to consolidate, its surviving Navigators called home from whatever vessels they were serving on no matter where in the galaxy they were stationed. House Visscher provided invaluable aid by replacing many of these Navigators, and thus House Cassini found itself in their debt. Eventually, the remaining heirs of the House gathered to choose a new Novator, though in truth none present had ever expected to attain that rank and none had received the requisite preparation. House Cassini would withdraw from its previous activities, having suffered such drastic losses it could no longer maintain, and take to the Koronus Expanse in search of a new destiny. While there, the bitter scions vowed, they would seek out every opportunity to work against the interests of the Chorda Rogue Trader dynasty, no matter the cost.[1]
Heraldry
House Cassini's banner is black with the twin points of red callipers enclosing a pair of white stars.[1]
Notable Members
- Sfor Cassini - Novator who died[1] just before Aspyce Chorda became Matriarch 754.M41.[3]
- Hann Cassini - While as navigator, their vessel unknowingly transported a Chaos artefact for Rogue Trader House von Valancius at the behest of their corrupted Master of Whispers Kunrad Voigtvir which corrupted the crew.[2]
- Trevor Cassini - Winterscale's Navigator aboard his flagship, the Emperor's Vow[4]
See also
Sources
- 1: Rogue Trader: The Navis Primer, pgs. 16-17
- 2: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Video Game) - Act 2
- 3: Rogue Trader: Epoch Koronus, pg. 10
- 4: Rogue Trader: Edge of the Abyss, pgs. 101-102
