Bronislaw Czevak

High Inquisitor Bronislaw Czevak was a distinguished and controversial member of the Ordo Xenos active in the Moebius subsector during M41. After almost 400 standard years of service to the Imperium and the Inquisition, and already suspected by some of corruption by either the Eldar or/and Chaos, he disappeared during an alien archeotech reclamation on the planet Darcturus and was presumed dead (or worse). He secretly reappeared some 30 standard years later, after having spent much of the intervening time as either a guest of, or a prisoner in, the Black Library, the secret Eldar craftworld that acts as their repository of Chaos lore. He eventually acquired a new retinue, and has since embarked in a self-imposed mission as a freelance agent, working to thwart Chaos and champion the Cause of the Imperium of Man, mainly directing his efforts against Chaos sorcerer Ahriman, who is his prime opponent and nemesis. This despite the fact that (assuming they have established his continuing existence), Imperial authorities may regard him at best a renegade in possession of dangerous but valuable knowledge, and at worst a heretic Traitor liable to be summarily executed.

Biography It is not known where or when Czevak was born and raised. He attended a Schola Progenium, which indicates he was probably the orphaned son of Imperial servants. As he doesn't have psychic ability, is not gifted physically, and is only an average fighter, he was presumably selected by the Inquisition only due to his heightened survival instincts, his razor-sharp intellect, and his keen curiosity.

Czevak was sponsored into the Inquisition by Inquisitor Furneaux of the Ordo Xenos and eventually achieved the status of High Inquisitor, being active in the Moebious subsector. He was considered a learned and opinionated proponent of the Thorian faction of the Inquisition. However his unconventional views, which some considered radical, prevented him from becoming the Inquisition's Grand Master on the subsector even though he was the senior member of the Moebius Conclave.

After almost 4 standard centuries of service to the Imperium, he had undergone extensive rejuvenat treatments. He was by then little more than a dessicated frame held together by a specially constructed cryogenic suspension suit. A blister helmet concealed an implanted bionic controller as well as his age-spotted hairless scalp and deeply lined face. However his intelligence, curiosity and argumentative, opinionated manner had remained as sharp as ever, coupled with his accumulated vast knowledge and experience.

Character

Notable actions

The Eldar During his long and distinguished service as alien hunter he came many times in close contact with the Eldar, and established some sort of a relationship with them. This was apparently officially sanctioned or tolerated, at least in the beginning.

At some point, while their guest in the Illyanden craftworld, he was treated to a unique spectacle when in an unheard-of gesture, the Eldar allowed him and members of his entourage to witness a performance by Harlequins - this honor however, as well as his whole interaction with the Eldar, may have been part of their plans to manipulate him. Czevak learned, or was allowed by the Eldar to learn, a lot about their culture, history and science. This included some knowledge of the Wraithguard and of the related Eldar reanimation and soul-transference technology.

Radical ideas Being dissatidfied with the Imperium's stagnation and perhaps knowing about the slowly failing condition of the Golden Throne, he then became obsessed with utilising Eldar resurrective incarnation technology in order to make the slowly, irrevocably dying Emperor whole once again. This was thought by others in the Inquisition to be at best misguided and at worst treason. Heated Inquisitorial Conclaves were held, and Czevak was often threatened with sanction by Puritan Inquisitors and generally admonished to stop pursuing the alien lore.

Darcturus

Black Library

Ahriman and Xarchos

Black Library, again

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Atlas Infernal

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Reappearance

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Mammoshad

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Nemesis Tessera

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">The Pariah Embryo

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Death of Xarchos and banishment of Mammoshad <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Just as it was hatching from a colossal Daemonic "egg" in the Eye of Terror, Czevak threw the pariah embryo at it, stunting its rebirth and ultimately banishing it.

<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Current status

<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Base <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">The Malescaythe (current) - Rogue Trader starship owned and commanded by Captain Reinette Torres of the Torres-Bouchier Mercantile Sovereignty (based on Zyracuse, currently in decline). Full crew consisting of ex-Navy recruits, Mechanicus adepts, serfs, menials and servitors. Security detail provided by detachments of the Penitent Savlar Chem-Dog Regiment. Ship armament and weaponry typical of starships of its class and function. Contains a specially constructed "Archeodeck" full of stasis cases and other vaults housing a large collection of relics, some holy to the Imperium, most however illegal, alien, heretical, or Chaotic. These include a functioning Webway portal, the Warp gate known as the Lost Fornical of Urien-Myrdyss. Also contains a specially fortified chapel. For the past few decades has made extensive forays into the Eye of Terror. While in the Eye, she always runs with active Geller field, regardless of whether or not she is in the Warp, and is additionally fortified with numerous wards. Despite the prolonged missions in the Eye, she has never been psychically breached, and her crew has been generally untainted. Recently withstood extensive enviroment-related and battle-related damage. She was drydocked, and eventually repaired, in the Webway after going through a huge portal identified by Czevak thanks to the Atlas Infernal. Probably declared a Renegade and/or Traitor ship by the Inquisition.

<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Retinue and allies <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Raimus Klute (former and current member) - Previously Czevak's chirurgeon, he became Czevak's Acolyte and Interrogator for 2 standard decades. Infected Czevak with the meme-virus. Became a full Ordo Xenos Inquisitor after Czevak's abduction by the Harlequinade. He then set off on a decades-long mission to find him, partly because of feelings of guilt and partly because he apparently worships Czevak, a sentiment frequently taken advantage of by the latter. He kept the mission to find Czevak secret from all, including his retinue and associates. Upon Czevak's reappearance he tried to unsuccesfully convince and manipulate him into returning to the fold of the Imperium. However following Nemesis Tessera he realized the futility of such action and threw himself and his retinue at the service of Czevak and his plans, while Czevak finally appreciated his friendship and declared him an equal. Currently about 70 standard years old, but has undergone juvenat treatments. Like Czevak he likes to avoid violence, however he favors a modified Cadian-pattern Kasr carbine, sometimes loading it with sanctified silver/salt rounds when in the Eye.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Joaqhuine Desdemondra (former member) - Immortal human mutant (reanimate, auto-recombinant). Also known as Saint Joaqhuine or The Idolatress. Canonized by the Ecclesiarchy as "Saint Joaqhuine the Renascent, Living Saint of the Imperial Creed". However considered and feared by some as a monstrous atrocity. An eternally young woman whose consciousness remains intact upon death while her body can automatically reconstitute and reanimate. Ex-member of the vampire-like Imperial death cult Path Incarnadine (blood drinkers), she was Czevak's expert bodyguard, assassin and henchwoman. Czevak was additionally interested in her because of her reanimation ability, but eventually ended up falling in love with her. She was later captured by Ahriman and tortured in order to blackmail Czevak into revealing his knowledge of the Webway and the Black Library. She is probably still a captive of Ahriman.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Saul Torqhuil (current member, ex-Klute entourage) - Techmarine of the Relictors, a Space Marine Chapter declared Excommunicate Traitoris after it turned radical. Like other members of his Chapter, he was on a personal quest for weapons/lore of Chaos to use against Chaos, carrying his individual crusade in the Archenemy's territory, the Eye of Terror. There, his path crossed with Klute and after initial hostilities they forged a truce, eventually becoming partners. Often sports numerous mechadendrites and other attachments. Maintains the "Archeodeck" and the Geller field on the Malescaythe. Recuperating after being severely wounded at Nemesis Tessera.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Reinette Torres (current associate, originally hired by Klute) - Rogue Trader whose family's fortune and power had been diminished. Previously a member of the Imperial Navy. She is the capable, no-nonsense Master and owner of the Tradeship Malescaythe, the current de facto base for Czevak and his warband. Hired by Klute under false pretenses, she (and the rest of his retinue) only found out they were actually looking for Czevak upon the latter's reappearance. She as well as her ship may have been proscribed by the Imperium following the events at Nemesis Tessera and probably both are actively sought by the Inquisition. Since Malescaythe's Navigator is incapacitated, she often has to rely on Epihani and her gifts (see below) for Warp navigation. However she is often jealous of Epiphani's youth and beauty.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Epiphani Mallerstang (current member, ex-Klute entourage) - Human Warpseer (prognostic). Illegitimate (and unacknowledged) daughter of a mystic/sorcerer who was a former Klute associate, and of a noblewoman who is the current head of a powerful Navigator family. Young and beautiful, she has a heightened sense of fashion, and her seer gifts allow her to often dress for the (future) occasion. This fact acts as a signal to the retinue for what the near future may hold, as she sometimes dresses for battle. Also acts as a quasi-Navigator for the Malescaythe. Being an unregistered psyker, she has no inhibitors and is not soul bound - she is therefore a constant danger. As she is blind, she relies on Father for realsight. Addicted to Spook, a potent illegal psychoactive drug. Has an affinity with Hessian, and being somewhat immature, loves to bait Torres. Currently coming off the effects of her exposure to the Pariah embryo.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Hessian (current member, ex-Klute entourage) - Extremely powerful and old Demonhost known as "The Anathame" or "The Abominate". It is imprisoned in the body of a handsome youth who was previously a vassal of Epiphani's father, and it is held in check by arcane under-skin wards grafted by the latter. Has an affinity to Epiphani, probably due to her warp-taint, but also because of the host body's previous relationship to her father and their shared experiences. Can be reactivated at will by Klute, who can calibrate the necessary incantations into releasing the Daemonic essence either fully or partially. Usually kept in Malescaythe's fortified and warded chapel. Currently recuperating following a severe mauling and exposure to the pariah embryo at Nemesis Tessera.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Father (current member, ex-Klute entourage) - Servoskull drone constructed around the skull of Epiphani's father. Has a mind-link with her, and its bionic eyes act as her realsight conduit. Has a vellum-scroll printer installed in its mouth, and some cogitator ability.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Phemus Melchior (former member) - Arch Magos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, previously assigned to the Xenarite Diagnostic Coven (Vulcraetia). Member of Czevak's entourage pre-Black Library. Designed Czevak's pre-Black Library cryo suit and the mind-impulse link to his bionics. Accompanied Czevak to Ylianden, and witnessed the Harlequins' performance. Current status or affiliation unknown.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Cynthis-Six (former member) - Female Calculus Logi (administrative assistant), heavily augmented. Member of Czevak's entourage pre-Black Library. Current status or affiliation unknown.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Kressida (former member) - Sister Hospitaller of the Order of the Eternal Candle. Member of Czevak's entourage pre-Black Library. Current status or affiliation unknown.

<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Notable opponents

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Chaotic

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Mammoshad - Tzeentzian Lord of Change (banished). Millenia before, it was subjected to psychic vivisection by a Dark Mechanicus cult, and its pieces scattered throughout the galactic East. Following a Korban Xarchos manipulation, one piece of it came in possession of Czevak, only to psychologically and mentally torment him. Recently it was the object of a long-running reactivation project by Korban Xarchos and the Thousand Sons. Banished at rebirth by Czevak.

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Imperial

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Valentin Malchankov - Inquisitor, Ordo Hereticus (active). Member of the Monodominant faction, he is an implacable opponent of Czevak, whom he considers a dangerous heretic and radical "Schismatist". Following a particularly heated argument with Czevak, he publicly vowed to hunt him down.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Following the events at Nemesis Tessera, other Imperial elements may also be hunting Czevak and his retinue. However it is not clear whether the Imperium has established his reappearance and involvement.

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Traitor

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Ahzek Ahriman - Chaos Sorcerer (active) of the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Korban Xarchos - Chaos Sorcerer (deceased) of the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion, equerry and main assistant to Ahriman. A shapeshifter, he was destroyed after being used by Ahriman as a shield against Czevak's pariah embryo.

<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Xenos

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Vespasi-Hann - Harlequin Shadowseer (psyker - deceased). Part of the Harlequinade assigned to invite/kidnap/watch Czevak, who was apparently considered by the Eldar an "asset" to be used in their war against Ahriman and the Thousand Sons. Czevak used the Atlas Infernal to kill him during a confrontation in the Webway.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Various Harlequins: a Great Harlequin, a Death Jester and others (active). Injured by Czevak's brandishing of the Atlas Infernal, they retreated from recapturing him, but not before they heard him declaring his freedom from Eldar manipulation.

<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Sources