Choosing between Felek and Theobald as key figures within your Rogue Trader dynasty presents distinct strategic advantages and preferred operational styles. Your selection will significantly influence your approach to challenges and opportunities in the void.
Felek
Opting for Felek generally aligns your dynasty with a more direct, often aggressive, and martially-focused path. His influence typically manifests in the following ways:
- Primary Strengths: Combat leadership, fleet command, aggressive negotiation, and navigating hostile territories. Felek often excels in situations requiring decisive force or intimidation.
- Potential Benefits: Faster resolution of conflicts through force, enhanced ability to secure resources from contested areas, a stronger military presence deterring rivals, and an edge in direct confrontations.
- Potential Drawbacks: May lead to increased conflict and negative reputation with certain factions. Reliance on Felek might neglect diplomatic or commercial avenues, potentially leading to resource strain from constant warfare or a lack of trade income. His methods could be considered unorthodox or brutal.
Theobald
Selecting Theobald typically steers your dynasty towards a path emphasizing diplomacy, commerce, exploration, and meticulous planning. His influence generally provides:
- Primary Strengths: Trade network establishment, diplomatic negotiation, xenotech assessment, navigating complex bureaucratic or social structures, and long-term strategic planning.
- Potential Benefits: More stable and diverse income streams through trade and alliances, improved relations with various factions (Imperial, xenos, or independent), access to rare goods, information, and technologies through negotiation, and a more sustainable long-term growth model.
- Potential Drawbacks: Progress can be slower and more reliant on external factors and relationships. The dynasty might be more vulnerable to sudden aggressive actions if military development is secondary. Over-reliance on diplomacy can lead to exploitation by less scrupulous entities.
Decision Factors: Your choice should be guided by your immediate objectives and preferred operational style. If facing imminent military threats or aiming for rapid territorial control through conquest, Felek is often the superior choice. If your goal is to build a vast economic empire, uncover ancient secrets through careful exploration, or navigate the intricate politics of the Expanse, Theobald's expertise will likely prove more valuable. Consider the composition of your existing retinue and the specific challenges of your current endeavors.
