We must recall the Reign of Blood brought about by the deposed tyrant, Goge Vandire.

Think back to those black days, where wickedness tainted the Emperors Great Work. The good were set alight on bonfires, and whole worlds burned with but a word from a madman. An illness coursed through the very veins of His realm, seemingly without cure. It was a profitable time to cast aside ones morals, to forsake the Emperors Light, and embrace the vile temptations of worldly matters. So many men were seduced by the sirens call of greed, and were all too easily turned from lives of piety to hedonism and barbarity. To find its source, one look no further than the throne upon which I sit as I pen this missive. Yet, despite all this, there are those who have refused to break their sacred covenant with our God-Emperor, who stood to fight against the atrocities of Vandire, in those first, awful days. Fewer still have survived, as so many gave up their lives, paying back the Emperors Currency in His service. Blessed are their names, too many to count, too few to forget. By the Grace of the God-Emperor, Master of Mankind, Saviour and Redeemer of all Humanity, I Sebastian Thor, His humble servant have been elevated to the Most Esteemed position of High Ecclesiarch. Woe be unto the wicked, and the unjust, for as such, it is within my power to both punish and reward, to strengthen and diminish, to elevate and cast down. Yet for all my power, my reach is only as great as those who would do His Work on my behalf. In recognition for their unfailing loyalty throughout, and for their exemplary courage in the face of a bitter foe, I present the Pendragon Dynast of Rogue Traders with this Letter of Marque. In the name of the God-Emperor I command you, from this day forth, until this Letters revocation, that you shall be set forth upon the Enemies of Mankind, to burn their holdings and take what you will to prosecute further War against them. The bearer of this Warrant of Trade shall be endowed with the authority to pursue, apprehend, seize, and take into their custody any and all vessels-as well as all goods, cargo, passengers and crew aboard, or otherwise with them-which are currently being used against the Imperium. The Bearer of the Warrant of Trade shall conduct trials of all captured personnel in accordance with the Lex Imperialis, and keep an accurate and complete journal of all executions carried out afterwards, as well as the names of such vessels that might be captured or destroyed in accordance with this Letter. The Bearer of the Warrant is furthermore commanded to be certain of their actions, and is therefore forbidden from using this Letter of Marque against Loyal Imperial vessels. This boon I grant you, By My Hand and His Will Sebastian Thor