In Rogue Trader, exploring the far reaches of the Koronus Expanse brings players into contact with both unimaginable wonders and unspeakable horrors. One particularly memorable encounter involves the Commorragh Carouse Test, a challenge that ties deeply into Warhammer 40K lore and the twisted culture of the Drukhari, also known as the Dark Eldar. This sequence is more than a simple skill check it tests a character’s resistance to temptation, pain, and psychological manipulation. Understanding the Commorragh Carouse Test is vital for players who want to survive their interaction with the enigmatic xenos and emerge with valuable knowledge or alliances rather than losing their minds or worse.
What Is the Commorragh Carouse Test?
The Commorragh Carouse Test occurs during a specific narrative sequence in Rogue Trader when the party becomes entangled in events tied to the Dark Eldar realm of Commorragh. This twisted dimension, located within the Webway, is a city of endless pleasure and torment, where pain is an art form and cruelty is a way of life. When characters are exposed to this environment, particularly through social rituals or decadent feasts, they must undergo a Carouse Test to determine how they cope with the extreme psychological and physical experiences inflicted upon them.
Purpose of the Test
Mechanically, the test is designed to reflect a character’s ability to withstand the overwhelming stimuli and maintain composure. It combines elements of roleplay with skill-based mechanics, usually involving attributes like:
- Willpower
- Fellowship
- Toughness
- Discipline or related social skills
Passing the test can lead to rewards such as valuable information, rare items, or favor with Drukhari factions. Failing it, on the other hand, may result in debuffs, injuries, or even permanent psychological scars.
Context Within Commorragh
Commorragh is not a place one visits lightly. The entire city is a labyrinthine realm governed by cruel warlords, sadistic cults, and bizarre social games. Visitors, especially humans, are often used as entertainment sometimes willingly, more often not. When a Rogue Trader and their party are invited to partake in a feast or social gathering, they are not just dining they are being tested, toyed with, and observed.
The Setting of the Carouse
The Carouse typically takes place during an audience with a powerful Archon or within the domain of a Cult of Excess. These settings are designed to be both awe-inspiring and disturbing. Think of crystal chalices filled with neurotoxins, dancers flaying themselves for sport, and music composed entirely of agonized screams. The characters must keep their wits about them while navigating these alien social cues and rituals.
Influence of Character Background
Characters with backgrounds rooted in Imperial nobility, Psyker paths, or voidborn heritage may have a slightly easier or harder time depending on how alien their experiences have already been. A hardened voidsman might be more desensitized to strangeness than a sheltered highborn scribe. GMs may factor this into roleplay or use it as justification for modifying the difficulty of the test.
How the Test Works Mechanically
Though the exact mechanics can vary based on the GM’s adaptation, the Commorragh Carouse Test usually involves multiple stages. Each stage tests a different aspect of the character’s resolve and adaptability.
Typical Test Structure
- Stage 1 – Sensory Overload: Characters must resist overwhelming stimuli. Requires a Willpower or Toughness test.
- Stage 2 – Social Interaction: Engaging with Dark Eldar hosts. A Fellowship or Charm/Deceive test may apply.
- Stage 3 – Subtle Torture: Enduring hospitality that borders on torment. Requires Discipline or Resolve to avoid breaking.
- Stage 4 – Temptation: Offered gifts or pleasures that may come with hidden costs. Involves an Awareness or Intelligence test to see through the deception.
Each passed stage may grant a minor bonus or narrative benefit, while each failure may lead to penalties or complications later in the story.
Consequences of Failure
Failing the Commorragh Carouse Test doesn’t necessarily mean death, but it can have severe consequences. The Drukhari delight in breaking minds slowly, turning bold explorers into trembling wrecks or addicted thrill-seekers.
Potential Outcomes
- Corruption: Failing repeatedly may increase a character’s corruption score or cause them to develop dark traits.
- Debilitating Phobias: Trauma from the event may result in permanent fear or revulsion toward specific stimuli (e.g., music, perfumes, certain colors).
- Unwanted Gifts: A failed temptation check might result in the party receiving a cursed item or favor they can’t easily refuse.
- Broken Relationships: Other NPCs may lose respect or fear the affected character, reducing their influence within the party or factions.
Strategies for Success
Players who want to succeed in the Commorragh Carouse Test need to prepare in advance, both narratively and mechanically. While some outcomes are inevitable due to dice rolls, planning can significantly increase your chances.
1. Boost the Right Stats
Characters should invest in attributes like Willpower and Fellowship. Equipment, drugs, or blessings that increase mental resistance can also be useful.
2. Know Your Host
If possible, gather intel about your Drukhari host before the event. Knowledge about their tastes, taboos, or recent rivalries can open up new dialog options or allow you to avoid danger entirely.
3. Stick Together
Characters who support each other with assists or shared bonuses can mitigate failures. Having a party member skilled in medicine or psychology may also help restore composure between stages.
4. Roleplay With Caution
Being too eager or dismissive during these events can be risky. The Drukhari expect cunning and subtlety behave like a fool, and you may become tonight’s entertainment.
Rewards and Long-Term Impact
For those who successfully navigate the Commorragh Carouse Test, the rewards can be impressive. Players might gain:
- Access to rare Drukhari technology
- Temporary or long-term alliances with xenos factions
- Unique lore items or black market connections
- Experience points and personal story advancement
Even surviving the event can be a mark of distinction. Rogue Traders who endure Commorragh’s carouse are often seen as legends, capable of thriving where most dare not tread.
The Commorragh Carouse Test is one of Rogue Trader’s most memorable sequences. It blends horror, intrigue, and psychological endurance into a single challenge that reflects the essence of Warhammer 40K storytelling. It’s not just about rolling high or choosing the right options it’s about understanding the stakes, the culture, and your own party’s limits. For players and GMs alike, this test adds depth, danger, and drama to any campaign, leaving a lasting mark on those who experience it.