Mac

Race	Human
Dynasty	Cerastes
Player	James Holloway

Name: Macharius "Mac" Malvoisin

Dynasty: Cerastes

Notable Traits: Vibrant fashion sense, profane volubility, surprising range of acquaintances, situational ruthlessness

Titles: Lord-Captain of the Astral Stranger, Commissar Senior Grade, Officio Praefectus (Reserve).

Information Known by Arkangel Society

That's Lord Captain Malvoisin to you. Photo by Rebecca Moody

Mac Malvoisin ("It's pronounced 'Mallen'") was Lord Captain Sireena Cerastes' right-hand, or perhaps more accurately left-hand, man. His main tasks seem to be exploration, investigation and reconnaissance, although he has become increasingly resigned to combat being an important part of his mission. He has people skills, for a sufficiently loose value of "people." Mac spent a long career in Departmento Munitorum intelligence doing one shady job after another, and although he may technically no longer be on active service, it's generally understood that Mac still knows some people who know some people.

Mac has a perverse sense of humour and a thirst for new sensations. He's known as a connoisseur of cheap, spicy food. Although he outwardly seems to view the Imperium and its rules with a sort of affectionate cynicism, he has moments of sincere piety and unconscious traditionalism. (One effect of Arkangel's unique social environment is that this attitude, which would be wildly rebellious within the hierarchy of the Guard, makes Mac something of a conservative on Arkangel, or at least a comfortable moderate.)

When family business called Sireena back to Imperial space, she entrusted the Stranger and its mission to her first officer. Mac accepted the task dutifully and set about recruiting a new team of agents. Since then, he has developed his own style as Lord Captain, a hybrid of Cerastes traditionalism, military pragmatism, and his own idiosyncratic instincts.

Mac typically takes the field armed with an evilly-glowing xenotech fetter pistol, but he also owns a seemingly endless supply of cheap, disposable stub pistols. In combat against Fuga Animi, he lost the use of his right arm and leg; a Tyranid bioform later inflicted a wound that blinded his right eye. Maybe it's a coincidence, but Mac seems to be a little more aware of his age these days. There's something heavier about him than there was when he joined the fleet -- the burden of responsibility, perhaps.

Lineage

Mac was born on the Imperial world of Esrola, a matriarchal planet with a rigid military culture. Both of his parents were officers in the Imperial Guard and came from families with long traditions of service. When they died, he was sent to the Schola Progenium. He passed the entrance exams for the Commissariat and graduated Commissar Cadet School before drifting into the shadowy world of intelligence and diplomacy. Despite having been raised by the Schola and spending most of his life away from Esrola, Mac retains a few customs from his homeworld.

Known Associates

Obstinacy "Stacy" Jones, Deputy Analysis Department Supervisor - Mac's "cousin," also from his homeworld of Esrola.

Archbishop Emsat Stenberg, Chaplain - Mac's confessor and spiritual advisor.

Navigator Tayavar Tresties, Sailing Master - representative of the House's Navigators and Mac's personal physician.

Valentine Barker, Ground Crew Chief - once a member of Mac's flight crew, now the crew's technical expert.

In addition to the members of House Cerastes, Mac has a known relationship with Rafi. Initially, there were hints of controversy about the couple, but they seem to have died down.

Rumours

• Mac's ties to Imperial intelligence are more than just old work friendships; he is still on a mission for the Departmento Munitorum.
• Mac did more than just live among the Orks; he has been initiated into their society and has some ... Orkish habits.
• The Astral Stranger's library deck contains more than just works of historical interest.

Quotes

• "He has clearly seen some shit but he hasn't let it get him down, you have to respect that." - Maximillion
• "Looks like a soldier. Acts like a soldier but does not talk like one. He is funny, and he was kind to me. Different from me, but different from the others too. He thinks differently. I would like to know what he is thinking." - Skyfall
• "An energetic personality that almost seems at odds to how effective a soldier and intelligence officer he is. If you need a question answering he will most likely know the answer or how to get it." - Azrael Schwarzekappel
• "Dammed decent chap, and dammed odd for a member of the Commissariat." - Cartwright
• "One has to admire a mon'keigh with the stones to size me up on his own, despite what he was told..." - Ed'wari
• "Mac? Macharius 'Mac' Malvoisin, you mean? Ah, now, there is an interesting individual! People observe Mac and see the outer veneer of buffoonery he enjoys - or, at the very least, employs - and they think that they have the measure of the man as a mere jester. But I have seen Mac, in a moment of high need, process emergent information and model new modes of thought with a speed on a par with my own. An individual that intelligent, that adaptable, is a man that I will always trust at my back... but I will ever sleep with one eye open to watch him." - Augustronomos Corophasian-Ingamar-Vicher, Navis-Scion of the House Corophasian.
• "Some people talk. Other people simply do. Mac is one of those rare souls who is capable of both." - Thunder
• "I'm just sayin', it sounds like politics to me. You probably wanna talk to a grown-up before you do anything... hey, look, good timing. Mac?" - Spider
• "I do not know him well, but I am fairly sure the humour is mostly on the outside. I don't think it is fake. But I think it may be a mask. He talks very well. He makes you like him. I would happily stand by his side and let him do politics. He will be a good Rogue Trader one day." - Skyfall
• "I've never met a member of the Commissariat that I didn't dislike... until this man. Maybe it is all just a clever trick but he is a good man, I think." Rusev
• "The gold standard of... people that should be out beyond the line, forging their own path. Didn't think he'd noticed me, either. And I could just sit and listen to him talking any old crap for hours..." - Araq
• "Nothing is quite as worrying as seeing Mac headed straight for you, telling you that you are just the person he is looking for. You just know that the news isn't going to be good, but at least it'll be straight to the point." - Victrix
• "Could not wish for a better second-in-command, I am honestly not entirely sure what I would do without him and I hope I never have to find out." - Lord-Captain Sireena Jocasta of the Blood of House Cerastes
• "Mac is sort of man who get things done. Maybe he do the thing him self, maybe he gets someone else to do it. But it gets done. Every crew needs one like him."* - Arkady Borovich
• "Amused Statement: I almost don't double-check his reconnaissance." - Twigjack
• "Refreshingly to the point. As well as competent. That's more than good enough for me." - Friedrich Sternenlicht
• "Good instincts, his judgement is to be trusted. I respect that." - Alexandra Euphemia Blake
• "He asks the questions that need to be asked, and lets me get on with what needs to get done. Yeah, he’ll be fine at this. I trust the Stranger to his leadership, and that’s not something I say lightly." - Krauss
• "I love the bright shirts. The fact that they come clothing a man with a calm demeanour and excellent pep talks is a definite bonus." - Artemisia Minerva Tabbris Blair
• "Mac is a man that will make the hard choices that get people killed but care afterwards. This is an officer and captain all should want to be like." - Rusev
• "Effortlessly clever. I would call him a worthy heir to the Cerastes serpent, but I fear that would do him a dishonour... There is a kindness in him too, I think." - Thunder
• "Given all that has happened recently, I'm exceedingly relieved that he is now Lord-Captain Malvoisin. His insight, intelligence and level-headedness are just what we need. Plus I like having someone who fights like an Ork on our side of the battlelines." - Cartwright
• "He brings an air of diplomacy to the captains table that has been sorely lacking." - Maximillion
• "His words explain a lot about him. Things I did not know, but somehow knew deep down. He is brave, and strong. I would follow him. His thoughts on the Emperor are interesting. Perhaps he is right. He needs us like we need him." - Skyfall
• "Ever the competent intelligence officer and reliable solider. This landing I saw... a new side to him, a touch of the greenskin. It has been noted." - Azrael Schwarzekappel
• "An interesting man with respect for the right things, enough knowledge and lack of it to get into the right kinds of trouble, and with the strength of will to see things through. I am not sure there could be a more suitable starting point." - Missionary Stenberg
• "He took that duel FAR more seriously and brutally than I was expecting." - Artemisia Minerva Tabbris Blair
• "Hey. So. How much do you want to win here...?" - Rafi
• "There is a lot more out there than men to fear my friend." - Rusev
• "Had to go all out, not a chap to be fencing with, bloody good fighter, and a surprisingly good singer as well." - Cartwright
• "A far hardier man and competent warrior than you would expect from an intelligence officer. Also... has he gained Rafi's favor? Hope that does not go badly." - X.O. Azrael Schwarzekappel
• "A Cresistauead cunning of mind, quick with blade and pure of spirit. He has left me with questions. He provided me with hope." - Ed'wari
• "Turns out he can fight. Spits blood and Teeth "Opa!" - Arkady Borovich
• "Certainly has an interesting source of faith." - Sterling
• "I had only seen the diplomat. Now I see the ork." - Maximillion
• "I like Mac. Sorry, 'Lord-Captain Malvoisin'. I'm not taken in by his nice guy act, but then, he's not taken in by mine. But he never sent me into a situation without an accurate briefing, and that's all you can ask of an employer." - Sgt. Iago Lennon
• "Yours is a crooked path, twists and turns upon twists and turns. The scales balance in your favour. For now." - Ambrose Cordell Tollman
• "An enigma, he seems like a fine upstanding Imperial but then starts screaming in Ork. Unsure if that's a good thing or not but he's saved our hides a few times so he's alright by me." - Decius Crane
• "My grandmother adores him." *wry look* - Stacy
• "He has turned out to be a competent Rogue Trader captain, with depths some miss." - Friedrich Sternenlicht
• "Still proving his worth as a Lord Captain and a warrior. One of the few to show proper caution towards the retrovirus that was required this landing" - Azrael Schwarzekappel
• "Breathing your last next to someone certainly brings things into perspective." - Rusev
• "Good, worthy, strong of spirit - and strong of heart. May His grace shine upon you in all the dark places you go, when I cannot." - Stenberg
• "We both felt kind of bad shooting those broken servitors. I sadly haven't had many close interactions with him. I should fix that." - Anahita
• "Even on a pleasure world he was working and keeping his crew motivated. He remains a solid leader." - Azrael Schwarzekappel
• "I like him a great deal, after all we are both schola boys. But I can never entirely trust someone who was on the intelligence side of our old job." - Tomas J Rexuz
• "One day, we will both be very, very old and we will have to put up with many indignities. So what's one small indignity now? Let me help you." - Rafi
• "That I continue to feel that we should probably talk about what just took place - and the knowing that we perhaps understand each other well enough not to need it after all - is a gift. Hmm... I must resolve to speak with Rafi on this." - Stenberg
• "Aauurgh. 'Spose he's awlright. He certainly knows hiz stuff. I'd say he'z the cleverest humie about, 'cept Big Boss Tollman, mind. Though bitweenz me an youz, that's not saying much." - Wruturd
• "You have lost much of yourself now; stand by your principles and hold firm so you do not lose the rest." - Maximillion
• "So, I think it's like this. He's not top tier at the Captain's Table exactly - that's traditionally been the Borovich and Tollman Dynasties who hold the heavy muscle. But ask a question of practically anyone in that fleet and their eyes flicker to him. He knows things. Plus, you know, he's a cute flyboy and I'm a sucker for pilots. So be a darling and invite him to dinner at some point." - Octavia Viria Lupus
• "He'z a good lad, if he wasn't so pink, I'd huv funk his mutha wuz Green!" - Wruturd
• "He acts like he's the boss of me or something." - Stacy
• "He truly has a talent for wrangling the disorganised rabble that are the warriors of Arkangel." - Sterling
• "I'm rather glad he's around. Capable and knowledgeable with a distinct talent for, well, directing talent." - Friedrich Sternenlicht
• "Everyone who is not you sees only your deeds & your achievements. And those deeds continue to accumulate most impressively in the ledger of history, regardless of... well, regardless." - Missionary Stenberg
• "A Man of Peace?" *Chuckles* - Lord-Captain Romeles Blair
• "A confident leader even among the captains' table, he has seemingly taken up the mantle of the table lead from the former Lord Captain Borovich very well." - Azrael Schwarzekappel
• "He has a certain set of skills, they make The God-Emperor proud." - Maximillion
• "So reliable, I fear you are being taken for granted. You deserve better than that." - Stenberg
• "When the Captains need an enforcer, they look at me. When we need a leader, we look at Mac." - Slate "Scrapjack" Duster
• "I truly value our disagreements. It's good to have lively debate on matters of doctrine." - Tomas J Rexuz
• "You're a good Captain." - Stacy
• "Even when pushed to exhaustion and overworked, his competence never wavered." - Oberarzt Azrael Schwarzekappel
• "The nature of human will is such that it can be, must be, bent to achieving the impossible. We have an opportunity in this place and it is better that we try to achieve something wondrous and fail in doing so, than to not try at all." - Ambrose Cordell Tollman
• "Yes, you can see the experience and dedication behind his action. When being led by him, you know you are going to bring back victory to the God-Emperor." Sgt. Viktor Jovanovski
• "I fear that I may have trusted in your self-reliance overmuch, and that needs rectifying." - Archbishop Stenberg
• "I... I dont know what will happen and what fate has in store for me. But your wisdom and guidance is a shining light in the void we are in." - Sgt. Viktor Jovanovski
• "Much though I hate to talk about it, they are really good together." - Stacy, to a Babushka
• "If I'm not under any orders from my Lord-Captain, then I'm mostly going with what he says, because his ability to analyse and also present are top notch. There may be other reasons as well, but you can't expect me to give everything away?" - Friedrich Sternenlicht
• "Watching your people skills and disciplined cunning crumble when talking about your love with their babushka was a great honour. The Emperor needs servants that are human." - Maximillion
• "Unpretentious, got a sense of humour, knows his people and he can probably kill an ork with a spoon, what's not to like?" Evangeline

OOC Information

Player: James Holloway

Inspirations: Sam Axe on Burn Notice, the CIA guy in a hundred Vietnam movies, any given James Ellroy protagonist, the 60s and early 70s in general.

Soundtrack:

The Mountain Goats - Younger

Method Man and Redman - Da Rockwilder

Cake - I Bombed Korea