Lady Haera Helmawr is making her way to the underhive this weekend with a showstopping new model, and given how she treats her friends, you won’t want to make an enemy of the de-facto new ruler of Necromunda by committing a social faux-pas. Perhaps this pamphlet – apparently distributed by the Hive Primus authorities – will explain what you need to know about the new administration.
++ Instructional Pamphlet NC08-99A/M-SU ++
A Hive Denizen’s Guide to Your Noble Betters
Revised Helmawr Succession Edition
Translated into Low Gothic by Scrivener Adept-Primus Perontus Maxalian, House Helmawr
Rejoice, louts, worms, and lowlifes, for the time of Imperial succession is at hand! The most honourable, munificent and plenipotentiary Lord of Necromunda has ascended to her rightful seat from the mire of pretenders and charlatans, and the common proles – that’s you – of Hive City are required by law to recognise the unalloyed magnificence of Lady Haera Helmawr, the 138th Lord of all Necromunda.
In lieu of the formal education that is so lacking beneath The Wall, allow this instructional manuscript to broaden your minds – respectfully narrow as they are – regarding proper recognition of your Spire-dwelling betters.
Ignorance is no excuse when consorting with the Noble Houses of blessed Necromunda.
The first and most important step is to determine who is worthy of your just adoration – some hive scum may wear flamboyant fineries, but true nobility is a quality that cannot be bought or stolen. Even those who engage directly with the underhive rabble – like the Krieg Mesters of House Greim – carry themselves with irrepressible dignity, while no amount of unearned arrogance can outweigh the burden of being born common.
Certain citizens of status in Hive City, especially those in control of the common Houses, may style themselves ‘Lords’ or affect an air of peerage. Respectable though their contributions to the Palatine may be, they are mere commoners like you – large, savage, and spectacularly dangerous, but boorish nonetheless.
Under no circumstances are you to believe the claims of certain aristocrat-presenting rebels with delusions of grandeur, no matter how refined and exquisite their raiment might be. Vagabonds such as the so-called ‘Lady Credo’ are to be rigorously scorned, for they have not earned their position of superiority over you by congenital merit – not like the justly-elevated scions of the Noble Houses.
If you are of not of suitably high birth, proper etiquette dictates you remove yourself from the noble party’s presence immediately, though House gangs with suitably close ties may barter for their co-operation – for an acceptable display of financial gratitude, of course.
Most importantly, the most gracious and virtuous Lady Haera Helmawr is not to be disturbed about her business should she choose to enlighten the Hive with her presence, as is her divine right. True sons and daughters of Necromunda are obliged to throw themselves upon her exquisite power spear – and indeed, this duty is itself a beneficence, for such an end is surely more glorious than a lifetime of squalor.
Mark well these words, philistines of Hive Primus. Your meagre reputation – and indeed, your meagre life – may one day rely upon a fortunate glance from the superior class.
All hail Lady Haera Helmawr! Rightful master of Necromunda!
Well, that was certainly… confident. It did get one thing right, though – Lady Helmawr is only days away from pre-order, and she’s undeniably in charge. For now. You can continue the tale of the Aranthean Succession in the forthcoming Vaults of Tenemos book, in which a mysterious Redemptionist prophet whips the faithful into a frenzied quest for holy relics.