Finding out who is trying to stab you in the back is basically a full-time job in the Koronus Expanse. If you've played through the "Blood Ties" quest in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, you know exactly how messy things get. You’re the Lord Captain, yet your own nobility is playing 4D chess with your life. The rogue trader sauerback investigation isn’t just a side quest; it is a masterclass in Imperial political treachery that leaves most players scratching their heads because the evidence is kinda buried under layers of noble ego and glitchy quest triggers.
Honestly, the Sauerbacks are a piece of work. Macharius Sauerback acts like he’s the most loyal guy in the room while simultaneously looking at you like you’re something he stepped in. But the real meat of the investigation isn’t about his grumpy attitude. It’s about the subtle trail of breadcrumbs leading to his wife, Regina, and a conspiracy that traces all the way back to the opening hours of the game.
The Evidence Most People Miss
You can’t just walk into the trial and point fingers. Well, you can, but it usually ends in a bugged cutscene or an unsatisfying execution. To actually solve the investigation, you have to be a bit of a detective. You’ve got three main noble houses on Dargonus—the Werserians, the Drivestems, and the Sauerbacks—and everyone is pointing the finger at Abelard’s family, the Werserians.
The first real clue is usually the "bloody note" found on a dead body. Then there’s the issue of the falsified logistics data. If you talk to the Drivestem heir, you’ll notice his story has more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese. He claims the Werserians messed up the numbers, but if you have Heinrix or Marazhai in your party, you can "persuade" him to admit that an anonymous informant was actually feeding him the bad data to frame Abelard’s kin.
The Bench and the Booze
This is where it gets specific. There is a bench near the venue where you can pass an Awareness check. If your character isn't a total blind bat, you’ll find a bottle of expensive liquor. This isn't just random world-building. That specific vintage is a favorite of the Sauerback family.
Combine that with the fact that one of the Grapak family members—who was actually trying to do the right thing—ends up dead in a side room, and the walls start closing in on House Sauerback.
Why Regina Sauerback Did It
So, why the betrayal? You’d think being the wife of a high-ranking noble on the capital world would be enough. But Regina is playing a much longer game. During the confrontation, it’s revealed she’s been working with Kunrad Voigtvir. Remember him? The guy who basically kickstarted the whole cultist uprising at the start of the game?
Regina believes you are an "imposter." In her eyes, the Von Valancius warrant should have gone to Kunrad or someone she deems "worthy," not a random person plucked from obscurity. She’s been using her position to sabotage the protectorate’s logistics, specifically targeting the Werserians because they are the Rogue Trader’s strongest shield. If she can break Abelard’s house, she breaks your power base.
The Poisoned Ring
One of the coolest, and most lethal, details in the rogue trader sauerback investigation is Regina’s jewelry. When she realizes the jig is up, she doesn't just surrender. She has an augment ring with a hidden, venomous spike. She actually tries to slap Abelard—which, let’s be real, is a terrible move—and he catches her wrist. If you look closely at the dialogue and the descriptions, that ring was meant to be the end of you or your Seneschal.
How to Get the "Good" Ending (If Such a Thing Exists)
In the grim dark future, "good" usually just means "everyone I like is still alive." To properly finish the quest and get the full reveal:
- Question Everyone Twice: Don't just talk to the heads of the houses. Talk to the children and the subordinates.
- Use Your Retinue: Bring Heinrix for his Interrogation skills or Marazhai if you want to be extra mean about it. They force confessions that your main character might miss.
- The Final Confrontation: When the trial starts, don't just pick a name. Use the "let Abelard handle this" option once you’ve gathered the evidence. It allows for a much more cinematic and thorough unmasking of the Sauerbacks.
- The Verdict: You usually have two choices—kill just Regina or wipe out the whole Sauerback line. In the Imperium, "guilt by association" is basically the law of the land, but killing the whole family can actually destabilize your colony's efficiency.
What This Means for Your Playthrough
Basically, the Sauerback investigation is a turning point for your relationship with Dargonus. It proves that no matter how much "Profit Factor" you have, the people under you are always plotting. If you let Regina live (which is rare), you're asking for a knife in the back later. If you execute the whole house, you lose some of the administrative "brains" of your planet.
If you’re stuck on this quest because it feels like it’s bugging out, check your quest log for the "Evidence" tab. If you haven't found the dead Grapak or the liquor bottle, the game sometimes won't let you trigger the specific dialogue to accuse Regina. Go back, pass those Awareness checks, and then go talk to the Drivestem kid again.
🔗 Read more: Marvel Rivals Loki Skins: What Most People Get Wrong
Next Steps for the Lord Captain:
- Check the Dargonus palace grounds for the hidden Perception checks before starting the trial.
- Make sure Abelard is in your party (obviously) to trigger his unique dialogue.
- Decide beforehand if you’re going "Dogmatic" (kill them all) or "Iconoclast" (maybe just the traitor) because it affects your alignment points significantly.