High Lords of Terra

In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, the High Lords of Terra are the supreme governing body of the Imperium of Man.

Since the Emperor can no longer govern his empire directly, it is the claim of the High Lords that his immortal will is known to them and the Emperor rules through the High Lords of Terra. Though the Imperium is too vast to be centrally governed, the High Lords make decisions affecting the lives of trillions.

Although the sources regarding the exact composition of this council are varied, some institutions and organizations within the Imperium are so powerful that their leaders can be considered a de facto High Lord. These would include:

* The Master of the Administratum
* The Inquisitorial Representative
* The Ecclesiarch of the Adeptus Ministorum
* The Fabricator General of the Adeptus Mechanicus
* The Grand Provost Marshal of the Adeptus Arbites
* The Paternoval Envoy of the Navigators
* The Master of the Astronomican
* The Grand Master of the Officio Assassinorum
* The Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica

The position of Inquisitorial Representative is not held by any specific Inquisitor, but the seat is retained for whichever individual is sent on behalf of the Inquisition. The Grand Master of the Grey Knights is also occasionally present. Similarly, according to Ragnar Blackmane's musings on his assignment on Terra, the place of the Paternoval Envoy is open to whoever might be the Envoy of the Paternova (the elder) of the current ruling family of Navigators. To prevent monopoly, the strongest Navigator houses usually agree to elect a Paternova from the weakest Navigator houses. If a strong house were to rise to power in the Council, that house would gain control of the Navigator's voice in the Imperium and thereby control all but the strongest Navigator families.

The total number of High Lords is said to be twelve, leaving three non-permanent openings. These offices are held by various people depending on the current political situation, and usually drawn from high-ranking Imperial officers. The position of High Lord of Terra has been held at times by the Lord Commander Militant of The Imperial Guard, Cardinals of the Holy Synod of Terra, the Abbess Sanctorum of the Adepta Sororitas, the Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes, a representative from a Adeptus Astartes Chapter, the Chancellor of the Estate Imperium, and the Speaker for the Chartist Captains.

There is also evidence within recent Warhammer 40,000 texts that the term can be bestowed as an Honorific title, although these individuals often have no real political power as a whole.

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