+++The High Lords of Terra+++The Imperial organisations are so huge and so very complex that it would be impossible to describe them in any detail within this volume. Not even the Curators of the Estate Imperium, the million-strong records office of the Administratum, can not list all the departments of the Adeptus Terra, let alone give details of their composition or purpose. The description that follow therefore only concentrate on the vital aspects of the most important organisations. In particular, this volume is concerned with the fighting warriors of the Emperor's armies and not with the petty details of Imperial bureaucracy. However, it would be inappropriate to examine any of these powerful fighting organisations without at least a cursory look at the mighty High Lords of Terra themselves. The High Lords are the twelve most powerful men in the galaxy. They rule the Imperium in the Emperor's name, and it is they who send the Imperium's fleets to war and who direct the Imperium's inexhaustible armies. Their task is to interpret and enact the Emperor's will, relying upon His potent mind to guide their thoughts and inspire their actions. Each of the High Lords is leader of one of the most powerful organisations in the Imperium. A complex web of political skulduggery, promises of support, and considerations of mutual interests, bind them together and determines who will hold office and who will not. In practice, some of the Imperium's organisations are so powerful that it would be unthinkable for their leader not to be a High Lord. Over the millennia different organisations have provided High Lords depending upon which was the most powerful at the time. Ruthless ambition and rivalry characterises all of these great men, and their organisations vie against each other for portions of the Imperial power. The following offices are almost invariably represented as High Lords because they are the cornerstones of the Imperium, the most important of its ancient insitutions.
These nine posts are virtually sacrosanct. Should they become empty due to death or retirement, it is usual for the successor to the title to become High Lord. The position of Inqusistorial Representative is not held by any specific Inqusistor, but the seat is retained for whichever individual is sent on behalf of the Inquisition. Similarly, the place of the Paternoval Envoy is open to whoever might be the Envoy of the Paternova of the current ruling family of Navigators. The remaining three posts are most likely to be filled from amongst the following mighty officals:
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