+++Overview of the Imperium+++

The ADEPTUS MECHANICUS or Tech-Priest are the guardians of Earth's ancient knowledge. The Adeptus Mechanicus owns and administrates the factory planet Mars, whose vast orbital workshops turn out the majority of the weapons, spacecraft and other technologically sophisiticated machinery used in the Imperium. The Adeptus Mechanicus is as much an arcane cult as a scientific body, and its knowledge goes beyond mere technology into the realms of techno-arcana.

The ADMINISTRATUM is responsible for assesing and levying tithes, distributing Imperial resources, and countless other administrative functions. It is the largest of all the departments of the Adeptus Terra. Its members are for the most part scribes and petty officials, the hereditary slaves of a galaxy-spanning bureaucracy. The heart of the organisation lies within the Emperor's Palace, a vast complex whose cavernous vaults extend far below ground. The Administratum is probably the most powerful organisation in the entire Imperium. It is divided into many departments, offices and subordinate organisations.

The ADEPTUS TERRA is also known as the Priesthood of Earth, or more simply as the Adeptus. It consists of many millions of dedicated servants and religious followers whose duty is to interpret and enforce the Imperial will. It is the Adeptus which actually controls the Imperium, including its armies and fleets. The Adeptus Terra is divided into many departments and sub-departments, some of which operate so secretly that their existence is unknown outside of their own membership - only the principal departments are shown here.

ADEPTUS MINISTORUM. To countless billions the Emperor is nothing less than a god to whom they devote their entire lives. Over the aeons this faith has spawned a vast and powerful organisation devoted to his worship - Adeptus Ministorum, more often known as the Ecclesiarchy, after its cheif high priest, the Ecclessiarch. The Adeptus Ministorum is a very powerful organisation with its own crusading armies in the form of the Adeptus Sororitas and Fratris.

ADEPTUS CUSTODES. The Emperor's Guard or Custodians are the palace guards of the Emperor, and their duty is to protect the Imperial Palace. As the Imperial Palace covers such a large area of the planet the Custodians act as a defensive army. Only a select inner corps of three hundred, called the Companions, actually serve the Emperor as personal bodyguards.

ADEPTUS ASTRA TELEPATHICA. The job of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica is to recruit and train psykers for service throughout the Adeptus Terra. The organisation's most important role is to train Astropaths. The title of Astropath is an abbreviation of Astro-telepath it refers to a psyker capable of sending a telepathic message over interstellar distances. The vast distance between the stars means that technological forms of communication are useless. A psychic message sent though the warp is not necessarily instantaneous, but it si sufficiently quick to be a practical means of communication. Only Astropaths have the power to send and receive psychic messages over interstellar distances.