BoLS logo Tabletop, RPGs & Pop Culture
Advertisement

40K Lore: The High Lords of Terra

4 Minute Read
Mar 7 2017
Hot story icon

Roboute Guilliman is about to shake up the High Lords of Terra, but who are these leaders of the Imperium?

The High Lords of Terra (officially the Lords Temporal, Martial and Ecclesiarchical of the Most Divine and Righteous Imperium of Mankind) collectively form the Council of the High Lords of Terra, also known as the Senatorum Imperialis. The Senatorum is an Imperial governing body of twelve leaders of the most powerful organisations of the Imperium. This body rules the Imperium in the Emperor’s name. The Senatorum itself is composed of tens of thousands of Imperial dignitaries, nobleman, lords, and other officials, but these rarely meet and instead the “High Twelve” conduct the vast majority of affairs.

The task of the High Lords is to interpret and enact the will of the Emperor. Accordingly, the position of High Lord is the most powerful in the Imperium.

Advertisement

The position of Lord Commander of the Imperium, first held by Roboute Guilliman, continued after his wounding at the hands of Fulgrim. There were still holders of the title, often simply referred to as “Lord Guilliman” in the Primarch‘s honor, until at least mid-M32. The Lord Commander served as the Chairman of the Senatorum.

Despite their vital importance to the Imperium, the Adeptus Astartes are not represented among the High Lords. This may have been set up intentionally by Roboute Guilliman himself as the Primarch fervently believed that it was the duty of the Space Marines to protect mankind, not rule it.

Some of these you may know – while others lurk in the shadows…
The Fabricator-General of the Adeptus Mechanicus – If you want your tech to work, you better be on his good side.
Navigator_attendees

The Paternova – The Chief of the Navigators, makes sure every ship in the Imperium gets where it’s headed safely. Also can survive in hard vacuum – HANDY!

scribe_enl

Master of the Administratum – Piss this dude off and you’ll be waiting in line, filling out paperwork for eternity.

Advertisement

arbites-horz

Grand Provost Marshal – Master of the Adeptus Arbites.  His word IS LITERALLY Law.

40k-imperial-ships

Speaker for the Chartist Captains – This individual wields the influence of all the merchant guilds in the Imperium.  Like they say – money talks…

assassin-eversor-horz

Advertisement

Grand Master of the Assassins – Definitely #1 on the list of “get his daughter home before curfew”…

Inquisitor Horz 1

Inquisitorial Representative – Everyone has secrets.  He already knows all of yours…

 Imperial_Astropath2
Master of the Astronomican – Imagine every phone and cable company rolled into one – ruled by one guy.  You want to talk to someone across the galaxy in a hurry – you know who to call.
300px-munitorumorg
Chancellor of the Estate Imperium – The person who counts all the Imperium’s money is not to be trifled with.  It’s funny what moving a comma can do to the fortunes of men…
354px-the_ecclesiarchy
The Ecclesiarch – It’s not often you meet someone who orders Crusades as part of their official job duties.

Other positions often named to the High Lords of Terra include:

The Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica

Lord Commander of Segmentum Solar

Lord Commander Militant of the Imperial Guard

Advertisement

Cardinal(s) of the Holy Synod of Terra

The Abbess of the Adepta Sororitas

Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes

Lord High Admiral of the Imperial Navy

 Learn More of the High Lords of Terra

Lexicanum

~There’s a Primarch back in town – who do you think Guilliman is going to fire first?

Advertisement

Avatar
Author: Larry Vela
Advertisement
  • 40K: The Twisted Mirror of Chaos