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I'm looking through the Codex Imperialis (Background Book), and it talks about how, theoratically, there are Imperial Commanders/Governors who "rarely" manage a "continent". Would this imply that in some cases, there might be a Planetary level Imperial Commander who has Continental level Imperial Commanders answering to them? (i'm trying not to think of the system in Dune where a House Major rules a planet, but there are multiple House Minors running around said planet doing their own thing


"Planetary Administration lies in the hands of governors called Imperial Commanders - a title which corresponds roughly to the term 'Lord'. The Commander is appointed by the Administratum to oversee a planet or, more rarely, a continent or a special project of some kind."

The answer will yes sometimes and no others.

Everything is true and GW love to make maximum use of every piece of lore.


Also, the administratum is a deliberately overthetop, layered labyrinthine bureaucracy, so if the question is 'is there another layer under this layer' the answer will almost certainly be yes.

There are probably 50 layers on some planets, and 6 on others and 148 on yet others.

The administratum at a data level will only see the governor, anything under them is probably too small. But on the planet each governor runs it however they like, so layers on layers on layers.

Depends entirely on the individual planet.

You might have a planet that amounts to little more than an isolated outpost where the Governor is personally running the whole thing. You might have a Feudal world where the Governor exists, but the planet is divided between many feudal warlords and petty kings and the Governor just exists to collect the tithed regiments each year while the warlords do whatever they please. You might have a world where the Governor is a mere figurehead of a council of local nobility who actually run the place and he's just a puppet. A governor could rule like a king, dictator, elected official or anything in between.

I would generally guess that the higher the population, the more layers of bureaucracy will exist.

Governors of Hives?

They're probably not called governors. Wouldn't want to confuse the planetary governor for a "lowly" hive leader.

That title probably varies wildly depending on how each Hive is run.

Just looked up the ruler of Verunhive, in the Gaunts Ghost Novel Necropolis, and it was High Master Salvador Sondar. Of course the ruler of Hive Primus on Necromunda is also the Planetary governor.

Tygre wrote:
Just looked up the ruler of Verunhive, in the Gaunts Ghost Novel Necropolis, and it was High Master Salvador Sondar. Of course the ruler of Hive Primus on Necromunda is also the Planetary governor.

The ruler of Vervunhive was also the planetary governor. The "1st Trade War" with Ferrozoica was effectively over the planetary governor position.

 Haighus wrote:

Tygre wrote:
Just looked up the ruler of Verunhive, in the Gaunts Ghost Novel Necropolis, and it was High Master Salvador Sondar. Of course the ruler of Hive Primus on Necromunda is also the Planetary governor.

The ruler of Vervunhive was also the planetary governor. The "1st Trade War" with Ferrozoica was effectively over the planetary governor position.

My googlefu failed when I tried to look that up. Makes sense though. I guess most rulers below governor would be titled Lord.

 Grey Templar wrote:
They're probably not called governors. Wouldn't want to confuse the planetary governor for a "lowly" hive leader.

That title probably varies wildly depending on how each Hive is run.

It would definitely vary by planet. A world may prefer the synonymous title Imperial Commander for the overlord, and call hive leaders governors.

I have seen terms like hive overseer and hive monitor, but they may be administrative positions subordinate to political leaders (probably trying to quietly do things the way they have always been done whilst minimising the ideas of some feckless noble, neither approach being ideal). Of course, on an Administratum world administrative positions are political positions directly

Speaking of imperial commanders... This title exists because they are officially commander-in-chief of the planetary defence force, and also have the right to lead their military tithe in person (this was the norm in the early Great Crusade). So every officer in the PDF chain of command are also direct subordinates.

I'd say certainly "yes" but probably local rather than imperial (guild leaders, hive governors, etc... etc...).

I'd argue that the Imperium installs the planetary governor and places supports (Arbites, IG garrison, etc...) for them but doesn't really care about lower issues until they get notice that it will threaten the Imperium's order/tithe. The planet's issues are the planetary governor's to solve with the toolbox provided (and the threats that they may call for more Imperial support from off-world).

Imperial Guard won't even be present (in full force) on every world. Instead you'll have the local armed forces - again with huge variety of skills, equipment, styles of warefare, experience and so forth.

Some worlds will be heavily armed, others might only have what amounts to a military police force.


Also look at Real World Earth - there's a huge variety in armed forces just on one planet. Regions that have basically no military through to those that are run by the military. 40K is likely much the same at the planet level on some worlds. Local force disposition will vary greatly just like its administration and organisation will.


The Imperium has a bunch of edicts and structures you must follow; but once you step outside of those elements how you run everything else mostly doesn't matter. to those at the top; and in many cases they might not come looking so long as the Tithes are sent.

Yes. If the return of Necromunda has shown us anything, it’s that provided you keep your tithe coming, in full and on time, and keep Xenos and mutants down? You’re pretty much left alone by the wider Imperium - albeit with the constant paranoia that The Inquisition is sniffing around something, somewhere.

And that includes how you choose to run your planet.

And so a Planetary Governor is free to be Dictator for Life, or The Final Say on otherwise kind of democratically determined matters. I mean, I doubt there are many, if any, worlds with Actual Democracy as we’ve known it (including the early not all that democratic Greek democracy). But having a council of advisors, ministers, sub-governors etc is a possibility.

For some worlds, the Governor is the tropey chinless, clueless buffoon and it’s the archetypal Evil Vizier pulling the strings. The Imperium doesn’t care, as long as loyalty to Terra is continued, and you cough up the goods when you’re told to.

What are those positions? Well, pick a world, pick a word. The Imperium really does appear to be that hands-off when you’re not causing anyone higher up the chain any bother.

Even succession is kind of up to the current Governor. Could be strictly hereditary down the male or female line, or just eldest to youngest, nearest to farthest blood relative. Could be ala WHFB Empire, where the replacement is agreed by Space Elector Counts from among their number. As long as the succession is swift, decisive and doesn’t muck up your tithe (including a civil war where the tithe is somehow still maintained) there are far, far too many worlds in The Imperium for The Imperium to effectively police who’s doing what and why.

How does this work?

Well, see where I pointed out The Imperium typically leaves you be provided you play the game and don’t cause a ruckus? That. That’s the Sword of Damocles hanging over everything.

Because no matter how well equipped, well armed and numerous your PDF (another thing where there’s a minimum expected standard, and you’re allowed to Be Better if you want)? You’re but a flea on the behind of The Imperium, and it’s got a massive swatter. A ponderous swatter, sure. But if they want you gone? It’s just a matter of time.

Or, you can be good little Lords and Ladies, play your part and enjoy your life of ridiculous comfort in a Galaxy where that’s incredibly rare (though of course, this last part kind of relies on you seeing past the end of your own nose, which is never guaranteed)