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A cyber-gothic role-playing game for mature players.
These pages are in no way intended to challange Games Workshop copyright.
The Adeptus Ministorum Ecclesiarchy
The Emperor is a being of god-like powers. Indeed, it is commonly widespread for citizens of the Imperium to honour their Emperor as a god. This deification of the Emperor has been officially recognised since HIS ascension to the Golden Throne. This has led to a general acceptance of the Emperor's deification, and the establishment of the Imperial Cult. Over the centuries the cult has become rigourously enforced through law, overt and covert coercion and socialisation. On all conformist and law-abiding Imperial planets worship of the Emperor is viewed as a necessity to spiritual & physical well being. Atheists are viewed with intolerance and are punished or forcably indoctrinated. Typically, only worlds on the fringe on the Imperium will differ from this pious rule. Heresy from the edicts and doctrines of the Ministorum is met with death. If this is not possible (say, if a whole world is worshipping the Emperor incorrectly, or not at all), the Ministorum will slowly work to influence the popular religion and eventually change its structure, orchatrating a coup de tete at the highest levels of authority.
from "A Canticle for Liebowitz"
The Administratum is offically a division of the Adeptus Ministorum. The Ministorum is run by the Holy Synod of Terra whose members all hold the rank of Cardinal. The head, known as the Ecclesiarch, is elected from amongst their number by the Synod. The organisation is also known as the Ecclesiarchy for this reason. The Ecclesiarch is extremely influential and is included amongst the High Lords of Terra. The working priests of the Ecclesiarchy are fully initiated members of the Imperial Cult known as Preachers. Senior Preachers may be placed in charge of a Mission of up to several hundred Preachers and despatched to spread the word amongst unenlightened worlds using various means like violent crusades or social manipulation and mind-control. The principal tenets of the Imperial Cult are the persection of mutants and heretics, the abhorrance of aliens and the worship of both the Emperor and Imperial ideals. By increasing the awareness of these dangers, albeit in a relatively unsophisticated way, the Adeptus Ministorum makes the job of the Inquisition that much easier. However, missionaries do sometimes come into conflict with Inquisitors as their fields of responsibility overlap.
Trained Preachers administer the rites of the Imperial Cult to devotees all over the Imperium. The army, navy, and all branches of the Adeptus Terra have Preachers within their ranks. As well as common Preachers there are special officers empowered to conduct the most important Cult rites. The most common of these are the Confessors. Confessors are highly experienced individuals whose success as Preachers has led to their elevation to Confessors. They travel from planet-to-planet, spreading the faith and holding mass evangelical rallies via electronic media or stadium crowds. New cult recruits are encouraged to 'confess' personal mutations as well as mutations or strange behaviour amongst their friends and relatives. (Adapted from "Rogue Trader" copyright Games Workshop. Used without permission.)
Symbolism
The double-headed eagle of the Imperium
The Golden Throne
The Emperor Deified (Man-god, Apotheosis, Saviour, Messiah-Supreme)
HIS Mortal Wounds
The Battle of Earth (also known as: The Battle for the Emperor's Heart)
Agenda
Destroy aliens. Ensure genetic purity of the Human Race.
Seek out and sanctify genetic corruption. Ensure genetic purity of the Human Race.
Evaluate an control psychics. Ensure spiritual (psychic) purity of the Human Race.
Indoctrinate the Will of the Emperor upon HIS children.
Root out Heresy. Ensure purity of the Human Race.
"The Emperor saved Humanity through self-sacrifice. He is our Lord and Master. He is our only hope 'gainst corruption."
The Ecclesiarch Hierarchy
The Emperor
The Holy Synod are the 6 Imperial Cardinals:
- Cardinal Palatine (the Imperial Palace)
- Cardinal Terran (the diocese on Earth)
- Cardinal Astral Segmentum (on of the four Cardinal's of the four diocese of the four sectors of Imperial space)
Arch-Deacons
Pontifex:
-Pontifex Terra (earth)
-Pontifex Mundi (a whole world)
-Pontifex Urba (a city or spire)
-Pontifex Astra (a space craft)
Confessors
Preachers
Missionaries
The Pontifex Urba
is the ruler of the Spire and answers only to the Pontifex Mundi & the Royal House. The Pontifex is a theocratic tyrant, a paranoid and power hungry despot. He imposes every structure and edict of the Imperial Cult upon every aspect of life in this spire and demands strict adherance. None of this in unusual for a Pontifex Urda - indeed it is expected. The Pontifex maintains a feudal system of family-corporate warfare.Terror tactics and totalitarianism are the only way to control such a large population, where danger of impurity lurks in every back ally, on every dark level. The Pontifex directly controls much of the life-support resources and the exit/entrance to the Spire, effectively keeping his people dependant prisoners. He has all of the technological and military advantages and can call on higher powers if necessary. Though they are slow moving, he is not afraid to use these forces. Any gang he perceives as too powerful or out of contrl will be crushed - if not by his Arbites or Venators then by Adeptus Astartes.
The Pontifex wants to ensure the smooth running and organisation of this Spire and the purity of its people. He is devout and dependable. His faith in the Emperor is true and all-consuming. The Pontifex seeks promotion.
There are those that are higher. There are degrees of humanity. The Pontifex sees the de-evolution of the scavvies and their kin. He sees the higher-ups of the penthives. He considers himself a Higher Man. If he could, he would raise al of humanity o his level. But he can't, so the lessers are to be destroyed.