Planetary Governor
From Lexicanum
Planetary Governors are those given the blessing of the Emperor and posted to rule over a world in his name. Naturally, the Imperium is far too vast for a totally centralised system of organisation, so the Planetary Governor is given discretionary control over the governance, defence and development of the planet in question.
They are expected to defend the planet in the name of Imperium, maintaining Planetary Defense Forces and orbital defences. Due to the fickle nature of the warp, communication with the Adeptus Terra is often delayed and sometimes prevented entirely. Often this means that Governors must make decisions on the defence of their world without advice and help from Terra, meaning that for the world to prosper, every Governor must be adept at military matters as well as the development of the planet's trade infrastructure.
Planetary Governors are usually referred to as "Lords", and their position often becomes hereditary.
Even though Governors are given these powers over a planet, they come at a price. The governor is a sworn vassal of the Imperium, and as such is required to provide military support to local campaigns. In the early period of the Imperium this was a simple process, a straightforward pledge to provide a certain number of troops and to fight in person. This was seen to be too inflexible because as the Imperium grew, the differing numbers of troops provided made poor use of some planets' populations and on others too high a proportion of the population was sent to war, leaving the planet sorely short of labour. This was later replaced with a tithe. It is assessed by the wealth and available resources of the planet.
As part of the tithe, the governor is expected to supply troops to the Imperial Guard, the troops often being requisitioned from the planet's existing defense forces. The tithe is also a percentage of the planet's produce. Most tithes are regular obligations, while others are demanded when specific circumstances are met.
This leads to a close relationship between Planetary Governors and the Departmento Munitorum who look after the deployment of men and supplies across the galaxy. Both tithes go to the Departmento Munitorum who can raise soldiers from across entire sectors.
On the homeworlds of some Space Marine chapters, Chapter Masters are often given the additional title of planetary governor.
Notable Planetary Governors
- Herman von Strab
- Gerontius Helmawr of Necromunda
- Yawell
- Soloman
- Aulis
- Xian Torus of "the World that died in One Night"
