Grand Master of Assassins
The Grand Master of Assassins is the leader of the Officio Assassinorum[1].
He is never seen by ordinary members of the Adeptus Terra, but rumoured to have personal access to the Emperor himself. His loyalty to the Emperor must be beyond doubt, for he single-handedly controls an organisation that could feasibly topple the Imperium should he so wish. It seems that he is chosen from among the directors of the temples. The Grand Master is always one of the High Lords of Terra, which ensures all Grand Masters have a say in the future of the Imperium.
The first Grand Master was Malcador the Sigillite, regent of Terra.[1] In 546.M32, the position was held by Drakan Vangorich who was responsible for the events of The Beheading where he assassinated all the members of the High Lords of Terra, after which he escaped to an Assassinorum temple in hiding. A retribution force of Space Marines was dispatched who battled numerous assassins with a single Astartes succeeding in surviving to eliminate the traitorous Grand Master.[2]
Notable Grand Masters of Assassins
- Malcador the Sigillite
- Drakan Vangorich - the 12th Grand Master
- Unnamed Grand Master of Assassins
- Fadix - Grand Master during the 13th Black Crusade
Sources
- 1: Nemesis (Novel), Chapter Two
- 2: Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook, pg. 124
Uncited
Members of the High Lords of Terra | |
---|---|
Permanent Members | Master of the Administratum • Ecclesiarch • Inquisitorial Representative • Fabricator-General • Grand Provost Marshal • Paternoval Envoy • Master of the Astronomican • Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica • Grand Master of Assassins • Lord Commander of the Imperium |
Rotating Members | Lord Commander of Segmentum Solar • Lord Commander Militant • Cardinals of the Holy Synod • Abess • Chancellor of the Estate Imperium • Speaker for the Chartist Captains • Lord High Admiral • Captain-General |
Lesser Members | Chirurgeon-General • Chancellor of the Imperial Council • Commandant of the Schola Progenium • Lord Constable of the Synopticon • Mistress Plenary of the Catacombs |
Former Members | High Lord of the Imperial Chancellery |