[[Image:Governor.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Planetary Governor]]An '''Imperial Commander''', often referred to as a '''Governor''', is a figure with (often hereditary) {{Fn|9}} authority to rule a world in the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor's]] name. They are the chief overseers of [[Imperium|Imperial]] worlds. Planetary Governors are usually referred to as "Lords", and their position often becomes hereditary. Some although some Imperial Commanders administer not administer mere planets, but [[Sector Lord|entire Sectors and Sub-SectorSectors]]s.{{Fn|4}} They have been known to come not from just nobility, but also the [[Imperial Guard]], [[Space Marines]]{{Fn|5}} and [[Ecclesiarchy]].{{Fn|6}}.

[[Image:Governor.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Planetary Governor]]Naturally, since the vast and dispersed nature of Imperial territory would make a totally centralized system of government unfeasible, the Planetary Governor is given discretionary control over the administration (including governance, defence and development) of the planet in question. In theory he (or she) is duty-bound to the [[Adeptus Terra]]. Essentially though, he each is an independent governor. As long as the planet's [[tithes]]of material or manpower are met, [[mutant]] and [[psyker]] "head counts" populations are kept under control culled according to strict Imperial parameters, and the planet is generally governed competently, he is free to run the planet however he chooses.{{Cite this}} 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.{{Cite thisFn|13}}

They are expected to defend the planet in the name of Imperium, maintaining [[Planetary Defence 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.{{Cite Marker End}}[[Image:Malaki Vess.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Governor [[Malaki Vess]] of [[Zweihan's World]]{{Fn|26}}]]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. It isn't uncommon for Imperial Governors, and those put in place to replace them, to be executed one after the other for not meeting the Adeptus Administratum's mandated Imperial Tithe parameters.{{Cite thisFn|14}}

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.{{Cite thisMarker End}}

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 Munitorum, which can raise soldiers from across entire sectors.{{Cite thisMarker End}}

*[[Annesh]] *[[Costalis]] of [[Iax]]{{Fn|10}}*[[Darran Marvil]] of [[Horthn IV]] - Actually a [[Vampires|Vampire]] in disguise.{{Fn|11}}

*[[Lord of Okku|Lord]] of [[Okku]] - He was founded captured by the [[Assassin]] [[ComaruCamaru]] , for selling humans a number of his world's population to [[Ork]] slavers and . The assassin then sold the Governor to the very same greenskins as the last slave from [[Okku]] planetslavers.{{Fn|1}}

*[[Lukas Alexander]] of [[Kronus]].{{Fn|12}} *[[Lozallio Cann]]*[[Lufgt Lugft Huron]] - former "Tyrant of Badab"

*[[Marius Hax]] - [[Sector Governor Lord]] of [[Calixis Sector|Calixis]] and Planetary Governor of [[Scintilla]]

*[[Soloman (governor)|Soloman]]{{cite thisCite Marker End}}*[[Sylas Ghorondine]]*[[Thygmus van Spracht]]

*[[Xian Torus]] of "the World that died in One Night"{{cite thisCite Marker End}}*[[YawellZula Hatiar]]{{Fn|8}} ==See also==*[[Fabricator-General]]*[[Sector Lord]]

*2: [[Warhammer Siege]]:

*{{Endn|3}}: [[Aeronautica Imperialis: Rynn's World Air War]], pgs. 33-49*{{Endn|4}}: [[Dark Imperium (Novel)]] , Chapter 20

*{{Endn|7}}: [[Psychic Awakening: Ritual of the Damned]] , pg.21*{{Endn|8}}: [[Psychic Awakening: The Greater Good]], pg. 12*{{Endn|9}}: [[For the Emperor (Novel)]] - [[Ciaphas Cain: Hero of the Imperium (Omnibus)]], Chapter Four*{{Endn|10}}: [[Dark Imperium: Godblight (Novel)]], Chapter 12*{{Endn|11}}: [[The Isenbrach Horror (Short Story)]]*{{Endn|12}}: [[Dawn of War: Dark Crusade]] Imperial Guard Faction Introduction Cutscene*{{Endn|13}}: [[Deathwatch Core Rulebook]], pg. 292, "Planets of the Imperium"*{{Endn|14}}: [[Imperium Maledictum|Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay: Imperium Maledictum: Core Rulebook (2023)]], pgs. 278 & 279*{{Endn|15}}: [[Imperium Maledictum: Inquisition Player's Guide]], pg. 8*{{Endn|16}}: [[Dark Heresy: Ascension]], pg. 199

*[[Codex Imperialis(Background Book)]]

*[[Nightbringer (Novel)]] by [[Graham McNeill]], Chapter Three*[[Dawn of War: Dark Crusade]]