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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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The most powerful [[Navigator]]s in each of the [[''Great Families]] '' are called '''Heirs Apparent'''. This signifies that they may one-day contend for the position of [[Paternova]], the ruler of all the [[Navis Nobilite]]. The Paternova may come from any of the Great Families, and from any social level within them. The Heirs Apparent are usually the oldest Navigators, and those with the best developed powers, although not all develop in this way.
The Heirs Apparent are often bitter rivals who will even go as far as to try and eliminate each other if they get the chance. This sometimes leads to protracted personal vendettas or even family feuds between two [[Navigator House]]s. The [[Adeptus Terra]] is fairly tolerant of minor skirmishing of this kind, although open hostilities between Houses are discouraged as much as possible. Unfortunately, this keen rivalry sometimes draws Heirs Apparent into marginally unlawful or even outright illegal practices. Their personal ambition makes them vulnerable to all sorts of dangerous influence, from collaboration with aliens to dealings with the [[Daemon|daemonic]]. These deviants are a minority, and most Heirs Apparent conduct their rivalries without courting such dangers.
