Noble House

The Galactic Terran Imperium is organized into a **Feudal System** of noble-born pureblood **Houses**. A House, or a Great House, is a **dynastic seat of power** which is succeeded by male inheritance.

It is sometimes limited to one world and sometimes spanning several worlds, or even multiple systems. A House is a actively governing political body which enables efficient administration in all regions of the empire. The Emperor can create or dismantle a House, merge one with another, make multiple into one new one and overall manages the flow of power through distributing valuable worlds, important tasks, assets and funding among the Houses. Capitalism and the Personal Interests of the Houses together with a sufficient distance between Great Houses and the Emperor as the centerpiece for control and management of the entire Imperium make for a efficient organization, which explains the prolonged and ongoing perseverance of the Imperium as it is yet to succumb to war from the outside of intrigue from within.

**Chivalric**

Chivalry is the ancient but ever true reality deeply embedded within the Feudal System of the Imperium. The Imperial Chivalry Code was first introduced during the very Foundation of the Imperium in its first constitutional charter as written by the Emperor, and further expanded upon in later years. It regulates conduct between and towards Nobles, mainly through the 11 Commandments:

**11 Commandments of Chivalry**

Thou shalt believe all that the Emperor teaches and thou shalt observe all his directions.

Thou shalt defend the Emperor to your death and beyond.

Thou shalt love the Imperium in which thou wast born.

Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.

Thou shalt make war against the infidel and xenos without cessation and without mercy.

Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of thy Imperator.

Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.

Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

Thou shalt pay thy Tithe duly and in full.

Thou shalt respect all weaknesses of thy people, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.

Thou shalt not harm another who follows the code without need.

Breaching any Commandment of Chivalry is a grave offense and will be punished by extreme torture of the individual found guilty and his entire family, with a following execution. This is seen as mercy for the breach destroyed their souls and status as a Noble Family, by this they are cleansed of their sins for that the Emperor may forgive them.

**----Noble Titles of Houses----**

Archduke - A Archduke is the head of a House which manages multiple Star Systems, it is one of the most powerful position within the Imperium

Grand Duke - A Grand Duke is the head of a Great House which manages multiple Planets

Duke - Manages a Planet, Head of a Grand House

Marquess - Manages a major province of a planet, often continent sized.

Count - Manages a country-sized province

Earl - Manages a state-sized minor province

Viscount - Manages a Major City such as a Metropolis or a major state factory/facility

Baron - Manages a Metropolis District, smaller city or state factory/facility

Collectively the **Grand Dukes** and **Dukes** form the Imperial Senate, which is governed by the Imperial High Council, which in turn consists of the **Archdukes**.