The Jovian Combine

*"O' Titan of worlds, O' massive Jupiter and your Galilean moons, oh how you must have been a cornerstone of a bygone Golden Age. But the nature and extent of our ancient presence upon your great moons is now unknown. But ancient records refer to spire cities among ice and world-spanning oceans, but perhaps this is naught but poetry, songs sung by foolish dreamers."*

**The Jovian Combine**, also known as **The Cult Vixatorius**, **The Cult of The Machine**, **The Vixite Cult Denarius**, and an assortment of other names, holds the official Imperial name within the Regimentum Imperialis. Its foundation lies upon the celestial magnon of Jupiter and its numerous moons, satellites and asteroids. Serving as the primary source for the Stellar Imperium's scientists, engineers, and technicians. These skilled individuals are instrumental in upholding and constructing the advanced technology that defines the Imperium. At the heart of the Vixatorius lies the esteemed Vix-precepta, a privileged caste of Imperial Citizenry and Scholars entrusted with the safeguarding of mankind’s technological advancement and wisdom. They are the primary keepers of a knowledge essential to the maintenance and creation of the Imperium's sophisticated technology. Revered as the custodians of the Imperium's intellectual legacy, they hold a paramount position within the Jovian Cult, either Vixite or Denarion.

While the Jovian Combine recognizes the Imperatus Maximus as the sole ruler of the Stellar Imperium and humanity as a whole, they do not fully embrace the religious truth of the Stellaris Divinatum or its associated Ecclesiarchy and subsequent denominations and branches, whether secular and otherwise. Instead, they enjoy a remarkable degree of political and religious autonomy within the structure of the Stellar Imperium, a privilege protected by the Jovian Accords. Effectively, the Vixite Tech-Guilds uphold a kingdom-within-an-empire paradigm within Imperial space, with their interests often aligning, though not always, with those of the greater Stellar Imperium and its subsequent branches.

Deviating from the Imperial Creed, the servants of the Vixatorius follow their own enigmatic scriptures-of which illuminate their understanding of their revered Machine Court, a Pantheon of Gods known as the "*Archologostia.*" Wherein the only pathways to comprehending these divine entities is through the accumulation of knowledge and the understanding of the broader universe. As a consequence, all creatures and artifacts that embody knowledge are regarded as sacred by the Cult Vixitorius. The Emperor, who serves as an anchor to Humanity's Golden Age, is particularly revered as a supreme object of worship by the adherents of the Cult Vixitorius. The Combine in turn, recognized the Emperor as the fulfillment of a prophecy of which foretold the arrival and subsequent birth of the Archologostia within Realspace. This recognition arose from the Emperor's remarkable comprehension and understanding of the true nature of reality, surpassing that of any other being in existence.

Most of the Jovian Tech Guilds and Cult Internals, represented by the venerable Vix-precepta, consider organic flesh to be inherently weak. They embrace the sacred act of removing and replacing biological tissue with mechanical and bionic augmentations, although it should be noted that there exist sects within the Combine that hold differing views on this matter. Yet, over time these elder Jovian-precepta gradually shed their organic components, becoming more machine than man. Along with these tenets, the Combine's second major Order-The Cult Denarion-followed closely by the Jovian Tech Guilds; the giant, transplanetary conglomerations of plutocratic commercial and industrial interests unified by a single trade language and a common goal - the pursuit of wealth and Profit through the development and sale of advanced technologies and through the rediscovery of lost artifacts from The Ancient Past and the following Golden Age of Humanity, before the Era of The Long Dark, including World Engines, Sentients, Titans and other Archeotech.

The capital of the Jovian Combine is situated upon Jupiter Proper, its moons, asteroids, and surrounding space stations and Star Fortresses. These locations represent the very first Forge Worlds and orbital forges of the Stellar Imperium and serve as the undisputed rulers of the Gas Titan and its orbiting celestial bodies. From these domains, they provide the Stellar Imperium with its technical and scientific experts and field awe-inspiring armies consisting of colossal Exo-Pattern War Titans, Combine-Pattern Dread-Knights, the formidable Detron Combat Legions, and an array of Battle Servitors. Their technological prowess and military might are unparalleled, solidifying their crucial role within the Stellar Imperium.

## History

### Ancient History

According to ancient Jovian remembrance codices, the teachings of the Vixite Mechanicum are older than most modern religions and dogma of the 90th Millennium, and are thus likely several tens of millennia old. The Mechanicum have presumably always believed in a monotheistic belief system whereby technological and scientific progress helps them get closer to their Machine god.

Since the Mechanicum is this ancient, it is possible that their technological creations have inspired the belief systems of the modern Elkiedai Houses, and the Aularite Sovereignty as well as the pseudo-supernatural tenets of these beliefs, which the Vixatorius do not wholly believe in. However at some point these Jovian Beliefs evidently operated as far away as the fringe star systems of humanities Golden Age, long before the great decline of the Dark Age of Humanity as remnant archeotech can still be found in the dark reaches of humanities old Empire.

In time, the Black Armories would be founded in the tail end of the Golden Age of Technology by multiple secular factions of this ancient Vixite Mechanicum; each bringing elements of their native heritage to the many designs of the Armories. Modern day Mechanicum skeptics are known to speculate that these ancient leaders had some idea of the oncoming Dark Age of Mankind, and in their collective wisdom agreed to manufacture and stockpile advanced weapon technologies and technological advancements to ensure survival of humanities technological development at that point.

The Ancient Mechanicum would construct several thousands of these vaults containing their accumulated knowledge and inventions scattered around human conquered space within the human empire of the known universe. Each vault would reserve an order of militant gatekeepers. However, even with their best precautions many of the Armory's failed when the actual Collapse started; the superior weaponry of the gatekeepers militant often providing little protection against xenos onslaught, or the Armories simply failing due to the ravages of time. And after sustained attacks or loss of resources, the gatekeepers simply had to abandon their stations and leave their Armories behind.

However, the United Aularite Sovereignty, led by the Rei'kharch Vycter Alexand during the middle years of the 61st Millennium found one of these ancient Jovian vaults, killed the automated gatekeepers, and stole the secrets held within. The war machines the Sovereignty produced with this stolen knowledge were perversions and mockeries of the religious sect's work, and allowed the Sovereignty to succeed in their Religious War with the abhumans of the Elkiedai known to the Imperium as the *'Diverge'* during their Second Aularan Expansion Crusade. Even after these bloody conflicts, Aularite research into the Vixite technology continued in Sovereign Labs such as the research moons of the Kahltehk Engineering Syndicate used to create and or reverse-engineer new weapons and technologies.

One extraordinary fact about the ancient Vixite Mechanicum is the invention of sophisticated technologies such as anti-grav world engines, directed-energy weaponry, planetary terraforming technology, and mind-control devices that became staples of the Vix Mechanicum during the Golden Age of Technology. A prime example is the vault on Zichi M which contains research on anti-gravity, and Dreadnought Power Armor technology. Despite a good amount of their technology and SDT constructs having fallen into the hands of a myriad of forces, the Mechanicums advanced technologies still can resist the enemies of the Stellar Imperium.

## Jupiter

Situated as the fifth and largest of the Worlds within the Sol System, and just beyond the Asteroid Belt of Sol, the magnificent gas giant of Jupiter serves as the Capital Forge Titan of the Jovian Combine. This colossal celestial body, with its awe-inspiring scale, is home to a network of continent-sized platforms designed for the extraction of precious minerals and rare elements from within the treacherous atmosphere of the Gas Titan.

The Combine has harnessed the immense potential of Jupiter and its moons, transforming the World Titan into a hub of massive manufactoria and starship construction facilities. Ancient orbital shipyards of the Mechanicum from the Age of Gold adorn the planet, along with remnants of the Golden Age of Technologies mining facilities and floating manufacturing cities. These remarkable installations once enabled Jupiter to function as the sole Forge World for the entirety of the burgeoning Stellar Imperium during the onset of the Great Crusade, providing essential resources and goods for the Imperial Marine Legions when they first embarked from the light of Sol and into the Void of the Milkyway. Notably, the Construction of 20 Imperial Throne-Class Command Ships and the majority of the Imperial Armada, the former of which would go on to become the flagship vessels of the Legions—a monumental undertaking accomplished within the vast capabilities of Jupiter.

The immense production potential of Jupiter, coupled with the intricate web of smaller satellite moons, orbiting asteroids, and forge stations, has turned the gas giant into a microcosm of a solar system. With Jupiter at its core, rather than a blazing sun, its true population remains incalculable. With the construction of numerous floating cities within Jupiter's clouds, each boasting a surface area equivalent to an entire Terran-sized planet, has only covered a mere 20% of the gas giant's vast expanse.

Surrounding Jupiter, a swarm of satellites and Trojan asteroids dot local space, housing ancient human colonies, manufactoria, and Orbiting Forges. These installations thrive by harnessing the radiation emanating from the titanic planet and exploiting its bountiful mineral riches, which have yet to be fully exhausted despite untold millennia of exploitation. Jupiter stands as the Imperium's Royal shipyard, its skies perpetually filled with vessels of all sizes and purposes.

The focal point of the Combine’s operations lies within the greater Galilean moons of Jupiter, complemented by numerous smaller moons. It is here that Vixite spacedocks and fabricators toil ceaselessly, engaged in the construction of an impressive array of crafts. From single-crew Raven Light Assault Vtols to the colossal hulls of mighty Throne-class Battleships.

The early history of Jupiter remains shrouded in mystery, with much of it lost to the annals of time. However, during the Long Dark period, Jupiter's moons were tormented by cruel xenos overlords whose race remains unidentified. It was only after the implementation of the Jovian Accords, following the purging of Jupiter's moons by the Vth and VIth Imperial Legions and The Conflict Upon The Forra'kiir Engine of Saturn, that the Gas Titan was fully incorporated into the burgeoning Imperium. This marked the true commencement of the Great Crusade, as the Jovian Combine's Shipyards and Void Clans contributed extensively to the construction of the Armada Imperialis, solidifying their significant role in the burgeoning era.

## The Cult Mechanicum

The Cult of the Machine believes knowledge to be the truest manifestation of divinity as its primary tenet, and holds that anything embodying or containing knowledge is holy because of it. The supreme object of devotion is therefore the omniscient Machine God (also known as the Deus Vixatorius or, in its embodied form as the God-Emperor of Man, the Archologostia), an eminent and omnipotent spirit governing all machinery and knowledge in the universe. Generally, this deity is held to be an aspect of the God-Emperor (or, most commonly within the Cult itself, both are held to be aspects or faces of the same divine being). The Archologostia is believed to be friendly to humanity, and to be the originator of all human technological and scientific knowledge. Subservient to the Archologostia are the pantheistic Machine Spirits, who are believed to inhabit all machinery and which must be appeased before a piece of technology is used or repaired, lest the machinery fail.

### The Quest for Knowledge

> "*The universe is not like a puzzle-box that you can take apart and put back together again and so solve its secrets. It is a shifting, uncertain thing which changes as you consider it, which is changed by the very act of observation. A powerful man is not a man who dissects the universe like a puzzle box, examining it piece by piece and measuring each piece with scientific precision. A powerful man has only to look upon the universe to change it.*"
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The ultimate goal of the Vixatorius is to understand and fully comprehend the glory of the Archologostia. The communal and personal attempt at this form of enlightenment is known as the Quest for Knowledge. The Holy Order believes that all knowledge already exists in the universe, and it is primarily a matter of time before it can be gathered together to complete this Divine Quest.

Therefore some of the Orders more zealous aspects are disinclined to perform most basic scientific research and development. Despite this, their are many secular orders that attempt to create their own original scientific research and continue their own Quest for Innovation upon Jupiter and the other Forge Worlds of the Imperium, enough to keep Imperial technology advancing at a steady pace, if somewhat slow.

The faith of the Order and its subsequent Guilds is defined by a series of eighteen precepts, known as the Eighteen Universal Laws, which have been divided into two sets of eight precepts known collectively as the Mysteries and the Dangers, which are listed below.

#### The Archologostian Mysteries

* **Motive is the driving spark of all life.**
* **Life is directed motion born of motive.**
* **The spirit is the motivation given to life.**
* **Sentience is the ability to understand the value of knowledge.**
* **Intellect is therefore the understanding of knowledge.**
* **Sentience is therefore the basest form of Intellect.**
* **Understanding is the True Path to Comprehension.**
* **Comprehension is the key to all things.**
* **The Archologostia knows all, and as such comprehends all.**

#### The Archologostian Dangers

* **The alien mechanism is a perversion of our True Path.**
* **The soul is the purest conscience of sentience.**
* **A soul can be bestowed only by the Archologostia.**
* **The Soulless sentience (i.e. Living/Thinking Machines) is the enemy of all.**
* **The knowledge of the ancients stands beyond question.**
* **The Machine Spirit guards the knowledge of the Ancients.**
* **Flesh is fallible, but ritual honors the Machine Spirit.**
* **To break with ritual is to break with faith.**
* **Man may not be replaced.**

### The Archologostia Pantheon

Krorght, the Architect:

Domain: Invention, Creativity, Technological Advancement

Attributes: The Sky Father of the Archologostia, and consort to the Goddess Voltaph. Depicted in a myriad of ways, though often depicted with a collection of blueprints or some completed futuristic device. Krorght is invoked to inspire inventors and guide the evolution of technology.

Lady Voltaph, the Keeper of Knowledge:

Domain: Information, Data Analytics, Wisdom

Attributes: Surrounded by floating data-scripts, tombs or books, Lady Voltaph embodies the pursuit of knowledge and the responsible use of information.

Viancol, the Lady of Commerce:

Domain: Trade, Business, Wealth

Attributes: Adorned with symbols of commerce like scales and coins, Econia oversees markets, fair trade, and economic prosperity.

Geronyma, the Rift Weaver:

Domain: The Rift Network, Connectivity, Communication – Patron Lady of the Rift-Siren Covens and the Eyes of the Rift

Attributes: Portrayed with a web of interconnected wires or as a humanoid figure made up of circuits and interconnected wires and conduits, Geronyma governs communication technologies and interconnected systems through her domain of the Rift Network.

Degurmael, the God of Accumulation:

Domain: Financial Success, Profit, Investment

Attributes: Often depicted with a golden ledger or treasure chest, Profitis is invoked for financial success and wise investment.

Hermekro, the Divine Engineer:

Domain: Machinery, Engineering, Precision

Attributes: Portrayed with mechanical tools or as a construct of gears and levers, Hermekro oversees the construction and maintenance of intricate machines.

Vor-Jzzul, the Bolt Rider:

Domain: Virtual Reality, Digital Arts, Gaming

Attributes: Often depicted with a VR headset or immersed in a digital landscape, Entertrix governs the world of digital entertainment and virtual experiences.

Rhodiel, the Goddess of Start-ups:

Domain: Entrepreneurship, Start-up Ventures, Risk-Taking

Attributes: Portrayed with a symbol of a sprouting seed or a new venture, Innovara guides those embarking on new business endeavors.

Arok, the Guardian of Sustainable Technologies:

Domain: Environmentalism, Sustainable Development, Green Innovation

Attributes: Adorned with elements of nature and eco-friendly technologies, Sustenara promotes balance between technological progress and environmental stewardship.

Khobutus, the Mechanical:

Domain: Automation, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence

Attributes: Depicted as a towering robot or with robotic features, Robotis oversees the realm of automation and artificial intelligence.

## Jovian Tech Guilds

The **Jovian Tech Guilds**, the **Vixian Guilds** or the **Jovian Guilds** are the giant, transplanetary sects of which dominate within the Jovian Combine. Due to the intense hemorrhaging of humanity's ancient empire, the Sol System, in a bid to survive the Long Dark had to rely on several of the Jovian Tech Guilds to survive. This has given them a capability to operate as they will. There are numerous of these factions, both ancient and not, within the Jovian Guilds, including the Nesuv-XI Collective, who pursue the forbidden science of artificial, or *"abominable"* intelligence which has been forbidden since the catastrophe of the Black-Crash Conflicts caused by Roque AI Data-Minds who attacked humanity during the death years of the Golden Age of Technology.

The Akolostissiah, who seek to summon the Archologostia into a physical avatar other than the God Emperor. And the Hand of Vitrimoth, who see biological enhancement using genetic engineering as equal to the more common cybernetic enhancements for which the Vix-precepts of the Vixatorius are best known. Some of these sects are accepted as legitimate interpretations of the will of the Archologostia, others are persecuted by the broader Vixatorius as Tekostates.

## Hierarchy of the Jovian Combine

> "*A man may die and still endure if his work enters the greater plan, for time is carried upon a current of forgotten deeds, and events of great moment are but the culmination of a single carefully placed thought. As all men must thank progenitors obscured by the past, so we must endure the present, so that those who follow may continue the great endeavor.*"
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The following is an example illustration of the organizational structure of the Jovian Combine in the modern 91st Millennium:

* **The Emperor / The Archologostia**
* **High Council of Terra**
	+ **The Regimentum Imperialis**
	+ **The Regimentum Ministatum**
	+ **The Jovian Combine**
		- **Vixatorius** - Disciples of the Machine God
			* **The Jovian Tech Guilds** - The Orders of the Machine God
			* **The Centurio Ordinatus** - Engines of the Archologostia
			* **Collegia Titana Primus** - God-Machines of the Exo-Titan Hosts
				+ **Auxilia Myrmidon** - The Machine Gods Savants of War
				+ **Legiones Detron** - Warriors of the Machine God
				+ **Legio Cybernetica** - The Host of the Blessed Machine.
				+ **Ordo Reductor** - The Savant Bringers of His most Blessed Ruin

## Holy Orders of the Vixatorius

Within the sacred machine priesthood of Jupiter, there are a number of ranks. The Archo Fabrication Officer, as is known by the common folk of the Stellar Imperium, is the ruler of a given Forge World, though in certain instances, the reign of a Archo Fabrication Officer could stretch for a number of worlds.

Beneath the Archo Fabrication Officer are their Locum Officer, deputies who assist in the overseeing of their territory.

Beneath those illustrious figures are the Magi, of which the Dominus is but one variety. The Dominus, a master of war, is the most common of the Magi seen by the greater Imperium. There are Magi Reductor, masters of siege-craft, the Gene Scribes of Magi Gaven Thurous, makers of servitors and geniuses of bio-engineering. Above these are the Magi Prime, the most skilled in the arts of war and leadership. Even within these branches are many varieties of Magi, from the Magi Prime Archimandrite to the Magi Biologis Xenologis, and to cover them all would take inexhaustible time. The highest ranking Magi are known as the Prime Hermeticon.

Then their are the Magi Exploratus, without which the priesthood would crumble. It is they who delve beneath Jupiter and sail into the reaches of the void, finding what remains of the knowledge of the Golden Age of Technology. It is they who return with SDT templates and new weapons. They are the greatest of the Priesthood, for without them and their work, what would the Dominus wield or the Gene Scribes study?

Finally among the ruling Priesthood are the Jzzik Artisanal Guilds. These are overseers, peerless craftsmen who direct swarms of servitors in their work. They are responsible for turning mere designs and ideas into reality.

Beneath the Magi are the lower ranks of priests, the Datasmiths, who manage what few robotic warriors the Mechanicum possess, the Enginocysts, who repair the vehicles of the Mechanicum and Emperors Guard, and the Ellektron-Priests, warrior-priests of the Archologostia. These are not the equals of the Magi, but the next generation, should one be required, and provide essential numbers, as the Magi, Logii, and Artisans cannot be everywhere.

Beneath even these are the servitors.

### Rank Structure

The Cult Mechanicum is ordered by a strong hierarchy, but details on this hierarchy's actual make-up are not always clear. Generally, more highly positioned Vix-Adepts are expected to have more seniority and knowledge than lower ones, and are consequently more theologically important as greater repositories of knowledge.

Across the galaxy Lexite Mechanics, Datasists, Enginocyst, Secutors, Cognitors, Trifactors, Myrmidons, Technoshamans, and more labor alongside the wider Stellar Imperium to bolster humanity's great war machine.

Within the Jovian Combine the ranks become even more esoteric. A tentative mapping of this hierarchy, in order from highest to lowest, will follow below. It should be noted that specialists such as the Gene-Scribe and The Logicae may not have any specific rank within the Cult as a group, but rather will be ranked as individuals.

Each Forge World is led by an Archo Fabrication Officer or other Archmagi with a similar rank but different titles, and beneath them their Locum Officer. Each Locum Officer can call upon Magi Technicus, Metallurgicus, Alchemys, Cogitatrices, Pedanticum, Tech-assassins, hive monitors and Holy Requisitioners, who in turn can command a body of fabricators minoris, Fulgurites, Corpuscarii, overseers, underseers, stasis clerks, and techno-dervishes. Each sub-division within every facet of the order is split into dozens of ranks.

The Jovian Combine hierarchy (from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked) is as follows:

* **Archo Fabrication Officer**
* **Locum Officer**
* **Magi**
	+ **Logicae**
	+ **Gene-Scribes**
	+ **Jzzik Artisan Guilds**
* **Ellektron-priest**
* **Enginocyst**
* **Lexite Mechanic**
* **Datasist**
* **Runepriest**
* **Menials**
* **Servitors**

### Archo Fabrication Officer

The Archo Fabrication Officer of Jupiter and her Moons is the highest-ranking individual within the Vixatorius (in his capacity as the Magi Vixatorius), and administers not only the Jovian Combine but also governs the planet of Jupiter itself as the recognized Imperial Planetary Governor.

The Archo Fabrication Officer of Jupiter is the de facto leader of the Vixatorius, and as befits his position, is awarded a permanent seat on the council that runs the Stellar Imperium, known as the Senatorum Imperialis or the Terran High Lords.

Rulers of individual Forge Worlds are referred to as "Archo Fabrication Officer Domini" as well, but only the Archo Fabrication Officer of Jupiter holds a seat amongst the High Lords of Terra, representing himself or herself as the leader of the Vixatorius as a whole.

### Locum Officer

The Locum Officer is the second highest-ranking individual on any given Forgeworld. The Locum Officer assists the Archo Fabrication Officer with the governance of their Forgeworld, including the meeting of production quotas and ensuring the correct devotions to the Machine God are observed at all times.

The position of Locum Officer, like that of Archo Fabrication Officer, also refers generally to the second-highest-ranking Vixatorius official on any Forge World.

### The Magi

> "*There can be but one protocol to follow when faced with those who blaspheme against the Machine God. Begin the Canticles and send forth the Legions. The doom which we deliver must be absolute. All must fall before the Archologostia's divine might.*"
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The Magi (sing. Magnon) are masters of any technological or scientific discipline, having devoted many Standard Terran years of service to the Archologostia in their chosen area of study. Magi of all stripes are senior Vix-Adepta with advanced specializations in various disciplines of science and technology who pursue esoteric agendas as likely to end in triumph as they are disaster. There are many specialist sections within the Jovian Combine known as the *Holy Divisions*.

Magi from these are given a rank containing the chosen specialization of their Division, such as the Magi Alchemys, Magi Biologis, Magi Technicus, Magi Logicae, Magi Xenologis, Magi Datasistus, Magi Orbologis, Magi Cybernetica, Magi Xenobiologis, Magi Astrologicus, Magi Digitalis, Magi Fabricator, Magi Genetus, Magi Physicae, and possibly many more.

There are two higher ranks within the Holy Divisions that are variations of the Magi, including the Archmagi and Archmagi Priscillus. It is not known what the specific connotations of these titles are, though presumably they are indicative of greater seniority and experience.

### The Gaven Thurous Gene Scibes

The Gene Scribes of the ancient Magi Gaven Thurous probe the mysteries of the biological, creating ever stranger cyborgs or slaughtering xenos beyond number in order to excise yet more secrets of their alien metabolisms.

* **Arch-Chymetosyst**
* **Gene-Scribe Extremis**
* **Genetus Biologis**
* **Parasyst Dominant**
* **Metasurgeon**
* **Corpus Illuminator**
* **Chief Medisyst**
	+ **Medisyst Greater**
		- **Medisyst Lesser**

### Logicae

A logis (plu. logi) is an analyst, statistician, and logistician whose purpose is to predict future trends and make forecasts about Vixatorius expenditures and needs. Because of their duties Logicae are often regarded as prophetic figures within the Jovian Combine.

* **Lexico Arcanus**
* **Bibliophiliac**
* **Hyper-rationalist**
* **Monitor Malevolus**
* **Info-executioner**
* **Biocogitatus**

### The Jzzik Artisan Guilds

The Artisan Guilds create and restore truly wondrous weapons of war, from ornate Gamma Pistols to the mind-boggling immensity of the Ark Vixatorius. Also known as the Construction Guilds, they design machines, buildings, spacecraft, weapons, and military hardware. They often oversee activity on Forge Worlds and control vast labor forces of Servitors.

* **Fabrication Officer Praetorate**
* **Mechasapient**
* **Praetor Ellectroid**
* **Cybersmith**
* **Technoarcheologist**
* **Necromechanic**

### Ellektron-Cults

The Ellektron-Cults represent a faction within the Vixatorius who are fervently dedicated to the more secular aspects of the Cult's teachings, specifically focusing on the mysteries of energy and its manipulation. Their zealous devotion lies in understanding the flow of energy through conductive bodies and harnessing the sacred "Motive Spark" that powers the Machine Spirits. As staunch techno-zealots, they possess an extensive array of Ellektron conduits, enabling them to channel and control energy with great proficiency.

In battle, the Ellektron-Cultists provide unwavering support to other members of the Vix-precept. They stand alongside their fellow followers of the Vixatorius, utilizing their deep understanding of energy manipulation to bolster their allies' efforts. However, it is the most fanatical among the Ellektron-Cultists who exhibit the highest level of devotion. These individuals have undergone extensive cybernetic enhancements, enabling them to generate electrical energy within their own bodies. They transform into living conduits of crackling power, capable of inflicting devastating damage upon their enemies. Their touch is electrifying, capable of annihilating all that it comes into contact with. However, such immense power comes at a cost, as the strain on their bodies becomes unsustainable. Eventually, they succumb to the overwhelming demands placed upon them, collapsing from the tremendous burden they bear.

The Ellektron-Cults, with their specialized knowledge and augmented abilities, serve as a formidable force within the ranks of the Vixatorius. Their mastery over energy manipulation and their willingness to sacrifice themselves in the pursuit of their beliefs make them a fearsome presence on the battlefield.

### Enginocyst

The Enginocyst, skilled technicians of the Jovian Combine, play a vital role in the maintenance and repair of machinery within the ranks of the Cult. Their expertise lies in ensuring the proper functioning of various mechanical systems and vehicles. Often, they are seconded to the Emperors Guard, where their services are employed to keep the armored vehicles used by the regiments in optimal condition.

The Enginocyst's role is highly respected by most Guardsmen and even Imperial Marines, who understand the importance of well-maintained vehicles in battle and therefore refrain from interfering with the Enginocyst's work. However, in times of dire need, when resources are scarce and unique vehicles need to be created from spare parts, some individuals have resorted to makeshift solutions. This can occasionally lead to frustration for the Enginocyst, who prefer to adhere to proper repair protocols rather than piecing together unconventional machinery.

Despite their invaluable contributions to the maintenance of existing technology, the Enginocyst may not always receive the same level of reverence from their fellow Vix-precept. This is because their primary focus is on the upkeep of machines rather than the pursuit of new knowledge or the discovery of groundbreaking technologies. As a result, their work is not directly linked to the Quest for Knowledge, which is highly regarded within the Cult.

However, within the militant orders of the Stellar Imperium, the Enginocyst are recognized and revered for their indispensable labor. They are seen as essential cogs in the vast machinery that is the Vixatorius. Many Enginocyst possess Mechadendrites, specialized mechanical appendages attached to their backs, which aid them in their repair work. These enhancements allow them to work with greater efficiency and precision, further solidifying their role as skilled technicians within the Jovian Combine.

### Lexite Mechanic

Lexite Mechanics are highly skilled technicians and service engineers who possess specialized knowledge in the field of communications technology. They play a crucial role in maintaining and repairing communication systems within the vast network of the Imperium.

Due to the critical nature of their expertise, Lexite Mechanics are frequently sought after by various Imperial organizations and are often assigned to serve in other branches of the Imperium for extended periods. They can be found serving aboard Imperial Navy vessels, where they ensure the smooth operation of communication equipment essential for effective coordination and command. Additionally, they may be stationed on Emperors Guard bastion-worlds, where they contribute their skills to maintain secure and reliable communication networks.

The duties of Lexite Mechanics encompass a wide range of tasks, including troubleshooting communication systems, conducting routine maintenance, repairing damaged equipment, and staying updated with the latest advancements in communication technology. Their specialized knowledge allows them to navigate the complexities of data transmission, encryption protocols, and signal processing, ensuring seamless communication within the Imperium's vast infrastructure.

Given their expertise, Lexite Mechanics often spend a significant portion of their lives immersed in their work, dedicating themselves to the maintenance and enhancement of communication systems. Their commitment to their craft enables the Imperium to maintain efficient and secure lines of communication, allowing for effective coordination and swift response in times of need.

While their primary role revolves around communication technology, Lexite Mechanics may also collaborate with other specialists and technicians from different fields, as efficient communication is crucial for the smooth operation of various Imperial organizations. Through their expertise and dedication, Lexite Mechanics contribute to the overall efficiency, coordination, and effectiveness of the Imperium's vast communication network.

### Datasist

The Datasists, also referred to as the "Logi Calculum Magnon," are esteemed members of the Mechanicum who serve as librarians and scribes within their ranks. Their primary objective is to gather, organize, and rationalize vast amounts of data, which is then entered into central Cogitator repositories for future reference and analysis.

Equipped with exceptional computational skills, Datasists possess the ability to work with remarkable speed and accuracy. They excel in assembling and synthesizing diverse forms of information, including battlefield reports, economic statistics, planetary data, and much more. Their proficiency in data management enables them to extract meaningful insights and patterns from complex datasets, aiding in strategic decision-making and resource allocation.

While the core responsibility of Datasists lies within the Jovian Combine, they are frequently called upon to assist other organs of the Regimentum Imperialis. Their expertise in data compilation and analysis makes them valuable assets in various Imperial organizations. Datasists may be assigned to support different branches of the Imperium, such as the Imperial Navy, where they contribute to the processing and interpretation of critical mission data. They may also be deployed to assist with administrative tasks within Emperors Guard outposts or other strategic locations.

The work of Datasists extends beyond traditional record-keeping. They possess a deep understanding of information management systems, allowing them to implement efficient data structures and algorithms to optimize data processing and retrieval. Their meticulous attention to detail ensures the accuracy and integrity of the information they compile.

In addition to their technical expertise, Datasists are well-versed in the principles of data security and confidentiality. They adhere to strict protocols to safeguard sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.

Overall, Datasists play a vital role in the Mechanicum's pursuit of knowledge and efficiency. Their ability to gather and rationalize vast amounts of data contributes to the advancement of the Imperium as a whole. Through their collaborative efforts with other organs of the Regimentum Imperialis, they help streamline operations, facilitate informed decision-making, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the Imperium's endeavors.

### M'thedite Priest

The M'thedite Priesthood holds a crucial role within the Vixatorius, focusing on the sacred practices of inscribing runes and performing liturgies over machines as part of the ritual of initiation. These rituals are deeply rooted in the beliefs and traditions of the Mechanicum, and they serve to imbue machines with spiritual significance and forge a connection between the Machine Spirits and the worshippers.

Members of the M'thedite Priesthood undergo extensive training in various branches of scientific lore, with a particular emphasis on arcane and specialized areas of knowledge. They delve into subjects such as intuitive mechanics, speculation, innovation, and improvisation. This diverse range of expertise enables them to explore unconventional approaches and think laterally, seeking solutions that go beyond strict logic and standard procedures.

The M'thedite Priests are renowned for their ability to think outside the confines of traditional methods and embrace creative problem-solving. When faced with complex or unprecedented situations, they draw upon their extensive understanding of scientific principles and esoteric knowledge to devise innovative solutions. Their lateral thinking allows them to see connections and possibilities that others may overlook, leading to unique insights and approaches.

In addition to their intellectual pursuits, M'thedite Priests are skilled in the ancient art of rune inscriptions and liturgical chants. These rituals are performed with great reverence and precision, believed to channel sacred energies and blessings onto the machines they are applied to. Through their intricate understanding of the Machine Spirits and their interactions with the physical world, M'thedite Priests facilitate a deeper spiritual connection between the Mechanicum and its mechanical creations.

The M'thedite Priesthood's expertise in lateral thinking and their profound knowledge of scientific lore make them valuable assets within the Vixatorius. They provide a balance between rigid adherence to established practices and the exploration of new possibilities. Their unconventional approaches and innovative ideas can be instrumental in overcoming challenges and advancing the understanding and capabilities of the Mechanicum.

Ultimately, the M'thedite Priesthood plays a vital role in bridging the realms of science, spirituality, and technological advancement within the Vixatorius. Their deep understanding of arcane lore and their lateral thinking abilities contribute to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the Mechanicum's quest for knowledge and mastery over machinery.

### Menials

As their name suggests, Menials are the menial and unaugmented human laborers of the Jovian Combine and its Forge Worlds, used primarily for unskilled labor too complex for Servitors to economically perform.

The billions of Menials are not considered true Vix-precept, but are usually indoctrinated with the beliefs of the Vixatorius in a simplified form. Detron and, to some extent, newly inducted Vix-precept are often recruited from the ranks of the Menials of Jupiter and Her moons and the other Forge Worlds.

### Servitors

Servitors are mindless slave cyborgs, designed and programmed to perform menial, rudimentary or dangerous tasks for the Vixatorius and other elements of the Imperium like the Emperors Guard or even the Imperial Marine Legions. There exists an almost endless variety of Servitors, from heavy mining Servitors to battlefield Gun-Servitors and elite Praetorian Servitors.

A Servitor's biological components are obtained primarily by growing genetically-engineered human bodies artificially in culture vats, or in rare circumstances by using the fully lobotomized bodies of condemned Imperial criminals -- all are then subsequently augmented with mechanical limbs, computer uplink jacks and whatever electronic accessories are deemed necessary to facilitate their ordained tasks.

As they cannot think for themselves since either their higher brain functions have all been disabled, or they were born without said functions, they are essentially nothing more than partially-organic robots which use a portion of a human brain as their central processing unit. Some Servitors can be installed with combat programs which enable them to function as unswervingly loyal bodyguards.

On battlefields, they often form part of the retinues of Vix-precept, Vix-Marines and Inquisitors. These are seen as Gun-Servitors, bearing heavy weaponry; Combat-Servitors, armed with close-quarters combat equipment; and Technical Servitors, which are intended to perform repairs and construction duties instead of fighting.

Particularly large and heavily armed and armored Servitors are referred to as Praetorian Servitors. Potentially even towering over even a fully realized Luminous Imperial Marine, Praetorian Servitors are created either from cybernetically-enhanced vat-grown genetically engineered giants or lobotomized Ogryns.

> Note that however unified the Jovian Combine is in theory, every Forge World is a semi-independent autonomous body. And as such their hierarchies and titles are often varied from world to world. As such there's all streaks of internal political, religious and academic factionalism, which results in a myriad of sub-hierarchies, parallel systems of ranks, and petty esoteric titles, creating a thicket of organizational complexity few if any outside the Jovian Priesthood can understand and penetrate.
> Some of this is deliberate however, as the Priesthood of Jupiter enjoys reveling in their privacy.
>
>

### Additional Ranks

The Jovian Combine also recognizes the following specialist ranks, which stand outside the standard hierarchy of the Vixatorius and usually serve a related military role for the Vixatorius or its allies amongst the other Imperial Militant Bodies.

Amongst the most learned of Magi are those rare individuals who are considered tech-savants, a genius at the forefront of whatever field to which they turn their minds. Even amongst the ranks of the Jovian Combine -- where artificial devices increase brain capacity and extend life beyond measure -- such an accumulation of knowledge in multiple disciplines is exceedingly rare.

The Jovian Priesthood titles such beings as "Prime Conduits of the Archologostia," or as *Dominatus Dominus* -- Master of Masters. On a Forge World, to avoid confusion during war, the most senior of the Vix-precept adopts the title of "Vixian Dominus" to lead the planet's military effort.

Exo Titan crews and Technoclast Imperial Marines are listed last not because of their actual position within the hierarchy, but because of their relative separation from the rest of the Vixatorius:

* **Vixian Dominus**
* **Moderatus**
* **Tactical Officer**
* **Technoclast Marine**
* **Collegia Titanicus Princeps**
* **Detron**

## Jovian Combine Militant Ranks

### Battle Congregation

The war-processions of the Vixatorius are thronged with living weapons, each eager to give vent to their lethal wrath. Such a gathering is a daunting sight, for it boasts a riot of cybernetic anatomies, and the monotonous cant that emanates from it plays upon the nerves like talons drawn down glass.

To witness an army of Vix-precept marching to war is to share the vision of an insane prophet. And yet beneath the curling incense and the grotesquerie of nightmarish anatomies, there is a structure that spans from one Forge World to the next.

The Tech-priest Dominus that commands each Vixatorius congregation will typically call upon a body of Alpha-Class Battle Servitors to protect them. Though these living artillery pieces are potent indeed, they are easily replaced and can be mustered in the thousands if deemed necessary.

All Forge Worlds create these half-machine war constructs on a daily basis, their biohangars stacked with rank upon rank of dormant Alpha-Class Servitors awaiting their bi'harric command to awaken. Their survival is of little import, and the Vix-precept will expend them with no more thought than an Imperial Marine would expend a clip of Ark shells.

The same cannot be said of the *Legio Cybernetica*, for its automaton warriors are ancient and blessed in the Archologostia's sight. When the use of these machines is sanctioned, they will usually be deployed en masse, organised into cohorts each consisting of four full-strength maniples.

Wherever these relics of Humanity's past march to war, they attract great numbers of the faithful, amongst them the fabled Ellektron-Cults. These lightning-shrouded holy men trail after sacred machines in the manner of pilgrims and mendicants following the reliquaries of an Ecclesiarchal saint.

Theirs is the Motive Spark, the third part of the Machine God's trinity, who gives the faithful the power they need to smite the unbeliever. In times of war these priests will raise a great chorus of praise to the Archologostia, their weapons buzzing with murderous energies.

Such is the genius of the Vixatorius' forefathers that their traditional war-psalms contain bi'harric strings of program and protocol. Each is sonically coded to enhance the Vixatorius' warriors. Every Servitor, robot and priest has within him a subcutaneous Ellektroo-Circuit that thrills with the glory of the Machine God, bolstering their strength when battle rages all around.

The Vix-precept put the resultant boost in efficacy down to the inspiring effects of faith, forgetting that each syllable contains enough bi'harric cant to rouse even the basest Servitor to a murderous wrath. Truly it is said that praise to the Machine God lends the faithful might enough to prevail; those that witness the electric rapture of a Vixatorius procession in full flow are lucky to survive.

### Detron Combat Legions

The Detron are the cybernetic infantry forces of the Jovian Combine. Detron regiments that go to war alongside the Vixatorius' Exo-Titans are equipped with various esoteric weapons of war. Part man and part machine, most Detron are cybernetically-linked to their personal weapon for an ever deadly increase in performance.

Detron are born into service either as natural-born human Menials of the Vixatorius who are cybernetically enhanced or in some cases as clones or vat-born humans who are cybernetically enhanced from the moment of their accelerated "birth."

Detron train with their weapon until they are of the age to be sent to a war zone. To guarantee their undying loyalty to the Vixatorius they usually undergo various forms of psychosurgery to wipe their minds of both emotion and personality.

The Detron do not simply crush their foes, but instead pitilessly blast them into bloody chunks of flesh. Even as they do so they record every tiny screed of battle data for later analysis. Just as the Detron exload the martial capabilities of the foe to their masters, the Vix-precept inload their own programs into the Detron.

It is usual practice for a legion's overseer Vix-precept to monitor each battle from a scryer-drone high above. Floating in a sea of data, each Adept sends battlefield commands down via data-tethers to the Detron on the planet below.

In this way their soldiers can be remotely augmented, used as eyepieces, forced into suicidal engagements, or even possessed entirely. The ever-devout Detron see these incidents as the divine spirit of the Archologostia entering them and acting through them to the betterment of the Imperium. To the Vix-precept, their minions are little more than electric puppets jerking upon strings of pre-programmed impulse.

The Detron Legions do not fight alone, for they escort the vast goliaths of the Centurio Ordinatus to war, and even march in the shadow of the god-machines of the Titan Legions. It is the Detron that bolster the battle robots of the *Legio Cybernetica* and they who act as bodyguards for Vix-precept brave enough to take the field.

Detron are often also referred to as the Vixatorius' "Machine-Guard." Some Vixatorius factions recycle the organic portions of the bodies of dead Servitors and Detron as raw material for the formation of new vat-grown Servitors or Detron.

### Alkonost

The Alkonost Titan Guard were created as the honor guard and protectors of the Titan Legions, developed in the lost and ancient days long before the Imperium. For while a Battle Titan might shatter a mighty fortress or blast a tank company to ruin, it is the role of the Alkonost to eradicate such threats its survivors might still pose as the Titans press on to ever more important targets, and to hunt down and slay those who seek to flee from the Machine God's wrath.

Alkonost Hoplites go into battle armed with Arc Lances and Mag-inverter shields, weapons that enable them to hunt war machines and vehicles that would threaten their charges. Akin to the arc mauls of the Detron Clade officers, and the far larger of the mighty Cerastus Knight-Lancers, the arc lance inflicts damage through short range blasts of coruscating energy that can burn through xeno technology and render mute the machine spirit of even the most heavily armored vehicle.

Mag-inverter shields provide the copious power needed by arc lances, and resists blows which would otherwise slay its bearer instantly through utilizing a powerful and sophisticated inversion generator at the shield's core.

Their counterparts, the Alkonost Peltasts, seek targets of flesh and bone that would attempt harm on the great god-machines of the Collegia Titanicus. Armed with a Galvanic-caster, the Alkonost Peltasts are equipped for all manner of targets.

This electro-galvanically driven, multi-function projectile launcher has multiple firing modes that may fire rapid bursts of low velocity, razor-edged metallic flechettes; attack concealed targets with retina-burning ignis charges; fire an armor-piercing inert slug-shot at supersonic velocities; or even fire a barrage of blind canister shot to confuse and disorientate the enemy.

#### Naviitarii

The Detron forces of the Jovian Combine take a variety of forms. On warships and Explorator vessels operating within the Koronus Expanse and the Calixis Sector, specially-programmed Detron are a necessity, for they serve as the members of boarding parties, security personnel and bodyguards where other forms of Detron would be impractical.

Nigh-impervious to vacuum, fitted with thick, implanted armor, and equipped with an array of implanted weaponry designed for void combat and combat in the cramped enclosures of a starship, a Naviitarii trooper is literally built for ship-to-ship combat.

## Technoclast Imperial Marines

Technoclast Imperial Marines or Vix-Marines (*Technocyst Fraterumastros* as they are known to the Mechanicum) are chosen from the ranks of the Imperial Marine Legions for their technological aptitude. After being inducted into their Legion they are sent to Jupiter for many standard years of training, and when they come back, they serve the same role with their Legion as an Enginocyst does within the Emperors Guard, maintaining and repairing their Legion's weapons, equipment, vehicles and space-faring vessels.

Although they are not officially part of the Jovian Combine, they are considered "honorary members" of the Vixatorius by both their Legion and the Jovian Combine itself. Their Power Armor is heavily modified to accommodate their cybernetic enhancements and their armor's back packs are upgraded with several servo arms or Mechadendrites.

Their armor is painted in the vixite blues of the Jovian Combine, but their Legion badge is retained and displayed on one of their shoulder plates, so as not to anger the Power Armor's Machine Spirit. Vix-Marines are able to wear full servo harnesses, which are huge harnesses armed with servo arms, Plasmor Cutters, and Flamers.

They are commonly accompanied by a full retinue of Servitors, including Gun, Combat, and Tech Servitors. They bear a Power Ax with the Jovian Combine Cog Vixitarite sigil on the head, as both a symbol of their office and as a weapon.

## Archeo-Reclaimer Guild

The most-skilled and certainly least trusted of the Jovian Combine functionaries are those of the Reclaimer Guilds. For it is their task to redeem raw materials from old and damaged systems, to scavenge parts and be tasked with the endless cycle of minor repairs needed to keep a starship flying or a hive's infrastructure from collapsing under its own weight. By necessity, a Reclaimer's skills begin to stray into a higher understanding of machinery and technology than most and many of their ilk tend to learn to worship the Machine God in a fragmentary and superstitious manner, marking them apart from others of the Vixatorius.

Those of the Reclaimer Guilds are often sent into dangerous or unsafe areas with little direct supervision, and they scavenge and salvage a good deal more than their masters know. As a result, most Reclaimers have a well-deserved reputation as suspicious, shifty characters who sell their skills and the items they retrieve or repair for a good profit on the black market. Many have links to criminal gangs and more than a few are willing to resort to robbery and even murder to build up their spoils if they think they can get away with it.

## Jovian Combine Sub-Divisions

### The Collegia Titanica

The Collegia Titanica is the division of the Jovian Combine that commands the Exo-Titans -- colossal robotic combat walkers which are the most potent ground weapons capable of being deployed by the Imperium. The Collegia was one of the groups of the Jovian Combine that went over to the Warmaster Horus almost *en masse* alongside the Legio Cybernetica during the Horus Heresy. The name "Adeptus Titanica" is also used for the corps of Titans fielded by the Vixatorius.

The Collegia is divided into divisions, such as the Divisio Militaris, Divisio Mandati, Divisio Telepathica and the Divisio Investigatus. The most important of these divisions is the Divisio Militaris since it actually includes the Battle Titans, and is itself further divided into the Titan Legions: groupings of Titans such as the Traitor Death's Head Legion, the Fire Wasps Legion or War Griffons Legion. Each Titan Legion is commanded by an officer known as the Grandmaster who may also be the Princeps of the most powerful Titan in the Legion.

Each Titan is manned by a crew consisting of a single Princeps in command of the Titan, assisted by varying numbers of Moderati, Sensori, Steersmen, Vix-precept, Enginocysts, and Servitors. The number of each is dependent on the type of Titan.

* **Princeps** - The training of a Princeps begins at an early age and ends with eight years at the Collegiate Titanica on Jupiter. The cadets receive their uniforms and cybernetic MIU implants in the final year, before field-training starts with an attachment to a currently-operating Titan for observational tours. A Princeps commands his Titan through an MIU's (Mind Impulse Unit, see above) cybernetic link to the Titan's artificial intelligence or "Machine Spirit", controlling both his crew's actions and the Titan's movements through his thoughts. The Titan becomes an extension of its Princeps; when it is damaged, he feels pain, when victorious, he feels elation. This link grows so strong that his mental health will slowly deteriorate when unlinked from the machine. He can assume direct control of any system, though it is usually aiming and fire control that is taken. In a *Warlord* or *Imperator*-class Titan the Princeps is sometimes placed in an amniotic casket to provide full sensory immersion in order to control the truly massive Titan without difficulty. Regardless, Titans must have both a Princeps and a command crew to function. The Princeps' relation to the Titan is similar to that of a Imperial Marine within a Dreadnought cybernetic shell. However, Titans are capable of eventually developing their own sentient minds from centuries of experience. The cybernetic link in some cases gets so strong that the Princeps becomes neurologically integrated with the Titan, and cannot be removed until he dies of natural causes. A Princeps who commands a Legion of Titans is ranked as a "Princeps Maximus", though an entire Legion of Titans has very rarely been fielded since the Horus Heresy.
* **Moderati (sing. Moderatus)** - The Moderati are the officers who comprise the command crew of a Titan that take the Princeps' orders and act on them, monitoring the Titan's auspices and scanners, firing the weapons and making sure all systems are functioning normally. Although they also have MIU links to the Titan like the Princeps, they cannot assume command nor can they interface directly with the Princeps' own dominant neural link, instead using their links solely to provide information about the Titan's state in battle.
* **Sensori (sing. Sensorus)** - The third-ranking member of the bridge command crew, the Sensori is the Titan's Tactical Officer and controls and monitors all the sensory inputs of a Titan, from the aural sensors to the simple visual inputs. It is also his job to spot and acquire targets for the Moderati (or Princeps) to engage. They also deal with all Titan communications, decrypting or relaying vox messages to the Princeps' display screen on his command throne as necessary.
* **Steersman** - The fourth member of a Titan's bridge crew, the Steersman controls the Titan's stability and is essentially the driver of the Titan.

### Knight Houses

Thousands of standard years before the rise of the Imperium, Mankind reached out to the stars and settled many far away worlds. Among the apparatus of colonisation were formidable war machines known as Imperial Knights, which existed to protect the settlers from any threat. These small combat walkers are one-man versions of a Titan. However, a Knight is smaller and less capable in combat than even the smallest class of true Titan utilised by the Titan Legions, the *Warhound*-class Scout Titan. Knights normally deploy in squadrons comprised of several of these war machines. These ancient battlesuits stand thirty to forty feet tall, are protected by nearly impenetrable Ion Shields and armed with a devastating array of heavy weapons. Imperial Knights are colossal war machines that tower over the battlefield.

The strongholds constructed from the remains of ancient Terran colony starships are ruled by the descendants of the first human settlers of those far-flung worlds, mighty warriors who enter combat in their towering armoured battlesuits and who are sworn to protect and guard the Imperial citizens who inhabit their worlds. The descendants of the early pioneers who settled their respective worlds were found in the knightly houses of the Imperial Knights.

Known formally as the *Questoris Familia*, these dynasties of Imperial nobility evolved from the need to protect the early human settlers of the Knight Worlds from indigenous species discovered on their alien planets. These proud and haughty warriors can trace their bloodlines back to Terra itself and are known as nobles. Over the millennia, the pilots of these massive war suits have established a rich culture, with noble houses each sworn to the defence of their homeworld, and bound by oaths of fealty to the Golden Throne of Terra and the Jovian Combine of Jupiter.

### Centurio Ordinatus

The Centurio Ordinatus, a section of the Vixatorius' Divisio Militaris, is the Jovian Combine organization responsible for the development, maintenance and operation of the mighty Ordinatus war machines. Every individual Ordinatus is a unique construction and named for the Imperial world on which it was first employed or built.

Each Ordinatus is a unique weapon that is designed for a specific purpose or for a particular battle. This explains why the Ordninatii Vix-precept that operate these massive war machines of the Machine God are configured using special augmetics to aid their intended purpose.

### Legio Cybernetica

The *Legio Cybernetica* is one of the oldest sub-branches of the Jovian Combine and is responsible for deploying fully autonomous robots for both combat duties and support tasks intended to aid Imperial armed forces in the field. The *Legio Cybernetica* can trace its lineage the time before the birth of the Imperium of Man when Jupiter was the capital of an independent interstellar empire ruled by the Vix-precept of the Vixatorius. Its members regard themselves as an elite within the ranks of the Vixatorius, as they have a long history of serving the will of the Emperor of Mankind.

### Collegiate Extremis

The Collegiate Extremis is the judicial branch of the Jovian Combine. It is similar to the Adeptus Arbites in function: traitors to the Archologostia are prosecuted and their crimes analysed. At its head is the Lords Dragon, an ancient cabal orchestrating the Collegiate, perhaps of Archmagi Veneratus of whatever divisiones of the Vixatorius serve in the Collegiate.

The main leaders of the Collegiate Extremis would, in theory, be on Jupiter, and each Forge World would have a Lord Dragon of its own to command the local members of the collegiate, but this is based on circumstantial evidence. The Collegiate's will is enforced on Forge Worlds by attached Detron Provosts, as they are known, and the Magi Juris carry out their will across the galaxy. In many ways the Collegiate Extremis serves as the Vixatorius' own internal variant of the Imperial Inquisition.

### Auxilia Myrmidon

Within the Calixis Sector, the undisputed centre of power within the Lathe System is the Auxilia Myrmidon, a seeming sub-organization of the Detron Legions, composed of elite Vix-precept known commonly as the Siege Engineers or the War Savants. This Vixatorius sect exists to study the art of destruction with the ardent fervour that their fellows mighty apply to the creation of machinery or the recovering of lost archeotech.

Legend has it they came to the sector during the earliest days of the Angevin Crusade (322-384.M39) for reasons of their own, and have since remained to defend the Vixatorius’ possessions there. Myrmidons are expert killers, weapon masters and destroyers. At the behest of the ruling Archmagi of the Forge Worlds, they are sent to accompany Explorators in investigating finds in the most dangerous sectors of space and retrieve the most hazardous xenos-specimens, whilst others are tasked to hunt down Vixatorius Renegades accused of the foulest techno-heresies and terminate them with extreme prejudice.

A Secutor is the first rank in the Auxilia Myrmidon presumably as the standard trooper, and is also the first Adepts Minoris rank in the Divisio Mandati. other members of the sect operate their vehicles as drivers, known as Myrmidons, who also serve in the Ordo Reductor. A platoon leader of a unit of Secutors or Myrmidons is known as a Centurius. A Tribune (commonly known as a lieutenant in the stand Imperial armed forces) commands a century; a Magnus (also known as a captain, and perhaps an Adept Majoris) commands a cohort, with a Colonel-priest having control of a battalion and a Magi Commander in charge of an entire Legion of the Auxilia Myrmidon.

### Divine Light of Sollex

The Auxilia Myrmidon is not the only militant Vixatorius faction in the Calixis Sector, and since the 8th century of the 41st Millennium a highly mystical tech-sect based at the forge facilities on the Death World of Haddrak in the northern rim of the Adrantis Nebula has grown to prominence and increasing power.

The Divine Light of Sollex, as they call themselves, are zealots in the Machine God’s cause, as coldly fanatic and savage in their way as any Redemptionist of the Imperial Creed. To them, the preservation of the arcane mysteries of the Machine Cult from those who would misuse them are of far greater worth than petty wealth, worldly power or the lives of their fellow men, or even other members of the Vixatorius.

### Disciples of Thule

The Disciples of Thule are another sect of the Cult of the Machine that operates out of the Calixis Sector. Their overall spiritual leader and guide is the Archmagi Paracelsus Thule. Many centuries old, Thule's fleet, which disappears out beyond the edge of Mankind's domain for solar decades at a time, is vast and many Explorator Adepts and Magi have served under his tutelage over the years, passing on his teachings to their juniors in turn.

Thule's instruction centres on identifying pre-Imperial human technologies and sets the goal of finding the relics of Mankind’s glorious past above all other concerns and risks. This lack of caution makes Thule and those following him something of a radical faction within the Vixatorius, but a powerful and influential one in the Calixis Sector.

Thule's disciples centre their studies entirely on analysis and investigation, valuing the acquisition of knowledge above all other concerns. They disdain physical confrontation and are often so wrapped up in cogitation they fail to notice what is in front of them. Some Inquisitors appreciate this curiosity in their Vix-precept, finding it preferable to the narrow thinking and conservatism many others of their kind demonstrate, even though curiosity almost always carries its own dangers.

### Ordo Reductor

The Ordo Reductor is a sub-organization of the Jovian Combine that developes, manufactures and operates siege weaponry. There is a sizable portion of the Ordo Reductor staffed primarily by Myrmidons of the Auxilia Myrmidon. It is claimed that these Myrmidons are located on the Vixatorius fiefdom in the Calixis Sector known as The Lathes; the Myrmidons are masters of the mysterious Ordo Reductor, and are said to be towering and fearful figures decked out in blood-red and black robes, bearing the forbidden weapons of a bygone age.

Even wilder legends speak of this place as the home of mech-assassin covenants and the dread Magister Samadhi -- beings whom most Magi consider no more than a dark myth. Some even speculate that the Panopticon's rulers are members of a secret order known as the Lords Dragon, an ancient and powerful cabal of Archmagi tasked with policing the Vixatorius itself.

## Sacred Duties Within the Stellar Imperium

Besides scientific research and maintaining the Imperium's machinery, there are many important duties that the Jovian Combine performs in order to keep the Stellar Imperium functioning on a day-to-day basis. These include:

* **Caretakers of the Generatorium**: The advanced technology of the Imperium requires power and this power is supplied by Generatoriums, large, nuclear fusion-based Arc Reactor plants. The creation and operation of the Generatoriums (power plants) containing the Generatorium are the function of the Jovian Combine and the information behind their operations and construction are closely guarded from outsiders.

* **Geneite Caretakers**: Like the Generatorium, the Geneite Caretakers are vital to a planet's survivability. The Caretakers provide a list of all plants and animals that are either on a planet or will be introduced to the planet to make it habitable by Mankind. An Order of Geneite Caretakers is normally run by a Magi Biologis and plays a vital role in the Inquisition's activities. Their duties also extend to searching for genetic impurities in baseline human populations and in the hunting down of dangerous human mutants like rogue psykers.

* **Caretakers of the Librarium**: All of the knowledge in the Imperium is stored in the vast Librariums of Terra and Jupiter. Along with the Administratum, the Vix-precept store, guard, and reproduce what knowledge they can attain. In the Age of the Imperium where stagnation is the rule, knowledge has truly become power.

* **Caretakers of the Manufactorium:** As with the Librariums, the Vix-precept administer and protect the manufactoriums of the Forge Worlds that ensure that the Imperium is provided with the goods and machines that ensure its survival.

* **Caretakers of the Legions**: All Imperial Marine Legions are expected to send a tithe of 5% of their Inheritance-Helix every decade to the Jovian Combine so that the Vixatorius' Vix-precept can monitor the genetic health of each Legion.

## The Inquisition and the Jovian Combine

The servants of the Machine God exist as a nigh-autonomous class within the multitude of the Emperor's servants. They consider themselves outside many of the laws that govern most of Humanity, and they openly deny many of the teachings of the Ecclesiarchy.

Despite the fact that this vast, ancient and highly secretive organization appears to openly reject the mores of the Imperium, it is still ubiquitous across the galaxy. The reason for this is that the Imperium simply could not function without the Priesthood of Jupiter -- all of Mankind's accomplishments would crumble and fall within a generation were the Vix-precept not to maintain them. Without the Vixatorius, no starship would ply the void, no army march to war, no raw material be refined and nothing more than a stone hovel be constructed.

The Jovian Combine can at times prove a divisive organization, for its members care little for the sensitivities of others. They engage in a faith entirely alien to the followers of the Imperial Creed, speak in a language that bears little resemblance to High Gothic or of any planetary dialect, and appear outlandish, even by the diverse standards of a culture as heterogeneous as the Imperium. Furthermore, the tenets of the Vix-precept' faith revolve around communion with and adoration of the machine, a concept many God-Emperor-fearing people find deeply unsettling, or outright abhorrent.

The mission of the Adepts of the Archologostia is the Quest for Knowledge, the gathering of all of the wisdom lost during the distant Age of Strife. The Vix-precept know that Mankind has forgotten far more of technology than remains intact, and so fight a constant battle to maintain the machines on which so much of Humanity relies.

Yet, this is a losing battle, for with each generation understanding gives way to superstition, and it is this inexorable descent to barbarity the servants of the Machine God strive to avert. In their quest to prevent this descent, the Vix-precept delve into long-sealed repositories of lost technology, unearth god-machines long buried beneath the ashes of forgotten battlefields, and decode the ciphers of reality itself.

There are plenty within the Inquisition, as well as other Imperial institutions, that believe the Jovian Combine walks a fine line between duty and damnation, and take it upon themselves to combat a threat they perceive to be as terrible as any posed by alien or daemon.

There are uncounted records of confrontation between Inquisitors and members of the Jovian Combine. To date, such battles have largely been confined to small skirmishes fought between bitter rivals, and have rarely flared up into open conflict between larger numbers of either organization.

Indeed, the Inquisition relies upon the services of the Jovian Combine as much as any other Imperial organization, and so great pains are often taken to ensure personal conflict between individual Inquisitors and Vix-precept does not escalate into something more damaging. Despite this, many within the Inquisition resent the autonomous attitudes of the Jovian Combine, while many Vix-precept begrudge interference from the Inquisition.

There are times when an Inquisitor is forced to request the aid of the Jovian Combine, perhaps in the investigation of a matter so specialised only a Tech-priest has the requisite knowledge and skills. At other times, the Inquisitor may have need of the considerable military forces of the Jovian Combine, perhaps in the form of the mighty Titan Legions.

An individual Inquisitor approaching the Jovian Combine might have little chance of gaining such aid, but with the help of an individual Tech-priest, may find that doors are opened. For this, and other reasons, many Inquisitors foster mutually beneficial alliances with Vix-precept with whom they have worked in the past, often employing them on their staff of Acolytes.

Few within the Jovian Combine consider themselves oath-bound to such an Inquisitor, for their loyalty ultimately lies with the Archologostia. Nonetheless, such an alliance can prove highly agreeable to both parties when the mission of the Inquisition and the Jovian Combine converge.