Grand Prefect

Grand Prefects serve as the heads of the ministry's of the Astorum Imperium government, referred to as the "Imperial Pillars". The position of a Grand Prefect is extremely powerful and the mere signature of one of these individuals can carry incredible weight. Grand Prefects are even afforded their own seat within the Imperial Senate, and are often seen by senators as powerbrokers or as highly desirable political allies.

Grand Prefects are appointed to their office by the imperial senate, or otherwise by the emperor themself, and once in the position can serve within it either until death or they choose to retire. Their role brings with it a significant amount of responsibility as these individuals are charged with overseeing much of the governance of the empire, and their decisions can often affect the entirety of the imperium as a whole. As such their position naturally brings great respect and renown to their family, along with a fair share of detractors and enemies, envious of their position and status.

Mostly frequently found on Terra in the capital city of Rome in their designated office buildings. Grand Prefects, like their aides, are often swamped with work and rarely have free time to engage in personal distractions or activities. Though they receive extensive financial compensation as part of their position and as such when they are not busy, there are few amenities beyond their ability to enjoy. Due to their interworking nature most of the Grand Prefects share close relations with each other and occasionally hold meetings to coordinate amongst each other and allocate their resources as effectively as possible.

## Positions

There are several Grand Prefects in the Imperial government with just as many varieties of responsibilities that they oversee.

### Grand Prefect of the Armorium

The Grand Prefect of the Armorium ranks among one of the most well known and oldest of the Grand Prefects. Being charged with overseeing the Imperium military and all its constituent branches, and keeping them always at an acceptable state of technology and readiness. Additionally they also serve as the primary commander of Imperial military forces short only of the senate and the emperor themselves. Even amongst other Grand Prefects this Grand Prefect wields incredible power, and can bring the vast might of the imperial military to bear with the mere flick of a pen or a few words.

The Grand Prefect of the Armorium virtually always originates from some part of the imperium military, and the individuals who have occupied the position are almost entirely comprised of military leaders or officials with few if any exceptions. As a rule they are frequently incredibly talented and deadly warriors, who were picked for their position due to their military achievements and record. As much as they are administrator's they are effective leaders and soldiers, and to assume their position has softened such skills is a deeply unwise mistake.

### Grand Prefect of the Interior

Responsible for the oversight of the Imperial interior. The Grand Prefect of the Interior acts almost as a governor to governors. All imperial Governors, both sector and planetary, effectively answer and report to this individual. Their responsibilities are accordingly vast, and out of all the Grand Prefects their ministerial building is easily the largest, and most heavily staffed bolstering an enormous workforce of 200,000 aides and clerical staff. The Grand Prefect of the Interior is however, mostly responsible for guiding the development of Imperial territories and ensuring that all sectors in the Empire are as prosperous as possible.

They are also responsible for the enactment and oversight of new Imperial laws or legislation, ensuring that their implementation is smooth and without issue.

### Grand Prefect of Expansion

The Grand Prefect of Expansion as their name suggests. Is responsible for directing the expansion of imperial Borders, the commissioning of new colonies along with oversight of their development, and the induction and integration of outlands settlements or peoples. This Grand Prefect frequently coordinates with the Grand Prefect of State as their duties often cross and necessitate cooperation.

The Grand Prefect of Expansion and their constituent pillar of government are a relatively new addition to the imperial government structure. Only having been created 5 decades before the recent corporate wars.

### Grand Prefect of State

While contact with equivalently powerful star nations has yet to be made, the Grand Prefect of State has not lacked for work. Essentially forming the diplomatic arm of the Imperium Government the Grand Prefect of State and their pillar, are charged with overseeing contact with other nations and ensuring the empire's wishes are represented abroad. They also serve as the direct contact to and for any of the alien species residing within the empire hosting embassy's on their home worlds and providing the same in return within their office on Terra.

As the Empire is actively and constantly expanding, the Grand Prefect of Expansion frequently has need of the Grand Prefect of State, and their diplomatic agents, to negotiate with Periphery settlements or handle a variety of other issues.

### Grand Prefect of Ceres

An extremely old office in the Imperium and named after the ancient roman goddess of agriculture and fertility. The Grand Prefect of Ceres holds charge of the Imperium's agricultural efforts. Ensuring that the empire never goes hungry. The position's responsibilities are often shared with the Grand Prefect of the Interior, and it is rumored that the Grand Prefect of Ceres and its constituent pillar of government will eventually be disbanded and absorbed by the former.

### Grand Prefect of Fortuna

Yet another old office. The Grand Prefect of Fortuna holds responsibility over the Empire's finances, and state banks, effectively holding the empire's purse strings. The position as a result of its extreme access to wealth is incredibly powerful and can at times serve as a check to the ambitions or desires of other sectors of the imperial government. This can often find the Grand Prefect of Fortuna many political enemies and as such the position is seen as less desirable compared to the other Grand Prefects.

Despite its power the Grand Prefect of Fortuna is offered the smallest office and work staff amongst all the Grand Prefects, on occasion not being sufficient to execute their duties properly. A issue that has been frequently brought up by those who occupy its position.

### Grand Prefect of Minerva

Arguably the oldest Grand Prefect in Imperial history. The Grand Prefect of Minerva oversees the Pillar of Justice, which serves as effectively the highest court in the imperial judicial system. Burdened with overseeing and ruling on the most complex and difficult legal cases within the Imperium, often which deal with matters of government. The Grand Prefect of Minerva is a tiring position which rarely see's any amount of free time. Other Grand Prefects usually pity those who find themselves in the position, as they are often forced to spend most of their day monotonously reading over case files and passing judgements.

However despite its tiring and grinding existence. The position is still offered a significant amount of respect, as it serves as easily one of the most powerful positions within the Imperial Government.