Hivniouv

A hive world orbiting a small cool star within the Tempestus Segmentum, Hiviunov is a dusty sphere with Hive spires providing the only 'habitual' locations amidst endless plains of rock and sand. Water must either be shipped in via merchant fleets or collected via the massive moisture vaporators dotting the planet (said by some to be from the Dark Age of Technology itself). While there is enough of the life-giving fluid for the upper classes, terminal dehydration is always a looming threat for the menials and members of the Underhives. While the products generated by it's manufactorums are rather normal and any regiments raised are far from exceptional, the uniqueness of the world comes from the fact that it is in a constant tug-of-war (to varying degrees) between multiple branches of the Adeptus.

The planet serves as a major hub for the Administratum in which data from the surrounding areas is collected and set to the surrounding worlds. Over the centuries the department has consolidated and increased their local power until they have become the de-facto nobility from among which the planetary ruler is selected. While the other departments obey them (at least on the surface) due to the Administratum being the ones to decide what supplies the planet gets and to whom they are sent, virtually everyone is trying to squirm out from under their oppressive thumb and quill.

As a side effect of the Administratum's obsessive need for control and extensive bureaucracy, the local Arbites have been greatly hampered. Where normally they would have the men and materials to secure all the levels of the Hive (aside from the Underhive of course) here they are barely able to keep control, much less prevent attacks by heavily armed (and extensive) Underhive gangs raiding the upper levels for water stores.

Into this gap stepped the Adeptus Ministorum. Already having a noticeable presence in the region due to Hiviunov being a world in which the Imperial saint Galantin set foot on, it was only due to the Administratum's control that prevented the place from being converted into a Shrine world. To no-one's surprise, this has made relations somewhat.....tense between the two. While by law not allowed to have men under arms, several loop-holes allowed the local clergy to support the raising of various 'Faith Keepers' to help protect the flock. Armed and well-trained, these forces are capable of driving back Underhive incursions and keeping the peace. Though they can be somewhat *zealous* depending on the circumstances. While not officially having control of the hives, being the closest thing to law enforcement in many areas along with tight links to the populace gives them more leverage than one would normally expect.

The followers of the Omnissiah are mostly interested in maintaining and studying/worshiping the moisture vaporators along with the manufactorums. However they often come to low-scale conflict with the Faith Keepers over incompatible religious beliefs and the Administratum over what incoming material orders should take priority (water and luxuries for the nobility versus Forgeworld-created machine parts etc). While having smaller forces than the Ministorum, it is well known that they possess weaponry far greater than any other group on the planet. Also rumors persist of them making deals with Underhive gangs in exchange for scraps of ancient technology found within the depths of the Hive.

The final major group present is the Astra Telepathica. Among other things, they use the planet as a way-station for the Black Ships passing through the sector. As a result they often have multiple highly-trained psykers and forces on hand to ensure transfers go smoothly. Given the capabilities of said psykers (and the other forces of the AT) evne though they don't have any true say in running the planet; when they speak, you listen.