Emperor

Biodata

Background / History

The Emperor led humanity out of Old Night and established the Imperium when Warp routes became viable again. He created the Primarchs and pressed them to conquer territory while that opportunity lasted. Horus Lupercal, his sixteenth son and Warmaster, later rebelled during the Great Heresy 482 484 529.

Chen Xi describes the Heresy as a ritual that could have produced a fifth Chaos God, the Dark King. In his account, the Emperor delayed that outcome by taking his place on the Golden Throne. Chen Xi fears that the Emperor's eventual transformation into the Dark King would doom humanity; this is presented as Chen Xi's understanding of the Emperor's fate, not a transformation that has occurred 529 530.

Abilities & Influence

Golden Throne and Psychic Will

• The Emperor maintains the Astronomican through his will and continuously expends psychic power while confronting threats from the Warp 714.
• Chen Xi likens a wounded king holding monsters at bay in a vision to the Emperor's role as a barrier against Chaos 714.

Miracles and Blessings

• Wine associated with the Emperor's power glows gold during a priest's litanies; it burns Baron Sukov, whom Chen Xi identifies as a Heretic. The Blessed Wine subsequently draws the Adeptus Ministorum's attention to Rostov II 44 120.
• Saint Celestine descends on Rostov II, blesses Chen Xi and states that the Emperor chose him as his emissary. She also relays the Emperor's instruction to “seize the time” 125.
• During an encounter with a Chaos Warband, golden flames kill some soldiers but leave others alive. The survivors are given Blessed Wine to test whether they can be spared 147.

Deployment Box

• The golden box gives Chen Xi access to deployable miniatures, tasks, points and rewards. Chapter 2 depicts the Emperor as having arranged these functions to recruit and motivate him 2.
• The box's Servo-skull displays the Emperor's assessment after an escaped Necron Tomb Ship mars Chen Xi's victory, calling it an incomplete success despite awarding experience and points 252.

Relationships

• Chen Xi — Receives an appointment letter from the Imperial Palace's Throne Room and is publicly endorsed as the Emperor's emissary by Celestine. The Emperor also sends him a warning to act quickly 125 149.
• Saint Celestine — A Living Saint who conveys the Emperor's endorsement and message to Chen Xi; she later arrives at Medusa calling herself the walking embodiment of his will 125 630.
• Horus Lupercal — His sixteenth son and former Warmaster, whose rebellion led to the Great Heresy and the Emperor's confinement to the Golden Throne 482 529 561.
• Lion El'Jonson — His son and Primarch of the First Legion. Chen Xi tells the newly awakened Lion that the Emperor has called him back to face an approaching catastrophe 701 710.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Rostov II's religious dispute — Celestine's arrival turns the old Bishop from a skeptic of Chen Xi into a supporter of his authority, while her warning adds urgency to Chen Xi's plans 124 125 128.
• The coming Great Rift — Chen Xi works to strengthen Rostov before the expected catastrophe. He contrasts humanity's coming struggle with the earlier age when the Emperor could lead it out of darkness 176.
• Return of the Primarchs — The Emperor's perceived guidance figures in Chen Xi's efforts to awaken Lion El'Jonson and in the religious response to Ferrus Manus's return 621 701 710.