The Adeptus Astra Telepathica are commonly known as Astropaths - their role within the Imperium is one of communication. As the Imperium is so vast the only practical means of communication is by telepathy, and telepathy over interstellar distances can be achieved only by the Astropath.

Psykers are vigorously controlled by the Imperium, some may escape detection, but the vast majority are fated to serve the Imperium in one way or another. Many are given up to the Emperor as sustenance, whilst countless others are executed because they are too dangerous to live. The remainder are recruited into the imperial organisation in some way, but only a tiny proportion of the very best are judged strong enough to survive without some form of psychic protection. So psykers can be found throughout the Adeptus Terra, the Inquisition, the Legiones Astartes, the army and the fleet. However, over 90% of psykers in imperial service are members of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica, known commonly as Astropaths. Astropaths are created from those psykers who have considerable powers, but who are not mentally strong enough to withstand the attentions of psychically attuned warp creatures. Were they simply allowed to develop without interference they would quickly find themselves in serious trouble, endangering the rest of humanity as well as themselves. However, the Imperium has a use for them. An Astropath is an Astro-telepath, an individual capable of communicating with others of his kind over vast interstellar distances. In the Age of the Imperium, where worlds are light-years apart, this is the only practical means of communication. For this reason the network of Astropaths is very important to the Imperium, and every spacecraft, research station, outpost, etc, has its own Astropath. Even small planets need hundreds of these useful servants, while large worlds may have thousands and Earth itself is home to tens of thousands.

All Astropaths undergo a special process which moulds their powers and at the same time strengthens them against pyschic danger. This is called the soul-binding ritual and only the Emperor has the power to perform it. It takes place in the great palace, where the psykers are led before the Emperor one hundred at a time. Knelt before the Emperor they must endure several hours of agony whilst the Emperor uses his powers to reshape their minds - mingling a little of his immeasurable power with their own. Unfortunately, the Emperor's mind is so powerful that not all candidates survive the ritual. Some are driven insane, and all have their personalities altered to some extent. The raw energy of the Emperor's will also has another effect, so powerful are the forces involved that many of the more delicate nerves can be damaged, especially the optic nerves. Consequently all Astropaths are blind, whilst many may also lack any sense of smell, touch or hearing.

Organisation

The Adeptus Astra Telepathica is a vast organisation whose central administrative core is based upon Earth. It exists purely to serve the needs of the Imperium, its leaders have no task to perform other than ensuring the network operates as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Because of their very nature, Astropaths often work in cooperation with the other branches of the Adeptus Terra, the Inquisition, fleet, army and Imperial Commanders. Every priesthood temple would have its own staff of Astropaths, relaying and receiving the messages of their masters, gathering and disseminating information throughout the galaxy.

Uniforms

Astropaths wear a hooded robe or habit, belted at the waist. Personal possessions are kept in a sling bag, often omamented with religious motifs. The colour adopted by Astropaths as a symbol of their status is green, although a robe will often incorporate several shades of the colour, ranging from pale near-grey to almost black