I've been reading B.O.M.(GREAT book btw). And I have'nt, as yet, seen any mention of who is the current Ecclesiarch (many previous titles mentioned tho.) . I mean, this guy is actually caretaker of the entire Imperium and second only to the Emperor himself and I feel my players should have at least have access to a name (they are asking...). Does anyone with uber knowledge of the Imperium know the answer to this? Or am I just blind?

You know, I could be wrong, but I'm not sure ANY of the current (circa 815 M41) High Lords of Terra have been named anywhere in any of the 40k RPG books.

They're pretty rare in other sources, too: I can only think of Thor, Vandire, a master of assassins and a couple of references to ex-High Lords who have become Rogue Traders in some early sources. (I'm not including Heresy-era High Lords like Malcador or immediate post-Heresy High Lords like Gulliman.)

This strikes me as something that might be interesting to explore in the future; although the identity of the High Lords is pretty irrelevant to most inhabitants of the Imperium, it does provide some interesting political context to a campaign.

As for the current Ecclesiarch, if you want to give him a name why not call him something like Pious LXIII? The Ecclesiarch's role is clearly based on the archetype established by the Popes...there were quite a few Popes called Pious. LXIII is a nicely big number too, suggesting not only that there have been 62 previous Ecclesiarchs called Pious, but that there are probably many dozens of others with different names. All this hints at the great age of the Imperium...

Indeed, I've never heard of a name being given.

He's on Terra and beyond the reach of really damned near anyone to actually contact and reach.

Here's a list of previous Ecclesiarchs, and I don't know if Deacis XXIII is deceased or not; so he may still be the Ecclesiarch. I'd almost recommend keeping him as such, due to his history with clashing with overzealous Ordo Hereticus members.

This is a complete guess, but I would say GW does not want anyone but themselves (or with their express permission) to name and develop a current high lord type as it could have a large impact on the setting.

I second Deacis XXIII. He will be the Ecclesiarch in 945.M41 - and not a recently elected one if he has enough power to clash with Karamazov, and given the lifespans of higher class, there's a good chance that he already was in place in 815.M41

Lifespan is something I'd been wondering about for some time; without insane procedures, I believe Ciaphas Cain lived to be around 200; with rejuv treatments, chemicals, mechanicus implants and so on, not to mention the kind of care being afforded to High Lords of Terra being in another league compared to anybody else in the imperium, means that 120 year span between Karamazov and "today" is nothing. Even assuming he was in his hundreds when he ascended.

I would place the rational, intelligent lifespan of a well-cared for human to be something north of 500.

All right then, Deacis XXIII it is. Thank you from me AND my players for all your replies. knowing that lifespans are extremely longer in this universe allows for him to fit in quite well, until something contradictory comes along from good ol' GW, that is .

I'll just call him "Deacis the Pious" for short.

I would call him High Supreme Ecclesiarch Most Revered Deacis on Terra the Most Pious, Blessed Protector of the Faithful, Admitted to the Holy Thrice-Sactified Throne, Avenger of Iniquities, Scorge Most Terrible of the Heretic, Savior of Marias IV, Benefactor of Lara III, Watchful Eye over Cadia, the Beating Heart of Segmenta Scarius, Solarus, etc. etc. etc, (list all the sectors), and so forth. It should go on for about half a page. Throw in some pseudo-Latin.

Or that...

Seriously, look at titles of people in similar societies in real history, e.g., "the Sultan; son of Muhammad; brother of the Sun and Moon; grandson and viceroy of God; ruler of the kingdoms of Macedonia, Babylon, Jerusalem, Upper and Lower Egypt; emperor of emperors; sovereign of sovereigns; extraordinary knight, never defeated; steadfast guardian of the tomb of Jesus Christ; trustee chosen by God himself; the hope and comfort of Muslims; confounder and great defender of Christians."

Stuff like that.