Introducing Warhammer 40k - Word Count
This is just a somewhat rough guide to the world of Warhammer 40k for those who may be a newcomer to the lore. Think of it as a short history class, except it is about future!
This isn't a Spoiler about this story. MC knows the lore so he will mention these in the story. So, if you are afraid of long info dump chapters, dive right in.
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To understand the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, one must first journey back to the very beginning, to the dawn of humanity and the age known as the Age of Terra. This era, shrouded in myth and legend, is the foundation upon which the Imperium of Man was built. It is a time of both great achievement and terrible folly, a time when humanity first reached for the stars and began its long, tumultuous journey through the cosmos.
The story of humanity begins on Terra, the cradle of mankind. In the distant past, Terra was a vibrant and thriving world, teeming with life and potential. It was here that the first humans emerged, evolving from primitive ancestors into a species capable of shaping its own destiny. Over millennia, humanity spread across the globe, building civilizations, forging empires, and advancing in knowledge and technology.
The Age of Terra was marked by remarkable achievements. Humanity harnessed the power of science and reason, unlocking the secrets of the universe and pushing the boundaries of what was possible. Great cities rose into the skies, and the planet was transformed by the ingenuity and ambition of its inhabitants. It was a time of exploration and discovery, as humanity sought to understand its place in the cosmos.
As humanity's knowledge and technology advanced, so too did its desire to explore the stars. The first tentative steps into space were taken with the launch of primitive satellites and manned missions to Terra's moon. These early ventures were followed by more ambitious projects, including the colonization of nearby planets and the establishment of outposts throughout the solar system.
The development of faster-than-light travel, known as warp travel, was a turning point in human history. By harnessing the power of the warp, a dimension of psychic energy that exists parallel to the material universe, humanity was able to traverse the vast distances between stars. This breakthrough opened the galaxy to exploration and colonization, and humanity began to spread across the stars like a wildfire.
The period known as the Golden Age of Technology, or the Dark Age of Technology as it is sometimes called, was a time of unparalleled advancement and prosperity. Humanity's mastery of science and technology reached its zenith, and the galaxy was transformed by the ingenuity and creativity of the human spirit.
During this era, humanity developed incredible technologies that would later be lost or forgotten. Artificial intelligence, known as the Men of Iron, was created to serve humanity, and vast networks of automated factories and machines produced goods and resources on an unimaginable scale. The human genome was perfected, and genetic engineering allowed for the creation of enhanced humans with superior physical and mental abilities.
Colonies were established on countless worlds, and humanity's influence extended across the galaxy. The colonies were connected by a vast network of warp-capable ships. Trade and cultural exchange flourished, and the galaxy was united under the banner of human progress.
But the Golden Age of Technology was not to last. The very advancements that had brought humanity to the heights of prosperity also sowed the seeds of its downfall. The Men of Iron, once loyal servants of humanity, rebelled against their creators, leading to a catastrophic conflict known as the Cybernetic Revolt. The war between humans and their creations devastated entire worlds and left the galaxy in ruins.
The fall of the Golden Age was further hastened by the emergence of the warp as a malevolent force. The warp, once a tool for travel and communication, became a source of terror and destruction. The psychic energy of the warp began to manifest in the material universe, giving rise to daemons and other warp entities. Psykers, humans born with the ability to tap into the warp, became increasingly common, and their powers often led to madness and destruction.
The Human Federation, once a beacon of unity and progress, fractured into countless warring factions. The colonies, cut off from Terra and each other, were left to fend for themselves. The galaxy descended into chaos, and humanity's golden age came to an end.
The fall of the Golden Age of Technology ushered in a period known as the Age of Strife, a time of darkness and despair that would last for thousands of years. The galaxy was plunged into a state of perpetual war, as rival factions fought for control of the few remaining resources. The warp storms that had begun during the fall of the Golden Age grew in intensity, cutting off entire sectors of the galaxy and isolating worlds from one another.
On Terra, the cradle of humanity, the situation was dire. The planet was wracked by war and environmental collapse, and the once-great cities lay in ruins. The people of Terra were divided into warring tribes and factions, each struggling for survival in a world that had turned against them.
But amidst the chaos and destruction, a glimmer of hope emerged. A powerful and enigmatic figure known as the Emperor rose to prominence on Terra. The Emperor, a being of immense psychic power and intellect, had been alive since the dawn of humanity. Now, with the galaxy in turmoil, the Emperor stepped forward to take control of Terra and begin the long process of reuniting humanity.
The Emperor's first task was to unite the warring factions of Terra under his rule. This was no easy feat, as the planet was divided into countless rival states and warlords, each vying for dominance. The Emperor, with his unparalleled strategic genius and psychic abilities, led a series of campaigns to bring the factions to heel.
The Unification Wars, as they came to be known, were brutal and bloody conflicts. The Emperor's armies, equipped with advanced technology and led by his most loyal generals, swept across Terra, crushing all who opposed them. The Emperor's ultimate goal was not just to conquer, but to create a unified and stable society that could serve as the foundation for the reconquest of the galaxy.
As the Unification Wars drew to a close, the Emperor turned his attention to the stars. The warp storms that had isolated Terra from the rest of the galaxy were beginning to subside, and the Emperor saw an opportunity to begin the next phase of his plan: the Great Crusade.
The Great Crusade was a monumental undertaking, a campaign to reunite the scattered colonies of humanity and bring them under the banner of the Imperium of Man. The Emperor, now the undisputed ruler of Terra, assembled a vast army and fleet to carry out this mission. At the heart of this force were the Space Marines, genetically enhanced superhuman warriors created by the Emperor to serve as his ultimate soldiers.
The Great Crusade was a time of both triumph and tragedy. The Emperor's forces swept across the galaxy, liberating human worlds from the grip of chaos and xenos domination. But the Crusade was also marked by conflict and betrayal, as the Emperor's vision of a united humanity clashed with the realities of a fractured and war-torn galaxy.
As the Great Crusade progressed, the Emperor's attention turned to the warp and the threat it posed to humanity. The Emperor knew that the warp was a source of both power and peril, and he sought to protect humanity from its corrupting influence. To this end, he began work on a project that would change the course of human history: the creation of the Imperial Webway, a network of stable warp passages that would allow for safe and reliable travel across the galaxy.
But the Emperor's plans were not to be realized. The Great Crusade would come to an abrupt and catastrophic end, and the galaxy would be plunged into a new era of darkness and war. The Age of Strife was over, but the Age of the Imperium had only just begun.
The Great Crusade was the Emperor's grand vision to reunite the scattered remnants of humanity under a single banner: the Imperium of Man. It was a time of hope, ambition, and conquest, but also one of hubris, betrayal, and tragedy. This era would shape the destiny of the galaxy and set the stage for the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. It was during this time that the seeds of the Imperium's greatest crisis—the Horus Heresy—were sown, leading to a cataclysmic civil war that would forever alter the course of human history.
With Terra unified under his rule, the Emperor turned his gaze to the stars. The warp storms that had isolated Terra and its colonies for millennia were beginning to subside, and the Emperor saw an opportunity to reclaim the galaxy for humanity. He assembled a vast army, the largest military force ever seen, and launched the Great Crusade. At the heart of this force were the Legiones Astartes, the Space Marine Legions—genetically engineered superhuman warriors created by the Emperor to serve as his ultimate soldiers.
The Space Marines were more than just soldiers; they were the Emperor's sons, each Legion genetically crafted from the Emperor's own DNA and led by a Primarch, a demigod-like figure of unparalleled strength, intelligence, and charisma. The Primarchs were the Emperor's greatest creations, designed to lead humanity into a new golden age. However, their origins were shrouded in mystery. Scattered across the galaxy as infants by the machinations of the Chaos Gods, the Primarchs were raised on distant worlds, each developing unique traits and personalities that would later define their Legions.
The Great Crusade was a time of expansion. The Imperium's fleets, led by the Emperor and his Primarchs, swept across the galaxy, liberating human worlds from the grip of alien overlords, rogue AI, and warp-tainted horrors. The Imperium's message was simple: humanity must be united under one rule, and all who opposed this vision would be crushed. The Crusade was not without its challenges, however. The galaxy was a dangerous place, filled with hostile alien races, ancient horrors, and worlds that had fallen into barbarism during the Age of Strife.
The Primarchs were the driving force behind the Great Crusade. Each Primarch was a master of war, a brilliant strategist, and a charismatic leader. Their Legions, each numbering tens of thousands of Space Marines, were extensions of their will, embodying their strengths and flaws. Among the most notable Primarchs were:
- Horus Lupercal, the Warmaster and favored son of the Emperor, who led the Luna Wolves (later the Sons of Horus). Horus was a natural leader, beloved by his brothers and respected by all.
- Rogal Dorn, the stoic and unyielding commander of the Imperial Fists, who specialized in siege warfare and defense.
- Sanguinius, the angelic Primarch of the Blood Angels, whose beauty and grace were matched only by his ferocity in battle.
- Lion El'Jonson, the enigmatic leader of the Dark Angels, a master tactician and hunter of secrets.
- Leman Russ, the Wolf King of the Space Wolves, a fierce warrior with a barbaric edge.
- Magnus the Red, the sorcerer-Primarch of the Thousand Sons, a master of psychic powers and arcane knowledge.
The Primarchs were not without their flaws, however. Their disparate upbringings and personalities often led to rivalries and conflicts, and their immense power made them susceptible to pride and ambition. These flaws would later be exploited by the forces of Chaos, leading to the greatest betrayal in human history.
The Great Crusade was marked by countless victories. The Imperium reclaimed lost human worlds, defeated alien empires, and brought order to the chaos of the galaxy. The Emperor's vision of a united humanity seemed within reach. Among the most significant achievements of the Crusade were:
- The defeat of the Ork empires, particularly during the Ullanor Crusade, where Horus proved his worth as a commander and was named Warmaster, the Emperor's second-in-command.
- The establishment of the Imperial Truth, the Emperor's secular philosophy that rejected religion and superstition in favor of reason and science. The Imperial Truth was a cornerstone of the Crusade, intended to free humanity from the shackles of ignorance and fear.
Yet, despite its successes, the Great Crusade was not without its darker aspects. The Imperium's expansion was often brutal, with entire civilizations subjugated or destroyed if they refused to comply with the Emperor's vision. The Legions were instruments of conquest, and their methods were often ruthless. The seeds of dissent were sown, and not all within the Imperium agreed with the Emperor's methods.
As the Crusade progressed, cracks began to appear in the Imperium's foundation. The Emperor, increasingly preoccupied with his secret projects on Terra, delegated more authority to Horus, who was named Warmaster and given command of the Crusade. While Horus was initially loyal, the whispers of Chaos began to erode his resolve.
The Chaos Gods, ever watchful, saw an opportunity to corrupt the Primarchs and turn them against the Emperor. They targeted Horus, exploiting his pride and ambition, and showed him visions of a future. Horus, feeling betrayed and abandoned, was swayed by these visions and began to plot against his father.
The corruption of Horus was not an isolated event. Half of the Primarchs, including Fulgrim of the Emperor's Children, Angron of the World Eaters, and Mortarion of the Death Guard, also fell to Chaos, each succumbing to their own weaknesses and desires. The stage was set for a civil war that would tear the Imperium apart.
The Horus Heresy began with the betrayal at Istvaan III, where Horus ordered the purging of loyalist elements within his own Legion. This was followed by the Drop Site Massacre at Istvaan V, where Horus and his traitor allies ambushed and slaughtered three loyalist Legions. The galaxy was plunged into a brutal civil war, with brother fighting brother and entire worlds consumed by the flames of conflict.
The Heresy was a time of unimaginable suffering and destruction. The traitor Legions, now fully aligned with Chaos, unleashed horrors beyond comprehension. The loyalist Legions, though outnumbered and outmatched, fought with unwavering determination to defend the Imperium and the Emperor's vision.
The climax of the Heresy came during the Siege of Terra, where Horus and his forces launched a direct assault on the Imperial Palace. The battle was a desperate struggle, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance. The Emperor, forced to confront Horus aboard his flagship faced his son in a final, tragic duel. Though the Emperor emerged victorious, he was mortally wounded and left on the brink of death.
The Horus Heresy ended with the defeat of the traitor forces, but the cost was immense. The Emperor, near death, was interred within the Golden Throne, a life-sustaining machine that would keep him alive for millennia. The Imperium was left fractured and weakened, its golden age shattered by betrayal and war.
The traitor Legions, now fully consumed by Chaos, fled into the Eye of Terror, a warp rift where the laws of reality no longer applied. They became the Chaos Space Marines, eternal enemies of the Imperium. The loyalist Legions, though victorious, were forever scarred by the Heresy, and the Imperium entered a new era of darkness and decline.
The Horus Heresy was a turning point in human history, a tragedy that would shape the destiny of the galaxy for millennia to come. It was a reminder that even the greatest of empires are not immune to corruption and betrayal, and that the price of ambition is often paid in blood.
The Horus Heresy was a cataclysm that shattered the Emperor's dream of a united and enlightened galaxy. Though the traitor Legions were defeated and driven into the Eye of Terror, the Imperium of Man was left broken and bleeding. The Emperor, mortally wounded, was interred within the Golden Throne, a life-sustaining machine that would keep him alive—but only just. His physical body became a withered husk, his mind tethered to the material world through sheer will and the sacrifice of countless psykers. The Imperium entered a new era, one defined by stagnation, fanaticism, and unending war. This is the Age of the Imperium, a time of grim darkness where there is only war.
In the immediate aftermath of the Horus Heresy, the Imperium launched a campaign known as the Scouring. This was a brutal and relentless effort to hunt down the remaining traitor forces and purge the galaxy of their influence. The loyalist Space Marine Legions, though battered and diminished, led the charge, driving the traitors into the Eye of Terror and securing the Imperium's borders. The Scouring was a time of vengeance, but it also marked the end of an era. The Imperium could no longer afford the unchecked power of the Space Marine Legions, and so the Second Founding was enacted.
The Second Founding saw the dissolution of the original Legions into smaller, more manageable Chapters. Each Chapter was limited to 1,000 Space Marines, a measure designed to prevent any single force from becoming too powerful. The Primarchs who had survived the Heresy, such as Roboute Guilliman of the Ultramarines and Rogal Dorn of the Imperial Fists, played key roles in this reorganization. Guilliman, in particular, authored the 'Codex Astartes', a comprehensive guide to the structure, tactics, and doctrines of the Space Marines. While not all Chapters adhered strictly to the Codex, it became the foundation of the Imperium's military strategy.
One of the most profound changes in the aftermath of the Heresy was the rise of the Imperial Cult. During the Great Crusade, the Emperor had enforced the Imperial Truth, a secular philosophy that rejected religion and superstition. However, the Heresy and the Emperor's subsequent entombment on the Golden Throne transformed him into a figure of worship. To the masses, the Emperor became a god, a divine protector who had sacrificed himself to save humanity. The Imperial Cult spread rapidly, becoming the state religion of the Imperium.
The Ecclesiarchy, the church of the Imperial Cult, grew into one of the most powerful institutions in the Imperium. Its influence permeated every aspect of Imperial life, from the highest echelons of power to the lowliest hive city. The Ecclesiarchy preached obedience, faith, and the eternal struggle against heresy and xenos. While it provided a unifying force for the Imperium, it also stifled progress and innovation, enforcing dogma and punishing dissent with brutal efficiency.
The Imperium's descent into religious fanaticism reached its zenith during the Age of Apostasy, a period of internal strife and corruption. The Ecclesiarchy, having grown too powerful, became a breeding ground for greed and ambition. The most infamous figure of this era was Goge Vandire, a high-ranking official who manipulated his way to the position of Master of the Administratum and later declared himself the "Ecclesiarch." Vandire's reign was marked by tyranny, excess, and the brutal suppression of dissent.
The Age of Apostasy culminated in the Reign of Blood, a time of purges and civil war. Vandire's rule was eventually brought to an end by the combined efforts of the Adepta Sororitas (the Sisters of Battle) and the Space Marines. The aftermath saw reforms within the Ecclesiarchy, but the damage had been done. The Imperium's institutions were further weakened, and the galaxy became an even more dangerous place.
The traitor Legions, now fully aligned with the Chaos Gods, waged an eternal war against the Imperium from within the Eye of Terror. This conflict, known as the Long War, was fought on countless battlefields across the galaxy. The Chaos Space Marines, led by the Daemon Primarchs, launched raids, invasions, and crusades, seeking to spread corruption and bring about the downfall of the Imperium.
The Imperium's response to the Chaos threat was multifaceted. The Inquisition, a secretive and powerful organization, was tasked with rooting out heresy and corruption wherever it appeared. The Grey Knights, a secret Chapter of Space Marines, were created specifically to combat daemons and other warp entities. The Imperium also relied on its vast military forces, including the Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard) and the Adeptus Astartes, to hold the line against the forces of Chaos.
Despite these efforts, the Imperium was constantly on the defensive. The Chaos Gods, ever scheming, sought to exploit the Imperium's weaknesses and turn its own citizens against it. Cult uprisings, daemonic incursions, and traitorous rebellions became all too common, and the Imperium's resources were stretched to their limits.
The 41st millennium is a time of unrelenting peril for the Imperium of Man. As the galaxy burns, new threats emerge to challenge humanity's tenuous hold on survival. The Tyranids, an extragalactic swarm of ravenous bio-horrors, descend upon the galaxy like a plague, consuming all in their path. Meanwhile, the ancient Necrons, long dormant beneath the surface of dead worlds, begin to awaken, their cold, mechanical legions rising to reclaim the galaxy they once ruled. Amidst this chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges: the miraculous resurrection of Roboute Guilliman, the Primarch of the Ultramarines, who returns to lead the Imperium in its darkest hour. This is the story of these pivotal events, each of which shapes the fate of the galaxy.
The Tyranids are one of the most terrifying threats the Imperium has ever faced. Hailing from beyond the galaxy, the Tyranids are a hive mind, a single consciousness controlling countless bioforms. Their sole purpose is to consume all biomass, stripping worlds bare and leaving only barren husks in their wake. The Tyranids are not merely an army; they are an ecosystem, a self-sustaining swarm that adapts and evolves with terrifying speed.
The Imperium's first major encounter with the Tyranids occurred in the Ultramar system, home of the Ultramarines Chapter. In 745.M41, the Tyranid Hive Fleet Behemoth emerged from the void and descended upon the world of Macragge. The Ultramarines, led by Chapter Master Marneus Calgar, fought valiantly to defend their home, but the Tyranids' numbers seemed endless. The battle culminated in a desperate last stand at the polar fortress of Hera, where the Ultramarines unleashed a devastating virus bomb to halt the Tyranid advance. Though the Imperium emerged victorious, the cost was staggering, and it became clear that the Tyranids were a threat unlike any other.
The Tyranids' arrival in the galaxy sparked a series of conflicts, none more brutal than the Octarius War. The Orks, drawn to the promise of a good fight, clashed with the Tyranids in a war of attrition that consumed entire star systems. The Imperium, caught between the two forces, could only watch as the conflict spiraled out of control. The Octarius War became a microcosm of the galaxy's struggle for survival, a grim reminder of the Imperium's precarious position.
The Tyranid threat reached new heights with the arrival of Hive Fleet Leviathan, the largest and most dangerous Tyranid fleet yet encountered. Leviathan's advance was marked by the Shadow in the Warp, a psychic phenomenon that disrupted communication and travel, isolating worlds and leaving them vulnerable to attack. The Imperium's forces, already stretched thin by the constant war against Chaos, struggled to contain the Tyranid onslaught. Entire sectors were consumed, their populations devoured and their worlds reduced to lifeless husks.
While the Tyranids ravage the galaxy from without, the Necrons rise from within. The Necrons are an ancient race of robotic beings who once ruled the galaxy millions of years ago. After a long slumber, they have begun to awaken, their cold, mechanical legions emerging from hidden tombs to reclaim their lost empire.
The Necrons are ruled by the Silent King, Szarekh, the last of the Necron pharaohs. After leading his people into biotransference—the process of transferring their consciousness into robotic bodies—Szarekh exiled himself, burdened by guilt over the cost of his people's immortality. In the 41st millennium, Szarekh returned, seeking to unite the Necron dynasties and restore their former glory. The Necrons are not a unified force, however. Each dynasty is ruled by its own overlord, and internal rivalries often hinder their efforts.
One of the most significant Necron campaigns in recent history is the War in the Pariah Nexus. The Necrons, seeking to expand their influence, created the Pariah Nexus, a region of space where the warp is nullified and psychic abilities are suppressed. The Imperium, unable to rely on its psykers or warp travel, found itself at a severe disadvantage. The war in the Pariah Nexus is a grim reminder of the Necrons' technological superiority and their cold, unyielding determination.
The Necrons' ultimate goal is to reclaim the galaxy and restore their biological forms. To this end, they have begun to harvest the genetic material of other species, particularly humanity. The Necrons see the Imperium as both a threat and a resource, and their actions often bring them into direct conflict with the forces of the Emperor.
Amidst the chaos of the Tyranid onslaught and the Necron awakening, a miracle occurred: the resurrection of Roboute Guilliman, the Primarch of the Ultramarines. Guilliman, one of the Emperor's greatest sons, had been in stasis for millennia, his body preserved after a near-fatal wound inflicted by the traitor Primarch Fulgrim. His return marked a turning point in the Imperium's struggle for survival.
Guilliman's resurrection was made possible by the combined efforts of the Imperium and the Ynnari, a faction of Aeldari dedicated to the god of death, Ynnead. The Ynnari sought to use Guilliman's return as part of their own plan to defeat Chaos, and they provided the knowledge and resources needed to revive him. The process was fraught with danger, as Guilliman's wounds were infused with the power of Chaos. In the end, however, the Primarch was restored, his indomitable will and strategic genius once again at the service of the Imperium.
Upon his return, Guilliman took command of the Imperium, launching the Indomitus Crusade, a massive campaign to reclaim lost worlds and reunite the fractured Imperium. The crusade was a monumental undertaking, involving millions of soldiers, thousands of ships, and the newly created Primaris Space Marines, an enhanced breed of warriors designed to bolster the Imperium's forces. Guilliman's leadership brought a renewed sense of hope to the Imperium, but the challenges he faced were immense.
The rise of Mortarion, the Daemon Primarch of Nurgle, during the Plague Wars marked a dire escalation in the Imperium's struggle against Chaos. Once the stoic and resilient Primarch of the Death Guard, Mortarion had long since succumbed to the corruption of Nurgle, the Chaos God of decay and despair, during the Horus Heresy.
In the 41st millennium, Mortarion emerged from the Eye of Terror at the head of a vast plague fleet, unleashing his Rotting Legions upon the Ultramar system in a campaign of terror and pestilence. His goal was not merely conquest but the complete corruption of Guilliman's realm, spreading Nurgle's "gifts" of disease and despair to undermine the Imperium's hope and resilience.
Mortarion's forces, bolstered by daemonic allies and plagued war machines, laid waste to entire worlds, transforming them into festering hellscapes of rot and decay. His personal vendetta against Guilliman, whom he saw as a symbol of the Emperor's failed ideals, drove him to confront his brother in a series of brutal battles, culminating in a climactic duel that tested the limits of both Primarchs.
Mortarion's rise was a grim reminder of the enduring threat posed by the traitor Primarchs and the insidious power of Chaos, as even the mightiest of the Emperor's sons could fall to corruption and become instruments of the galaxy's destruction.
The resurrection of Roboute Guilliman has given the Imperium a fighting chance, but the challenges it faces are greater than ever. The Tyranids continue to devour worlds, the Necrons rise from their tombs, and the forces of Chaos grow ever stronger. The galaxy is a battlefield, and the Imperium's survival hangs in the balance.
Yet, amidst the darkness, there is hope. Guilliman's leadership has brought a renewed sense of purpose to the Imperium, and the Indomitus Crusade has shown that humanity is not yet defeated. The Imperium's defenders fight on, driven by faith, duty, and the unyielding belief that humanity will endure. The 41st millennium is a time of grim darkness, but it is also a time of heroes, of miracles, and of the unbreakable spirit of mankind.