Introduction to Warhammer 40k Universe
Greetings, lore-lovers! Welcome to a journey through the rich tapestry of the 41st Millennium, where the Emperor of Mankind sits immobile on the Golden Throne, commanding an Imperium of a million worlds with inexhaustible armies. In this grim and dark future, forgotten technologies, lost sciences, and a ceaseless cycle of war dominate the narrative. As we delve into the tales of these times, join me, your guide through the labyrinth of lore, as we uncover the secrets, battles, and mysteries that shape the vast universe of Liandrug. Strap in for an exploration of a universe where peace among the stars is but a distant memory, replaced by an eternity of carnage, slaughter, and the enigmatic laughter of thirsting gods. This is Liandrug, and together, we are the lore-lovers ready to unravel the mysteries of the 41st Millennium.
The Chronicle
In the 41st Millennium, the Emperor of Mankind has ruled from the Golden Throne of Earth for over a hundred centuries. He commands humanity by divine will, governing a million worlds with his vast armies. Despite being a decaying figure, imbued with power from the Dark Age of Technology, he serves as the Carrion Lord of the vast Imperium of Man, where a thousand souls are sacrificed daily to prevent his true demise.
Even in his undying state, the Emperor remains vigilant. Mighty fleets traverse the perilous Warp, guided by the Astronomican - the psychic manifestation of his will. Armies engage in battles across countless worlds, led by various forces, including the Adeptus Astartes, the bio-engineered super-warriors known as Space Marines, alongside the Imperial Guard, planetary defense forces, the Inquisition, and the Tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Despite their vast numbers, these forces struggle to fend off threats from aliens, heretics, mutants, and more in a grim and brutal reality. To exist as a human in these times means being one among billions, enduring the harshest and bloodiest regime. This is an era where the power of technology and science has been forgotten, progress and understanding are distant memories, and the grim dark future is dominated by unending war. There is no peace among the stars, only a ceaseless cycle of carnage, slaughter, and the ominous laughter of thirsting gods.
The Imperium, a sprawling stellar empire in the 41st Millennium, is the ultimate authority for most Humans in the Milky Way Galaxy. Ruled by the god-like Emperor of Mankind, it faces challenges from various humanoid species, including mutant offshoots known as Abhumans. Despite the Emperor's nominal rule, His severely damaged body confines Him to the cybernetic life support of the Golden Throne.
In this war-torn empire, teetering on collapse for 10,000 Terran years, countless souls are sacrificed daily to sustain the Emperor's psychic strength. Amidst a galaxy where Daemons, mutations, and death are constant, survival is a grim reality for billions. The Imperium spans millions of stars, defending Humanity through wars and sacrifices, preventing its extinction by enemies and the Dark Gods' laughter.
As the largest political entity with over a million Human-settled worlds, the Imperium enforces interstellar tribute, supporting self-governance while demanding loyalty to the Emperor and the Imperial Cult. The Imperial Tithe, paid in troops and materiel, ensures the Astra Militarum and Navis Imperialis can protect the Imperium.
Promoting a neo-feudal political system, the Imperium rejects democracy and change, deeming them heretical. Stifled by the need for stability, the Imperium faces threats from alien species, Chaos, and internal challenges like rebellion and mutation. Despite its authoritarian nature, the Imperium's protection is crucial, preventing Mankind's extinction from countless perils that lurk within and beyond its borders.
The Astra Militarum, colloquially known as the Imperial Guard, stands as the galaxy's largest fighting force, serving as the primary military arm of the Imperium of Man. This colossal force, consisting of countless billions across diverse regiments, operates a vast array of armored vehicles, making it the first line of defense against threats imperiling Humanity in the 41st Millennium.
Employed to respond swiftly when a world's Planetary Defence Force falters, the Astra Militarum employs overwhelming numbers, supported by powerful artillery and main battle tanks. Nicknamed the "Hammer of the Emperor," their sheer force contrasts with the precision of the Adeptus Astartes, described as the "Scalpel of the Emperor."
The Astra Militarum's origins trace back to the Great Crusade, where the need for more manpower led to the creation of the Imperial Army, later renamed the Astra Militarum. Initially utilized for garrison duties, it eventually fought alongside the Space Marine Legions. However, the Horus Heresy prompted a reorganization, resulting in the Imperial Army's dissolution and the birth of the Astra Militarum.
Now organized into planetary-sized Militarum Regimentos, the Astra Militarum operates independently of the Imperial Navy, preventing large-scale rebellions. The lessons learned from the Horus Heresy shape the Astra Militarum's structure, ensuring loyalty, discipline, and a safeguard against treachery. This force, the Hammer of the Emperor, remains a formidable bulwark defending Humanity in the grim and turbulent 41st Millennium.
The Inquisition, officially known as the Holy Orders of the Emperor's Inquisition, operates clandestinely outside the standard administrative structure of the Imperium of Man. Serving as the secret police force, it diligently pursues threats to the stability of the God-Emperor's realm. This includes combating corruption by Chaos forces, heretics, mutants, rebels, and relentless assaults from vicious alien species like Tyranids, Orks, and Drukhari.
The Inquisition's notorious sigil originated from the personal heraldry of Malcador the Sigillite, the Regent of Terra during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, and the Imperium's second most powerful psyker after the Emperor Himself. At the onset of the Heresy, Malcador created the secret organization, following the Emperor's orders to assemble individuals with an "inquisitive nature" to identify and eliminate Imperium threats.
Structured into three major orders, or "Ordos Majoris," along with numerous minor ones, or "Ordos Minoris," the Inquisition addresses specific threats to the Imperium and Humanity's survival. The Ordo Malleus, alongside their Space Marine allies, the Grey Knights, confronts and defeats Chaos forces and other extradimensional threats. The Ordo Xenos, supported by the Deathwatch Astartes, defends against alien threats beyond Imperial borders. The Ordo Hereticus, accompanied by the Adepta Sororitas' Orders Militant, combats internal Human threats within the Imperium's organizations and worlds. The Inquisition remains a vigilant guardian, operating in the shadows to protect the Imperium from both internal and external dangers.
The Space Marines, also known as the Adeptus Astartes, stand as the pinnacle defenders of Humanity, elevated beyond ordinary men through a rigorous regimen of genetic modification, psycho-conditioning, and intense training. These superhuman warriors are virtually immune to disease, capable of enduring wounds that would be fatal to others, and clad in powerful ancient armor while wielding unparalleled weaponry. Devoted to the Emperor and the Imperium, they are the Angels of Death, instilled with an unwavering resolve.
Physically stronger, more resilient, and often mentally detached from ordinary humans, the Space Marines command both awe and fear. Some view them as demigods or angels, while others see them as efficient eradicators of the Imperium's enemies. Certain Chapters disdain normal humans, perceiving them as frail beings prone to weakness and temptation.
Despite this, some Space Marines remember their purpose: to defend Humanity, even from itself. They are the last resort saviors, guardians created not to lead but to protect. While some dismiss compassion as a human weakness, others recognize it as their ultimate salvation.
Recruitment methods vary, ranging from selecting neophytes from feral tribes to grooming volunteers from birth or even kidnapping potential warriors. Regardless of the method, only those who endure the grueling initiation trials prove themselves worthy of becoming a Space Marine.
Once transformed into an Astartes, a Space Marine is forever set apart from the people he once belonged to, sworn to protect them. With approximately 1,000 active Chapters at any given time, comprised of traditional Firstborn and enhanced Primaris Space Marines, their genetic heritage mirrors that of the Emperor. The exact Astartes population remains uncertain, fluctuating with time and Imperium circumstances since the Second Founding following the Horus Heresy.
The primarchs, 20 genetically-engineered transhuman "sons" of the emperor of mankind, emerged in the late 30th millennium. Crafted to be immortal and superhuman generals, these exceptional beings were destined to lead the emperor's great crusade, uniting the scattered human race under his rule. Their genomes served as templates for the 20 space marine legions.
Bred to perfection as generals, warriors, and statesmen, the primarchs surpassed normal humans in size, strength, speed, and intellect. Possessing charisma and martial prowess akin to mythical gods, they were immune to disease, aging, and the failings of lesser men. Each embodied a unique aspect of war, whether as the greatest strategist, the terror of war, a master of psychic powers, or the foremost practitioner of fortification.
These extraordinary beings were the emperor's means of reclaiming lost worlds and establishing his new imperium. intended to be the best military commanders and political leaders in human history, the primarchs were to spread the imperial truth across the galaxy in their father's name.
However, the chaos gods thwarted the emperor's plans, spiriting the primarchs away through the warp to different human-settled planets. Deprived of the emperor's guidance, each primarch developed a personality shaped by the circumstances of their homeworlds, marked by unique strengths and challenges.
Despite their exceptional gifts, the primarchs remained men, and their inherent flaws eventually became the primary obstacle to realizing the emperor's grand vision for mankind.
The Adeptus Mechanicus, officially recognized as the Cult Mechanicus or Cult of the Machine within the Adeptus Terra, originates from Mars and serves as the source of scientists, engineers, and technicians for the Imperium. The tech-adepts, primary keepers of sacred wisdom, form an exclusive caste of Tech-priests who safeguard the knowledge crucial for maintaining and constructing advanced Imperial technology.
Formerly known as the Mechanicum in ancient times, the Adeptus Mechanicus was distinctively separated from the larger Mechanicum of Mars after the Horus Heresy, following the planet's fall to the Dark Mechanicum. This separation occurred under the order of the Council of Terra in 012.M31.
While acknowledging the Emperor's rule, the Mechanicus doesn't adhere to the Imperial Creed or Ecclesiarchy, maintaining unique political and religious autonomy within the Imperium, as per the Treaty of Mars. The Mechanicus operates as an empire-within-an-empire, with interests that often align with the wider Imperium.
In place of the Imperial Creed, the Mechanicus follows its own enigmatic scriptures and worships the Machine God or "Omnissiah." They consider knowledge as the true manifestation of divinity, revering creatures and artifacts embodying knowledge. The Emperor, recognized as the living avatar of the Omnissiah, is the supreme object of worship.
The Adeptus Mechanicus holds the belief that organic flesh is weak, promoting the replacement of biological tissue with mechanical, bionic parts as sacred. Elder Tech-priests often become more machine than man over time.
Situated on Mars, the first Forge World of the Imperium, the Adeptus Mechanicus governs the Red Planet. Providing technical and scientific expertise, they field formidable armies, including Titans, Questor Mechanicus Knights, Electro-priests, Skitarii, and Combat Servitors. The Mechanicus remains a powerful force within the Imperium, contributing significantly to its technological and scientific prowess.
Imperial knights, also known as questor imperialis, are formidable robotic combat walkers in the service of the imperium and occasionally the adeptus mechanicus. Piloted by single human warriors hailing from ancient feudal aristocratic cultures across the galaxy, knights are smaller and less potent in combat than the smallest class of true titans utilized by the collegia titanica, such as the warhound-class scout titan.
These colossal war machines, standing 30 to 40 terran feet tall, boast nearly impenetrable ion shields and wield a devastating array of heavy weapons. propelled by powerful servos, they have the capability to kick over tanks and crush soldiers. imperial knights, towering over the battlefield, are revered relics from a bygone era, and bonding with them is an honor reserved for nobles from ancestral knightly houses.
The ritual of becoming, a strange and terrible rite, involves fusing the noble's mind with the knight's machine spirit, creating a union of flesh and metal. Only then can the noble truly command the towering knight from the throne mechanicum.
Thousands of standard years before the rise of the imperium, knights protected settlers on far-flung worlds. descendants of the first human settlers, these nobles, or scions, guard imperial citizens, their bloodlines traced back to terra. Pilots of these massive war suits form noble houses, sworn to defend their homeworlds and bound by oaths of fealty to the golden throne and the adeptus mechanicus.
Knight armour comes in various forms, with the knight paladin and knight errant being the most common. Both types are known for their balanced combination of manoeuvrability, protection, and firepower. All imperial knights are encased in thick adamantium armour and equipped with powerful weapon systems, including primary weapons on each arm and secondary systems on the body and shoulders.
The knight's hand-forged armour, adorned with complex heraldry, varies based on the artisan's skill. Ion shields provide potent defensive capabilities, deflecting and slowing enemy shots. The positioning of the shield depends on the operator's skill.
Imperial knights, armed with enormous melee weapons like reaper chainswords, showcase impressive close combat skills. They also carry ranged weapons for blasting apart enemy vehicles and heavy stubbers for infantry targets. Other rarer types, such as crusader, castellan, and lancer, offer increased firepower, thicker armour, or enhanced agility for specific roles, but the paladin and errant remain supreme examples of knight design with their perfectly balanced attributes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey lore-lovers, welcome back to Liandrug, today we discuss about the second part of this series where I'm trying to introduce you, as best as I can, to this awesome universe of Warhammer 40k. In the first part we have discussed about the Emperror and it's serving institutions and armies, but now let's continue with:
Chaos, often referred to as the Primordial Truth or the Primordial Annihilator, is a metaphysical force embodied by malevolent entities in the Immaterium, fueled by emotional energy. Predominantly comprised of Daemons, Chaos extends to mortals pursuing its goals, ranging from Chaos Cultists to mighty Chaos Space Marines and Traitor Titan Legions. Chaos is also the turbulent psychic energy in the alternate dimension called the Immaterium, shaping the individual Chaos Gods' nightmare domains collectively known as the Realm of Chaos.
Chaos is synonymous with the Warp, an ocean of spiritual, psychic, and emotional energy underlying the material universe. It is a potent force of change and power, corrupting both physically and spiritually. While not inherently "evil," Chaos often leads its adherents to malevolent acts. Devotees may seek freedom and change, but the pursuit of excess and personal gain often results in damnation.
Psykers, the most evolutionarily-advanced mortals, tap into Chaos's energy, granting abilities beyond standard physical laws. However, exposure to Chaos can corrupt them, turning them into unwitting slaves of the Ruinous Powers. The four great Chaos Gods, collectively known as the Ruinous Powers, represent distinct aspects of Chaos and can be worshipped individually or as "Chaos Undivided."
The iconic symbol of Chaos is the eight-pointed star, symbolizing infinite possibilities. Ultimately, Chaos seeks the complete destruction of the material universe, consumed by its uncontained energies. Chaos is a malevolent force representing the negative aspects of sentient beings' psyches. In the Milky Way Galaxy, Chaos particularly embodies Humanity's flaws, exploiting weaknesses and corrupting individuals easily.
Chaos-associated dangers include mutation, Daemonic possession, and spiritual damnation. Despite these risks, some willingly serve Chaos for the meritocracy it offers. Chaos judges based on abilities and success in promoting the individual Chaos Gods' agenda. It provides the opportunity for power and respect beyond mortal dreams, offering freedom in contrast to the oppressive Imperium of Man. However, serving Chaos makes one a slave, and most who fall to its temptations face eventual failure, becoming possessed, Chaos Spawn, or mere pawns in the Dark Gods' schemes.
Chaos Space Marines, also known as Traitor Marines, Renegade Marines, or Heretic Astartes, are former Space Marines of the Imperium who have forsaken the service of the Emperor of Mankind, dedicating themselves to Chaos for personal goals. They often belong to the original Traitor Legions from the ancient Horus Heresy or later Renegade Space Marine Chapters.
These corrupted Astartes can emerge from any time and place, succumbing to Chaos's allure. The Horus Heresy witnessed the split between Loyalist Space Marines and the Chaos Space Marines of the Traitor Legions, led by the corrupted primarch Horus. Some Traitor Marines served all four Dark Gods as Chaos Undivided, while others focused on worshiping a single Ruinous Power.
Chaos Space Marines, once ascetic servants of the Emperor, undergo physical and armor transformations, warping into darker, inhuman forms influenced by Warp energies. Their ambitions revolve around indulging in pleasures, acquiring wealth, causing mayhem, and above all, gaining power to rule over Humanity in the name of the Chaos Gods.
In the wake of the Great Rift's birth, Chaos Space Marines, led by Abaddon the Despoiler, pose a significant threat to the Imperium. Their unity lies in an insatiable hunger for power, initially focused on specific goals but evolving into a deep obsession. While the Dark Gods reward followers for carnage, the bestowed gifts are unpredictable -- ranging from empowering auras to grotesque mutations.
Ultimately, Chaos Space Marines aspire for immortality, seeking to become Daemon Princes. Successful aspirants achieve this transformation, but countless failures end up as mewling abominations known as Chaos Spawn, mutated beyond recognition.
The forces of Chaos, sometimes derogatorily referred to as the "Archenemy" or as "Renegades" or "Traitors" for those once loyal to the Imperium, constitute a diverse array of mortal and Daemonic servants devoted to individual Ruinous Powers and the overarching concept of Chaos Undivided.
While Chaos Space Marines are prominent and potent, they are bolstered by myriad other servants. Human Chaos Cultists, Traitoris Militarum soldiers, Traitor Titan Legions, Chaos Knights, remnants of the Dark Mechanicum, and legions of Chaos Daemons all contribute to the forces of Chaos.
In addition to Chaos Space Marines, the Imperium labels mortal servants of Chaos, who are not transhuman Astartes, as the "Lost and the Damned." This inclusive term encompasses the varied and numerous followers who have succumbed to the corrupting influence of Chaos, reflecting the vast and multifaceted nature of the Archenemy.
The Asuryani, or "Children of Asuryan," were once a dominant humanoid alien species that boasted an expansive empire across the galaxy. However, their pride and descent into hedonism precipitated a cataclysm, birthing the Chaos God Slaanesh and decimating their civilization over ten millennia ago. The surviving Asuryani, also known as Eldar or Craftworld Aeldari, now inhabit colossal starships called craftworlds.
These city-like vessels are their homes, and the Asuryani grapple with survival, employing mental discipline and martial prowess against the galaxy's horrors. Employing mystical technologies like Spirit Stones and wraithbone Infinity Circuits, they safeguard their souls from consumption by Slaanesh after death.
The Asuryani culture distinguishes itself through the use of these technologies and a disciplined system to control their darker impulses. Their history, preserved through stories and traditional arts, reveals the remnants of their once-vast civilization.
Physically resembling Humans, the Aeldari exhibit longer limbs, fine features, and slightly pointed ears. Their movements exude a unique grace, and their emotional experiences, more intense than Humans, contribute to their rich artistic expressions.
While their potential for joy and creativity is unparalleled, the Aeldari's emotional extremes also make them susceptible to despair and darker emotions. To curb this, the Asuryani Path guides them to balance their minds and pursue constructive goals, avoiding the destructive pursuit of pleasure that nearly led to their extinction.
Innately psychic, the Asuryani can become powerful psykers, utilizing their abilities for technology mastery. Despite their advanced status, the Craftworld Aeldari face decline in the 41st Millennium, existing as a mere shadow of their former glory, teetering on the brink of extinction.
A craftworld is a colossal, planetoid-sized spacecraft that serves as the habitation for the Asuryani, an advanced humanoid faction of the Aeldari species. These craftworlds traverse space at sublight speeds, carrying the primary remnants of the Aeldari species following their catastrophic Fall.
Each craftworld is an autonomous realm, possessing a unique culture and sustaining itself independently. Constructed around a skeleton of psychoactive crystalline wraithbone, this structure permeates the colossal voidcraft, extending throughout its entire framework and forming the core of most Asuryani constructions.
The wraithbone core functions akin to the circulatory and nervous system of a living being. It serves as a self-replenishing reservoir of psychic power, with rib-like structures distributing this energy across the craftworld. Wraithbone's psycho-conductive nature allows it to transmit psychic impulses, responding organically to psychic forces.
The craftworld, in essence, embodies a living entity fueled by psychic energy. This energy can be expended as light and heat, crucial for the functionality of ship-board devices and Asuryani technology, reliant on the wireless psychic power grid woven into the craftworld's substructure.
Known as the Infinity Circuit, this metaphysical neural structure is embedded with Spirit Stones, holding the essence of the craftworld's departed. The collective psychic energy stored in these stones serves as both the source of the craftworld's power and its ethereal sentience, forming a ghostly presence within the vast vessel.
The Webway, also known as the Labyrinth Dimension or Labyrinthine Dimension in older texts, stands as an extra-dimensional space secluded from the Immaterium millions of Terran years ago by the highly advanced xenos species called the Old Ones. Today, this intricate network finds application in the faster-than-light travel of the Aeldari Asuryani from the craftworlds and their Drukhari counterparts.
The Webway serves as more than a conduit for travel; it is home to the expansive Dark City of Commorragh and the concealed craftworld governed by the enigmatic Harlequins, known as the Black Library.
Described as an immensely intricate network of arteries and capillaries, a radiant maze of tunnels, and a mystical tapestry of concealed threads spanning the veil between realspace and the Warp, the Webway is a hyper-dimensional construct. This construct is situated between the material realm and the turbulent currents of the Warp, acting as an interstice akin to a veil cast over something unsavory.
Crafted through psychic means, much like other prized Aeldari artifacts, the Webway's myriad corridors are shielded from Warp incursions through specific methods, manners, and the composition of their construction. This protection safeguards the stability and integrity of the Webway, allowing the Aeldari to navigate its intricate pathways for swift and secure travel.
The Drukhari, pronounced Druh-KAR-ee, also known as the Dark Eldar, represent a fallen and corrupted Aeldari kindred, embodying the sadistic and malevolent aspect of the Asuryani. In contrast to their cousins from the craftworlds, the Drukhari are an ancient and highly advanced alien race of fey humanoids.
Coined by the Drukhari archon and Supreme Overlord of Commorragh, Asdrubael Vect, in the 32nd Millennium, the alternative term "Dark Eldar" reflects their forsaken nature. Like their Craftworld Aeldari counterparts, the Drukhari armies emphasize mobility and advanced technology, yet they often lack resilience and numerical strength.
Infamous for reveling in piracy, enslavement, and torture, the Drukhari display extreme sadism. Employing anti-gravity skimmers such as Raiders and Ravagers for high-speed attacks, they utilize the Webway, an interdimensional labyrinth, to traverse the galaxy swiftly and securely.
Distinctive among the intelligent species of the Milky Way Galaxy, the Drukhari do not inhabit settled worlds; instead, their majority resides in the Dark City of Commorragh within the Aeldari Webway's "ordered" Immaterium. Predominantly pirates and slavers, the Drukhari feed on the souls of other sentient beings to satisfy their insatiable thirst, sometimes serving as mercenaries for other starfaring species.
Physically, the Drukhari, particularly the warrior castes, are tall, lithe, white-skinned humanoids, exuding a death-like pallor due to the absence of a life-giving sun. Despite their beauty by Human standards, they are monstrous creatures with black souls revealed through psychic sight, perpetually craving the psychic energy of anguish and torment to fill their emptiness.
Unlike their Craftworld Aeldari counterparts, the Drukhari disdain integrating their potent psychic abilities into their culture. They reject psykers as their use might attract the attention of "She Who Thirsts" (Slaanesh), putting their souls at further risk of being consumed by the Chaos God.
Commorragh, known as the "Dark City," stands as the colossal city-state nestled within the Webway, serving as the principal home of the Drukhari, a kindred of the Aeldari species. Shrouded in mystery, it is deemed impossible for outsiders to discover, and the inhabitants embrace anarchy and terrorism as integral aspects of their debased lifestyle. Within the holy pathways of the Craftworld Aeldari, Commorragh is perceived as a "dark stain" growing within the inter-dimensional labyrinth known as the Webway.
More than a mere metropolis, Commorragh dwarfs the greatest cities of realspace, akin to a soaring mountain compared to a mound of termites. Its dimensions defy conventional understanding, featuring a population exceeding that of entire star systems. Commorragh appears as a vast amalgamation of satellite realms and cities interconnected by myriad portals and hidden pathways.
From a certain viewpoint, Commorragh resembles a malevolent virus spread throughout the arteries of the Webway. Although physically scattered across the galaxy, these concentrations are linked by shimmering dimensional shortcuts, enabling swift traversal between sub-realms.
The Dark City is notorious for its "wandering shadows that tear apart the unwary" and bathed in the crimson half-light of the Ilmaea, or "black suns." These dying stars, seized from realspace during the height of Aeldari technological prowess, illuminate Commorragh and provide it with power, existing within their sub-realms within the Webway.
During the final weeks of the 13th Black Crusade led by Abaddon the Despoiler in approximately 999.M41, the Craftworld Aeldari deliberately collapsed several Webway portals leading to Commorragh. This action isolated the Dark City from much of the Webway. Despite this, the Drukhari can still employ artificial Webway portals within their technological infrastructure to create temporary tunnels through the Warp, ensuring they remain largely unaffected by their craftworld counterparts' actions due to the mutable nature of the Webway.
The Fall of the Aeldari marks the catastrophic event that befell the Aeldari race during the early 30th Millennium of the Terran calendar, leading to the demise of their dominance in the Milky Way Galaxy. This epochal incident gave rise to the Chaos God Slaanesh and the subsequent emergence of the present-day Aeldari factions, including the Craftworld Aeldari (Asuryani), the Drukhari, and the rustic Exodites.
The Aeldari, an ancient and enigmatic humanoid alien species, once wielded vast influence across the galaxy. Their empire spanned eons, shaping the destinies of worlds and manipulating cosmic forces. However, the Aeldari's zenith crumbled into oblivion, reducing them to near-extinction and scattering the remnants of their shattered civilization into constant warfare. Those who retained enough sanity fled on mighty vessels known as Craftworlds, becoming the last vestiges of the once-mighty Aeldari civilization drifting amidst the stars.
While the Aeldari seldom speak openly about their calamitous past, fragments of the story can be gleaned from various sources. The Aeldari succumbed to extremes of experience, their heightened senses perceiving the zeniths of agony and ecstasy. The intensity of emotion coalesced within the Immaterium, giving rise to a new Chaos power--Slaanesh. This entity slumbered, fueled by Aeldari excess, and as their deeds intensified, the Aeldari plunged further into extremes.
Ultimately, the Aeldari sank into depravity, and Slaanesh awoke, its birth cries decimating the race. The Chaos God consumed the spirits of billions of Aeldari, unleashing destruction upon their empire. The Warp erupted into realspace, creating the Eye of Terror--a vast, corrupted wound upon the fabric of reality.
The Eye of Terror, now home to the darkest evils of the galaxy, serves as the battleground for the Great Game, an eternal struggle among Chaos factions. The Traitor Legions, driven from Terra during the Horus Heresy, have claimed homeworlds within the Eye of Terror. Abaddon the Despoiler, a former lieutenant of Horus, has united these disparate factions in Black Crusades, terrorizing Imperial sectors. The Eye of Terror, born from the Aeldari's shame and the price of their Fall, distorts time within its bounds, enabling Traitor Legions to menace the Imperium for ten thousand standard years.
Ten millennia after the Horus Heresy, as Traitor Legions embark on Black Crusades, the Aeldari mourn their lost glory and fear that the folly of Mankind may replicate their arrogance, heralding dire consequences for the galaxy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, lore-lovers and welcome back again, as today we are going to continue our journey in the grim future of the 41st millennium. In the first two parts of this series we have discussed about the Emperror and it's forces and about the fall of those elf-like species known now as Drukhari and Asuryani. We shall now continue our exploration of the Warhammer 40k, and let's now learn about:
The Orks, also known as Greenskins, constitute a savage and warlike species of green-skinned, bestial, asexual humanoids found throughout the galaxy. Possessing physiological features resembling both animals and fungi, they share commonalities with the Orcs of the dark fantasy Warhammer universe, initially designated as "Space Orcs" for differentiation.
Perceived by other galactic species as primitive, barbaric, hyper-violent, and crude, the Orks are paradoxically the most successful and widespread intelligent species across the galaxy, potentially outnumbering even Humanity, with the notable exception of the Tyranids.
Orks are infamous for their dangerous and relentless nature, posing a significant threat to every intelligent species in the galaxy. Often regarded as the most warlike aliens in the 41st Millennium, their numbers are beyond estimation. Amid perpetual tides of battle and bloodshed, Ork stellar empires rise and fall, with many short-lived due to internal conflicts. However, the specter of a unified Ork force presents a grave danger, capable of crushing all opposition.
A unique aspect of the Orks is their ability to generate a potent psychic gestalt field. This field enables them to achieve seemingly impossible feats of technological engineering. The power of this psychic field is directly tied to the number of Greenskins in a given location, as more Orks attract additional members, amplifying their power and intelligence.
The insatiable thirst for battle has historically been the Orks' downfall. Tribes engage in relentless internal conflicts, with only the strongest surviving. Occasionally, a formidable Ork leader emerges, uniting warring tribes and triggering a great WAAAGH! This phenomenon, both migration and holy war, has the potential to exterminate entire star systems as other tribes rally to the cause.
In the Age of the Dark Imperium, there is a proliferation of WAAAGH!s, signifying a period with more Ork uprisings than ever recorded. When the Orks go on the rampage, the galaxy trembles under the weight of their destructive might.
The WAAAGH! is the term used by the Orks to describe the colossal military campaigns they periodically unleash across the galaxy as part of their perpetual craving for combat and war. It also encapsulates the fundamental concept of Ork "kultur" that forms the cornerstone of the entire Greenskin society.
The Greenskins, characterized by their barbaric and savage nature, spread like a viridian stain throughout the galaxy. They swarm the battlefields of the 41st Millennium in vast numbers, overwhelming any opposition with a torrent of bloodshed and often mindless violence.
An Ork WAAAGH! represents war on an apocalyptic scale. Countless Orks surge from one world to the next, obliterating entire civilizations and decimating defending armies as they advance relentlessly in an unstoppable tide.
Orks have an inherent need for battle, akin to the way humans require food and drink. Their warlike disposition leads to constant internal conflicts and piratical raids against nearby enemies, typically remaining small-scale or localized. However, when Ork populations reach a critical mass, a full-scale planetary migration known as a WAAAGH! ensues--a crusade marked by unbridled aggression that wreaks havoc across star systems.
The WAAAGH! is not only a physical event but also a gestalt psychic field generated by the Orks, influencing their psyche and instinctively determining leadership based on who is perceived as "bigga" or more dominant. This psychic field grows stronger as the Orks engage in enjoyable activities, especially combat, and as more of them gather in one geographical area.
This psychic field, also named the WAAAGH!, plays a crucial role in the momentum of Ork planetary assault campaigns. Orks of various sizes are drawn to a single dominant figure, usually a Warboss or Warlord, and together they embark on a quest to find and defeat enemies. Ork WAAAGHs! sweep through entire planetary systems, leaving behind a trail of bloodlust, carnage, and destruction. Only when all available enemies have been eliminated do the Orks revert to internal conflicts among themselves.
The Imperium of Man's Tech-priests theorize that the gestalt psychic field has telekinetic or quantum probabilistic effects, allowing seemingly ramshackle and poorly designed Ork technology to function as expected. This theory arises from the Imperium's adoption of the Adeptus Mechanicus' belief in a universal "Machine Spirit" that inhabits all technology, serving Mankind at the command of the Machine God. Without this Machine Spirit, Ork machines might not function, necessitating a psychic cause to justify their often devastating effects. The peculiar behavior of Ork-built weapons, which may not work unless wielded by an Orkoid, lends some support to this hypothesis.
The Third War for Armageddon, initiated in 998.M41, marked a colossal conflict between the Imperium of Man and the largest Ork WAAAGH! ever assembled, under the leadership of the formidable Greenskin Warlord Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. This war unfolded on the Hive World of Armageddon, the same planet where Ghazghkull Thraka had previously launched his initial attempt to seize control precisely 57 standard years earlier.
The magnitude of the conflict drew in elements from over 25 Space Marine Chapters, dozens of Astra Militarum regiments, and several Titan Legions. The devastation wrought upon Armageddon was immense before the war concluded with an exceedingly narrow Imperial victory. However, neither the Imperial nor Ork forces could secure complete control over the contested world, and fighting persisted across the planet.
In the aftermath of the opening of the Great Rift in 999.M41, Armageddon experienced isolation from all external contact throughout the Noctis Aeterna. Upon the reappearance of the Astronomican's beacon in the Armageddon System, Imperial relief forces arrived, only to discover a new twist in the conflict. A third faction had joined the war--the Daemonic legions of Khorne and Tzeentch.
These Chaos forces exhibited a peculiar inclination to fight amongst themselves, mirroring the internecine conflicts among the mortal inhabitants of the Hive World. In some instances, the remaining Imperial and Ork forces formed temporary alliances to confront this unexpected threat posed by the Daemonic legions of Khorne and Tzeentch. The war on Armageddon, already characterized by its complexity and intensity, took an even more chaotic turn with the involvement of these supernatural forces.
The Tyranids are an extragalactic composite species, an entire space-faring ecosystem comprised of countless bioforms that share variations on the same genetic theme. These insectoid xenos represent the ultimate predators, viewing all living things, from the smallest insects to the most advanced starfaring civilizations, as mere prey. The inhabitants of the galaxy are slowly realizing the scale of the threat posed by the Tyranids; if not stopped, it will lead to the extinction of all life.
Dedicated solely to their survival, propagation, and evolutionary advancement, the Tyranids form a monstrous superorganism, traveling the universe in massive hive fleets of biomechanical Hive Ships. They systematically consume all other biomatter, enabling their rapid evolution and reproduction. The Tyranids are akin to a galactic swarm, devouring everything in their path, feeding on entire worlds and leaving only lifeless husks behind.
All Tyranid organisms are "synaptic," psychically reactive, contributing to a communal Hive Mind that allows the trillions of beings comprising the Tyranid hive fleets to communicate and organize instantaneously on an immense scale. Their approach to warfare is characterized by overwhelming their foes with sheer numbers, rapidly reproducing virulent organisms from the biochemical soup derived from the biospheres of consumed worlds.
The Tyranids travel in large groups known as "swarms," each possessing specialized biomechanical creatures for destroying and consuming diverse prey life forms. These swarms aim to acquire useful new biological traits from other lifeforms during invasions, enhancing the Tyranids' effectiveness in consuming new worlds for further reproduction and directed evolution.
Genetic transfer across species boundaries is facilitated by sophisticated Tyranid methods. A crucial aspect of Tyranid invasions is the acquisition of genetic traits to aid their survival. All Tyranids are reproduced by a single, highly intelligent female bioform known as a Norn-Queen. These Norn-Queens are vital to the Tyranid hive fleet; if injured or killed, the Tyranids cannot reproduce their numbers from captured biomass. Norn-Queens are typically found at the heart of the largest and most well-defended Tyranid Hive Ships.
A hive fleet is a vast armada of living, biomechanical starships engineered by the Tyranids to gather the raw materials and biomass necessary for their species' reproduction, evolution, and expansion. These fleets are designed to attack and strip star systems of their biomass, employing a diverse range of Tyranid bioforms to achieve their objectives.
The Imperium of Man has directly encountered only three primary Tyranid hive fleets, along with numerous smaller splinter fleets, all of which have caused significant damage and loss of life. Designated by the Imperium's Segmentum Ultima Command, the primary hive fleets are Hive Fleet Behemoth, Hive Fleet Kraken, and Hive Fleet Leviathan. Each of these fleets made first contact with Imperial space in the Eastern Fringes of the galaxy within the Segmentum Ultima.
Hive Fleet Behemoth entered the Milky Way Galaxy in 745.M41, followed by Hive Fleet Kraken in 993.M41 and Hive Fleet Leviathan in 997.M41. While each hive fleet is ultimately governed by the collective psychic Hive Mind of the Tyranid species, the Norn-Queens at the heart of the fleets interpret the Hive Mind's will for other Tyranid organisms. These Norn-Queens are responsible for birthing nearly every Tyranid bioform within the fleet, except for its Hive Ships.
The powerful psychic connection between every hive fleet and the Hive Mind generates the "Shadow in the Warp," an effect that disrupts travel and communication through the Immaterium in the vicinity of the fleet's location. This adds an additional layer of danger and difficulty for any attempts to resist or counteract Tyranid invasions.
A Genestealer (Corporaptor hominis) is a specific bioform within the multispecies Tyranid race, genetically designed by the Hive Mind for infiltrating the settled worlds of other intelligent species. The Tyranids are a nomadic xenos species driven by a collective consciousness known as the Hive Mind, and they consist of various genetically engineered bioforms, with the Genestealer being one such variant.
Genestealers play a crucial role as vanguard organisms for the hive fleets, often being the first Tyranids encountered by other species. They possess a unique, parasitic reproductive cycle and psychic abilities that allow them to establish "Genestealer Cults" on Imperial worlds. These cults serve as a means of infiltrating and undermining the society and military defenses of Human worlds from within, supporting hive fleet assaults.
Their true nature is obscured by various legends, and on different Imperial worlds, they are known by names such as "Snatcher-devils," "Cave Nightmares," or "Clawed Changelings." Genestealers are the harbingers of genetic doom, spreading a curse that multiplies in secrecy, akin to a virus. Even a single Purestrain Genestealer, inadvertently transported to a fertile planet, can give rise to enough tainted progeny to gradually take over the world from the bottom up.
The opening of the Great Rift has intensified the spread of Genestealer infestations, as countless refugee craft in desperate flight provide ideal transportation for these xenos creatures. Aside from their role in subversion, Purestrain Genestealers also serve as primary shock assault units for Tyranid swarms during both surface and void battles.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey lore-lovers, welcome back to our last episode from this big introduction into the Warhammer 40k Universe. Don't worry, this is the last episode from the introduction, in the future more will come, exploring the details of this grim future of the Milky Way Galaxy. A lot of species and forces have been discussed in our previous episodes, but there are some few major things from this universe worth talking about in this long introduction, let's see!
The Necrons are an ancient and mysterious xenos species of humanoid, robotic skeletal warriors that have been dormant in their stasis-tombs for over 60 million Terran years. Governed by the soulless creations and captives of the ancient C'tan, the Star Gods of Aeldari myth, the Necrons have begun to awaken with the intent of reclaiming their dominance over the galaxy. Their awakening coincides with the opportune moment for conquest and the restoration of the Necron Empire, following the disappearance of the Old Ones more than 60 million standard years ago.
These completely robotic humanoid entities possess unparalleled technological prowess, but their origins trace back to organic forms. Driven by vengeance against the ancient xenos beings known as the Old Ones, and manipulated by the godlike intelligences called the C'tan, the Necrons shed their original organic bodies, losing compassion and empathy in the process. They have transformed into ruthless, undying killing machines, determined to exert their mastery over the galaxy once more.
Awakening from their Tomb Worlds after millions of years of dormancy, the Necrons seek to restore their ancient ruling dynasties to glory and bring the galaxy under their rule. This fundamental command is encoded into their minds, and it guides their every action. However, the Necrons awaken to a galaxy vastly changed from the one they knew. Tomb Worlds have been destroyed, damaged, or inhabited by degenerate alien species. Despite these challenges, the undying Necron legions are rising, and their goal is to reclaim their dominion.
The Necrons, from the lowest warriors to the most regal lords, share the ultimate goal of restoring their ancient dynasties and asserting their dominance over the galaxy. As they emerge, their mechanical bodies, forged from living metal, prove almost impervious to destruction. Their regenerative capabilities allow them to heal swiftly, reattaching severed limbs, repairing armor, and rebuilding shattered mechanical organs.
In battle, the Necrons exhibit a remarkable ability to "phase out" and retreat to stasis-crypts if overwhelmed. Victory over the Necrons is tenuous, and defeats are viewed as minor inconveniences on the path to future triumphs. Immortality has endowed the Necrons with patience, and their will is as unbending as adamantium. The galaxy's only hope against their advance lies in preventing their full awakening, unification of scattered Tomb Worlds, and the chance of survival for other intelligent species. Otherwise, the Necrons, undying, cruel, and utterly implacable, may rule supreme for all eternity.
The C'tan, also known as Star Gods, are considered the oldest intelligent beings in the Milky Way Galaxy. According to legend, they were created at the very inception of the universe as etheric entities spawned from swirling gases and immense energy. In their natural form, C'tan are vast beings of pure energy that spread across the surface of stars, absorbing solar energy for sustenance. They developed diaphanous wings made from electromagnetic force lines to travel between stars once their host star had died.
The C'tan possess the ability to interact with the physical world, thanks to Necrontyr technology that transferred their consciousness into robotic bodies resembling the ancient deities of Necrontyr culture, composed of living metal known as necrodermis. Utilizing the hatred of the Necrontyr towards the Old Ones, the C'tan manipulated the Necrons to gather the more appetizing energy emitted by living beings.
Despite their aversion to the Warp and psychic energies, the C'tan directed the construction of blackstone pylons on planets like Cadia, aiming to sever the connection between the Warp and the material universe. This plan would annihilate living creatures with souls, leaving the rest of the galaxy as sustenance for the C'tan.
The C'tan played a significant role in the biotransference process for the Necrontyr, transferring their consciousness into undying mechanical bodies, turning them into soulless Necrons. While this process granted immortality, the Necrons struggled to find pleasure in anything.
Following the War in Heaven against the Old Ones, the Necrons, led by Silent King Szarekh, rebelled against the C'tan. Surviving C'tan were shattered into fragments called C'tan Shards, more easily contained and imprisoned within Tesseract Labyrinths, arcane Necron devices.
As the Necrons began to awaken in the 41st Millennium, C'tan Shards were deployed as powerful weapons on the battlefield. However, the risk remains that imprisoned C'tan may escape, seeking vengeance on their captors and innocent beings alike.
The Necrontyr, the organic humanoid precursors of the Necrons, sought technological advancements to overcome their short lifespans. Their obsessive pursuit of scientific research led to Necron technology surpassing that of contemporary starfaring species in the galaxy. This technological prowess, including the wonders found on the Asuryani craftworlds, may appear impossible or supernatural to younger and less advanced races.
Necron weaponry typically teleports away or self-destructs along with its defeated wielder, contributing to the mysterious nature of Necron technology. Speculation suggests that recovered Necron artifacts from the depths of Tomb Worlds might not follow this pattern. However, venturing into Necron stasis tombs in search of such mythical treasures is considered an endeavor only for the extremely resilient or the profoundly reckless.
The T'au Empire, stands as a rapidly expanding multispecies xenos stellar empire located within the Imperium of Man's Ultima Segmentum, near the Eastern Fringes of the Milky Way Galaxy. Positioned within the reach of the Astronomican, it was established by the T'au caste known as the Ethereals. The Ethereals lead the T'au Empire in accordance with their utilitarian philosophy called the "Greater Good" or Tau'va in the T'au Lexicon. The empire incorporates a growing number of intelligent alien races, united under the banner of the Greater Good.
The T'au Empire has faced challenges, enduring raids from the Orks and finding itself in the path of several Tyranid splinter fleets of Hive Fleet Kraken.
The T'au, young, humanoid, and technologically advanced, hail from the Eastern Fringes of the Milky Way Galaxy. Striving to expand their small yet swiftly growing interstellar empire, they aim to extend the concept of the Greater Good to all intelligent species in the galaxy.
The T'au present themselves as a peaceful species, preferring voluntary cooperation over conflict. However, if met with refusal, they may resort to conquering planets and adding them to their stellar empire for the Greater Good. Their society is organized into castes, each managing specific aspects of their civilization. The central motivating ideal for the T'au is the concept that everyone in their empire, regardless of species or origin, should work for the collective betterment of all--a philosophy embodied in the Greater Good.
The T'au, while dominant, share their empire with other intelligent species, such as the Kroot of Pech, the insectoid Vespids of Vespid, the nomadic psykers of the Nicassar, and more. Human septs have also emerged, consisting of conquered Imperial Humans or those who joined the T'au Empire voluntarily. Referred to as Gue'vesa in the T'au Lexicon, these individuals are considered traitors and heretics within the Imperium.
Relatively young as a species, the T'au have rapidly evolved over the past few standard millennia, achieving remarkable technological advancements and posing a genuine threat to Imperial dominance in their galactic region.
The T'au, an intelligent humanoid alien race, were first encountered by the Imperium in the late 35th Millennium. At that time, the T'au were in a hunter-gatherer stage of development, and their homeworld of T'au was targeted for cleansing to make it available for Human settlement. However, a combination of intense Warp Storms in the Eastern Fringe and the turmoil of the Age of Apostasy within the Imperium during the 36th Millennium prevented the cleansing. Over the next six Terran millennia of isolation, the T'au evolved, united, and achieved an exceptionally advanced level of technology and interstellar civilization. During this period, the T'au also incorporated various intelligent alien species into their burgeoning T'au Empire, with the most notable additions being the Kroot and the Vespid.
The T'au Empire, having developed an intricate and advanced arsenal, deploys a diverse range of weaponry wielded by the Fire Caste, who are the military arm of the T'au society. The incorporation of auxiliary species into their forces showcases the T'au Empire's inclusive approach, uniting different intelligent species under the banner of the Greater Good. The T'au's technological prowess is reflected not only in their weaponry but also in the seamless integration of various alien races within their expansive empire.
A T'au Battlesuit is an advanced, powered combat exoskeleton that serves as a crucial component of the T'au Fire Caste's military forces. These sophisticated machines are a symbol of reputation and honor within the Fire Caste, representing the apex of the T'au Empire's military technology. Only the most distinguished heroes of the Fire Caste have the privilege of donning these mighty armored suits, and they stand as a source of pride and a prominent symbol of the T'au Empire.
T'au Battlesuits integrate various T'au weapons systems and armor, showcasing versatility and resilience on the battlefield. These machines can unleash devastating firepower to eliminate both infantry and armored vehicles while exhibiting the durability and speed to withstand heavy enemy fire. Despite the T'au relying on skimmer-tanks and airborne gunships for long-range support, the Battlesuits of the Fire Caste are considered the most efficient killing machines.
Typically requiring only one pilot, a battlesuit often possesses firepower equivalent to a tank or aircraft. Deploying a cadre of heavy battlesuits can significantly alter the outcome of a war. These Battlesuits are exclusively worn by veteran T'au Fire Warriors and come in various sizes, shapes, and tactical roles. Notable models include the XV88 Broadside Battlesuit for heavy fire support, the XV25 Stealthsuit for infiltration and sabotage, and the versatile XV8 Crisis Battlesuit, a mainstay of the Fire Caste capable of adapting to different tactical situations.
All T'au Battlesuits epitomize advanced technologies developed by the Earth Caste, featuring powerful heavy weapons, Battlesuit Support Systems, and a range of T'au wargear for diverse combat scenarios. Pilots within these suits can endure harsh environmental conditions, traverse the void, and overcome formidable foes. Most Battlesuits share common features such as advanced sensors, Blacksun Filters, Multi-Tracker target acquisition systems, recoil absorbers, internal environmental seals, and T'au Jetpacks. Additionally, they are constructed from a lightweight and robust nano-crystalline alloy called fio'tak, offering protection, flexibility, and resistance to impact and corrosion.
Heavier Battlesuits incorporate additional nano-layers for enhanced armor thickness and superior protection. Piloted as much as they are worn, T'au Battlesuits strike a balance between offensive capability, armored protection, speed, agility, and utility. As a result, only the most experienced Fire Warriors attain the esteemed rank of shas'ui, the first honored grade within the Fire Caste, making them worthy to pilot these extraordinary Battlesuits.
Closing Words
Lore-lovers, this is the end of the forth part of this introduction in Warhammer 40k lore. Thank you for joining me on this expansive journey through the rich tapestry of the Warhammer 40K universe here on the Liandrug channel. If you found this exploration into the grim darkness of the far future intriguing, don't forget to express your enthusiasm by smashing that like button, sharing this video with fellow lore enthusiasts, and subscribing to Liandrug for an ongoing odyssey through the vast lore of Warhammer 40k.
For deeper discussions, lore theories, or just to connect with fellow enthusiasts, be sure to join our Discord server. The link is in the description below. Your passion and insights make this community thrive.
As we delve further into the mysteries of the 41st Millennium, I'm Liandrug, your guide through the lore. Until next time, may the Emperor's light guide you, lore-lovers!
Back to Home