Warhammer 40K, also known as Warhammer 40,000, is a tabletop miniature wargame created by Games Workshop. First introduced in 1987, it has grown into one of the most enduring franchises in the wargaming community. Set in a dystopian science fantasy universe, Warhammer 40K offers a rich tapestry of lore, factions, and history, creating a complex and immersive experience for its fans. Let’s take a deep dive into the essence of Warhammer 40K, exploring its factions, history, and setting.
It is the 41st Millennium. For more than a hundred centuries The Emperor has sat immobile on the Golden Throne of Earth. He is the Master of Mankind by the will of the gods, and master of a million worlds by the might of his inexhaustible armies. He is a rotting carcass writhing invisibly with power from the Dark Age of Technology. He is the Carrion Lord of the Imperium for whom a thousand souls are sacrificed every day, so that he may never truly die.
Yet even in his deathless state, the Emperor continues his eternal vigilance. Mighty battlefleets cross the daemon-infested miasma of the Warp, the only route between distant stars, their way lit by the Astronomican, the psychic manifestation of the Emperor’s will. Vast armies give battle in his name on uncounted worlds. Greatest amongst his soldiers are the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines, bio-engineered super-warriors. Their comrades in arms are legion: the Imperial Guard and countless planetary defence forces, the ever vigilant Inquisition and the tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus to name only a few. But for all their multitudes, they are barely enough to hold off the ever-present threat from aliens, heretics, mutants – and worse.
To be a man in such times is to be one amongst untold billions. It is to live in the cruelest and most bloody regime imaginable. These are the tales of those times. Forget the power of technology and science, for so much has been forgotten, never to be re-learned. Forget the promise of progress and understanding, for in the grim darkness of the far future there is only war. There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods.
The Setting: A Grimdark Future
Warhammer 40K is set in the 41st millennium, a time when humanity teeters on the brink of extinction. The galaxy is a war-torn expanse, where countless battles are fought over planets, resources, and ideology. The Imperium of Man, a vast and decaying human empire, struggles to maintain its dominance against a myriad of alien races and internal threats. The setting is characterized by its grimdark atmosphere, a term coined to describe the dark, hopeless, and brutal nature of the universe where there is “only war.”
The Imperium of Man
At the heart of the Warhammer 40K universe is the Imperium of Man, an authoritarian regime led by the God-Emperor, a being of immense psychic power who has been in a near-death state for over ten thousand years. The Imperium is a sprawling, bureaucratic colossus, riddled with corruption and inefficiency. It spans millions of worlds, each governed by its own set of harsh laws and customs, yet unified under the banner of the Emperor.
The Imperium is maintained by various organizations, each with its own role in preserving humanity. The Adeptus Terra, or the Priesthood of Earth, administers the Imperium, while the Adeptus Mechanicus worships technology and maintains the Imperium’s machinery. The Adeptus Astartes, or Space Marines, are genetically enhanced super-soldiers who fight the Imperium’s wars, and the Inquisition roots out heresy and corruption with ruthless efficiency.
The Factions
Warhammer 40K features a multitude of factions, each with unique lore, aesthetics, and motivations. Here, we delve into some of the major factions that populate this grimdark universe.
The Space Marines
The Space Marines, also known as the Adeptus Astartes, are the iconic warriors of the Imperium. They are genetically engineered soldiers, clad in power armor and armed with the finest weaponry humanity can produce. Each Space Marine is a superhuman warrior, created through a rigorous process of genetic modification, intense training, and psychological conditioning. Space Marines are organized into Chapters, each comprising approximately a thousand warriors. Every Chapter operates as a self-contained military organization with its own traditions, heraldry, and combat doctrines. Notable Chapters include the Ultramarines, known for their strict adherence to the Codex Astartes, a set of guidelines for warfare; the Blood Angels, who struggle with the genetic curse of the Red Thirst and Black Rage; and the Space Wolves, whose fierce and barbaric demeanor reflects their homeworld of Fenris. Space Marines are deployed in the most critical battles, often turning the tide of war through their unmatched prowess and indomitable spirit.
The Astra Militarum
The Astra Militarum, also known as the Imperial Guard, is the Imperium’s primary fighting force, consisting of countless ordinary human soldiers. Unlike the superhuman Space Marines, the soldiers of the Astra Militarum are regular men and women drawn from the countless worlds of the Imperium. They are often seen as expendable, yet their sheer numbers and unwavering loyalty make them a formidable force. The Astra Militarum utilizes a wide array of tanks, artillery, and infantry to overwhelm their enemies through brute force and sheer volume of firepower. Each regiment of the Astra Militarum has its own unique characteristics and traditions based on its homeworld. For example, the Cadian Shock Troops are renowned for their discipline and expertise in trench warfare, while the Valhallan Ice Warriors are adept at fighting in the harshest of winter conditions. Despite their human vulnerabilities, the soldiers of the Astra Militarum demonstrate incredible bravery and resilience, often standing their ground against overwhelming odds to protect the Imperium.
The Chaos Space Marines
The Chaos Space Marines were once the loyal servants of the Emperor, but they have been corrupted by the dark gods of Chaos. These fallen warriors seek to bring about the downfall of the Imperium, driven by hatred, revenge, and the malevolent influence of the Chaos Gods. Chaos Space Marines are divided into various warbands, each devoted to one of the four Chaos Gods: Khorne, the god of blood and skulls, who values strength and martial prowess; Tzeentch, the god of change and sorcery, who manipulates fate and reality; Nurgle, the god of decay and disease, who revels in pestilence and rot; and Slaanesh, the god of excess and pleasure, who embodies hedonism and the pursuit of perfection. These warbands are often led by powerful Chaos Lords or Daemon Princes, former Space Marines who have ascended to near-divine status through their devotion to Chaos. The Chaos Space Marines utilize both corrupted versions of Imperial technology and dark sorcery, making them a fearsome and unpredictable enemy.
The Eldar
The Eldar, also known as the Aeldari, are an ancient and advanced alien race. They once ruled the galaxy but were brought low by their own hubris and the birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh. The Eldar are divided into several factions, each with its own distinct culture and way of life. The Craftworld Eldar live on massive, planet-sized ships known as Craftworlds, where they strive to preserve their ancient traditions and avoid the temptations of Chaos. The Dark Eldar, or Drukhari, inhabit the dark city of Commorragh, where they engage in piracy, slavery, and acts of extreme cruelty to sustain their immortal lives. The Harlequins are a mysterious sect of Eldar who serve as the keepers of Eldar mythology and lore, performing elaborate dances and plays that recount the history of their people. Despite their diminished numbers, the Eldar possess incredibly advanced technology and psychic abilities, making them formidable opponents. They often engage in hit-and-run tactics, using their superior mobility and agility to strike at their enemies with precision and speed.
The Orks
The Orks are a brutal and warlike race, driven by an insatiable need for violence and conquest. They are a savage and anarchic species, thriving in chaos and disorder. Orks are incredibly resilient and reproduce rapidly through a form of fungal propagation, allowing them to quickly replenish their numbers after even the most devastating defeats. Ork society is governed by the principle of might makes right, with the strongest and most cunning Orks rising to positions of leadership. These leaders, known as Warbosses, gather vast hordes of Ork warriors, known as a WAAAGH!, to wage war on their enemies. Ork technology is crude but surprisingly effective, often held together by sheer belief and the latent psychic abilities of the Orks themselves. Ork weapons and vehicles are ramshackle and improvised, yet they function with a deadly efficiency. The Orks revel in battle, viewing it as the ultimate expression of their nature, and they are known for their crude humor and boisterous, rowdy behavior.
The Tyranids
The Tyranids are an extragalactic swarm of bioengineered organisms that devour all in their path. They are controlled by a hive mind, making them a highly adaptable and relentless foe. The Tyranids consume entire planets, absorbing biomass to create new and even more terrifying creatures. Each Tyranid organism is designed for a specific purpose, from the small and numerous Termagants to the massive and devastating Carnifexes and Hive Tyrants. The Tyranid hive fleets travel through the void of space, seeking out new worlds to consume. They are driven by an insatiable hunger, and their arrival is heralded by the disruption of the Warp and the appearance of massive, organic ships. Tyranids communicate and coordinate their actions through a psychic network known as the Synapse, which allows them to act with a single, unified purpose. Their ability to rapidly evolve and adapt to new threats makes them one of the most dangerous and unpredictable enemies in the galaxy.
The Necrons
The Necrons are an ancient race of skeletal robots, once flesh-and-blood beings who traded their souls for immortality. They have awoken from a millennia-long slumber to reclaim the galaxy they once ruled. The Necrons possess incredibly advanced technology, including weapons that can disintegrate matter at the molecular level and constructs that can teleport across vast distances. Necron society is organized into dynasties, each ruled by a powerful Overlord who commands legions of soulless warriors and war machines. The Necrons’ ultimate goal is to restore their former glory and dominance over the galaxy, and they view all other forms of life as insignificant and expendable. Despite their mechanical nature, the Necrons retain the personalities and ambitions of their former selves, leading to complex and often treacherous political machinations within their own ranks. Their reawakening has introduced a new and formidable threat to the already beleaguered galaxy.
The T’au
The Tau are a young and technologically advanced race that believes in the philosophy of the Greater Good, a utopian vision of unity and progress. The Tau Empire is a multi-species coalition, with the Tau themselves serving as the leaders and other allied races, such as the Kroot and Vespid, contributing to their military and society. The Tau seek to expand their empire through diplomacy and, when necessary, military force. They are known for their advanced weaponry and innovative tactics, including the use of highly mobile battlesuits and sophisticated drones. The Tau’s society is organized into castes, each with its own role and responsibilities: the Fire Caste are the warriors, the Earth Caste are the engineers and builders, the Air Caste are the pilots and navigators, and the Water Caste are the diplomats and traders. The Tau’s commitment to the Greater Good drives their efforts to bring other races into their fold, often offering technological and social advancements in exchange for allegiance. However, those who resist the Tau’s expansionist ambitions can expect to face their formidable military might.
The History: Millennia of Conflict
The history of Warhammer 40K is a vast and complex tapestry of wars, betrayals, and cataclysms. Key events have shaped the current state of the galaxy, providing a rich backdrop for the ongoing conflict.
The Age of Terra and the Dark Age of Technology
The Age of Terra marks humanity’s early history, dominated by strife and technological advancement. The Dark Age of Technology was a golden era where humanity reached its zenith in terms of technological prowess. During this time, mankind colonized the stars and developed artificial intelligences known as the Men of Iron. However, this period ended in catastrophic wars, leading to the collapse of human civilization and the onset of the Age of Strife.
The Age of Strife
The Age of Strife was a dark period characterized by isolation, anarchy, and widespread warp storms that cut off human worlds from each other. During this time, many human civilizations regressed, and psykers—individuals with psychic abilities—became increasingly prevalent and unstable, often attracting the attention of malevolent warp entities.
The Great Crusade
The Great Crusade began when the Emperor of Mankind emerged from Terra and sought to reunite the scattered human colonies under one banner. He created the Primarchs, twenty superhuman sons, each leading a Legion of Space Marines. This grand campaign saw the reconquest of thousands of worlds, the destruction of many alien empires, and the establishment of the Imperium of Man.
The Horus Heresy
The Horus Heresy is the defining conflict of the Warhammer 40K universe. Horus, the Emperor’s most trusted Primarch, was corrupted by the Chaos Gods and led a massive rebellion against the Imperium. The Heresy plunged the galaxy into a brutal civil war, culminating in the Siege of Terra, where Horus was ultimately defeated, but not before mortally wounding the Emperor. The Emperor was placed on the Golden Throne, a life-support device, where he has remained ever since, guiding the Imperium through his psychic might.
The Scouring and the Founding of the Imperium
Following the Horus Heresy, the loyalist forces purged the galaxy of traitor remnants in a period known as the Scouring. The Imperium was restructured, with the remaining loyal Primarchs creating the Codex Astartes, a set of guidelines that divided the Space Marine Legions into smaller, more manageable Chapters to prevent any one individual from wielding too much power. This era also saw the establishment of the Inquisition and the further consolidation of the Adeptus Mechanicus’ power.
The Age of Apostasy
The Age of Apostasy was a time of internal strife and religious extremism within the Imperium. The most notorious figure of this era was Goge Vandire, a High Lord of Terra who seized control through political machinations and terror. His reign, marked by paranoia and tyranny, ended with the formation of the Adepta Sororitas and their rebellion against his regime, an event known as the Reign of Blood.
The Time of Ending
The current era in Warhammer 40K is known as the Time of Ending, characterized by increasing instability and existential threats. The Imperium faces numerous crises: the rise of new xenos empires, the resurgence of ancient enemies like the Necrons, the relentless advance of the Tyranid Hive Fleets, and the ever-present threat of Chaos. Warp storms rage across the galaxy, severing vital connections between worlds and causing widespread havoc.
Warhammer 40K TV and Movies
With the rich and multifaceted lore of Warhammer 40K as its backdrop, upcoming TV series and movies are set to bring this grimdark universe to life in new and exciting ways. Audiences can expect to be immersed in epic tales of heroism, treachery, and unending war, exploring the complex dynamics between the various factions and their struggles for survival and dominance.
From the indomitable Space Marines and their tireless battles against the forces of Chaos, to the ancient and enigmatic Eldar, the brutal Orks, and the relentless Tyranids, each story promises to delve into the rich histories and motivations of these iconic characters and races. The grimdark future of the 41st millennium is rife with potential for thrilling narratives, dramatic conflicts, and intricate character studies, making it a perfect setting for high-stakes storytelling.
As Warhammer 40K expands into visual media, fans and newcomers alike will have the opportunity to experience the depth and intensity of this universe in a whole new dimension, bringing the timeless struggle of the far future into the spotlight as never before.
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war, and that war is Warhammer 40K.
