VGW’s crash course to the world of Warhammer 40,000

If you’re reading this, you’re probably curious about Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, and the lore that surrounds the massive WH40k world. Or you’re just curious as to why I’m so insane about this lore/mythos and defend it to the death. Either way, welcome to Warhammer 40,000 101. This is in no way a comprehensive guide, but rather a companion to help those playing Space Marine. Look for our review and companion podcast soon!

Jesus with a sword.

For those completely unfamiliar, Warhammer 40,000 takes place in the 41st millennium (it’s not just an arbitrary number they chose), which means our current times are, quite literally, prehistory. You may be familiar with the catch phrase: “in the grim dark future there is only war.” Why is that, you ask? Well, let’s start at the beginning, and yes, you may go ahead and assume everything here is important. I’ve skipped the non-important stuff. Yeah, you’re welcome. Also, as you are reading, keep reading, and assume I will either explain all in time, or I will provide links to places you can find more information.

At the dawn of the 30th millennium the Emperor of Mankind appears. He is the most powerful psyker (unique individuals who can touch The Warp) ever and it is quite apt to refer to him as Jesus with a sword and gun. The Emperor created 20 sons in his image, called Primarchs. The Primarchs each commanded a Space Marine legion which is, in turn, crafted in their image. Together, with the Emperor, they set out across the Warp to reunite the colonies of mankind separated and lost during Old Night. This time is referred to as the Golden Age of the Imperium, and Dan Abnett describes it best in Horus Rising.

How did they do this? The Adeptus Mechanicus, whose home base is on Mars (hence the name Techpriests of Mars), own and rule all of the technology, which is unlike anything we can imagine. It is exceptionally valuable and worshipped by the Techpriests. They seriously worship a machine god, the Omnissiah, which makes them badass. Anywho…

They travel in ships through something called The Warp. The warp is the immaterium pathway which connects all of space. Through the use of special people called Navigators, mankind is able to traverse the Warp … which is also corrupted by Chaos. Chaos is is, quite literally, the definition of insanity and evil. There are four Chaos gods: Khorne, the god of blood and war, Slaanesh, the god of pleasure and debauchery, Nurgle, the god of disease and pestilence, and Tzeentch, the god of sorcery and change (mutation). Due to some poor planning and guidance on the Emperor’s part, some of the primarchs decide they’d rather fight for Chaos, and there is a giant civil war known as The Horus Heresy because Horus, the most beloved son of the Emperor, leads the charge. The Primarchs and their legions are as follows:

Loyal:

• Lion El’ Johnson — Dark Angels
• Jaghatai Khan — White Scars
• Leman Russ — Space Wolves
• Rogal Dorn — Imperial Fists
• Sanguinus — Blood Angels
• Roboute Guilliman — Ultramarines
• Vulkan — Salamanders
• Corax — Raven Guard
• Ferrus Manus – Iron Hands

Chaos:

• Horus — Luna Wolves, now known as The Black Legion
• Fulgrim — Emperor’s Children
• Perturabo — Iron Warriors
• Konrad Curze — Night Lords
• Angron — World Eaters
• Mortarion — Death Guard
• Magnus the Red — Thousand Sons
• Lorgar — Word Bearers
• Alpharius — Alpha Legion

I wish I could go on for pages about the Horus Heresy, but really, all you need to know is that everything goes ploin-shaped during this period, and things get ugly for the Imperium. Space Marine legions go evil, the Emperor is mortally wounded by Horus (jerk), and it gets so ugly that 10,000 years later in WH40k, humanity is in constant struggle against aliens and Chaos just to survive. Hence the phrase “there is only war.”

After the Heresy, Roboute Guilliman penned something known as The Codex Astartes. This is the most holy tome to Space Marines as it details, quite literally, every single military action and code of conduct for Space Marines. The Ultramarines, being Guilliman’s legion, are most devout to these teachings and consider them to be not only doctrine, but any deviation is considered nigh-heretical. For more information, see The Ultramarines Omnibus by Graham McNeill in which two Ultramarines are banished from their chapter for deviating from the teachings.

Currently in WH40k, the Emperor is revered as a God, and His factions are the Imperial Guard, Space Marines and the Inquisition. The Inquisition are kind of like the CIA, but so much more so. They are the supreme reigning power and string-pullers in the WH40k universe. They command respect and fear by all, hence why they get to boss around Space Marines like nobody’s business. They are also often viewed as untrustworthy (see the above link).

The Imperial Guard are the standard, human military branch, and your all purpose cannon fodder. I would argue the toughest of these branches is the Tanith First & Only but I’m biased. Typically the Cadians are widely considered to be the best of the best of the best.  (Their losing presence in Space Marine may leave some lore junkies cold, incidentally.) Again, I point to the “there is only war” business in the future: most of the life of an Imperial Guardsman is part of ye olde “throw bodies at the enemy” tactic. It’s an ugly life, but someone has to do it.

The Space Marines are the genetically enhanced sons of the Primarchs and the nuclear option of WH40k military needs. You call them in as the special forces, or if something of great importance needs to be secured. They are massive creatures whose sole purpose in life is to fight for the God Emperor. If the Ultramarines Omnibus leaves you clamoring for more awesome Space Marine info, read Dan Abnett’s Brothers of the Snake.

As mentioned, in this grim, dark future, technology, especially uber weapons such as Titans are exceptionally valuable. After the Heresy, the Mechanicus also split between those loyal to the throne and those loyal to Chaos, so they also want to get their hands on this technology. For more information about the technology of the future, check out the Wiki on the Dark Age of Technology. So awesome.

Kharn the Betrayer. Avatar of Khorne. Has a tremendous singing voice.

Of the enemies in this game, it is important to note that Orks are mindless killing machines who live for the Waagh!, which is, essentially, orkish for WAR! They live to fight and can be as strong as Space Marines, making them nasty foes. Remember I mentioned some Space Marine chapters are loyal to Chaos? Yeah, about them … Imagine genetically enhanced super soldiers who are driven insane by the Ruinous Powers listed above? Notably, the followers of Khorne, whose sole desire and joy in life is the slaughter of, well, anything. The loyalist Space Marines are especially disgusted and angered by these dangerous foes.

The reason Chaos is so dangerous is that, much like the Dark Side of the Force, it is highly insidious and alluring. It corrupts wholly and absolutely — you cannot be slightly Chaos — and can strike most anyone (unless you’re a Grey Knight). Hence why everyone is paranoid about corruption and remaining vigilant to the God Emperor. Hence, too, why you encounter so many traitorous humans, as well. Including…

Psykers. Remember I mentioned the psychic folks whose powers can range from reading minds to summoning daemons? Because of their affinity to the Warp, they are especially susceptible to Chaos taint.

I am a Warhammer 40,0000 fangirl. I will passionately discuss the worlds of the grim, dark future and love to do so. What I have provided here is the cliff notes of the cliff notes of the universe. I’ve provided a lot of links, most of which are Black Library books, and excellent resources for those interested in the world. Is it Shakespeare? No. Is it utterly awesome and amazing? Shit yes. Have questions? Post a comment!

Written by Jen Bosier  (460 Posts)

Jen lives with her husband, daughter and super-villain kitty. An avid gamer since the Atari, she honed her skills on Doom 2, Daggerfall and System Shock. A bonafide 360-convert, she plays more than is humanly healthy and is determined to find a decent horror game this generation if it kills her.

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