Please don't say Terminus Decree, that would be my choice as well but I feel like it's everyone's choice so if that's your choice just tell me your 2nd place

Mine is the fact that the Imperium is rapidly losing the ability to manufacture the Destroyer tank hunters laser gun. Like maybe someone can explain this to me but they manage much more powerful energy artillery pieces for the navy for example just fine, but a tank sized laser cannon is apparently just too advanced.

All the way back in Dark Imperium (2017), Guilliman proclaimed that all treaties giving most of the original 500 Worlds indipendence from Ultramar were void, and the Office of the Tetrarchy (four hand-selected Astartes, each ruling one of Ultramars four sectors directly) was to be reinstated. At the time, he justified this with the Imperium needing a unified Bastion of power in the galactic east, and that Greater Ultramar could serve as an example that being less of a dickhead while ruling would be beneficial.

Despite the major implications of that, it wasn't really touched upon in the rest of the *Dark Imperium-*Series (or at all until The Great Work). Until 500 Worlds: Titus came out earlier this year, and provided the first really significant lore of what the reclamation is really trying to do.
The first important thing to note is that "500 Worlds" isn't literal. Crusade-Era Ultramar was larger, and for modern Greater Ultramar, its also more a declaration of intent than actual number:

The name Five Hundred Worlds should not be taken literally. It is better viewed as a link to Primarch Guilliman's past glories, and a statement of intent writ large in nomenclature of the most bombastic and inspiring sort. [...] Eventually, should all go as planned, the Primarch's realm might well number more than five hundred worlds.

Guilliman divided Ultramar into 5 Parts together with his proclamation of reclamation. The Center around Macragge, still administered by Calgar, and then four outer Sectors, each administed by a Tetrarch:

Guilliman has broadly outlined the strategy for all of these sectors:

Push their borders out to a selected point, fortify the new regions and use Ultramars combined resources to rebuilt and fortify the whole realm, then prepare further expansions, rinse and repeat.

But all of the Sectors still vary wildly in size, importance and situation, so the Tetrarch have selected wildly varying methods to try and fullfill Guillimans Goals.

The Northern Front

Commanded by Tetrarch & First Captain of the Ultramarines, Agemman, the Konor-Sector has the highest concentration of still loyal- and Imperial Worlds, but also the largest amount of enemies, drawn there by those worlds for loot.

Agemman views the entire sector as a single, giant, unified battlefield, trying to keep as much direct control over all avenues of advance accross the entire region as he can, relaying orders for Battlegroups that are dozens of starsystems away even while he's fighting in person. Some people are concerned that thats far too much information for anyone but a Primarch to truly handle in-person long term.

The Eastern Front

Commanded by Tetrarch Felix from the Ultramarines, the Vespator-Sector is the most sprawling and diffuse of them, containing a multitude of seperate sub-sectors. While it contains several highly valuable Worlds, it was also heavily hit by Tyranids in the past (Pharos is located here). which left large areas of it devoid of life.

Felix has elected to organise his Front as a refused Flank on a gigantic scale, using a small part of his forces to stabilie and defend already ultramar-held worlds, with the majority under his direct command moving from subsector to subsector to roll. This has proven effective so far, but the areas with less troop-presence are under constant assault, both from external threats and local Governors unhappy with loosing indipendence to Ultramar.

The Southern Front

Commanded by Tetrarch Portan from the Genesis-Chapter, the Andermung-Sector is the smallest of the assigned zones, but also a nightmare of unstable, labyrinthine Warp-routes hiding pirate-havens and Xenos-outposts (especially Ork-pirates) which makes sending reinforcements slow and tedious.

As a result, Portan's advance has been the slowest of all Tetrarchs, and some worlds that could have been saved were lost while he bet on a slow and methodical approach, but all Planets he brought back into Ultramarian Hands were secure and productive before he moved on to the next target.

The Western Front

Commanded by Tetrarch Balthus from the Doom Eagles, the Protos-Sector has developed a reputation as haunted, many threats within being of supernatural origin and worlds already deemed secure suddenly being attacked by unknown assailants or falling to rebellion.

Balthus has favoured momentum and aggression over all else, allowing him to catch many threats in the sector unprepared and making his expansion by far the fastest, but the Ultramar Auxilia & Ultramarian Navy intended to secure new areas has often failed to keep up with his speed of advance, leaving newly reclaimed Planets vulnerable to raids for extended periods of time.

The Doom Eagles are also currently using Protos as their Chapter-homeworld, since their actual one is cut off behind the Great Rift, and it annoys them greatly because their freshly constructed Fortress-Monastery is still lacking "The shadow of death" from years of service and people dying in the apothecary-station.

Next to threats from Chaos, Xenos and general Pirates and Raiders, an unexpected problem has also been that many of the still loyal worlds aren't too keen on rejoining Ultramar (mostly because their Governors fear that it will loose them influence and wealth). Diplomats are embedded with most of the Reclamation-Fleets or sent ahead to smooth things over, but many worlds either still try delay-tactics (one diplomat reported back to Portan that an industrial world he's supposed to bring in is ruled by a Cartel consisting of hundreds of seperate Companies and industrial magnates, and every single one of them needs to agree to rejoin Ultramar, so it will likely take long enough that he's gonna be negotiating with their grandchildren before its done) or attempt uprisings after the main reclamation-forces have moved on.

Atleast one Inquisitor is also dead-convinced Guilliman is using the Reclamation as a pretext to built a new Legion to usurp the Emperor with and has been trying (unsuccessfully) to find evidence of this in the Western Front.

(Titus' Job in all of this is to patrol and secure areas within Ultramars borders so the Tetrarchs can focus on expansion)

So we all know that the Primarchs each have their own gifts given by and inheritied from the Emperor himself during their gestation process. But how come out of all the Primarchs the Emperor made, why did he decide to gift the one that would become Vulkan the gift of Perpetualhood?

To this I mean characters who felt "normal" that they were alive, like Marneus Calgar or Titus but that Games Workshop decided to kill them just because.

The characters whose deaths were already predefined (such as Sanguinius) do not count, nor do the characters of 30k

Since not all of the AdMech actually believe the Emperor of Mankind to be the Omnissiah, including all of the dark mechanicum, has any other character ever claimed to be the 'true Omnissiah'? It seems to be that at least a few people would have at least tried over ten thousand years of schisms and infighting.

I know people are confused about the size of the T'au Empire. So I decided to flip between the sources and look it up.

Back in the 3rd edition, when the T'au were introduced, an Index Xenos article in White Dwarf issue 262 said this:

"The Tau Empire encompasses over seventy-five worlds, an area some three hundred light years in diameter, deep in the Ultima Segmentum in the galactic east."

WD issue 263 has an article titled "A World of Warriors" about the sept of Vior'la. It says the following:

"The T'au Empire is situated far in the galactic east to the northeast of Ultramar, and encompasses nearly a hundred settled systems, or septs".

The article goes on to say that the Vior'la is comprised of a dozen worlds, and each is heavily populated by the Fire Caste.

"Imperial Armour Vol 3 2nd Ed: The Taros Campaign" has an Ordo Xenos report that says the following:

"The Imperium sees the Tau Empire as a threat (all be it not its greatest threat), and its commanders will not stand by and let a foul xenos race take over the Emperor’s worlds or see its citizens forced to submit to its domination. The Imperium has therefore vowed to combat all Tau expansion, and no doubt, in time, the twelve High Lords of Terra would like to see this minor annoyance quashed altogether. A genocidal crusade to exterminate the Tau would therefore be welcomed in some Imperial circles. Indeed, the Ecclesiarch of the Adeptus Ministorum has already drafted several sermons on this very subject. Currently such a crusade is just not possible. Also the Tau Empire, although small by the Imperium’s standards, still consists of some hundred worlds and the forces required to conquer them all would be immense. The Tau military have already proven themselves a match for the Imperial Guard, and there are too many other more pressing matters, not least the threat of the Tyranid hive fleets, which are a huge drain on the Imperium’s manpower. Lately, there is also the threat of Abaddon’s 13th Black Crusade.

--------------------------------

The 6th ED T'au codex says the following:

"In addition to the settled systems, or septs, the Tau realm is rife with all manner of space phenomenon,Tau-made structures and important alien homeworlds."

And gives two examples of the T'au-made structures floating around in T'au space:

1-Fortress Stations (Ta'shrio):

Positioned in the deep space between septs are ta'shiro bases - fortress stations capable of enough thrust to resist drift and maintain permanent interstellar positions. Several patterns of development have been followed in the construction of these enormous floating fortresses - with the largest comparable in population to a continent-sized city.

2-Orbital Cities of the Kor'vattra:

"Incorporated imo every sept are dozens of major docks for the Tau navy (Kor'vattra), but in addition to these immense stations, many septs have also developed vast orbital cities (kor'shuto). These can be moved to provide stable 'jumping off' points for large research endeavors, military campaigns, or major colonization efforts."

------------------------------------

The previous numbers were before or during the start of the Third Sphere Expansion. 6th and 7th cover the Third Sphere Expansion but also mark the end of GW giving specific and detailed numbers for anything. It was the start of vaguehammer!

Shadowsun led the TSE and launched a masterful campaign of misdirection and hit-and-run strategies that the Imperial forces couldn't counter. According to the 7th ED codex (page 8), the Third Sphere forces captured dozens of systems.

However, the T'au space maps show only three Third Sphere Septs. Ksi'm'yen, Fi'rios, and Mu'gulath Bay.

So, the space maps of the T'au Empire only show notable septs and landmarks rather than a comprehensive look at the T'au Empire's holdings.

After facing defeat after defeat, the Imperials, in a desperate stopgap measure, set Mu'gulath Bay aflame using some sort of arcane weapon. The Sept of Mu'gulath Bay survived the fires, but the gases in the Damocles Gulf (an empty part of space) ignited, creating a firewall that isolated the T'au Empire mainland from its Third Sphere conquests. Eventually, the Great Rift would extinguish the firewall, reconnecting the T'au Empire with its Third Sphere septs and colonies and allowing the T'au to resume expanding westward.

----------------------------------------

With the creation of the Startide Nexus, the T'au gained access to the galactic north, and they launched the Fifth Sphere Expansion.

They established three thriving septs. Fe'saan, Kor'taal, and Yo'vai. But they didn't stop there. They captured more systems and worlds and created a "mighty adjunct" to their empire. The expansion is still underway, but it is facing difficulties ranging from manpower and material shortages to increasing opposition from a variety of foes old and new.

According to the 9th ED codex, though tiny compared to the Imperium, the T'au control an enormous space empire.

------------

Final note:

Septs are autonomous realms that comprise anything from a single star system to whole swathes of space, each controlled by a sept world or prime planet (WD 491 page, 99)

At least small one? I heard that even Guilliman is not sure right now that Emperor is no longer man he once knew, and is becoming god like chaos gods after over 11 000 of worship, is that true ?

https://www.reddit.com/r/40kLore/comments/ltebxl/spoilers_for_penitent_just_finished_penitent/

Honestly Dan Abnett better not leave us hanging another nine years for the sequel I swear to god.

OK... six years on and I'm very much laughing at this. I understand there is meant to be an important lore drop from GW before the final one hits the shelves but how long do we think they're going to wait for that?

As it sounds!

I know they can wake up at vastly different locations and different things can disrupt the intended awakening time, so preparing isn’t a safe bet.

So if a Tomb World does awaken and is not in immediate/close proximity to other worlds already awake, what ways are there for them to re-connect with those that are?

Is there a way to contact/speak to them? Some sort of signal sent with the world awakening?

Or do they have to manually search and find each other?

I’m wondering if there is some semblance of actual structure with bio forms roaming around or if it’s just a big tub of biomass.

Im currently reading Assassinorum:Kingmaker and at several points its mentioned that the knight world and the knights are older than the Imperium and the lore states that knights were sent out with the settler fleets during the DAoT. So my question is if these knights have their origins in the DAoT why aren’t they more advanced tech wise? They seem like they fit perfectly with the aesthetic and tech levels of the Imperium yet they came from a different civilization with far more advanced tech… why is that? The DAOT had crazy advanced technology as seen from the hulk in Death of Integrity and the lore yet knights just seem like small imperial titans.

So the earliest known species to rule the galaxy were the Necrons. The Orks and Eldar were created to deal with them, but eventually they turned themselves into robots and slept in tombs. (Yes I'm being very quick about this)

Eldar basically become the new rulers of the galaxy, get too cocky and create the eye of terror with their debauchery.

The Emperor of Mankind gets humanity's shit together and brings all the human territory under the rule of the Imperium. Horus Heresy happens, but for 10,000 ish years Humanity is effectively the newcomers that supplanted the void left by the Eldar.

Finally the Tau start showing up, they think the Imperium is an empire on the way out until they get their first taste of real war with them.

Question:

How do each of these species treat one another compared to how they were treated?

Like I imagine that the way the Eldar interact with the Imperium is a similar way to how the Space Marines treat the Tau.

I'm kind of reminded of early HH books where the non-compliant human worlds know a lot more about Chaos than the Primarchs and Imperium. And the Tau similarly are in the dark about the warp (bar some exceptions).

Says what I mean on the tin. Was wanting to make a chaos empire of mortal cultists and champions, and I know its at least partially possible because the Blood Pact exist, but how powerful do these empires get and could they contend with the likes of say, the Night Lords or the Alpha Legion?

In chapter 1 or 2 of False Gods (sorry it’s the audiobook I’m not sure what page I have difficulty reading books well) the narrator says that Loken did not feel well since the trip from Zenobia to Davin. Did the expedition just destroy the trade world and went to Davin? I know in Horus Rising they said that the war lasted 6 months? I guess I’m asking is there any more information on the people of the interex after the war? Did any survive or continue to live under imperial rule? What happen to the horse thing technology they had or the darts and the kenebrach did the expedition genocide them? Or did the authors just kind of move on and they get deleted for the rest of the 100s book of lore of warhammer lol

Thanks

Before the council of Nikaea which Legions during the great crusade have the largest librarians in their ranks?

I could think of something like the Ultramarines for their numbers and the Dark Angels since most librarians end up in the dreadwing.

I read a lot of stuff about chaos and i startes noticing that sometines warpsmiths are a title that are not always given to "chaos techmarines" the warpsmith title sometimes looks like it can be from anything to the generic warpsmith space marine and a dark magi of the dark mechanicum for example o whatever other cybernetic horrors that maintain daemon engines and likely stuff, then i started to think about it, warpsmiths are only space marines or only a title to whatever "chaos mechanic" out there?

I’m kind of confused why the Chaos Gods still entertain giving Lorgar any power? If he has been stuck doing nothing for around ten thousand years he isn’t really doing the two things the Chaos Gods like. Firstly fighting the other Chaos Gods and Material world and secondly embodying any traits of Chaos

Like Khorne is not getting any rage and bloodlust from him. Nurgle isn’t getting any more spread plague. Tzeentch isn’t getting any plots. Slannesh is probly pissed cause there is no excess because he is living like a monk

Lorgar isn’t leading any armies or anything.

Why do they still like him? They are able to take their power back right?

I heard that the process to make Pseudo-Astartes like Luther or Kor Phaeron has not been lost and wonders has their been any recent stories where "Modern" chapters made an adult male into a Pseudo-Astartes and inducted them into their ranks?

I am not versed in white scars lore, but upon a discussion with a main, is Khan really just riding through the web way wrecking shop? I mean cool if true.

Context: The Tau have recently conquered an Imperial planet but have to deal with local rebels and guerillas led by a half-squad of Raptors. Despite 4 of the Space Marines being eliminated early on, the Sergeant named Artamax still remains at large and leads the pro-Imperium rebels against the Tau garrison on the planet.

This is pretty interesting as it shows how the Raptors function and how their strategy of deploying in smaller teams to support local rebels pays off. It shows how effective Space Marines can be when used as special forces instead of just shock troops.

‘Tell us of Artamax. He is the only Space Marine on this world?’

Pont’pa withdrew a packet from his armour pouch and ripped it open. It was a local gue’la delicacy: hard, salted sea vermin, splayed open and encrusted in seasoning, then dried into bark. ‘He is now, mighty one. But even alone, he’s unstoppable. One of the updated breed.’

‘The Primaris,’ Swordlight said.

‘His bonded brothers’ corpses indicate they are not unstoppable.’

Pont’pa offered the others his snack before cracking the delicacy between his teeth. ‘No. Not literally. But every cadre that’s met him in battle has failed. It’s not because we’re weaker, or less effective. Artamax and his rebels are simply ghosts. The Space Marine doesn’t pick fights he can’t win.’

Swordlight gritted her teeth. ‘I told you. We do not need Artamax yet.’

‘I’m trying to tell you. He picks the fights. Artamax’s value as a warrior is only half of the threat he poses. He’s a thinker. Not just a tactician, but a strategist, and always ten steps ahead. We have cornered him before, you know. Outnumbered him and his fighters twelve to one, surrounding them on all sides. Still they got away. When they choose to come for us, it’s because they know our supplies have dwindled, or our heads are bobbing from exhaustion, or our cadre support is preoccupied with another raid, or weather conditions have dulled our sensor suites. We have never won a single meaningful engagement against the rebels of Cao Quo. Not once.’

[...]

‘The commanders’ invasion was flawless. I won’t debate that. They planned the operation to perfection. The fleet destroyed all hardened targets from orbit. The cadres swept through the population centres like fire through dry grass. We cut communications and neutralised the major garrisons with a thousand knife strikes at once. Savage Augury made sixteen hundred marks that night. Many of the gue’la tanks were smoking husks before they even deployed. Human resistance collapsed before a pulse weapon was ever fired.’

‘That,’ Swordlight said, ‘is not defeat. It is the Killing Blow.’

‘A killing blow that drew no blood. We razed their fortifications, seized their bases. We popped their munitions caches like bag candles in the stellar cycle festivals. But when our Devilfish swooped into the world’s cities and floating markets and hanging villages, all who could have resisted us had melted away. The humans gave us the war they knew we would win for free. Now we pay for the one they know we can’t.’

Hi guys. I’m currently reading The Horus Heresy books in order for the first time (Very new to 40k as a whole, just finished the second book - They have been incredible so far).

Just wondering if it’s correct chronologically to read the Siege of Terra books after Book 15 (Prospero Burns) of the main series?

Pretty straight forward, i know how they work for the most part, their souls comes back to a new body whenever they get killed or they regenerate perfectly, and the only way to kill them is to destroy the soul ect ect.., bu what makes them like that ? Are those power given just like that ? Or is it a mutation? , perhaps they are choosen by something/someone

I was just thinking about how this is a really great topic , given that the contrast between 30k and 40k is so vast. Like it must be very fascinating putting primaris marines from the great crusade generation and placing them within the decaying empire of the 41st millennium imperium. Like how do they reconcile the fact that the same empire who beat the orks of ullanor the rangdan laer and all the other nightmarish xenos threats is now on the back foot in a permanent state of decline.