Creating the Lore: Introduction to the Dark Imperium Collapse

“In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, there is only war.”

The narrative of the 40K universe has always scattered this quote in everything. The setting of Warhammer is clear to all. Since collapse of the Emperor and its forces and more Xenos factions staking their claim on the galaxy this cannot be more apparent.

It does seem however, the closer to the 42nd millennium more hope is shun over the Imperium.

These changes to the galaxy re-cement the Space Marines and population of man as the dominate forces throughout it.

Creating the Lore

As we are leaving the 41st millennium Warhammer is in need of a new Slogan. In Creating the Lore we are looking at countless narrative driven questions and form them into small Fan Theories. Reforming the idea of hope in the Imperium and showing the Grimm Dark effects that this may lead to.

These stories and lore building may be one off short stories like Black Mirror or Hammer and Bolter, or even expand over many blogs. As the world of Warhammer expands, these theories may develop or reform. The community itself will have an extraordinary impact.

Essentially this is an outlet for my Chaotic fanaticism.

Now I know none of these will have any factual base so just a pre warning. MY LORE IS NOT CANON. Merely theory.

Dark Imperium Collapse

Starting with the Return of Roboute Guilliman to the milky way galaxy, a shift among the Loyal Chapters had begun. Declaring himself Lord Commander of the Imperium, and mouth of the Emperor, the other Primarchs had seen what the Imperium had become. Politics, Religion and War are all strong identities within the year 41k however Control was the one thing the Space Marines had lost since the Emperor had fallen.

Gulliman was thought to be the Imperium’s only hope against the horrors of the galaxy. This is not incorrect. Gulliman did fortify and support the efforts of the Imperium. His title Lord Commander places Gulliman head of the Council, twelve Lords of the Imperium whom were said to control the matters of Man.

Sectors of the Council Include:

• Imperial Guard
• Mechanicus
• Arbities (Police)
• Inquisitors
• Ecclesiarchy
• Administratum
• Custodies
• And of course, Space Marines

Many of the aspects of the 41st structure of the Imperium directly oppose the word of the Emperor.

Countless times the Emperor asks his Sons to not worship him. Worship is for demons and the Gods who represent Chaos. Though through the hundreds of years since the Emperors last words, many of the structures of the Imperium had been forgotten. The Inquisition and Ecclesiarchy are persistent in capturing an image of the Emperor however completely miss the mark of what he had been trying to achieve.

Everything the Astartes oppose.

Although there was little change systematically in the Imperium once Gulliman returned, there was not upheaval until one predominant figure arrived. The Primarch of the First.

Lion’el Johnson

Now this is where the theories start. It is perfectly within character of the Dark Angels to order change within the Imperium. Their secrecy is directly to oppose the curious nature of everyone in the Imperium.

We know the Lion has been liberating Star Systems across the Imperium Nihilus, with his realigned Space Marine forces. These forces whom are strictly loyal to the Emperor (and even loyal enough betray their own chapter). We know the Dark Angels are not the most Codex Compliant however recruiting partial Chaos Marines is gonna turn some Inquisitor mechanical eyes.

After some time liberating these worlds, The Lion sees the negligence and neglect of the Imperium. Starting a new movement under the protection of the Lion. Although they are not directly opposing the Imperium, the people of these worlds do recognise a separation. Chaos worlds and Free worlds alike under the protection of the Dark Angels. Although The Lion and the Dark Angels are not the managers that of the imperium, the people of this world are not held back by the restrictions of the Inquisitors, Ecclesiarchy and Administratum. The Mechanicum are also on board. For the first time since the creation of the Astartes, technology is creeping forward.

“I asked myself in the aftermath of the Siege of Terra whether the so-called victory was worth the cost. Now I wonder if we won at all“. -Zabriel 

Mike Brooks, The Lion: Son of the Forest

Dante

The Lord Regent of the Imperium Nihilus, Dante of the Blood Angels, was one of the first to discover the return of The Lion. Dante updates The Lion on all he had missed since his disappearance. Soon both Dante and the Lion are pushed into a plot where the Fallen Marines are saved from the grasp of Chaos. They uncover an ongoing plot involving Angron, Demon brother of the Lion and Vashtorr, a master of Chaos technologies. Both Lion and Dante see the lack of Imperial influence and are the ones to ensure Angron is banished back to the warp. Saving Dante in the process. With no imperial aid, The Fallen Angels, The Lion convince Dante they may have a new potential enemy.

“The Imperial creed is too powerful to ignore for long” -Zabriel 

Mike Brooks, The Lion: Son of the Forest

The Blood Angels, similarly to the Dark Angels, are not the most Codex Compliant chapter and are often loathed by the Imperial Zealots. The loss of their Primarch, Sanguinus change their fates causing them to submit to the red thirst. Mysteriously the Dark Angels have found a serum that allows the Blood Angels to reduce their bloodily urge.

The alliance between these three factions mark the start of the Imperial Collapse in the Nihilus segmentum. Though the Imperial Council are unaware of a movement, the people of the Nihilus have seen their first glimpse of hope.

Summary

The scene is set for what is to come, a recount of the Arks of Omen and the formation of a strong alliance between the Dark Angels and Blood Angels. These will not be the only people to jump from the Imperium. Some plots of the Imperium will be uncovered soon and maybe the Dark Angels have some secrets. This Creating the Lore will not be the last of the Dark Imperium Collapse as I have quite the theory.

Please stay updated until the next.