Welcome to the Black Library and Warhammer 40,000, a time far in the future, 39,000 years from now to be exact. It's a time of continuous unrelenting war, where billions of soldiers battle daily to halt the unrelenting press of alien species and chaotic evil as mankind fights to remain the dominant force in the galaxy. The Imperium of man has spread across the galaxy, ruled by an immortal god-emperor from his holy throne on the human home world of Sacred Terra, or earth to us here in the past. This dark future was created more then twenty years ago and has been a staple of the role playing community ever since. More then a game though it has launched hundreds of books and a dozen series that have become bestsellers and cult classics, in addition to inspiring the creatures and heroes of the "Alien" movies and "Starship Troopers." Those seeking to lose themselves in a sci-fi universe of adventure, intrigue, danger, and drama need look no further.

A Bleak Future

I was introduced to the Warhammer 40000 universe by my brother almost five years ago. This bleak war filled backdrop appealed to the Marine in me. Stories of genetically altered super warriors called Space Marines jumped off the page. These futuristic creations strode the galaxy making war with untold alien horrors and carrying forth the light of the emperor's will, with suicidal focus and drive. Born and bred for one purpose alone these super human warriors knew nothing but battle day in and day out. First created more then ten thousand years earlier and tested during the civil war that tore the Imperium apart known as The Horus Heresy, these "Angels of Death" had become the epitome of devout service and justice. It seems that in this dark strife ridden future mankind though prolific has been reduced to an endless cycle of war and death. they have spread like a virus across the galaxy colonizing worlds and exploiting their resources for mankind's use and advancement. It is a dreary universe to be sure that we find in the writings of Warhammer.

Beyond the emperor's super human warriors, lies a whole canvas of human drama and intrigue. On thousands of worlds the civilization of man struggles for survival and growth. In the midst of it all a group of shadowy figures move with silence and stealth. The Inquisition seeks ever to protect the faith and order of the Holy Emperor. They search for heretics, aliens, and those who seek to align themselves with the arch enemy; Chaos. These agents of The Ecclisiarchy prowl the galaxy ever vigilant and watchful.

The Imperial Guard are the human arm of the Emperor's might. From all across the galaxy human home worlds amass hundreds of thousands of soldiers and sailors who travel forth on vast armadas roaming the stars for decades or more conquering new worlds and defending older ones. Many soldiers spend their whole lives in service to the emperor dying light years away from their home world on some distant battle field.

Other Species

Mankind is not alone in the galaxy, far from it. Ancient beings known as The Eldar prowl the vast deepness of space on virtual planetoids known as craft worlds. These potent psychics and warriors have existed since the dawn of time, watching in fear as the race of man has grown and expanded throughout the galaxy. They seek to regain their former greatness and constantly probe the Imperium looking for weakness and opportunity.

The Orks are a vicious warlike race of humanoids that have roamed the space lanes for thousands of years on their never-ending campaigns of carnage and pillaging. These simple minded creatures recognized by their immense size and green skin live to destroy anything they come across. They float through space on unguided hulks of space junk and debris venturing far from their home worlds in search of new booty and conquest.

Most feared of all the threats facing man in the future, the Alien Insect like race of the Tyranids have emerged to terrorize whole systems. The Great Devourer roams the blackness of space in vast hive fleets of Biological ships; Living creatures kilometers long and filled with millions of smaller soldier like beings who invade worlds consuming everything in their path and leaving nothing alive. Unchecked a Tyranid invasion quickly converts whole planets into empty barren rocks. Whole planets have been turned to organic food for these voracious predators, billions of lives snuffed out in days.

The Arch Enemy

The final enemy of Mankind is the forces of Chaos. These Immortal Gods have worked since the beginning of creation to warp and twist the will of man turning them against each other and sowing strife and war throughout time. Subtle and ingenious these dark forces seek the overthrow of the emperor on his Golden throne and the complete domination of mankind. No other race has demonstrated the willingness to power or thirst for knowledge that is the gateway to Chaos. From the time of The Great Horus Heresy, the ruinous powers have used man's own pride and arrogance to lead him into disaster and death.

Explore a world beyond your darkest nightmares and wildest imagination. Thousands of stories await your discovery. The Black Library has something for everyone and every taste.