Inspiration & Damnation. (40K)
Posted: 2006-05-22 07:10pm
This first chapter sets the scene for this story, which includes a basic run down of the state of the Imperium. It does still include plot points though.
Prologue.
For 10,000 years the Emperor has sat immobile on the Golden Thrown of Terra, His rotten corpse kept alive using the arcane devices from the Dark Age of Technology, and the sacrifice of thousands of psykers, on whose life essence the Emperor must feed.
Whilst the Emperor has sat, battling the Chaos Gods for the sake of humanity, the fledgling Imperium which was shattered by the Horus Heresy has grown and battled for survival. The Imperium is ruled from Terra by the High Lords of Terra, the twelve most powerful humans in the Galaxy who oversee the Imperium in the Emperors name. It is they who interpret His will and send forth the armies and fleets which feed the constant state of war which engulfs the galaxy.
The Imperium has become a bloated organisation, with countless organisations spinning out of the Adeptus Terra, each with millions personnel. The bureaucracy within the Imperium weighs down everything, with decisions and edicts taking decades to filter through. Planetary governors are left to rule their domains, the Adeptus caring little about how they do so, there only requirements to fulfil their tithes in men and money. The result being that ambitious governors have been known to declare war against their neighbouring planets in order to increase their power.
Slowly, but surely the Imperium is crumbling under the weight of bureaucracy and power hungry officials, the Emperors dream for humanity long since forgotten and twisted into the bloody regime which exists today.
Yet hope still exists. The Emperor still fight for His people, battling in the Warp against daemons of Chaos to keep them out of the material realm. Through the millennia, the Emperor has chosen to act through individuals of greatness to further the battle against Chaos. Spreading hope and inspiration wherever they go, these beings become living Embodiments of the Emperors ideals and strength have led citizens and armies alike to greater times. Sebastian Thor, Saint Sabbatine, Saint Celestine and many more have received a tiny portion of the Emperors power, and even common soldiers have been part of an intervention by the Emperor, driving them on to accomplish their mission often at the very moment when all seems lost.
However the Emperor is also failing, the constant battle against Chaos has left His psyche fractured and suffering from multiple personalities. His ability to fight is weakening, and Chaos gains ground on all fronts.
To continue along this path can only delay the inevitable, leading to humanities destruction and the ultimate triumph of Chaos as the warp bursts through into the material realm consumes the galaxy.
A part of the Emperor has come to realise this and has seized on a plan to return humanity to the path He originally set out. Only an intervention on a colossal scale will inspire humanity to make the necessary changes and discoveries required to ensure their survival. This He has decided, and has spent many years negotiating, arguing and manipulating His many personalities to set the situations that He will require to succeed.
Subtle manipulation of vassals in the material realm have also been required, He cannot risk discovery of His plans as His course has passed the point of no return. Preparations have been made and He is set on a His course, He must go through with it, even if not all His pieces are not in the required position.
Unfortunately, His plans have not gone unnoticed by all. Thousands of light years away, on the Eldar Craftworld of Ulthwe, some of the most perceptive Farseers of Eldar race have gathered to discuss the signs which they have seen. While each Farseer has seen different bit and pieces, they all know one thing for sure.
“The Emperor of Man is planning something, and it may bring damnation on us all!”
___________________________________________________________
Not entirely sure how long this story is going to be. Ive got the basic premise, and I'm going to build upon that. Comments, even at this early stage, would be welcome. I'll try to add to this with reasonable regularity.
Prologue.
For 10,000 years the Emperor has sat immobile on the Golden Thrown of Terra, His rotten corpse kept alive using the arcane devices from the Dark Age of Technology, and the sacrifice of thousands of psykers, on whose life essence the Emperor must feed.
Whilst the Emperor has sat, battling the Chaos Gods for the sake of humanity, the fledgling Imperium which was shattered by the Horus Heresy has grown and battled for survival. The Imperium is ruled from Terra by the High Lords of Terra, the twelve most powerful humans in the Galaxy who oversee the Imperium in the Emperors name. It is they who interpret His will and send forth the armies and fleets which feed the constant state of war which engulfs the galaxy.
The Imperium has become a bloated organisation, with countless organisations spinning out of the Adeptus Terra, each with millions personnel. The bureaucracy within the Imperium weighs down everything, with decisions and edicts taking decades to filter through. Planetary governors are left to rule their domains, the Adeptus caring little about how they do so, there only requirements to fulfil their tithes in men and money. The result being that ambitious governors have been known to declare war against their neighbouring planets in order to increase their power.
Slowly, but surely the Imperium is crumbling under the weight of bureaucracy and power hungry officials, the Emperors dream for humanity long since forgotten and twisted into the bloody regime which exists today.
Yet hope still exists. The Emperor still fight for His people, battling in the Warp against daemons of Chaos to keep them out of the material realm. Through the millennia, the Emperor has chosen to act through individuals of greatness to further the battle against Chaos. Spreading hope and inspiration wherever they go, these beings become living Embodiments of the Emperors ideals and strength have led citizens and armies alike to greater times. Sebastian Thor, Saint Sabbatine, Saint Celestine and many more have received a tiny portion of the Emperors power, and even common soldiers have been part of an intervention by the Emperor, driving them on to accomplish their mission often at the very moment when all seems lost.
However the Emperor is also failing, the constant battle against Chaos has left His psyche fractured and suffering from multiple personalities. His ability to fight is weakening, and Chaos gains ground on all fronts.
To continue along this path can only delay the inevitable, leading to humanities destruction and the ultimate triumph of Chaos as the warp bursts through into the material realm consumes the galaxy.
A part of the Emperor has come to realise this and has seized on a plan to return humanity to the path He originally set out. Only an intervention on a colossal scale will inspire humanity to make the necessary changes and discoveries required to ensure their survival. This He has decided, and has spent many years negotiating, arguing and manipulating His many personalities to set the situations that He will require to succeed.
Subtle manipulation of vassals in the material realm have also been required, He cannot risk discovery of His plans as His course has passed the point of no return. Preparations have been made and He is set on a His course, He must go through with it, even if not all His pieces are not in the required position.
Unfortunately, His plans have not gone unnoticed by all. Thousands of light years away, on the Eldar Craftworld of Ulthwe, some of the most perceptive Farseers of Eldar race have gathered to discuss the signs which they have seen. While each Farseer has seen different bit and pieces, they all know one thing for sure.
“The Emperor of Man is planning something, and it may bring damnation on us all!”
___________________________________________________________
Not entirely sure how long this story is going to be. Ive got the basic premise, and I'm going to build upon that. Comments, even at this early stage, would be welcome. I'll try to add to this with reasonable regularity.