MedHammer 40,000: Difference between revisions

From 2d4chan
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Administrator
m 285 revisions imported
Cleanup. ChatGPT-5 basically handled the copyediting of The Eldar and The Tau sections, but the rest of the edits I did manually. (I could not be bothered with those two sections.).
Line 1: Line 1:
{{cleanup}}
{{fail}}
{{fail}}
{{heresy}}


''In the Grim darkness of the far future, there is only war” they said solemnly, self-pityingly, naively. 10,000 years ago their was only war. Wars with great heroes, with battles of mighty warriors and fantastic ships, awe-inspiring citadels to defend and even more awesome weapons to destroy it. But above all, in war, there was a sense that war was not the sole state of the galaxy. Indeed as the armies of Chaos, the servants of the emperor, and the aliens fought each other in their romantic conflicts, they fought in the name of a destiny that however faintly could still be seen. The Future is here, but there is no war, wars have boundaries, wars have battles, and wars have ends. The remaining dwellers of the Galaxy have no dreams of destiny, of Imperiums, of Great Games, or of Greater Goods. Against the innumerable forces of the devourerors there is no war, there is only endurance.''
''In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war,” they said solemnly, self-pityingly, naively. 10,000 years ago there were wars. Wars with great heroes, with battles of mighty warriors and fantastic ships, awe-inspiring citadels to defend and even more awesome weapons to destroy them. But there was a sense that war was not the sole state of the galaxy. Indeed, as the armies of Chaos, the servants of the Emperor, and the aliens fought each other, they fought for the sake name of a destiny that, however faintly, could be seen. The future is here. Wars have boundaries, wars have battles and wars have ends. The remaining dwellers of the Galaxy have no dreams of Greater Goods.''


The origional premise for MidHammer(/MedHammer) is that it was a softer version of grimdark: grimlight. Rather than just making the 40k universe less grim though, I am instead assuming that 50k will be grimbright. Essentially, I am assuming that the phenomenal [[Shape of The Nightmare to Come]] is what will happen to the Warhammer universe, more or less. So rather than WH50k being impossibly bleak, the humans of the 51st millennium will have significantly more resources than those of the stretched vanilla 40k. I'm working backwards to [[retcon|change]] the 40k and 30k events for that end goal.


The origional premise for MidHammer is that it was a softer version of Grimdark, or Grimlight. Rather than just making 40k universe less grim though, I am instead assuming that 50k is Grimbright.
The Imperium structurally have more resources at its disposal. Humanity will have more psychic and spiritual weapons at its disposal, rather than those talents being suppressed as in 40k. The leadership of humanity and the T'au will be more psychologically and tempermentally equipped to face the looming threats of the 51st millennium.


Essentially, I am assuming that the phenomenal [Shape of The Nightmare to Come] is what will happen to the Warhammer Universe (more or less).
==Key Differences==
So rather than WH50k being impossibly bleak, the humans of the 51st Mellinium have significantly more resources than the already stretched Vanilla 40k
===Chaos Very Much Divided===
So with this endgoal in mind, I am working backwards to change the 40k and 30k events so that.
Tzeentch claims victory against the Emperor. As Lorgar pleads and works tirelessly to keep the Chaos Undivided movement alive, the Chaos Gods look inward and against each other.
Tzeentch and Nurgle both have offered their aid to the Eldar against Slaanesh, and have fostered small but thriving cults which are looking for salvation against Slaanesh.
Lorgar's school of Chaos Undivided will be significantly less monolithic. Lorgar and those under his control will live under his theocracy, but the Exclusivites and Ahrimanists will not participate in his movement. Luther and Ahriman's Imperium Undivided present itself as a robust ideological alternative to Lorgar's "Faces of the Divine" Chaos Undivided.
The "minor" fifth Chaos God Malal has recently grown greater in power, representing a sort of schizophrenic anti-warp, anti-chaotic mentality.
 
===Multiplicity of religions===
The multiplicity of religions offers a lot of opportunities for ideological differences. In MidHammer, the Vlka Fenrika, Promethian Cult, and Aurelian Cult of Ultramar all have a presence in the Imperium, as well as several more ancient religions. Each "Spiritual Liege" in the Aurelian Cult is essentially its own denomination or Fiqh with sometimes vastly different theologies. (Yes, I'm aware that Fiqh is a school of jurisprudence, not theology. Still relevant to the discussion, as each Spiritual Liege often have legal and moral making power as well.)


The Imperium structurally, technologically, militarily, administratively have more resources at their disposal
===Xenos ideologies===
Humanity as a race, has more psychic and spiritual weapons at its disposal rather than these talents being supressed in 40k
The Ynnari are just as much a political ideological movement as they are a religious cult. They've forced the followers of Cegorach and Khaine to organize themselves along similar lines. The Farseers themselves will begin to become a political movement in a similar way to how the Constitutionalistas in the Mexican Civil war did, or the "Presbyterians" did in The English Civil war.
The leadership of Humanity and The T'au are more psychologically and tempermentally equipped to face the looming threat of the 51st mellinium.
==Key Differences==


;Chaos Very much Divided
The T'au are significantly more radical in MidHammer.
:Tzeentch claims victory against the Emperor. As Lorgar pleads and tirelessly works to keep the movement alive, the gods look inward, and against each other.
:Tzeentch and Nurgle both, have offered their aid to the Eldar against Slaanesh, and have fostered small but thriving cults looking for salvation against slaanesh.
:Lorgar's school of Chaos Undivided will be significantly less monolithic. Lorgar and those under his control will live under his Theocracy, but the Exclusivites and Ahrimanists will not participate in his movement. Luther and Ahriman's Imperium Undivided present itself as a robust Ideological Alternative to Lorgar's "Faces of the Divine" Chaos Undivided
:The Arrival of a new Chaos god, and the return of Malal represents a greater Anti Warp anti chaotic mentality. Which only Khorne and his ilk seem actually preparing against.


===Greater Emphasis on the Guard===
Space Marines are rare and distrusted by some. Sanguinius leads a small, agile army in the Blood Crusades against Lorgar. The Space Marines of the Segmentarchs aid in the administration of their Segmentums.


;Multiplicity of religions
===Romanticism===
:The multiplicity of religions offers a lot of opportunities for ideological differences. In MidHammer the Vlka Fenrika, Promethian Cult, and Aurelian Cult of Ultramar all have a presence in the imperium, as well as several more ancient religions.
As horrific as the Heresy was, to those of the 41st millennium it will seem like a battle of heroes and a clash of good vs evil.


;Showcase divisions of belief and develop Heterodoxy in Aurelian Cult
==Divergent Epochs==
:Each "Spiritual Liege" in the Aurelian Cult is essentially its own Denomination or Fiqh with sometimes vastly different Theologies <!---yes im aware that Fiqh is a school of Jurisprudence not theology. Still relevant to the discussion as each Spiritual Liege often have legal and moral making power as well-->.
This represents a timeline of divergent epochs & major events in the MidHammer 40k universe. Each epoch will have different powers at their prime. Technology, armor and factions will change as civilization advances.
;Epoch 1 (M25-M35) The False Age of Chaos
When the timeline divulges from that of vanilla 40k. Eldar Destroyed, Age of Strife, Great Crusade, The Great Treachery "False Age" because it was supposed to be Chaos' promised era, but that was denied. Chaos was at its strongest during this time, yet the Imperium weathered the onslaught of Chaos.
;Epoch 2 (M35-M45) The Second Age of Eldar/Age of T'au
The Imperium fights on, but loses ground to the T’au, the Yndari, the Raven, and the now treacherous Mars. The Primarchs hold out hope for their father’s recovery and force their enemies to pay dearly for every planet taken, with rips forming in the Imperium's middle. At one point Terra will come close to the edge of annihilation.
;Epoch 3 (M45-M53) "The False Age of Man"
Tzeentch will supposedly be "killed" by the Aurelian & the Chaos Gods will be brought to heel. Humanity will be united. The Eldar and their allies will be  embroiled in the disaster of their own creation. Humanity should be victorious, but this will be little more than the calm before the storm. When the storm comes, it will come fiercely.
;Epoch 4 (M53-M60) "The Age of The Consumed"
The Imperium of Man will be no more. As the Segmentum Solar falls, the Emperor, who will then be known as "the Warlord", will with his remaining Primarchs make their last stand in Dorn's so-called "fortress" Segmentum. The Imperium itself was metaphorically tossed aside. The few remaining dregs of humanity that survive this cataclysm will take on grotesque and bizarre forms.
;Epoch 5 (M60-M70) The Last War in Heaven


;Xenos ideologies
While things might be doing "reasonably well" for The Imperium now (it's still not great), that's because the toughest fights are yet to come. The "Forces of Good" will need every ounce of strength they have to face off against the true threats to the Milky Way.
:The Ynnari are just as much a political ideological movement as they are a religious cult. So much so that they have forced the existence of Cegorach and Khaine Followers to organize themselves along similar lines. The Farseers themselves will begin to become a political movement in the same way The Constitutionalistas in the Mexican Civil war, or The "Presbyterians" were in The English Civil war.
:The T'au are significantly more radical in MidHammer. But even so there will still be different ideological approaches among the generals.
;Greater Emphasis on the Guard
:Space marines are rare and distrusted, Sanguinius leads a smaller more agile army in the Blood Crusades against Lorgar, and the space marines of The Segmentarchs aid their fathers in the administration of the segmentums. Every faction has their own guardsmen and navies to use against each other, and serve as the lion's share of their force.


;Romanticism
==Xenos in M41==
:The grim darkness always looks better in hindsight. As horrific as The Heresy was for those involved in it, to those of the 41st millennium, it will seem like a battle of heroes and the clash of good vs evil, with so much potential, the primarchs were triumphant heroic figures, not the tired old tyrants they are now.


Likewise, roll the clock forward to 50k, and those who are facing the full brunt of the Tyrranic invasion will look fondly on the wars of the 40th. There was an era when men were men, when great art and great leaders came. That was a time when the emperor's sons ruled in peace, and one could still fight over what the destiny of man was, as though that was a guarantee.
When the 2nd epoch comes to a close, the forces of Chaos will be spent, drained, and outmaneuvered. Lorgar and Luther will struggle to hold their causes together, as they become surrounded by few friends and ever increasing enemies. It'll become clear that the war with Chaos was a fight for who would represent humanity in the upcoming fight. With enemies looking for blood, including the Tau, resurgent Eldar, Orks, Tyrannids and Necrons, the Imperium will quickly buckle and lose ground.


==Artwork==
===The Eldar===
Currently Im posting most of my Art work to my Deviant Art Profile, But Ill start moving things here one i get more organized.
[[File:Yindarria MH40k.png|50%px|thumb|right|The Ynnari were pushed out of the Craftworlds and aggressively hunted by the Night Lords. These exodites hardened as the craftworlds withered. Now as Great Yindaria, the Ynnari are quickly overwhelming the other eldar ways of life.]]
==Epochs==
This represents a timeline of major events in the MidHammer 40k Universe. Much like medieval understandings of the Pseudo-cyclical world, each epoch will have different powers at their prime, and powers who were the dominant forces in epochs past. Technology armor, and factions will change as civilization advances.
;Pre Epochs
:age of Old Ones, War in Heaven
;Epoch 1(M1-M15) The Age of Eldar
:Humanity’s nascent stages, Eldar enjoy peace and eventually create Slaanesh
;Epoch 2(M15-M25) The First Age of Man
The Age of Terra and Dark age of Technology
;Epoch 3 (M25-M35) The False Age of Chaos
:Where the Timeline divulges from Vanilla
:Eldar Destroyed, Age of Strife, Great Crusade, The Great Treachery
:"False Age" because it was supposed to be Chaos' promised era, but it was denied
:Chaos at its strongest during this time,Imperium weathers onslaught of Chaos
;Epoch 4 (M35-M45) The Second Age of Eldar/Age of T'au
:The Imperium fights on, but is quickly losing ground to The T’au, the Yndari, The Raven, and Now Mars. Ripped down the middle, where even Terra is mere minutes from annihilation, The Primarchs, hold out hope for their father’s recovery and force their enemies to pay dearly for every planet.
;Epoch 5 (M45-M53) "The False Age of Man"
:Tzeentch is "killed" by the Aurelian, the Chaos gods are brought to heel, humanity is united and the Eldar and their allies are embroiled in the disaster they themselves created. Humanity should be victorious, but this is little more than the calm before the storm. And when the storm comes, it will come fiercely.
;Epoch 6 (M53-M60) "The Age of The Consumed"
:The Imperium of Man is no more. As the Segmentum Solar falls, The Emperor, now the Warlord once again with his remaining primarchs are making their last stand in Dorn's Segmentum sized Fortress. Just as the Imperium itself was tossed aside to survive this age, humanity must make any and all sacrifices if it hopes to endure. And Humanity has taken on grotesque and bizzare forms to survive this harsh world.
;Epoch 6 (M60-M70) The Last War in Heaven
;Epoch 7 (M70) The Second Age of Man
:This is where The Emperor is trying to reach, this is the "Grimbright end"


The Imperium's greater success against the Forces of Chaos has come at a great cost: not merely the countless lives spent fighting these dark forces, but also the fraying of the relationship and truce the Emperor forged with the Eldar.


WH40k is Epoch 3 and 4, its barely even the End of The Beginning. So while things might be doing "reasonably" well for The Imperium now (its still not great), that's because the actual fights are yet to come. The "Forces of Good" will need every ounce of strength they have to face off against the true threats to the Milky Way.
There are still some Eldar who view the primitive Mon'Keigh as mostly harmless and as a potential ally against the forces that surround them. However, this attitude has begun to change in the millennia following the Desolation of Lorgar. Rather than decaying into fiefdoms and squabbles as brief as their lifespans, the petty impulses of man have been checked by the Emperor's immortal sons. As the Imperium slowly but surely climbs the uphill battle against the Forces of Chaos, many Eldar have begun to wonder whether it is only a matter of time before the Imperium turns its attention to the Craftworlds.


==What I'm working on==
The Eldar, unable to face the Imperium at full strength for now, still maintain the masquerade of their truce with the Imperium while doing anything and everything short of supporting Chaos to undermine it. However, that façade is quickly crumbling, and as of the 41st millennium it seems increasingly likely that open war between the Eldar and the Imperium will engulf the galaxy.


Currently, I am working on exporting what ive been working on into new pages. I plan to clean up the organization of these and filling out the lore.
As the Craftworld Eldar tend to their fraying truce or resort to underhanded tactics, a new generation of Eldar has rallied behind calls for a restoration of the Eldar empire. These Eldar have observed the Imperium's success against the Forces of Chaos as proof not only of the potential for victory against Chaos, but also as proof of the ineffectiveness and failing leadership of the Craftworld Eldar. While in the canonical setting the quest for Ynnead is welcomed by many Craftworlds, here the movement is openly hostile to other Craftworlds and their leadership. The Yndarri are far more fanatical and ruthless than in the standard setting. Nor do they have any love for humanity or even for their fellow Eldar. To them, the Craftworlds stand in the way of a Great Eldar resurgence, and should a few more fall to Slaanesh, they would not be missed.


Im also working on some templates and heraldry for the different factions to use. Thats a little slow in comming, and I have  long way to go.  
Craftworlds are always on the lookout for Yndarri assassins and thieves, who kill major leaders and steal relics and soulstones. Under Yvraine, the chosen champion of Ynnead, they hope to overthrow what they view as corrupt, quibbling, and decadent leadership among the Eldar and Drukhari, and replace Craftworld governments with Ynnead-appointed leaders so that all living and dead Eldar can welcome the coming of the Great Death God's return.


I have several short stories in the works.
===NOTE: Lore check===
"Yndarri" vs. "Ynnari": The faction in official Warhammer 40K is "Ynnari." "Yndarri" appears to be a variant/typo; if this is an intentional alternate faction, note it as a deliberate divergence. If not, replace all instances with "Ynnari." Also, "Great Death God's return" is unusual phrasing: Ynnead is the Eldar god of the dead whose awakening is sought to counter Slaanesh. Consider rephrasing to "the awakening of Ynnead" or "the return of the god Ynnead" for lore clarity. Additionally, Yvraine is a Ynnari leader — portraying the Ynnari as systematically trying to replace Craftworld governments is a broad escalation from usual lore, where Ynnari mainly seek Ynnead's birth and act against both Chaos and Slaanesh; mark as a setting divergence if intentional.


==Xenos in M41==
===The Tau===
[[File:MH40kTauPropaganda.png|50%px|thumb|left|Propaganda poster with the Attillans, a key Auxillary of the Tau'Va.]]


As the 4th epoch comes to a close, the forces of Chaos are spent, drained, and outmanuvred. Lorgar and Luther struggle to hold their causes together as they are surrounded by few friends and ever increasing enemies. That does not mean the Imperium can hope for peace however. Indeed it is becomming clear that the war with Chaos was a fight for who would represent humanity in the upcomming fight. From the new threats in the Tau, the resurgent Eldar, and the ever looming threats of Orks, Tyrannids, and Necrons, the Imperium is quickly buckling and losing ground to these empires looking for blood.  
Calling themselves an Imperium after their former masters, the T'au Va were originally part of a subject state of the Imperium called the "Cerulean Socii." That changed when the Eldar, concerned about the Imperium's growing strength and success, saw an opportunity to create an ally that could counteract the Imperium without further altering the Warp. Thus the Ethereal caste was created through advanced genetic modification as a way to indirectly control the T'au Va.


===The Eldar===
Taking advantage of a Black Crusade that distracted the Imperium, the T'au Va revolted against their overlords and slaughtered their Imperial overseers and Kroot intermediaries. Before the Imperium could mount a proper counteroffensive, the Eldar "chose to ally" with the T'au Va and announced that the newly free T'au Va were under their protection. Unwilling to fight a war with the Eldar Craftworlds in the middle of a Chaos insurgency, the Imperium begrudgingly agreed to a ceasefire.
[[File:Yindarria MH40k.png|50%px|thumb|right|The Ynnari were pushed out of the Craftworlds and aggressively hunted by the Night Lords. These exodites hardened as the craftworlds withered. Now as Great Yindaria, the Ynnari are quickly overwhelming the other eldar ways of life. ]]
The Imperium's greater success against the Forces of Chaos has come at a great cost. Not merely the countless lives spent in fighting these dark forces, but also in the fraying in a relationship and truce the Emperor forged with the Eldar.


There are still some Eldar, who view the primitive Mon'Keigh as mostly harmless, and a potential ally against the forces that surround them. However, this has begun to change in the mellenia following The Desolation of Lorgar. Rather than decaying into fiefdoms and squabbles as brief as their lifespans, the petty impulses of man have been checked by the Emperor's immortal sons. As the Imperium slowly but surely climbs the uphill battle against the Forces of Chaos, many eldar have begun to wonder if it is only a matter of time before the Imperium will turn its attention to the craftworlds.
Despite the T'au Empire's small size, it is meticulously organized: the four former T'au nations were transformed into castes. The T'au possess highly advanced weapons but rely on their Eldar "allies" for aid in travelling vast distances.


The Eldar, unable to face the Imperium at full strength, for now, still maintains the masquerade of its truce with the Imperium while doing anything and everything short of supporting chaos to undermine it. However that facade is quickly crumbling, and as of the 41st millennium it seems as if it will only be a matter of time before open war between the Eldar and Imperium engulfs the galaxy.
The T'au have seen many different Ethereals who unite them — from the original, now-expunged Ethereals, to an era of Water Caste government, to the rise of Commander Puretide, and the increasing dominance of the Fire Caste. Under O'shasanuk'la the T'au have carved huge swaths of the Ultima Segmentum and are now circling the borders of Ultramar.


As the Craftworld eldar tend to their fraying truce, or resort to underhanded tactics, a new generation of Eldar has rallied behind calls for a restoration of the Eldar empire. These Eldar have observed the Imperium's success against the Forces of Chaos as proof not only of the potential victory for Eldar against chaos, but also as proof of the ineffectiveness and failing leadership of The Craftworld Eldar. While in Vanilla the quest for Ynnead is welcomed by many of the Craftworld, here the movement is openly hostile to the other Craftworlds and its leadership. The Yndarri are far more fanatical and ruthless than they are in the Vanilla Warhammer. Nor do they have any love for humanity or for even their fellow eldar. To them the Craftworlds are standing in the way of what could be a Great Eldar resurgence, and should a few more join slaanesh, they would not be missed. Craftworlds are always on the lookout for Yndarri assassins and theives, killing major leaders, and stealing relics and soulstones. Under Yvraine, chosen champion of Ynnead, they hope to overthrow the corrupt quibbling and decadent leadership of the Eldari and Drukhari and replace their craftworlds with Ynnead-appointed leadership. So that all living and dead eldars can welcome the coming of the Great Death God's Return.
===NOTE: Lore check — several points need attention===
"T'au Va" and "T'au" usage: Officially the race is "Tau" (with or without apostrophes depending on edition), and their ideology is the "Greater Good" (Tau'va). "T'au Va" as a formal name is a fan variant; choose one standard.


The ethereals were not literally "created" by the Eldar in mainstream lore; the origins of Ethereals are mysterious and subject to in-universe explanation. Claiming Eldar-engineered Ethereals is a significant divergence. Mark as deliberate if intended.


===The Tau===
"Cerulean Socii" and "O'shasanuk'la" appear to be homebrew names not found in standard sources; if this is a custom setting, flag as original material.
[[File:MH40kTauPropaganda.png|50%px|thumb|left|Propaganda poster with the Attillans, a key Auxillary of the Tau'Va.]]


Calling themselves an Imperium, after their former Masters, the T'au Va were originally part of the Subject state of the Imperium called the "Cerulean Socii." That changed when The Eldar, concerned about the Imperium's growing strength and success, saw an opportunity to create an ally that could counteract the Imperium without further altering the warp. Thus the Ethereal Caste was created through advanced genetic modification as a way to indirectly control the Tau'va. Taking advantage of a Black Crusade distracting the Imperium, the Tau'Va revolted against the Imperium slaughtering their overlords and kroot immediaries. Before the Imperium could lead a proper counter offensive, the Eldar "chose to ally" with the Tau'Va and announced that the Free Tau Va were under their protection. Unwilling to fight a war with the Eldar Craftworlds in the middle of a Chaos insurgency, The Imperium begrudgingly agreed to a ceasefire.
Commander Puretide is a known character (Aun'va? Commander Puretide is less common — "Aun'Va" is the Ethereal), and the timeline of caste dominance :(Water, Fire) and the phrase "rise of Commander Puretide" may not line up with established lore.


Despite the T'au Empires small size, they are meticulously well organized with the four former T'au nations transformed into castes. The T'au have highly advanced weapons but rely on their Eldar "allies" for aid in travelling vast distances.
"Expunged Ethereals"—if you mean the purge of early Ethereals, clarify context; "Expunged" is not a canonical term widely used.


The Tau have seen many different "Ethereal" who unite the Tau, from the origional, and now Expunged Etherials, to the era of Water Caste government, to the new rise of Commander Puretide, and the dominance of the Fire Caste. Under O'shasanuk'la the Tau have carved huge swaths of the Ultima Segmentum, and are now circling the borders of Ultramar.
==Stories==
==Stories==
Im working on this still, just much more slowly.
I'm working on this still, just much more slowly.
* [https://archiveofourown.org/works/25491841 The Golden Honey:] Angron and Lotarra Brace for a figure's return.
* [https://archiveofourown.org/works/25491841 The Golden Honey:] Angron and Lotarra brace for a figure's return.
* [https://archiveofourown.org/works/28369323/chapters/69509346| What Use is the Present?] MedHammer Holiday Special. Immortal Ollanius Pius meets with the humanity's future in the grim future of the 52nd millennium.  
* [https://archiveofourown.org/works/28369323/chapters/69509346| What Use is the Present?] MedHammer Holiday Special. Immortal Ollanius Pius meets with humanity's grim future in the 52nd millennium.
* [https://archiveofourown.org/works/25494916 Tau Communique regarding the use of Auxillaries] A brief account of how the Atilla should be used.
* [https://archiveofourown.org/works/25494916 Tau Communique regarding the use of Auxillaries] A brief account of how the Atilla should be used.
==Artwork==
I'm posting most of my art work to my Deviant Art profile.


==Navigation==
==Navigation==
Line 115: Line 106:
* [[MedHammer_40,000_Characters|Characters]]
* [[MedHammer_40,000_Characters|Characters]]
* [[MedHammer_40,000_Inquisition|Secret Organizations]]
* [[MedHammer_40,000_Inquisition|Secret Organizations]]
Future Pages
* Event Pages
* Tau
* Gue'Vasa
* Eldar
* Chaos factions
* Imperium Undivided
* Legiones Astartes
* Cultus Astartes (SM Chapters)
* Writing
[[Category:Medhammer 40.000]][[Category:Homebrew Settings]]
[[Category:Medhammer 40.000]][[Category:Homebrew Settings]]

Revision as of 22:56, 20 January 2026

This page is in need of cleanup. Srsly. It's a fucking mess.
This article is about something that is considered by the overpowering majority of /tg/ to be fail.
Expect huge amounts of derp and rage, punctuated by /tg/ extracting humor from it.
This article or section is EXTRA heretical. Prepare to be purged.

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war,” they said solemnly, self-pityingly, naively. 10,000 years ago there were wars. Wars with great heroes, with battles of mighty warriors and fantastic ships, awe-inspiring citadels to defend and even more awesome weapons to destroy them. But there was a sense that war was not the sole state of the galaxy. Indeed, as the armies of Chaos, the servants of the Emperor, and the aliens fought each other, they fought for the sake name of a destiny that, however faintly, could be seen. The future is here. Wars have boundaries, wars have battles and wars have ends. The remaining dwellers of the Galaxy have no dreams of Greater Goods.

The origional premise for MidHammer(/MedHammer) is that it was a softer version of grimdark: grimlight. Rather than just making the 40k universe less grim though, I am instead assuming that 50k will be grimbright. Essentially, I am assuming that the phenomenal Shape of The Nightmare to Come is what will happen to the Warhammer universe, more or less. So rather than WH50k being impossibly bleak, the humans of the 51st millennium will have significantly more resources than those of the stretched vanilla 40k. I'm working backwards to change the 40k and 30k events for that end goal.

The Imperium structurally have more resources at its disposal. Humanity will have more psychic and spiritual weapons at its disposal, rather than those talents being suppressed as in 40k. The leadership of humanity and the T'au will be more psychologically and tempermentally equipped to face the looming threats of the 51st millennium.

Key Differences

Chaos Very Much Divided

Tzeentch claims victory against the Emperor. As Lorgar pleads and works tirelessly to keep the Chaos Undivided movement alive, the Chaos Gods look inward and against each other. Tzeentch and Nurgle both have offered their aid to the Eldar against Slaanesh, and have fostered small but thriving cults which are looking for salvation against Slaanesh. Lorgar's school of Chaos Undivided will be significantly less monolithic. Lorgar and those under his control will live under his theocracy, but the Exclusivites and Ahrimanists will not participate in his movement. Luther and Ahriman's Imperium Undivided present itself as a robust ideological alternative to Lorgar's "Faces of the Divine" Chaos Undivided. The "minor" fifth Chaos God Malal has recently grown greater in power, representing a sort of schizophrenic anti-warp, anti-chaotic mentality.

Multiplicity of religions

The multiplicity of religions offers a lot of opportunities for ideological differences. In MidHammer, the Vlka Fenrika, Promethian Cult, and Aurelian Cult of Ultramar all have a presence in the Imperium, as well as several more ancient religions. Each "Spiritual Liege" in the Aurelian Cult is essentially its own denomination or Fiqh with sometimes vastly different theologies. (Yes, I'm aware that Fiqh is a school of jurisprudence, not theology. Still relevant to the discussion, as each Spiritual Liege often have legal and moral making power as well.)

Xenos ideologies

The Ynnari are just as much a political ideological movement as they are a religious cult. They've forced the followers of Cegorach and Khaine to organize themselves along similar lines. The Farseers themselves will begin to become a political movement in a similar way to how the Constitutionalistas in the Mexican Civil war did, or the "Presbyterians" did in The English Civil war.

The T'au are significantly more radical in MidHammer.

Greater Emphasis on the Guard

Space Marines are rare and distrusted by some. Sanguinius leads a small, agile army in the Blood Crusades against Lorgar. The Space Marines of the Segmentarchs aid in the administration of their Segmentums.

Romanticism

As horrific as the Heresy was, to those of the 41st millennium it will seem like a battle of heroes and a clash of good vs evil.

Divergent Epochs

This represents a timeline of divergent epochs & major events in the MidHammer 40k universe. Each epoch will have different powers at their prime. Technology, armor and factions will change as civilization advances.

Epoch 1 (M25-M35) The False Age of Chaos

When the timeline divulges from that of vanilla 40k. Eldar Destroyed, Age of Strife, Great Crusade, The Great Treachery "False Age" because it was supposed to be Chaos' promised era, but that was denied. Chaos was at its strongest during this time, yet the Imperium weathered the onslaught of Chaos.

Epoch 2 (M35-M45) The Second Age of Eldar/Age of T'au

The Imperium fights on, but loses ground to the T’au, the Yndari, the Raven, and the now treacherous Mars. The Primarchs hold out hope for their father’s recovery and force their enemies to pay dearly for every planet taken, with rips forming in the Imperium's middle. At one point Terra will come close to the edge of annihilation.

Epoch 3 (M45-M53) "The False Age of Man"

Tzeentch will supposedly be "killed" by the Aurelian & the Chaos Gods will be brought to heel. Humanity will be united. The Eldar and their allies will be embroiled in the disaster of their own creation. Humanity should be victorious, but this will be little more than the calm before the storm. When the storm comes, it will come fiercely.

Epoch 4 (M53-M60) "The Age of The Consumed"

The Imperium of Man will be no more. As the Segmentum Solar falls, the Emperor, who will then be known as "the Warlord", will with his remaining Primarchs make their last stand in Dorn's so-called "fortress" Segmentum. The Imperium itself was metaphorically tossed aside. The few remaining dregs of humanity that survive this cataclysm will take on grotesque and bizarre forms.

Epoch 5 (M60-M70) The Last War in Heaven

While things might be doing "reasonably well" for The Imperium now (it's still not great), that's because the toughest fights are yet to come. The "Forces of Good" will need every ounce of strength they have to face off against the true threats to the Milky Way.

Xenos in M41

When the 2nd epoch comes to a close, the forces of Chaos will be spent, drained, and outmaneuvered. Lorgar and Luther will struggle to hold their causes together, as they become surrounded by few friends and ever increasing enemies. It'll become clear that the war with Chaos was a fight for who would represent humanity in the upcoming fight. With enemies looking for blood, including the Tau, resurgent Eldar, Orks, Tyrannids and Necrons, the Imperium will quickly buckle and lose ground.

The Eldar

The Ynnari were pushed out of the Craftworlds and aggressively hunted by the Night Lords. These exodites hardened as the craftworlds withered. Now as Great Yindaria, the Ynnari are quickly overwhelming the other eldar ways of life.

The Imperium's greater success against the Forces of Chaos has come at a great cost: not merely the countless lives spent fighting these dark forces, but also the fraying of the relationship and truce the Emperor forged with the Eldar.

There are still some Eldar who view the primitive Mon'Keigh as mostly harmless and as a potential ally against the forces that surround them. However, this attitude has begun to change in the millennia following the Desolation of Lorgar. Rather than decaying into fiefdoms and squabbles as brief as their lifespans, the petty impulses of man have been checked by the Emperor's immortal sons. As the Imperium slowly but surely climbs the uphill battle against the Forces of Chaos, many Eldar have begun to wonder whether it is only a matter of time before the Imperium turns its attention to the Craftworlds.

The Eldar, unable to face the Imperium at full strength for now, still maintain the masquerade of their truce with the Imperium while doing anything and everything short of supporting Chaos to undermine it. However, that façade is quickly crumbling, and as of the 41st millennium it seems increasingly likely that open war between the Eldar and the Imperium will engulf the galaxy.

As the Craftworld Eldar tend to their fraying truce or resort to underhanded tactics, a new generation of Eldar has rallied behind calls for a restoration of the Eldar empire. These Eldar have observed the Imperium's success against the Forces of Chaos as proof not only of the potential for victory against Chaos, but also as proof of the ineffectiveness and failing leadership of the Craftworld Eldar. While in the canonical setting the quest for Ynnead is welcomed by many Craftworlds, here the movement is openly hostile to other Craftworlds and their leadership. The Yndarri are far more fanatical and ruthless than in the standard setting. Nor do they have any love for humanity or even for their fellow Eldar. To them, the Craftworlds stand in the way of a Great Eldar resurgence, and should a few more fall to Slaanesh, they would not be missed.

Craftworlds are always on the lookout for Yndarri assassins and thieves, who kill major leaders and steal relics and soulstones. Under Yvraine, the chosen champion of Ynnead, they hope to overthrow what they view as corrupt, quibbling, and decadent leadership among the Eldar and Drukhari, and replace Craftworld governments with Ynnead-appointed leaders so that all living and dead Eldar can welcome the coming of the Great Death God's return.

NOTE: Lore check

"Yndarri" vs. "Ynnari": The faction in official Warhammer 40K is "Ynnari." "Yndarri" appears to be a variant/typo; if this is an intentional alternate faction, note it as a deliberate divergence. If not, replace all instances with "Ynnari." Also, "Great Death God's return" is unusual phrasing: Ynnead is the Eldar god of the dead whose awakening is sought to counter Slaanesh. Consider rephrasing to "the awakening of Ynnead" or "the return of the god Ynnead" for lore clarity. Additionally, Yvraine is a Ynnari leader — portraying the Ynnari as systematically trying to replace Craftworld governments is a broad escalation from usual lore, where Ynnari mainly seek Ynnead's birth and act against both Chaos and Slaanesh; mark as a setting divergence if intentional.

The Tau

Propaganda poster with the Attillans, a key Auxillary of the Tau'Va.

Calling themselves an Imperium after their former masters, the T'au Va were originally part of a subject state of the Imperium called the "Cerulean Socii." That changed when the Eldar, concerned about the Imperium's growing strength and success, saw an opportunity to create an ally that could counteract the Imperium without further altering the Warp. Thus the Ethereal caste was created through advanced genetic modification as a way to indirectly control the T'au Va.

Taking advantage of a Black Crusade that distracted the Imperium, the T'au Va revolted against their overlords and slaughtered their Imperial overseers and Kroot intermediaries. Before the Imperium could mount a proper counteroffensive, the Eldar "chose to ally" with the T'au Va and announced that the newly free T'au Va were under their protection. Unwilling to fight a war with the Eldar Craftworlds in the middle of a Chaos insurgency, the Imperium begrudgingly agreed to a ceasefire.

Despite the T'au Empire's small size, it is meticulously organized: the four former T'au nations were transformed into castes. The T'au possess highly advanced weapons but rely on their Eldar "allies" for aid in travelling vast distances.

The T'au have seen many different Ethereals who unite them — from the original, now-expunged Ethereals, to an era of Water Caste government, to the rise of Commander Puretide, and the increasing dominance of the Fire Caste. Under O'shasanuk'la the T'au have carved huge swaths of the Ultima Segmentum and are now circling the borders of Ultramar.

NOTE: Lore check — several points need attention

"T'au Va" and "T'au" usage: Officially the race is "Tau" (with or without apostrophes depending on edition), and their ideology is the "Greater Good" (Tau'va). "T'au Va" as a formal name is a fan variant; choose one standard.

The ethereals were not literally "created" by the Eldar in mainstream lore; the origins of Ethereals are mysterious and subject to in-universe explanation. Claiming Eldar-engineered Ethereals is a significant divergence. Mark as deliberate if intended.

"Cerulean Socii" and "O'shasanuk'la" appear to be homebrew names not found in standard sources; if this is a custom setting, flag as original material.

Commander Puretide is a known character (Aun'va? Commander Puretide is less common — "Aun'Va" is the Ethereal), and the timeline of caste dominance :(Water, Fire) and the phrase "rise of Commander Puretide" may not line up with established lore.

"Expunged Ethereals"—if you mean the purge of early Ethereals, clarify context; "Expunged" is not a canonical term widely used.

Stories

I'm working on this still, just much more slowly.

Artwork

I'm posting most of my art work to my Deviant Art profile.

Navigation