Setting:Brighthammer 40,000/1st edition
BrightHammer 40k is a mirror universe of Warhammer 40k. In this setting, the incredibly GRIMDARKness of regular 40k is replaced by NOBLEBRIGHTness and instead of war, there is only HIGH ADVENTURE!
Background
In the Noble Brightness of the 40th millenium, there is only HIGH ADVENTURE!
10,000 years ago when the universe finally began to take a turn for the better after the Eldar willingly ascended to create the Order god of Love Slaaneesh, the Emperor appeared to ensure the noble rule of Mankind. In an act of supreme sacrifice, his most favored son Horus and several of his primarchs, noble princes of mankind, sacrificed their mortal form to become princes of Order in the warp.
Since then the Emperor has ruled for 10,000 years from the golden throne on Terra, bringing peace, enlightenment, and joy to all mankind. There is clearly no better time to be alive.
Now the last vestiges of the Eldar go forth to ensure the joy and prosperity of other races before the last of them finally ascend, the Bright Eldar at the forefront of this. They are opposed by the dark forces of Eldrad, and the Eldar who were too impure to ascend to a higher plane. Eldrad's convoluted schemes are a constant source of pain and discontent for the people of the Imperium.
Across the galaxy, the Noble Savages known as the Orks are being brutally oppressed through misunderstanding and miscommunication.
In the distant lands of the Eastern Galaxy, a dark and chaotic empire called the Tau, using their battlecry, "For the Lesser Evil!" have formed a brutal fascist empire that uses mind control, genocide, and cannibalistic troops as a normal thing. The Emperor believes they can be redeemed.
Deep beneath the surface of many worlds, the immortal Necrontyr awaken to teach the secrets of the technologies of the distant past to modern man. They teach that prosperity is possible even without the Lords of Order, and where they go, life springs up in their stead.
The Tyranids, the most visible member race of which are the Zoats, came to visit the Squat homeworlds, a civilization of noble miners and proud warriors. Though negotiations took many years, the Squats eventually accepted the offer of the Tyranids and joined the hivemind, and left the galaxy.
In the warp, the lords of order are the god of hope and compassion, Nurgle, who loves even the smallest of creatures, Tzeentch, god of knowledge and the magic of wonder, and Khorne, the noble warrior king, newest form of the savage former god of the eldar, Khaine. He is a warrior without bloodlust, sitting upon his throne of helms. Finally, the newest and for now most powerful of the gods, Slaaneesh, god of love, art and joy.
Across the imperium not all is well, however. It is a vast empire, and planets fall out of the sight of the Emperor. Corrupt politicians seek to subvert the Democratic order and ways of the imperium. Dark tyrants seek to rise up and rebel, oppressing their people brutally. Though the Lords and Princes of Order work with the Emperor to bring civilization to all mankind, the universe remains a strange and beautiful place, filled with HIGH ADVENTURE!
The Imperium
The Imperium of Brighthammer is what the Imperium of 40k could have been if the emperor had won his war against chaos. In this setting that war never happened, and the warp is calmer and more friendly. It is in a golden age, and many of the primarchs remain to assist in his rule. As one might expect of any empire it's size, there are still many problems. Militarily it is held together by the space marine legions and the Imperial Guard. However, there are other problems of a different type and scale, such as corrupt imperial governors, seditious rebels, and rogue psykers. Often these are solved by the secret agents of the emperor, the Inquisition. Other times, these problems are solved by professional adventurers, the Brighthammer equivalent of rogue traders. Across the Imperium many worlds remain in a feudal state or at varying levels of technology, as unfortunate remnants of the war against the Iron Men at the end of the Dark Age of Technology. The Imperium seeks to bring these worlds into the fold, but many are ruled by tyrants or for many reasons the Imperium will not invade directly. Therefore small groups of agents may go to these worlds and guide them until they are ready to join the Imperium.
Space Marines
Space Marines are the noble knights of the Imperium, and as such serve as examples of order to the Imperium at large. Far apart from merely being a powerful military faction, they are also instrumental in keeping the Imperium together and functioning.
Angry Marines On some previously corrupted worlds, some people speak in awe about marines of red and yellow that fell from the skies aboards their rhinos, to brutally and noisily destroy the source of the evil on the planet. The Angry Marines Chapter is quite a puzzling one, as their behaviour differs so much from what you usually expect from noble knights. They seem to be sent in when the threat to the people of a planet is extremely serious, and no other solution can be found at the moment.
Imperial Guard
The Imperial Guard are normal men and women serving in the galactic military of the Imperium. They are expertly trained and the absolute best soldiers of any world they are taken from. They are largely similar to the Imperial Guard of regular Warhammer 40k, but are better trained and equipped; closer to stormtroopers than regular guardsmen. Commissars are carefully trained in the arts of war and serve to keep up morale and advise officers in its arts. Because war is relatively rare in Brighhammer 40k, they serve to keep the Guard in good working order. They are always the first in the charge, and the last in retreat. In times where their units fail, Commissars have been known to take their own lives rather than face the shame of defeat, knowing it was they who supposed to keep the unit battle ready.
Inquisition
When dark forces rise, the Inquisition is there to cut them out, quietly and stealthily. They are the secret agents of the Emperor, acting on his authority when all peaceful measures fail. When mad psykers arise, they are there to take them out. When corrupt governors starve their people, the Inquisition is ready to remove them. Notably, they are not as extreme as their Warhammer 40k counterparts and are mostly focused upon more James Bond like secret agent action.
The Inquisition makes use of several different specially trained operatives, apart from general Inquisitors. These individuals are usually trained at specialized combat schools from the elite of the elite.
Callidus School is still dedicated to infiltration tactics, scouting, information gathering.
Eversor School is for assault, designed to take on even the strongest foes in single combat, and receive a number of pysical, mental, and cybernetic enhancements.
Vindicare School is dedicated to long-range support, master of weapons, especially sniper-based ones. The noble fallen knight LIVII belonged to this organization.
Culexus School trains specialized individuals who are capable of uplifting moral to immense levels and increase the performance and natural healing abilities of their companions, despite lacking psyker capabilities. Aka, the reverse of the Pariah trait. These individuals are incredibly rare, but make highly effective team leaders.
All are recruited from existing special forces and receive the Inquisitions best training in general operations before proceeding on to their permanent combat school, in which they receive training in their specialized area.
After the training at their respective schools, they go to a third phase of training where all of them will attend the same school for team building and developing alongside each other to use each others strengths to eliminate all the weaknesses they had as individuals. After graduation, they are known as Imperial Special Forces, second only to the Astartes in terms of awesomeness.
Adeptus Telepathica
Under the command of the Grey Knights, the Adeptus Telepathica is an elite corps of the strongest and most trustworthy psykers in the imperium. Each is first trained by the inquisition, recruited upon the Inquisitions White Ships and learning to fully harness their abilities, channeling the forces of Order for the good of mankind. Each makes a trip to Terra, where they are partially infused with the power of the Emperor, a blessing which strikes many blind. However, despite this loss, the increase in power more than makes up for it. Many are sent to serve in the Imperial Guard or as Navigators on ships that they might traverse the warp. Only the most elite, strongest in power and will are allowed to join the Adeptus Telepathica. They brave the mysteries of the warp and gain great power, using it for the good of mankind. Some psykers still go rogue, desiring to bring about ruin and destruction. It is often the Adeptus Telepathica that is tasked with their removal.
Ordo Explorates
Far beyond the inner planets of the Imperium, there lay the far worlds, backwards, some advanced, some not, full of strange xenos, ancient ruins, and forgotten things. It is here the Imperium's Ordo Explorates do their work, cataloging worlds and xenos, bringing them into the fold of the Imperium. Aided in their Expedition by the Imperial Volunteer Corps and the Witch Repentors they seek to bring order and justice to the universe, guided only by the principles written in the Codex Explorates by the wise hand of Prince Guilliman. Together they march with their solemn vow, "None Shall Know Fear," beating in their hearts.
Sisters of Rock
The Adepta Sororitas is an organization composed of the once unruly children found populating Slaaneshi monasteries, where they learn to channel their passion through art. Following graduation, the women who choose to enter the Adepta Sororitas chose to express themselves in the form of ROCK MUSIC. Traveling between concerts and battlefields, the Sisters of Rock work tirelessly to spread the word of the Emperor and the Gods of Order in spectacular shows. In battle, they use special personal weapons such as bolt-guitars and chainguitars, and have a penchant for using sonic weaponry. They seek Nfol; the bringer of darkness - spawn of the fallen noble warrior LIVII, former Vindicare Knight, and the dark Wytch Taldeer, among the vilest of Eldrad's twisted daughters.
Agrarium of Mars
The Agrarium of Mars constantly delves into deep texts and papers on the heritage of galaxial flora. They seek, revere and worship the promise of rebirth from within the deep terraformed forests of Mars. Together with the Ordo Explorates they bring life to dead planets, aid archaic populations in agriculture; their soul mission is to bring life in all it's glory to the wake of the High Adventure.
The Servitors of the Agrarium, the most revered and respected of their ranks, are summoned from only the most noble of casts for only the most pure are worthy of the ultimate gift to the Emperor. Initiate Servitors are taken by the Agrarium of Mars and infused the the Life Seed to join them with Botanigod. In their new form Servitors act as fountains of life, following the Agrarium to new worlds colonized by the High Adventure, restoring flora where it was lost and acting as a channel for the Botanigod.
But because the universe is not yet a completely safe place, they have also a military side. The Agrarium of Mars cultivates vast armies of techno-organic soldiers and machines made of flesh, vine and iron for the Imperium. Enormous treant walkers march alongside the Ordo Explorates, their watchful eyes keeping guard against those who would abuse and waste the life essence. The Agrarium ships orbit over dead and hostile planets and release their seed-bombs to spawn immediately into the Agrarium's foot soldiers and release neurotoxic spore, wreaking havoc on those who harm the Empire.
Medizin Korps of Kreig
The Medizin Korps of Kreig hail from a planet of doctors, nurses and apothecaries. They go wherever they are needed and are always the first to set foot into plague zones armed with their labs, vaccines and adept physiological perception.
A team from the Medizin Korps is always on hand when visiting a xenos world, ready to study and analyse any new species with the least invasive means possible to protect life even from the microscopic enemies that plague it.
Together with the Agrarium of Mars they are the life bringers, the architects of societal and ecological health and well being.
Xenos
Most of the races of BrightHammer are identical to their normal Warhammer40k counterparts, except that wherever possible they are generally bright, noble, and generally nicer. This does not mean they are pushovers, however; the technological and warfaring capabilities of these races are equal to regular 40k, if less used.
Eldar
The Eldar are divided into two groups. The Eldar were originally an incredibly advanced society that succeeded in ascending and creating a warp god; the god of love, Slaaneesh. Those that wished to remain behind to instruct other races on how to grow, change, and ascend to godhood. These are the Bright Eldar. A second faction consists of those who were too impure to rise to godhood. These chaotic Eldar are lead by Eldrad, and his schemes and machinations are a constant source of strife for everyone.
Watching over the remaining Eldar who stayed behind is the God of Guardians of Peace Kaela Mensha Khaine. Khaine's spirit resides in his various avatar statues that are scattered across the cosmos on the Craftworld vessels of the remaining Eldar
Avatars of Kaela Mensha Khaine.
Legend has it that when Slaanesh, the great order God of Love and Compassion was born, Kaela Mensha Khaine was the one who stood guard over the event to keep him safe from harm and to champion his cause throughout the heavens.
When most of the Eldar ascended upon Slaanesh's birth in "The storm of great enlightenment" (Now called "The Eye of Harmony" by the empire due to the peaceful radiance filling this region of space) Khaine chose to scatter his divine essence among those who remained behind and safeguard their existence till they too joined their brothers and sisters in Order.
On each craftworld vessel you will find a room dedicated to the worship of Khaine and his sheltering hand. In each such hall stands a single bright white and gold statue of Kaine, his upraised arm holding "The Song of Hope" a great sword that is said to be the first of the 99 swords of Vaul.
Peace Children
Some of the best (looking) things to come out of the Human/Eldar alliance besides spacecraft are the half-eldar or 'peace children'. Lynn Mínwen, the daughter of Drazhar and Celestian Miriya (Adepta Sororita) is a particularly famous idol singer (while her mom is more of an indie rock chick) So inspiring is her music that it has ended wars throughout the galaxy. Her chief nemesis is Nofl, the Daughter of Darkness.
Orks
Noble savages, fond of a good game of Chess, their harsh language has somewhat given to the galaxy a wrong image of them. Occasional clashes happen between their forces and the Imperium, but they merely want to be left in peace on the worlds they're protecting, and wouldn't dream of expanding themselves unnecessarily. Their anachronistic, warlike ways mislead others, however, and many view them as barbaric savages despite their level of technology and treat them accordingly. They are lead by Orks known as the "Brainboyz". Much of their technology is inherent, and uses a built-in connection with Order to function, meaning their crude appearing vehicles and ships are still quite effective.
Persons of note
Sir Robin Fitzgerald
A Imperial Guardsman, a Captain in the Praetorian 115th Regiment. He is a renown sportsman who enjoys a good game of Chess, along side his Man-Servant, Archibald. His primary chess opponents are the Brutish, but misunderstood, Orks. Often, his Man-Servant will play a game of Chess (or if he must, Checkers! Oh how uncivilized!) with Grots whilst his master and the Orks have a jolly good time at chess.
His other favorite spot of fun, would be in wild life hunting. Specifically, the barbaric Kroot. All his hunting lances and lasguns are set to not kill their prey, so as the hunt may continue another day. Indeed! Life with Robin is a jolly good show.
Fum'aan Shu'u
A rogue Tau mad scientist, Fum'aan Shu'u is a menace to everyone in the galaxy, including his own race. With his numerous and loyal henchmen, scattered all across Tau and Imperium Space, he works on diabolical plans to rule the universe.
Some say he could even have opened, in some hidden facility, an artificial warp gate to another dimension, where the Order Gods are evil parodies of themselves... And that he tries to create a bizarre army of corrupted human space marines and demons, all of them the results of "chaos" twisted powers.
Sister Sinai
Sister Sinai lives together with her Vindicare husband in a town, after having been granted a honorable discharge after having stopped a corrupted Inquisitor from doing the bidding of the Tau Empire. She has been given technology to help her continue on with her life, after the accident which ended up showing why the Vindicare are some of the most valuable servants of humanity and all their allies.
While she still spends much of her time thinking about religion, that still doesn't mean that she is as obsessed with it as some parody works tend to depict religious people.
At least once a week, the two of them, Sinai and her Vindicare, go out and have a dinner, talking about anything they feel like and generally having a good time.
The God-Emperor of Man
The guy so awesome the entire galaxy bows to him. Created in the distant past by countless warp shamans coming together to form a single being, that he might be able to guide all mankind to a brighter tomorrow from the shadows. After the disastrous war with the Iron Men during the Dark Age of Technology, the Emperor lead his newly created force of noble, genetically enhanced knights known as the Space Marines on a crusade to rebuild the galaxy. In battle, he is a warrior without peer, a psyker powerful enough to create supernova, and a tactician beyond measure. In battle he wields a mighty Hammer of Light; which channels his formidable powers as a psyker into pure destructive energy with each blow. He has been known to loan out this hammer to the mightiest adventurers on their direst missions, and it has been at the forefront of many victories at the hands of Mankind. He personally started the tradition of showing rank by wearing giant hats (unwittingly) due to his habit of wearing a giant golden Sombrero. The Sombrero has two lifesized golden eagles that shoot plasma bolts from their eyes, and the weight of it is such that it would instantly snap the neck of any other who tried to wear it. He is largely similar to the Warhammer 40k Emperor, but never battled Horus, with his son instead peacefully ascending to a higher plane. Instead, he rules the galaxy from the golden throne. Also, he has a goatee, which makes him the coolest human alive.
Gameplay
This is a setting best adapted for Dark Heresy games and for Kill-Team scenarios in regular tabletop 40k, due to its emphasis on adventure and heroics.
Artwork
