Warhammer 40,000 Chapter Approved - The Book of the Astronomican

Cover of the Book of the Astronomican suppliment to 1st Edition

The Book of the Astronomican was a suppliment for the 1st Edition of the Warhammer 40,000 game.

General Structure

The first general suppliment to the 'Rogue Trader' edition of the game, the Book of the Astronomican featured completely new material, a four part mini-campaign, a number of ready-to-use army lists and the first complete miniatures catalogue for the game.

Contents

Contents included:

• The Wolf Time: A four-part campaign by Rick Priestley. It involved Space Wolves and Orks, a third player took the role of Games Master to arbitrate. The fourth and final battle depended on the outcome of the first three.
• White Scars Space Marines: An army list of the newly introduced Chapter.
• Hygar's Hellraisers: Another Imperial army list.
• Valerious Borodin: An army list for a Rogue Trader and his entourage.
• Crangor's Buccaneers: An army list featuring Pirates from the Claw Nebula.
• Luggub's Drop Legion: An army from the Ork invasion of Rynn's World.
• Eldritch Raiders: An army list of Eldar Pirates.
• Imperial Characters A selection of characters from different sections of the Imperium.
• Colour Miniature Guide: Including Mercenaries, Chainsaw Warriors, Space Pirates, Space Dwarfs, Space Elves and others, provided with cut-out banners.
• Alien Species Identifiction File
• Additional material including early rule suggestions and a weapon summary on the back cover.

Authors, Artists and Coworkers

Written by: Rick Priestley, Alan Merrett, Jim Bambra, Mike Brunton, Sean Masterson, John Blanche.

Editor: Phil Gallagher.

Cover art: Tony Roberts.

Internal art: Pete Knifton, Tony Ackland, Nik Williams, Dave Gallagher, Ali Morrison, Tony Hough, Russ Nicholson, Ian Miller, John Blanche, Dave Andrews, Colin Dixon, Sid, H.

Other Details

• In the White Scars army list, the chapter has its headquarters on the vast space barge/monastery Constantius and that it has a fleet of over a hundred craft. It also states (p65) that the chapter includes a unique unit called the Souldrinkers. This is a special assault group of which all the members are veteran hand to hand combat specialists. The Souldrinkers have their own distinctive shoulder badges and honour banners.

• The Imperial Characters are Stugen Deathwalker - Penal Legion Major of the Adeptus Arbites, Mojarn Piett - Penal Legion Lieutenant of the Adeptus Arbites, Erasmus Darvin - Praefect Acquisitor of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Pala Greut - high enginseer of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Corwen Quilp - Field Notary of the Administratum, Friar Yodus Mange - mission confessor, Jaku Dihardis - assassin, Tarik Gortsuker - psi-assassin, Inquisitor Tharg, psi-Inquisitor Thor Malkin, Hernando Jurkantz - navigator, Seeken - navigator, Tyrel 'Destroyer' Cathek - rogue trader, Potaex Hitsen - psi-trader.

Publication Details

• ISBN 1869893336