Difference between revisions of "Warp"
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Warpspace is a parallel universe to the [[Materium]], devoid of recognizable matter and life, with its own fluid laws of time and space. Warpspace is a random, unstructured dimension of energy and unfocused consciousness. It is [[Chaos]], unfettered by the limits of matter and undirected by intelligent purpose. Warpspace is Chaos; Chaos is the stuff of warpspace. The two are indivisible. | Warpspace is a parallel universe to the [[Materium]], devoid of recognizable matter and life, with its own fluid laws of time and space. Warpspace is a random, unstructured dimension of energy and unfocused consciousness. It is [[Chaos]], unfettered by the limits of matter and undirected by intelligent purpose. Warpspace is Chaos; Chaos is the stuff of warpspace. The two are indivisible. | ||
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| + | ==The Formless Wastes== | ||
| + | The warp has no physical dimensions, and the realm of chaos is without limits or true geography. The areas of influence controlled by the [[Chaos Gods]] form their realms, and the rest of this roiling landscape is often referred to as the Formless Wastes. Much of the formless wastes is random chaos, constantly churning and reforming depending upon the whims of mortals and currents in the warp. Every dream and nightmare, every lunatic vision and deranged fancy finds its home in the formless wastes. It is also in the formless wastes that other powers create their abodes - the provinces of [[Greater Daemons]] and [[Daemon Princes]] grown powerful enough to instil a small measure of control over their surroundings. Small islands of structure sprout from the raging wilderness, some appearing for only an instant, others almost as old as the Great Powers. Each is a petty domain in comparison to the vast realms of the Chaos Gods, but each embodies the whimsy of its creator, a small shrine or temple to a niche of belief.<sup>2</sup> | ||
==Warp Travel== | ==Warp Travel== | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
*<sup>1</sup>:[[Realm of Chaos]] | *<sup>1</sup>:[[Realm of Chaos]] | ||
| + | *<sup>2</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Daemons (4th Edition)]] | ||
==Related Articles== | ==Related Articles== | ||
Revision as of 16:31, 9 April 2009
The Warp is the psychic dimension, and is known by many names: warp space, the Immaterium, the Empyrean, the Ether, the Sea of Souls, and also as the Realm of Chaos.
Warpspace is a parallel universe to the Materium, devoid of recognizable matter and life, with its own fluid laws of time and space. Warpspace is a random, unstructured dimension of energy and unfocused consciousness. It is Chaos, unfettered by the limits of matter and undirected by intelligent purpose. Warpspace is Chaos; Chaos is the stuff of warpspace. The two are indivisible.
Contents
The Formless Wastes
The warp has no physical dimensions, and the realm of chaos is without limits or true geography. The areas of influence controlled by the Chaos Gods form their realms, and the rest of this roiling landscape is often referred to as the Formless Wastes. Much of the formless wastes is random chaos, constantly churning and reforming depending upon the whims of mortals and currents in the warp. Every dream and nightmare, every lunatic vision and deranged fancy finds its home in the formless wastes. It is also in the formless wastes that other powers create their abodes - the provinces of Greater Daemons and Daemon Princes grown powerful enough to instil a small measure of control over their surroundings. Small islands of structure sprout from the raging wilderness, some appearing for only an instant, others almost as old as the Great Powers. Each is a petty domain in comparison to the vast realms of the Chaos Gods, but each embodies the whimsy of its creator, a small shrine or temple to a niche of belief.2
Warp Travel
The warp is also an important factor in the survival of the human race. Spacecraft, capable of voyaging thousands of light years in a matter of days, travel across the warp. By such fragile means Humanity is bound together in a single Imperium, led by the Emperor. The Emperor’s will may be mighty, but his reach is long only because warpspace may be crossed by his fleets.1
A spaceship may enter the warp through the use of warp drives. This is the means by which space craft effectively travel faster than the speed of light. This is achieved because warp space is a domain of pure energy, where spacecraft can navigate between streams, as in an ocean. Time also proceeds a great deal slower in the warp than in the material universe, creating a form of stasis. While this solution is effective, it is far from perfect.
Long-distance journeys take months or even years, and the timing itself is unpredictable due to the very nature of the warp.
Warp Storms
The Warp is also far from being a safe place to travel through. Great currents and storms can blow starships into uncharted areas of the galaxy and make travel through certain regions impossible due to warp storms which can last for centuries. Ships could find themselves trapped inside the warp, a terrible fate for its passengers as they become playthings for the dark creatures that inhabit that diabolical realm. Sometimes a ship will emerge from the warp centuries after they left yet only a day having passed onboard, while many more just vanish without a trace.
Warp Entities
The warp is utterly hostile and home to many creatures, many of which are hostile to foreign objects from the material universe. Ships travelling in the warp are shielded against attacks from these creatures. Without these shields travelers through the warp would be consumed by daemons.
The warp is also home to the four Gods of Chaos: Khorne, Slaanesh, Tzeentch, and Nurgle.
Dangers of the warp are not limited to demonic creatures, those who spend extended periods in the warp are subjugated to horrible mutations and disease. Also a ship and it's crew could emerge from the warp corrupted by the powers of chaos.
