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Warp

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The Warp, aka Immaterium, Warp Space, Empyrean, Ether and also as the Realm of Chaos is another dimension. It is used to effectively travel faster than light. This is achieved because the Warp 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.

The warp is 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.

The Warp itself is home to a great 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 but Psykers are at risk when travelling in the Warp. As the Warp gives Psykers their powers by way of channeling its energy, this makes them vulnerable to attack from Warp entities, such as Daemons.

The Warp is also home to the four Gods of Chaos: Khorne, Slaanesh, Tzeentch, and Nurgle.

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