Time of Ending
Age of the Imperium | Age of Rebirth - The Forging - Nova Terra Interregnum - Age of Apostasy - Age of Redemption - The Waning - Time of Ending - Age of the Dark Imperium |
The Time of Ending refers to the last centuries of the 41st Millennium.[1b] It began c.750.M41, following the Imperium's first encounter with the extragalactic Tyranid threat.[2]
Ultimately, the Time of Ending was followed by the Age of the Dark Imperium.[13]
Overview
The term was first coined in 744.M41, by Taggarath, the Seer of Corrinto, who predicted a time of upheaval in which both the Imperium and the Light of the Emperor would be swallowed by an approaching darkness. He was eventually executed for heresy.[1b]
The Tyranids, as well as other threats such as the Necrons which rose in the subsequent years, made it apparent that the galaxy was turning into an even more dangerous place, challenging the millennia-old belief of the Imperium's perpetuity.[2]
The Time of Ending is also a time in which young, upstart alien races are able to establish their own fledging realms in the galaxy. The Draxian Hegemony, the Tau Empire, the Worldweave of Noisome Reek, the Uluméathic League and numerous others have prospered, ready to stand their ground against the besieged Imperium of Man.[1a]
Notable Events
- 745.M41: Hive Fleet Behemoth arrives in the galaxy. The First Tyrannic War.
- 897.M41: First contact with the Necrons[3]
- 990.M41: Hive Fleet Kraken arrives in the galaxy. Second Tyrannic War.[4]
- 997.M41 onwards: Hive Fleet Leviathan arrives in the galaxy. The Third Tyrannic War.[4]
- 998.M41 onwards: The 3rd War for Armageddon
- 999.M41: As the light of the Astronomican grows dimmer, Techpriests discover irreparable failures in the Golden Throne[1b]. Desperate, the Tech-Priests and Radical Inquisitors journey into the Webway and strike a dark bargain with Commorragh.[6]
- 999.M41: The Wulfen Return and Fenris is besieged. Magnus returns and The Planet of the Sorcerers is moved over Prospero.[7]
- 999.M41: The Ynnari form to resurrect Ynnead and destroy Slaanesh. Biel-Tan is devastated by the birth of Yncarne and a Daemonic invasion while Commorragh is besieged by a great Dysjunction.[9]
- 999.M41 onwards: The 13th Black Crusade's encroachment on Terra and the rumored return of the Daemon Primarchs at the helm of Chaos forces.[5] Cadia is eventually destroyed by Abaddon.[8]
- The Ultramar Campaign and Terran Crusade see the Primarch Roboute Guilliman resurrected as he takes commander of the Imperium once more. This action attracts the gaze of the Chaos Gods, and the entire Warp is thrown into a turmoil on a level unseen since the Age of Strife, creating the Great Rift.[10]
The formation of the Great Rift marks the beginning of the Age of the Dark Imperium.[13]
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook
- 2: Warhammer 40,000 Design Notes (site accessed 2009.01.05)
- 3: Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition), pg. 11
- 4: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition) pg. 22
- 5: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (6th Edition), pg. 25
- 6: Codex: Cult Mechanicus (7th Edition) - The Quest for Knowledge
- 7: War Zone Fenris: Wrath of Magnus,[Needs Citation]
- 8: Gathering Storm: Fall of Cadia,[Needs Citation]
- 9: Gathering Storm: Fracture of Biel-Tan,[Needs Citation]
- 10: Gathering Storm: Rise of the Primarch,[Needs Citation]
- 11: Dark Imperium (Novel),[Needs Citation]
- 12: Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook pg.50
- 13: Codex: Astra Militarum (8th Edition) - Heroes Beyond Number