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Hi guys.

As you all know, this thread has evolved from a 'What If..." thread to an actual full blown multi-arc fiction. I'd like to thank everyone who has voiced support, constructive critisism and just general awesomeness to what has become one of my favourite projects To any new readers, I hope you enjoy what you see, and all comments are welcome (except the stupid ones...you know the ones I mean lol)

The Death of The Emperor
A Continuation of The Warhammer 40K Universe



• After decades of failed analysis and repair attempts by the Mechanicum, the Golden Throne finally breaks down. The emaciated corpse of the Emperor of Mankind shudders for a second, before exploding into dust in a blast of Golden Light. The Astronomicon flares brightly for a brief instant, brighter than it has ever glowed, before suddenly dying, leaving a black hollow beam in the warp.


• Every human psyker in the galaxy is affected by the death of the Emperor in some way. For some it is a brief image of a smiling pale faced man in gold, for others a reassuring warmth followed by an intense sense of loss. For others it’s as if a part of themselves has been removed entirely.


• A tremor in the Warp flows across the Realms of Chaos, the Chaos Gods flinch at its power and become aware that something has changed. The Ork Gods stop their endless fighting as a ripple passes over their domain and The Laughing God smirks as he realises what has happened.


• The High Lords of Terra attempt to conceal the Emperor’s death; however it is all in vain as thousands of Sol System pilgrims flock to Terra. The Palace itself becomes a huge monument to the now dead Emperor. The Adeptus Custodes, The Grey Knights and The Adeptus Sororitas become the standing force of the Sol System.


• The sudden loss of the Emperor’s might has several effects on the universe at large;

1. The Astronomicon dies, meaning interstellar travel is near impossible. Navigators in and around the Sol system can still traverse the warp with great difficulty using the echo of the Astronomicon Flare, but this lasts only a few short months before the warp goes dark again. Systems much farther from Terra are either isolated or need to journey for several decades (and through other friendly territories) in order to travel even relatively small interstellar destinations.

2. The Emperor’s Hold on the Noctis Labyrinth on Mars is broken and the Void Dragon himself erupts from beneath Mars. Many on Mars quail before the eruption of the beast, whilst others throw themselves to the floor in supplication to what they view as the Omnissiah. The Dragon consumes several millions of Mechanicum Personnel in a homicidal rage that lasts a day and a night, before being driven off by three Titan Legions. It travels beyond the Sol System. The Mechanicum is in ruins.

3. Because of the sudden Isolation, several systems develop into their own personal empires. Cadia and its surrounding worlds take the Emperor’s Death in their stride and re-double their efforts to keep Chaos at bay, now seeing it as their birthright and endless debt to their dead lord.

4. Fenris and its systems go into mourning for the All-Father. The Space Wolves repaint their armour a Deep Grey and repaint their weapons black in mourning. News of a strange hooded traveller spreads through the Fenrisian system.

5. As if jolted from death, The Lord Macragge himself - Robute Guilliman rises from stasis, his neck wound fully healed. He is welcomed back with joy by his legion. He explains that this day he has lost his Father for the second time, and much like before it falls to him and his Legion to secure Mankind’s legacy. The Calth system becomes entirely independent, renaming itself the New Imperium.

I recall hearing something about the Emperor's soul forming a body in the warp called the Star Child. Perhaps he is now battling the Chaos gods personally in this new form, which is why the Imperium hasn't transformed into a second Eye of Terror. Who knows? If he wins then things might actually *gasp* get better. Perhaps all the belief in him over the centuries strengthened his soul to the extent that he might actually be able to kill the Chaos gods. I suggest having that be the case and showing the reactions of the Chaos Space Marines and daemons to the defeat of their gods. Then we could see quite an advancement of the story.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, the Primarch Lion El'Jonson is sleeping in a very secret area until the "Watchers" call for him. Perhaps then would be a good time? Also, Vulkan, Corax, and Leman Russ have all disappeared mysteriously, with two of them promising to return to the Imperium at the end of time. This hypothetical moment would be perfect for their return.

Dark Lord Seanron wrote:
5. As if jolted from death, The Lord Macragge himself - Marneus Calgar rises from stasis, his neck wound fully healed. He is welcomed back with joy by his legion. He explains that this day he has lost his Father for the second time, and much like before it falls to him and his Legion to secure Mankind’s legacy. The Calth system becomes entirely independent, renaming itself the New Imperium.

Marneus calgar is not in stasis guillmen is.

eegad, my mistake ^^' glad you knew what i meant :p

What do you think of my suggestions?

Deathbot wrote:What do you think of my suggestions?

I think your suggestion is great!
I think the only problem with it is that with the Chaos Gods being destroyed it provides a whole new series of problems.

a) What happens to all of the Chaos players whose armies are so devoted to their 'Gods'? (pfft ... stupid Chaos)
b) Without the Forces of Chaos, there would be such a massive power vacuum that the Tyranids, Orks or the Necrons would happily fill without any hesitation. The Necrons would probably be the happiest without having to deal with Chaos -- with the whole trying to separate the Materium from the Immaterium thing.
c) the C'tan would gain a lot of advantage.

I just think that while it is brilliant and I'd be perfectly happy for it to happen a lot of Chaos guys might be upset -- plus the new threats. at least Chaos keep the Crons at bay.


Also, just wondering, but isnt Ferrus Manus supposed to be back too? I know that he's technically dead, but i've heard Iron Hands talk about his return. are they just holding on to false hope, or is it possible?

Deathbot wrote:I recall hearing something about the Emperor's soul forming a body in the warp called the Star Child. Perhaps he is now battling the Chaos gods personally in this new form, which is why the Imperium hasn't transformed into a second Eye of Terror. Who knows? If he wins then things might actually *gasp* get better. Perhaps all the belief in him over the centuries strengthened his soul to the extent that he might actually be able to kill the Chaos gods. I suggest having that be the case and showing the reactions of the Chaos Space Marines and daemons to the defeat of their gods. Then we could see quite an advancement of the story.

The whole point is, like all gods in Warhammer 40,000, they are driven by emotion. And so the Star Child is forming. A super secret (x2) cult called the Illuminati know about this, and are looking for the Sensei, which are descendants of the Emperor even if they don't know it.

So what happens is that the Illuminati gather up the Sensei, and then when the Emperor's force of will to keep on surviving finally fails, they sacrifice the Sensei. The Sensei and the Emperor then form to create the Sensei Emperor which is this super fantastic cool awesome x2 dude who pretty much owns everything.

Of course, the Emperor can't find out because in order to become the Star Child he can't die on purpose, but rather by lack of will to live. So this is the reason for the Illuminati's secrecy. For another problem, the Sensei can't find out either, because if they ever find out, they won't want to sacrifice themselves for something they have no idea about.

Really? thats super cool/amazing x3! lol
wow, that makes me really happy to hear considering that my fluff Guard character believes in a similar kind of thing ... minus the Sensei thing ... just the part where the Emperor is going to take a new, spiritual form and fight the Gods of Chaos -- although he's never been introduced to the Star Child theory.

Very well thought through!
Might I point out that perhaps the Warp travel is still possible, just MUCH more unreliable?

You are definitely right about all sorts of smaller Empires sprouting up. Perhaps Maccrage or Cadia would be renamed Nova Terra?

But what would the CSM do? They've now outlived the one they hated for so long, and the Imperium has all but crumbled. Would they want to scour humanity from the galaxy? Or would they seek to forge thier own (or even help) some of these smaller Empires? (Remember, quite a few CSM were motivated by the right reasons, just in a very twisted way)

What if im the god emperor of emperium? ;D ;D ;D ;D

Then we are doomed. -_-

Vladsimpaler wrote:

Deathbot wrote:I recall hearing something about the Emperor's soul forming a body in the warp called the Star Child. Perhaps he is now battling the Chaos gods personally in this new form, which is why the Imperium hasn't transformed into a second Eye of Terror. Who knows? If he wins then things might actually *gasp* get better. Perhaps all the belief in him over the centuries strengthened his soul to the extent that he might actually be able to kill the Chaos gods. I suggest having that be the case and showing the reactions of the Chaos Space Marines and daemons to the defeat of their gods. Then we could see quite an advancement of the story.

The whole point is, like all gods in Warhammer 40,000, they are driven by emotion. And so the Star Child is forming. A super secret (x2) cult called the Illuminati know about this, and are looking for the Sensei, which are descendants of the Emperor even if they don't know it.

So what happens is that the Illuminati gather up the Sensei, and then when the Emperor's force of will to keep on surviving finally fails, they sacrifice the Sensei. The Sensei and the Emperor then form to create the Sensei Emperor which is this super fantastic cool awesome x2 dude who pretty much owns everything.

Of course, the Emperor can't find out because in order to become the Star Child he can't die on purpose, but rather by lack of will to live. So this is the reason for the Illuminati's secrecy. For another problem, the Sensei can't find out either, because if they ever find out, they won't want to sacrifice themselves for something they have no idea about.

GW have kind of tried to close this loop hole.

There is a story that the whole of the Cult of the Star Child was wiped out or under heavy investigation by the Inquisition because it was a Tzeentchian trick.

But of course it is witten in the Point of View of the Inquisition so thay may be dabbling in things they don't understand temselves and are just blameing Tzeentch.

Who knows?

The Emporer could return and find the last 2 Primarchs if they are still alive.

No, No, No, Chaos can't die. Unless every single human is dead there will still be Chaos. Or you could kill every sentient being off....but thats no fun.

Ferrus Manus is dead his head was seperated from his shoulders by his own brother Fulgrim.

If the Emperor was to die then it would be like reset to year zero.As it was he that brought the disparate tribes of man together and drove the darkness away.

There are many in the Imperium who may actively welcome his death as a beginning of something new.But it will be the exact opposite.

Plus In my humble oppinion I think Cypher is slowly making his way to Earth maybe he has found a device that may extend the longevity of the throne indefinately instead of him travelling to Earth to kill the Emperor as many believe.

• With the death of the Emperor, the Daemons of the Chaos Gods begins to rip into reality at several points of the cosmos, causing unchecked panic. In some places it as if Old Night has descended again, with entire worlds being lost to the ravenous monstrosities in a single night. However, the Terran Web Gate is heavily defended by Custodes and Grey Knights and the daemons are unable to push through. 1000 Grey Knights led by Brother-Captain Stern sacrifice themselves in a psychic assault that ruptures the warp gate, making it too unstable even for the forces of chaos.


• The Chaos Legions feel their time has come and prepare to make an immediate Warp Jump to the Sol System. However the Death of The Emperor has led to a dramatic change of power in the Warp. The Chaos Gods care very little for the Astartes followers now their greatest foe has perished and the journey is fraught with peril, this new ‘Black Crusade’ is mauled in the warp and is separated. The Chaos Legions find themselves in disarray at various points in the Cosmos.


• Some attempt to regain favour with their Gods, such as The Word Bearers who immediately begin a period of intense self-punishment. Over the coming months, the already unstable legion start to pick itself apart, as self-loathing turns to blame and intense in-fighting. Lorgar cares not for his former sons as he has attained daemonhood and see’s the Gods sudden rejection of the Legion as part of the Great Plan.

• The Death Guard are deposited in a relatively calm sector of space, Grandfather Nurgle finding it very difficult to let go of any of his ‘children’, however no longer requiring them. The Death Guard take this (as with all things in their stride) although due to a weakening in their link to Nurgle, many start succumbing to the ‘gifts’ he gave them many centuries ago.


• The World Eaters care not, and continue on as they have always done, as do the Emperors Children, too caught up in their respective situations to care.


• Abaddon and the Black Legion suffer hugely at the hands of the warp Storms, losing nearly a quarter of their number to the whim of the Gods. Abaddon rages at their fate, declaring himself an enemy of everything and swearing to slay the very Gods themselves. It is said that Tzeentch himself can be heard laughing at Abaddon’s claims.

• The Alpha Legion is at Civil War. Half are still technically on the side of the Imperium, and see that mankind requires their protection more than ever whereas the other have truly fallen to Chaos. Eventually the loyalist Legion led by Omegon outrun the Chaos Alpha’s and make a heading for the nearest populated world.


• Both Ahriman & Magnus look into the future and see that the current affairs are possibly all part of The Lord of Schemes plan, however there are variables that are invisible to them, their sight obscured by shining gold light. Ahriman redoubles his efforts to find the Black Library to divine more of the situation, while Magnus locks himself in his tower, The Lord of Sorcerers keeping to himself.

• Similar to the Word Bearers, The Black Templars also see their own failings and also go into a period of introspection and self-punishment. For 665 days the Chapter prays for guidance and ritualistically ‘purges’ itself of sin. On the 666th day and intense vision is received by the Templars Chaplains, one simple phrase: “I will Return…”. This must surely be the words of the Emperor himself. The legion symbolically repaints their armour white, as they have ‘purged’ the sin and received the words of God himself. The entire Chapter plots a course to Terra, although the journey will be long and fraught with danger.

• The Dark Angels have no time to mourn the passing of the Emperor, as they are instantly thrust into conflict with the Daemons of the Chaos Gods. The Rock itself is boarded and an immense battle rages within its halls. Asmodai and Ezekiel are slain, and all hope seems lost. Suddenly a second group of boarders enters the fray but on the side of the Astartes. Space Marines in flowing white robes and black armour charge into the rear of the Daemons catching them unaware. Once the fighting is done, the Dark Angels discover that their saviours are actually a full 300 members of the Fallen. Before hostility can erupt, armoured boots are heard ascending from the deep places of the Rock. Two figures enter the grand hall, and both sides fall to their knees: The Lion and Luther return, both having forgiven the other and their sons. The Lion decrees the Dark Angels one chapter again, and states that their duty falls to the defence of mankind. Luther is old and frail, however his will is strong and he aids the Lion and the Dark Angels in their new quest.


• The Watchers In The Dark report back to the Cabal that another piece has fallen into place.

On the Eastern Fringe the Tyranids amass the main body of their race having arrived ready to feed on the myriad of worlds that have fallen into disarray.

• With Mankind in mourning, The Tau begins a new phase of expansion. They seize several worlds, actually saving many from Daemon incursion. The humans that are saved swiftly unite with the Tau Empire. Rogue Mechanicus elements begin the heretical art of Reverse Engineering some of the Tau’s technology. A Titan Legion is part of the Mechanicum Force, meaning for the first time the Tau have access to Titan Weaponry.

• The Eldar know of the death of the Emperor and begin to take steps to continue their own existence. They broker peace with the Tau and request permanent homes for their Craftworlds with Tau Space. The Tau ‘suggest’ that the Eldar actually become part of the Empire, however the Eldar resist and will only agree to be ‘allies’. The Tau accept, but tensions are high, with several of the Fire Caste and the various Species of the Empire calling out for the Eldar to either leave or fully integrate themselves.


• In The Eye of Terror, one of the Blackstone Fortresses suddenly and inexplicably vanishes.

• A Massive Tyranid Hive Fleet begins its slow advance toward the Sol System, the recent outbreak of mourning and fear attracting the greater attention of the Hive Mind. The Hive Fleet passes through the Segmentum Obscurus. It abruptly halts at a small system of dead worlds, seemingly in conflict with something.

I think now is the time to find out what is in the Halo stars that scares everyone so much...

SilverMK2 wrote:I think now is the time to find out what is in the Halo stars that scares everyone so much...

I concur most heartily!

This is fantastic so far!

• With the death of the Astronomicon, many systems found themselves completely shut off from the rest of the human race. Whilst some systems (such as Calth) were entirely self-sufficient and continued to thrive, others felt the strain as they lacked the resources to survive alone. For some this was a grim portent of the future, and many worlds simply committed planetary-suicide in the face of unending darkness. In the small Samoth System, the various Planetary Governors, Magi of the Mechanicus and The Imperial Fists (who had been deployed in that sector when the Emperor had died) took a united decision to travel into the nearby Halo Stars to try and secure resources rather than face system-death.

• The Death of The Emperor also had less obvious but by no means extreme effects on the universe. The inquisition suddenly found itself with a huge overflow of Psyker Prisoners, who had been meant for feeding the Psychic might of the Emperor. The huge amalgam of Psykers, coupled with the Psychic shock of the Emperor’s Death actually destroyed several thousands of Black Ships and laid waste to many Inquisition Holds throughout the galaxy. Several were lost to Daemon Incursions, whilst others still were led into horrific battles with the Psykers themselves. The Ordo Malleus loses 75% of its numbers as they had the largest amount of ‘witches’ in custody. The Inquisition forever knows this period as The Dark Days of The Inquisition or The Psyker Wars.

Wow this is amazing! I always thought one of two things could happen.
1. with the emperor not fighting the deamons of the warp, there is nothing to stop the chaos gods turning the entire galaxy into one huge eye of terror.
2. Soon after the emperor dies he is reborn and the imperium finally claims absolute dominance of the galaxy.

But you have managed to make a "satisfying" conclusion for both the imperium AND chaos. I congratulate you sir.

Several Months after the death of The Emperor…

• The foray into the Halo Stars by The Imperial Explorers reveals several peculiar discoveries. Huge shoals of microscopic, mechanical creatures are discovered in abundance. These clouds form enormous nebula in the Halo Stars and appear non-aggressive and unintelligent. The Explorer fleet still gives the shoals a wide berth though, as several hulks are detected within them.

• The Explorer Fleet comes under assault by vessels of an unknown configuration and tonnage. After a pitched battle, a truce is brokered when both sides realise they share a common language and customs. The unknown attackers are revealed to be the Demiurg, and the vessels they attacked with are similar but distinctly different to the vessels used by the Demiurg allied with the Tau.

• The Demiurg, led by Captain Ogrid Calthon, escorts the Imperials to what the Demiurg describe as ‘Home Space’. Home Space is a series of enormous Space Stations surrounded by a vast asteroid field. The field is also home to yet more of the small mechanical creatures. By Imperial reckoning, there are several million life-signs aboard the stations, most of them Demiurg, but with several other species as well. A meeting is brokered between the Imperials and The Demiurg Elder Council.

• The ensuing meeting does not go well. The Demiurg Nation (as the Elder Council refers to themselves) was forced to flee to the Halo Stars in the face of the Tyranid Hive Fleets. Despite several requests for assistance to the Imperium, they were ignored and left to face the Bio-Fleets themselves. The greater part of the Demiurg (then referred to as ‘Squats’ by the Imperium) chose to remain and fight the Tyranids to allow as many of their people time to flee. The motto of the Demiurg Nation is “Never Forget” and the Nation is still furious at the Imperium for the supposed betrayal.

• The Demiurg demand the immediate withdrawal of the Imperium from Demiurg Space. The usually shameless Imperials apologise to the Demiurg for the past infringement, and offer their services in order to secure shelter and resources. After much deliberation, the Demiurg allow the Imperials to join the Demiurg Nation. The Imperial Fists, recognising that open hostility would put their charges in further peril, are allowed to keep their title as an honorific, however for all intents and purposes the Imperial expedition is now part of the Demiurg Nation as second-class citizens.

In the eye of terror(novel) the emperor will oblirate chaos gods and will cause rhana dandra eldar prophecy final war with chaos

• The Loyalist Alpha Legion happens upon a small system heavy with Vox Chatter. An Ork Waaagh! Is in full swing on the planets, and a united Human/Tau force are attempting to fight them off. The Legion instantly fire into action, with Omegon himself slaying the Ork Warboss. The human and Tau commanders meet with the Alpha Legion, initially hostile, however when Omegon explains that the Legion has split and offers his services to the humans they accept him. However, this leads to instant hostility with the Tau, who is butchered by the Alpha Legion. Omegon becomes the new leader of this small sector of humanity, and begins to craft it into the Alpha Legions view of order.

• In Commoragh, events have worsened. The recent death of the Emperor has led to an empowering of the Chaos Gods, and She Who Thirsts is taking an even greater toll upon the Dark Eldar. In desperation, Archaon Vect agrees to sacrifice his ultimate prisoner to stave off the Dark Prince. However, something goes horrifically wrong and the prisoner escapes with several others freed from the Eldar oppression. He hijacks a Dark Eldar vessel and blasts out the webway back into regular space. When his fellow prisoners enquire into whom their saviour is, he refers to himself simply as The Khan. They make heading for the nearest human world, however they are troubled by their inability to detect the Astronomicon.

WOW!!!! This fluff is delicious!! you should be writing codex fluff man, keep it up. I think this thread should be renamed: Dark Lord Seanron's take on making the 40k story actually progess.

sidenote: I'd really like to see GW use the Demiurg as a vehicle to bring squats back. 40k is the only game ive ever heard of to have space dwarves, even though they arent around any more.

GREAT SUCCESS!!!

Aw shucks, thx guys ^^ a lot of these ideas just seem quite obvious when you take things to a logical conclusion, as opposed to some knee-jerk reactions you get such as “lolz chaos pwns emprah! Ooniverse Dieez!” I like the idea of the universe evolving but still allowing the game to be played. I mean, if you look at what I’ve written, I haven’t destroyed anything (sure, the Black Legion, Mechanicum and the Ordos Malleus have gotten pretty mauled, but they still function!)

Yeah, that and the ordo maleus is always out numbered anyway, we lose all the time. But we do it with style dammit!

maybe you caould have the Hrud make an appearance? I saw a homebrew Hrud army converted from skaven models that was totally bitchin. GW could rape my wallet if they'd make space skaven. They're the sole reason I'm interested in WHF.