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So in Watchers of the Throne, Alaya makes mention several times that she "percieves" Terra far differently than baseline humans. Basically this implies that she is seeing the real terra, and there is a "fake terra" projection that all the norms see. Is this hyperbole on her part, or does Terra actually have a Psychically altered visual state? She talks about how Terra Looks burned, festering, and decayed. Almost like a Chaos warp taint?

Then when Valarian looks, he sees a far different Terra, with golden light and majestry. As does Tyrion and Jeck.

So does Terra have like a warp shield making it look different than it actually is?

Also, how strong are the Sisters? (I know, plot lore) but she beats down a Black Legion Marine in single combat with just a flamer and her dagger. Then she and Valarian hold off the entire ship's worth of the legion at the end of the book. I assume she is stronger than a SoB initiate, but weaker than say A drugged up Repentia?

It might be referring to how you look at Terra as an entity. Many of the Imperium are taught that its the shining light of the Imperium of Man. Their most advanced and powerful world; the heart of the Imperium; its living beating organ that issues out orders; protects its citizens; is the home of the Emperor and his Golden Throne that shines its light out across the Galaxy to enable the navigators to fly the space lanes between worlds.

A beacon of order, civilisation, development, etc..... It is everything an Imperial citizen would aspire to have. Indeed its upper classes likely live like kings in their own right; gifted extra life; luxury beyond measure from every corner of the Imperium.





However it also is the place where 1000 psychers are sacrificed a day to keep the Emperor and his Beacon alive; its the heart of the insane bureaucratic nightmare. A festering pool of all the filth of the Imperium being funnelled toward it. Lines of pilgrims standing worse than slaves waiting for the end of their many generations of pilgrimage; of infighting, politics and backstabbing as those with power seek to retain it. The lower classes who live below ground, perhaps never seeing the light of day.



There are indeed many ways to view it depending on what parts you choose to look at. Some see only the Gold; some only the filth.
The average Imperial likely only sees the gold; she as a working part of the engine that keeps it going has likely seen enough of the darker side to see the gold as just a fake cover.

It's a perspective thing. To a pilgrim it's a shining beacon of hope and strength. To a realist it's a vipers nest with more traitors than anywhere else.

Right, I was more alluding to the warp bending how base humans literally see it, like with eyes. Not metaphorically.

it doesn't