Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I wonder what is beyond the galactic rim, canonically.

The only things i know :

- The Light of the Emperor go dim somewhere in the galactic halo.

- The Tyranids come from somewhere (?) beyond the galactic rim.

- We can find Orks for some time (if the story about the imperial probe receiving orkish coms is still cannon).


What about the warp ? Is it some "sea" centered on the Galaxy, with shores somewhere in the halo, with "rivers" joining others galaxies maybe (ruinous powers seem to have no idea about what the Tyranids are and from where they came, after all)?
Does the warp and real space are separated only in the galactic rim, making outer-galactic regions aliens to warp and humanity alike ?

The current theory regarding the warp and the galactical rim is that as the warp feeds from emotion and the distances between the different galaxys is just incredible huge and mainly empty, the warp just gets to thin to travel trough it.

Moar galaxies!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!eleven!!

It's not that the Warp goes thin - the Warp doesn't feed off emotions, though entities within do.
Emotions simply echo within there, as it were, causing ripples and eddies and whatnot to form.

The 2nd and 11th Legions. They're what's chasing the Tyranids.

It's just that they're so far behind, they don't realize ultimately they're destroying the Imperium.

Well there are several chapters who have fluff saying they guard the galactic rim, or beyond it. The Carcharadons for instance were created to patrol beyond the bounds of the Galaxy, and were unheard of for 6 thousand years until they showed up in the Badab war.

In reality there's nothing for a long ways outside out galaxy. The rim of the galaxy is populated by the Ghoul Stars, a region of dead suns and barren planets. Nothing lives there really, bar the odd mention of Vampyres. Outside of that it would seem nobody knows. I don't recall there being any reference to anything, bar the Tyranids, coming from outside the known galaxy. The warp may only be dangerous in the area surrounding our galaxy, seeing as it was originally calm, all the death messed it up, other galaxies may not even know of its threats. Yes, Orks may inhabit other galaxies (referenced in fluff sections concerning Ork settlement), as could humans, seeing as we did send out a load of ships running silent (they may have missed their seeding planets and just went off into the dark for a few thousand years).

^^ All the crap going on in our galaxy, and we haven't even gotten into others yet.

The Warp is limitless, it would exist beyond the Galaxy and can easily spit you out there. My guess is a lot of the ships that "vanish" in the Warp get spit up 14 x100^16 light years from the Galaxy.

As for what exists there in pure canon, mostly a vast void of nothingness, "haunted" planets, and eldtrich horrors.

The Tyranids are either from Andromeda or one of the 'mini-galaxies/clusters' near the milky way. I would probably favour the latter, though I get the feeling GW made it Andromeda.

There is a lot of empty space between each galaxy, and the Warp to have a 'ripple' would require life. There are probably parts in the Warp that map to far off places, but we really don't know, and everything interesting (at least locally) seems to be in the Milky Way.

Nids could be from any direction honestly, the time it would take them to traverse between Galaxies could be in the millions of years realm, during which time the galaxies will have shifted around some. They just happened to hit our galaxy on what is called by the Imperium to be the eastern fringe.

Orks are the only species known to be outside the Galaxy besides Tyranids. The Imperial Probe is picking up faint orkish signals originating from other Galaxies.

 Daba wrote:
The Tyranids are either from Andromeda or one of the 'mini-galaxies/clusters' near the milky way. I would probably favour the latter, though I get the feeling GW made it Andromeda.

There is a lot of empty space between each galaxy, and the Warp to have a 'ripple' would require life. There are probably parts in the Warp that map to far off places, but we really don't know, and everything interesting (at least locally) seems to be in the Milky Way.

I doubt Andromeda since it's in the total opposite direction that the Tyranids have been shown to come in from on the galactic maps in 40k. Reasoning behind this is Galactic Center is towards Sagittarius. Andromeda is due Galactic West/ North west. Tyranids are mostly coming from the South and East. Yes I am a pathetic geek for knowing this crap, but some food for thought.

 Daba wrote:
The Tyranids are either from Andromeda or one of the 'mini-galaxies/clusters' near the milky way. I would probably favour the latter, though I get the feeling GW made it Andromeda.

There is a lot of empty space between each galaxy, and the Warp to have a 'ripple' would require life. There are probably parts in the Warp that map to far off places, but we really don't know, and everything interesting (at least locally) seems to be in the Milky Way.

Are there 12 galaxies between Andromeda and the Milky Way? because if there aren't, they're not from there. The 5th edition rulebook outright states they've hit a dozen galaxies already. Andromeda might have been the most recent, but it's not their point of origin.

I wonder if that Dyson Sphere holding the Outsider is still under the galaxy. C'Tan have been heavily retcon'd so I don't know how accurate it is still.

Its still there as long as fluff doesn't say its not, or point to another location of the Outsider.

LittleOrk wrote:
- We can find Orks for some time (if the story about the imperial probe receiving orkish coms is still cannon).

People have taken that quote to mean that they have probed and found Orks all over the universe outside of the galaxy, but that isn't supported by the passage itself, it seems to merely say that in the confines of the galaxy itself, no matter how far you push, you will find Orks.

Hikaru-119 wrote:

 Daba wrote:
The Tyranids are either from Andromeda or one of the 'mini-galaxies/clusters' near the milky way. I would probably favour the latter, though I get the feeling GW made it Andromeda.

There is a lot of empty space between each galaxy, and the Warp to have a 'ripple' would require life. There are probably parts in the Warp that map to far off places, but we really don't know, and everything interesting (at least locally) seems to be in the Milky Way.

I doubt Andromeda since it's in the total opposite direction that the Tyranids have been shown to come in from on the galactic maps in 40k. Reasoning behind this is Galactic Center is towards Sagittarius. Andromeda is due Galactic West/ North west. Tyranids are mostly coming from the South and East. Yes I am a pathetic geek for knowing this crap, but some food for thought.

Thanks, that makes sense.

 -Loki- wrote:

 Daba wrote:
The Tyranids are either from Andromeda or one of the 'mini-galaxies/clusters' near the milky way. I would probably favour the latter, though I get the feeling GW made it Andromeda.

There is a lot of empty space between each galaxy, and the Warp to have a 'ripple' would require life. There are probably parts in the Warp that map to far off places, but we really don't know, and everything interesting (at least locally) seems to be in the Milky Way.

Are there 12 galaxies between Andromeda and the Milky Way? because if there aren't, they're not from there. The 5th edition rulebook outright states they've hit a dozen galaxies already. Andromeda might have been the most recent, but it's not their point of origin.

The Milky Way is surrounded by quite a few satellite galaxies that are smaller than itself and Andromeda. There are (I think) more than a dozen known already to us.

From the information above, it looks like the likely origin of the Tyranids is one of these smaller satellite galaxies; they've wiped out their neighbours and feel they are ready to tackle the big boys in the Milky Way.

There's nothing out there but 'nids.

 Void__Dragon wrote:

LittleOrk wrote:
- We can find Orks for some time (if the story about the imperial probe receiving orkish coms is still cannon).

People have taken that quote to mean that they have probed and found Orks all over the universe outside of the galaxy, but that isn't supported by the passage itself, it seems to merely say that in the confines of the galaxy itself, no matter how far you push, you will find Orks.

they added a bit to it, it seems now some of the signals are from outside that galaxy, this may be what people are taking about

Matt Wards common sense

 KamikazeCanuck wrote:
There's nothing out there but 'nids.

Space is made of Nids?

I recall mention of a Halo Ring (lol); dead planets and such forth around the Rim that are full of superadvancedomg tech that makes people immortal and turns them into man-eating insect monsters.

Because why not?

 Daba wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:

 Daba wrote:
The Tyranids are either from Andromeda or one of the 'mini-galaxies/clusters' near the milky way. I would probably favour the latter, though I get the feeling GW made it Andromeda.

There is a lot of empty space between each galaxy, and the Warp to have a 'ripple' would require life. There are probably parts in the Warp that map to far off places, but we really don't know, and everything interesting (at least locally) seems to be in the Milky Way.

Are there 12 galaxies between Andromeda and the Milky Way? because if there aren't, they're not from there. The 5th edition rulebook outright states they've hit a dozen galaxies already. Andromeda might have been the most recent, but it's not their point of origin.

The Milky Way is surrounded by quite a few satellite galaxies that are smaller than itself and Andromeda. There are (I think) more than a dozen known already to us.

From the information above, it looks like the likely origin of the Tyranids is one of these smaller satellite galaxies; they've wiped out their neighbours and feel they are ready to tackle the big boys in the Milky Way.

That all depends on how much the writers know about actual astronomy. Remember when they thought the Imperium inhabiting a million worlds was a large portion of the galaxy?

There's plenty of comments about just how ancient the Tyranid race is, they're not meant to be a universally new phenomenon.

 -Loki- wrote:

 Daba wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:

 Daba wrote:
The Tyranids are either from Andromeda or one of the 'mini-galaxies/clusters' near the milky way. I would probably favour the latter, though I get the feeling GW made it Andromeda.

There is a lot of empty space between each galaxy, and the Warp to have a 'ripple' would require life. There are probably parts in the Warp that map to far off places, but we really don't know, and everything interesting (at least locally) seems to be in the Milky Way.

Are there 12 galaxies between Andromeda and the Milky Way? because if there aren't, they're not from there. The 5th edition rulebook outright states they've hit a dozen galaxies already. Andromeda might have been the most recent, but it's not their point of origin.

The Milky Way is surrounded by quite a few satellite galaxies that are smaller than itself and Andromeda. There are (I think) more than a dozen known already to us.

From the information above, it looks like the likely origin of the Tyranids is one of these smaller satellite galaxies; they've wiped out their neighbours and feel they are ready to tackle the big boys in the Milky Way.

That all depends on how much the writers know about actual astronomy. Remember when they thought the Imperium inhabiting a million worlds was a large portion of the galaxy?

There's plenty of comments about just how ancient the Tyranid race is, they're not meant to be a universally new phenomenon.

Well, a million inhabited worlds is a good chunk of the galaxy when you consider the rarity of habitable planets.

Not all stars have planets, not all planets in a star system can sustain any sort of life, not all life bearing planets can support human life, those that can support human life will not all be under humanity's control, etc...

Even accounting for advanced technology allowing for a wider habitable range, you may not find a whole lot of usable planets. one million give or take is a reasonable number.

Slaanesh with a great obsidian obelisk cackling maniacally.

(I couldn't help it.)

WarmaHordes.

Also, even with that logic... a million is still pretty slim. The galaxy is hueg. Like, Xbox huge.

 Frozen Ocean wrote:

 KamikazeCanuck wrote:
There's nothing out there but 'nids.

Space is made of Nids?

I recall mention of a Halo Ring (lol); dead planets and such forth around the Rim that are full of superadvancedomg tech that makes people immortal and turns them into man-eating insect monsters.

Because why not?

Omg man, why aren't the techpriests out there all ready? And the Flo- insect monsters! What are they?



And also, I recall that Macharius's armies stopped at the Halo Stars because of the creepy rumours about it.
Probably some xenos everywhere. Just chillin and scheming

As far as I know, the stuff you listed is the only established extragalactic fluff.

^ Ah, sorry 'bout that. Didn't realize that for some time.

Well, i think there is a race out there that likes to eat donuts.

 Grey Templar wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:

 Daba wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:

 Daba wrote:
The Tyranids are either from Andromeda or one of the 'mini-galaxies/clusters' near the milky way. I would probably favour the latter, though I get the feeling GW made it Andromeda.

There is a lot of empty space between each galaxy, and the Warp to have a 'ripple' would require life. There are probably parts in the Warp that map to far off places, but we really don't know, and everything interesting (at least locally) seems to be in the Milky Way.

Are there 12 galaxies between Andromeda and the Milky Way? because if there aren't, they're not from there. The 5th edition rulebook outright states they've hit a dozen galaxies already. Andromeda might have been the most recent, but it's not their point of origin.

The Milky Way is surrounded by quite a few satellite galaxies that are smaller than itself and Andromeda. There are (I think) more than a dozen known already to us.

From the information above, it looks like the likely origin of the Tyranids is one of these smaller satellite galaxies; they've wiped out their neighbours and feel they are ready to tackle the big boys in the Milky Way.

That all depends on how much the writers know about actual astronomy. Remember when they thought the Imperium inhabiting a million worlds was a large portion of the galaxy?

There's plenty of comments about just how ancient the Tyranid race is, they're not meant to be a universally new phenomenon.

Well, a million inhabited worlds is a good chunk of the galaxy when you consider the rarity of habitable planets.

Not every planet inhabited by the Imperium is technically inhabitable. Sealed hives protect the working population, and hazardous environment suits provide the workforce the ability to work outside of the hive. Every planet is literally fair game for the Imperium. Which brings me to...

 Grey Templar wrote:
Not all stars have planets, not all planets in a star system can sustain any sort of life, not all life bearing planets can support human life, those that can support human life will not all be under humanity's control, etc...

Current estimates are kind of in favor of there being a few more habitable planets in our galaxy than we thought.

The Imperium 'inhabits' some seriously rough worlds. Some of their most populated worlds are uninhabitable outside of hives (the reason the Steel Legion where their own oxygen supply).

Basically, they screwed up when they tried to make the Imperium sound big with a million worlds. This is why in later editions, they've kept the million worlds, but referenced the fact that it's not many when considering the galaxy as a whole, and they're rather spread out.

The GW writers really don't research stuff that thouroughly, because they don't need to. The average person that reads that the Tyranids have devoured a dozen galaxies before ours gets the intent of that implication - they came from a really fething long way away, and it's taken a longass time to get here.

The 40K universe is it's own universe. In 40K only about 1 in a million worlds is habitable.

The answer is 42.