Welcome back to our multi-part series on the tumultuous history of the Imperium, the colossal interstellar empire that governs the majority of mankind in the universe of Warhammer 40,000. In this installment, we dive deep into the cataclysmic events that shook the very foundations of humanity and forever shaped the course of the Imperium’s future.
In the blood-stained annals of human history, no conflict looms larger than the Great Heresy. A civil war of such scale and ferocity that it dwarfed all others, the Heresy was triggered by the Primarch Horus, the Emperor’s favoured son turned arch-traitor. The devastation of Isstvan III through a viral bombardment marked the beginning of this horrific war, a conflict that would see entire planets annihilated and destruction on a scale unseen both before and since.
Yet, in the grim darkness of the far future, where there is only war, some see the tumultuous period of the Great Heresy and the subsequent Lupercal Rebellion as pivotal moments that shaped the destiny of mankind. These individuals, often Inquisitors, view these devastating events as crucibles, testing and tempering the resilience of humanity.
In the wake of such catastrophic strife, the Imperium was forced to undergo major reforms to safeguard against similar threats. The once mighty Space Marine Legions were divided into smaller, more manageable chapters in a process known as the Second Founding. The Imperial Army, too, was split into the Astra Militarum and the Imperial Navy, ensuring that no single commander held the power that Horus once did.
This period of upheaval and restructuring also saw the Emperor’s interment on the Golden Throne, marking the beginning of his worship as the God-Emperor and leading to the establishment of the Adeptus Ministorum. These foundational changes transformed the Imperium into its current form.
Indeed, out of the ashes of the Heresy rose the loyalist Astartes, separate from the traitors, while the Age of Apostasy saw the rise of Sebastian Thor, significantly reforming the Ecclesiarchy. The glorious battles of the armies of Macarius served as a beacon of hope during the grim early years of the 41st Millennium.
Such historical events form the basis of arguments by those who might be termed “Isstvanian”. These ideologists advocate that it is through the crucible of adversity that humanity and its defenders forge their strength, promoting conflict as a means to stimulate growth and resilience within the Imperium. In this framework, they could be seen as inciters of discord, leveraging fear, prejudice, and superstition to kindle the flames of conflict, believing that constant vigilance, experienced soldiers, and a populace steeled by hardship are essential for the Imperium’s survival.
Recruitment of new inquisitors also mirrors this belief in resilience borne from adversity. Every agent of the throne has the right to recruit, some choosing their recruits through a process of chance or fate, others painstakingly selecting and training their successors. These recruits, often freethinking individuals with a strong will, are introduced into the Inquisitor’s retinue, performing various functions as they learn and grow under the watchful eye of their mentors. Over the years, they earn greater trust, gain knowledge, and take on increasing responsibilities, becoming the new generation of operatives to continue the eternal battle.
Join us next time as we continue our journey through the tumultuous history of the Imperium, exploring the extraordinary circumstances, radical ideologies, and the relentless fight for survival that define the universe of Warhammer 40,000.
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