Warp (Warhammer 40,000)

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The Warp is a dimension that features in Warhammer 40,000.

Contents

History

The Warp was an other dimensional realm that existed in the universe that was separate from the material plane.

Overview

In appearance, the Warp was a mirror dimension that consisted of pure energy in opposition to the material plane. It was known by a number of names that included the Empyrean, the Immaterium, the Aether, the Sea of Souls, the Realm of Chaos, Warpspace and so on.

The Warp is a dangerous place for any organism that has a sane mind. The bewildering psychic energies torture the minds of any who lay susceptible to the Warp. Even the most powerful Librarians and Psykers couldn't be able to withstand the torments of the Warp without proper protection. This is why Warp travel is considered to be dangerous. It is also the reason that The Imperium of Man is not able to wipe out Chaos completely as human forces sent into the Warp couldn't last too long before succumbing to its corruption. Also the presence of demons and other Chaotic creatures make it a very hostile environment.

Its existence is fuelled by the emotions and souls of all sentient beings in the Materium.

Locations within the Warp included:

  • Fortress of Khorne :
  • Brass Citadel :
  • Garden of Nurgle :
  • Palace of Slaanesh :
  • Crystal Labyrinth of Tzeentch :
  • Impossible Fortress :
  • Hidden Library :
  • Formless Wastes :
  • Forge of Souls :
  • Well of Eternity :

There were a number of creatures native to the Warp that included:

  • Psychneuein :
  • Astral Spectre :
  • Enslavers :
  • Daemons :

The best mechanism to protect oneself from the Warp is to avoid warp travel altogether and find an alternative. But only very few races could do this, namely, the Eldar, Tyranids, Necrons. The Eldar use Webways as an alternative to Warp Travel, as Webways are a quicker means of travel than the Warp and that its free from the demonic forces of Chaos. The Necrons do not use the Warp as well. They travel by means of their unknown phase technology to move around the galaxy, which means they have no need of any protection mechanism. The Tyranids also don't travel through the Warp, instead, they use Bio-Ships called "Narvhals" that manipulate their intended destination's own gravity to compress realspace into a type of gravitic transit corridor or worm hole, allowing the Hive Fleets to cover vast distances very quickly. The mechanism that Orks use is still a mystery. But it is generally agreed that concentration of Orks psychic powers could generate a shield against the powers of the Warp. The Tau do not directly travel through the Warp, instead they use a process known as Warp Diving, in which they travel between sectors by diving into the boundary between the warpspace and real-space at definite intervals for recharging power. And finally, the Imperium of Man accomplishes the Warp travel and protects its fleets by a special field known as the Gellar Field. It creates a shield of realspace or a real time barrier around the ships. Its an invisible field and due to this realtime field, the warp creatures are repelled due to their contradiction with the realspace or the Materium.

Casting a Shadow across the Warp is a power belonging to the Tyrannids. When the Hive fleets pick their targets and engage them, the Hive Mind will direct its fleets through its psychic powers. So, due to the presence of the strong, immense psychic powers of the Hive Mind, it would make the sections of the Warp unfit for travel. No other fleets could travel through that region. Thus, sectors which are under the attack of Tyrannids are often lost if not garissoned properly, as the psychic power of the Hive Mind makes it impossible for reinforcements to arrive from distant sectors. The Hive Mind could thus isolate entire sectors and systems from the rest of the Galaxy, thereby casting a shadow and thus the name "Shadow across the Warp".

Notes

  • The Warp was created by Games Workshop and featured in the setting of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

In other media

Video games

Appearances

  • Warhammer 40,000:

External Links

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