DARK BEGINNINGS Necrons, Old Ones & Eldar | WARHAMMER 40,000 Lore / History

Summary

This Warhammer 40,000 series delves into the universe's complex lore, starting with the 'Old Ones,' the first sentient beings with psychic powers who shaped the universe. Their refusal to share immortality secrets with the Necrontyr led to war and the rise of the C'tan. The 'War in Heaven' against the Old Ones resulted in their downfall, leaving behind creations like the Eldar and Orcs. The series sets the stage for future explorations of the Warhammer 40K universe's rich history.

Takeaways

• 🌌 The Warhammer 40,000 universe is vast and intricate, with a complex history filled with themes of revenge, justice, hatred, and brutality.
• 🕰 The 41st Millennium is characterized by fragmented and often unreliable information, allowing for narrative flexibility and reflecting the difficulty of preserving accurate history in a universe ravaged by constant war.
• 🔮 The Old Ones were the first sentient life in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, known for their psychic powers and their quest for knowledge, which led to the creation of numerous species and the manipulation of alternate dimensions.
• 🌐 The Webway, a network of pathways through the Warp, was a monumental achievement of the Old Ones, allowing them to traverse vast distances almost instantaneously.
• 💀 The Necron, a race encountered by the Old Ones, were initially desperate for the secret of eternal life due to their short, painful lives and eventual defeat in their war against the Old Ones.
• 🛡️ The Necron's alliance with the C'tan, or 'Satan,' led to their transformation into an immortal, living metal form, but at the cost of their original, sentient selves.
• 🔥 The War in Heaven was a cataclysmic conflict between the Old Ones and the Necron-C'tan alliance, resulting in the near-destruction of the Old Ones and a significant reshaping of the universe.
• 🌱 The Old Ones seeded new life forms, including the Eldar, to defend against the C'tan, marking the beginning of a new era in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
• 🛑 The surviving Old Ones retreated, leaving behind a universe transformed by their creations and the consequences of their wars, setting the stage for the rise of other races like Mankind.
• ⏳ The Necron, led by their ruler Zarak, chose to enter a dormant state, known as the Great Sleep, to reawaken in the future and reclaim their dominance over the galaxy.

Q & A

What is the Warhammer 40,000 universe?

The Warhammer 40,000 universe is a vast and complex fictional setting that serves as the backdrop for tabletop wargames, video games, and other media. It is characterized by its grimdark themes, intricate lore, and numerous interconnected stories involving themes of revenge, justice, hatred, and brutality.

Why is the Warhammer 40,000 lore considered complicated?

The Warhammer 40,000 lore is considered complicated due to its extensive cross-referencing, nuanced details, and the sheer volume of information that spans across different races, histories, and timelines. It is likened to explaining the entirety of human history to an alien race.

What is the significance of the 41st Millennium in the Warhammer 40,000 universe?

The 41st Millennium is a period in the Warhammer 40,000 universe marked by constant warfare, where information is often fragmented, distorted, or false. It is a time when the races of the universe are engaged in unending conflict, and the setting for the majority of the Warhammer 40,000 games and stories.

Who are the Old Ones in the Warhammer 40,000 lore?

The Old Ones are a hyper-advanced, psychic race considered the first sentient life in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. They were focused on the acquisition of knowledge, terraforming, and the creation of new species, including humanity.

What is the Webway in the context of the Old Ones?

The Webway is a network of pathways constructed by the Old Ones that allowed them to travel through the Warp, a sea of dimensional energy. It enabled them to traverse vast distances almost instantaneously, facilitating their exploration and expansion across the universe.

Who are the Necron and what is their significance in the Warhammer 40,000 lore?

The Necron are an ancient race that originated from a barren, radiation-blasted planet. They are known for their pursuit of immortality and eventual alliance with the C'tan, or 'Satan' in the script. Their conflict with the Old Ones and their transformation into living metal beings are pivotal events in the lore.

What is the War in Heaven and why is it significant?

The War in Heaven is a catastrophic conflict in the Warhammer 40,000 lore that took place between the Old Ones and the Necron, who were allied with the C'tan. It is significant because it led to the near-destruction of the Old Ones and the rise of new races to defend against the Necron and C'tan.

Why did the Old Ones create the Eldar and other races?

The Old Ones created the Eldar and other races to serve as defenders against the C'tan and the Necron. They endowed these races with powerful psychic abilities to combat the enemies that threatened their existence.

What is the significance of the 'Great Sleep' for the Necron?

The 'Great Sleep' refers to the period when the Necron retreated into stasis within their tomb worlds, waiting to reawaken and assert their dominance over the galaxy 60 million years later. This period of dormancy allowed them to escape the immediate threat posed by the emerging powers in the galaxy.

What is the role of the Warp in the Warhammer 40,000 universe?

The Warp is a parallel dimension of psychic energy in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It is a source of power for those who can harness it but is also a place of great danger, filled with predatory entities and chaotic energies.

What is the fate of the Old Ones and the Silent King, Zarak, at the end of the War in Heaven?

The Old Ones were scattered and destroyed by the combined forces of the C'tan and the Necron, with their power and knowledge lost. Zarak, the Silent King, chose not to join his people in the Great Sleep but instead journeyed into the void, seeking penance for his role in the doom of his race.