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In the grim darkness ofthe 41st Millennium, Humanity stands on the brink of extinction. Bloodthirsty servants of the
(Chaos Gods sow terror and ruin across the stars, ravenous hordes of Daemons pour from tears in the fabric of reality,
‘and hostile alien races advance upon the worlds within Mankind’s domain. Peace isa distant dream, and the only
hope for survival lies in the complete annihilation of the enemies without and within, Yet few know the full truth of
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ago, Humanity swifly spread out reason gave way to superstition, and across the galaxy ofa newly
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eg ee te eee eee ete
across the galaxy were setled have drove the gears ofthe Imperial war whispered accounts tel fis no mere
been lost tothe ages, destroyed in the machine, and any deviation from Sees
fires of warin the long millennia that the dogmatic institutions ofthe cee cond
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development and technological Millions died every day on battlefields past there had been six other
enlightenment, Mankind was plunged across the galaxy, while those that Petry
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Peat supplies of materiel dared notlook enveloped within the Great Rif, the
across countless worlds, psykers tothe skis for fear of seeing what __ devastation they wzought across the
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frequency, andthe machines designed
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already lost have deected strange
the connections between Mankind’
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invasion and catastrophie civil strife.
From this time of anarchy emerged
prereset sas Pee eta
ee era ere te ers
augmented warriors known asthe Yeteven this oppressive regime has __of space. Only the bravest and most
eae et now been divided. The lattice of warp _ foolhardy star-farers attempt to
er sey storms known asthe Great Rift has locate the source of these impulses,
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Snes ene ‘the galaxy bisecting the Imperium. to journey nto the unknown.
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vast distances between stars. But at __ servants ofthe Chaos Godsemerge _have returned. Those few who have,
the height of this Great Crusade to from their daemonic realm to devour __ however, not only claim to have seen
ert eeneerett at) oo artes ae) fe ese ee ay
eee aed cs Pee a tennes encore 1 re any
vision was undone. The Warmaster_ are cut offfrom the light of the within ts darkened corridors
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Legions betrayed the Emperor and to-callforaid against the horeors that "The warring factions of the Ast
sided with the Chaos Gods, Though __ besiege them, while inthe rest ofthe Millennium cannot afford to ignore
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‘down and his fledgling Imperium was as they desperately try tohold back their battlefronts. Soi falls to the
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{As vast and dark asa suilessplanetoid, the Blackstone Fortress is a creation far beyond the technological ken of an
race in the galaxy, Who built this colossal craft and for what purpose are questions that many wish to answer, for eve
ints current stat of torpor the Blackstone Fortress is possessed of immense power. Yet this mysterious structure
the destruction they wrought
Pear cosa
See en eet ere eee
eee et oe ee ED
Blackstone Fortresses date back Srnec kee ee rete eee
nee Enea g Pee pe eed
Emperor's rule, Extensive analysis of Chaos ships broke through the eee ee
eee ee et ee et
stations proved fruitless, though each ofthe Blackstone Fortresses. As the
generated more than enough power invading fleet drew within range, he The next time the power of a
for them tobe fitted by the Adeptus Blackstone Fortress’ power ystems _Blackstone Fortress was unleashed
“Mechanics with defence turrets and shut down completely, rendering it upon the Imperium was during the
ee ec ee ere et
the Blackstone Fortresses boasted hurled one of the colossal stations
See tt to ec eee eae: eT
Ae eo further Blackstone Fortresses were __resulting warp storms that enveloped
ere) So De ee ec ot
potential ofthe Blackstone Fortresses arcane means,the Heretic Astartes_Cadian Gate ~ the bulwark against
rs brought moreofthe ancient systems the Eye of Terror that had stood for
ee into function than had been thought ten millennia, The last ofthe six
earns eee en Ty
Te nmr |
Peery eee three was used to wreak havoc on the tyrannical master ofthe Red Corsais, .
into the Gothic Sector, marking epee eee jo | errnmrrer yyr .
Crusade. All six Blackstone Fortresses through grim determination and fr eset
served as fortified naval bases in the bloody sacrifice the defenders of the _ any other Blackstone Fortresses in
ee ets eee ce ee
Wir
The rumours that abound have piqued my interest. Im
a sceptical man ~in part, that is why Iam still alive - but
ifthe stories are true, and a new Blackstone Fortress has
indeed appeared within the borders of our galaxy, then
it shall be me that claims it for
glory of the Imperium>. Through my contacts in the
Daedalian Sub-sector Ihave procured copies of the
numenta and Ravensburgs Treatise on the Gothic War,
other less reputable works on the subject of
ne Fortresses, There is much inthe that
‘would give a pusillanimous man pause, bt Humanity is
fortunate enough to have one as bold as Janus Draik as its
servant. [have seta course for the Western Reaches, and
‘upon arrival will investigate ~ to the fullest extent of my
powers - these intriguing rumousTHE WESTERN REACHES
‘As the Great Rift tore open, the entire galaxy was flooded with waves of Chaos energy. Countless systems were
destroyed by the empyric deluge, embroiled in newly formed warp storms or beset by ravenous Daemons. But other
regions of space that had been shrouded for millennia were suddenly unveiled. In the Imperium’s Western Reaches, at
the far edge of Segmentum Pacificus,a patch of reality known to be completely unnavigable and astropathically silent
‘began to emit strange signals. Reaching the source of these signals proved difficult, but from those vessels that made
‘the journey came whispers of a monumental discovery ~ another Blackstone Fortress.
SEGMENTUM PACIFICUS
The westernmost division of the
Imperium is known as the Segmentum i
Pacifcus, one ofthe five Segmentae i
Majris that comprise the Emperor's
domain, Like all Imperial territory,
the Segmentum Pacificusis nota
contiguous network of systems, but
rather a loose catering of sectors and
sub-sectors, divided by large swathes
‘of dead space and hostile territory.
Even before the opening ofthe Great
Rif this Segmentum was riven by
mass uprisings and Chaos invasions in
‘what came to be called the Night ofa
‘Thousand Rebellons.
eo f
2O:
ro
ROT e
ie
°°
THE BLACKSTONE FORTRESS
The Blackstone Fortress is located in
what was oncea silent zone. No routes
cof warp travel passed through this
region, and no known webway
spars emerged into realspace
within the viinty. Yet
there ae now those who
claim to have entered
this space, and to have
seen the gargantuan ee
ration tha ies tits
have spread quickly
fora Blackstone
Fortess isa treasure
without compare
om!
O°
=
°
9 4°CADIA
“The Blackstone Fortress known as the Will of Eternity
was crippled during the siege of Cadia, but by sending
the gigantic vessel hurtling into the planet Abaddon.
was able to sunder the Imperial world ina single
fallblow.
SEGMENTUM
‘OBSCURUS
THE IMPERIUM NIHILUS
‘When the Great Rift opened, the egion of space to
its north was plunged into darkness The light of the
‘Astronomican that had bridged the vast distances
between Imperial systems was cut of leaving
untold worlds isolated amidst the emerging terrors
Imperial, Chaos and xenos forces now desperately
search for weapons that can be brought to bear inthis
nightmarish zone of reality,
THE GREAT RIFT
Known as the Cicatrix
Maledictum, the Mouth of
Ruin and a thousand other
names, the Great Rift isa
confluence of raging warp
storms that stretches across the
entire breadth ofthe galaxy
From this empyric scar pour
the foul servants of the Chaos
Gods, ravenous Daemons
and bloodthirsty Heretic
Astartes, who sow the stars
with terror and destruction.
‘Navigation and astropathic
communication across the
Great Rift is impossible, save
for through these rare and
perilous passageways that
bridge the rolling tempests
HOLY TERRA
“The centre of the Imperium and the seat of the
Emperor of Mankind, Terra isthe most heavily
fortified and defended planet inthe galaxy Itis here
thatthe impossibly complex task of organising the
supply, defence and compliance of a million worlds
is undertaken, Through labyrinthine channels of.
bureaucracy and ritual, Humanity is steered towards
the common purposes of survival and supremacy.
THE MAELSTROM
(One ofthe lergest and fiercest clusters of warp storms,
the Maelstrom has raged for millennia, and is now
adjoined to the mangled lattice ofthe Great Rit.
Daring the Terran Crusade, the Imperial leet led by
the arisen Primarch Roboute Guiliman were dravn
into the Maelstrom, and there they discovered the last
‘ofthe sx original Blackstone Fortresses, now in the
hands of Huron Blackheart and his Red Corsairs.A NEW DISCOVERY
‘To reach the Blackstone Fortress requires « harrowing journey, navigating to the distant edge of the Imperiu
‘through sectors in which heresy and Chaos have taken hold, Yet iti the last leg ofthe voyage that is most perilous,
for there are no warp charts ofthe silent zone in which the Blackstone Fortress lis, and the light ofthe Astronomican
becomes distorted beyond recognition as it beams further into this dead space. As such, the exact position of the
Blackstone Fortress i only vaguely knoven, for few travellers have managed to locate it, and fewer still have returned.
“Those who follow the signals Necron glyphs. But the overwhelming dare not travel too close, fr aside
‘emanating from the Blackstone majority are of designs notcaptured from the danger of colliding with
Fortress may beable to navigate the by Imperial records, givinghint to haphazardly floating wreckage, there
“uncharted tracts of warp space or ‘humerous ancient xenos species that isthe riskthat whatever apocalyptic
the vast void expanses that separate_vanished long before Mankind took armaments caused such obliteration
ifrom the neareststars. Attheend _tothe tars. The number ofthese ould stllbe operational. Yet there is
of this journey isa sprawling field wrecks is beyond counting, but each mutch to entice those who have made
of debris stretching for millions of bears evidence of some great and the voyage tothe edge ofthe debris
miles in all directions ~a dense cloud destructive force that was levelled cloud. Amongst the wrecks there
‘made ofthe remnants of ancient against them, with enormous holes are weapons systems, star charts and
warships and fragmented battle burnt clean through their hulls,and —_archeotech unseen elsewhere in the
stations. Where this astral detritus __fuselages crushed as though inthe _galaxy, and scavenger crews are sent
came from and how it came to sip of mighty claws. ‘out in small shuttles to pick clean the
surround the Blackstone Fortress is skeletal remains ofthe dead ships
‘a mystery. Some bear insignia from The wrecks orbit slowly around But the trly adventurous delve even
theearly millennia of the Imperium, _the Blackstone Fortress, which lies __ further into the nebula, wending their
‘whereas others are branded with hidden at the centre of thisnebula _way through the floating graveyard
‘Chaos marks, Aeldari runes o of debris. Newly arriving vessels towards the Blackstone Fortress itselfPRECIPICE
‘Travelling into the nebula requires
vessel small and nimble enough
toavoid the colosal debris drifts
and eddies of serap that constantly
circulate, There are no maps to
guide pilots and navigators towards
relatively clear channels - or ifsuch
charts do exist, they are guarded
closely by those who possess them,
Buta craft thats able to survive
eventually emerges into a sphere of
empty space, a the heart of which lies
the Blackstone Fortress
Under the shadow ofthe monolithic
structure there isa small way station.
CCobbled together from pieces of sap
and anchored to a solitary node of
svarp-entangled space it is called
Precipice by its ragtag inhabitants
Upon arrival, each vessel is lashed
to one of Precipice’s mooring spars,
preventing it from being drawn in
by the massive gravity well of the
Blackstone Fortress, and before
being allowed to enter the station an
tutimatum is delivered tothe crew =
set aside animosiies, ancient hatreds
and petty factionalism before coming
‘on board, of face annihilation. Such
aggressive precautions ae
for Precipice is populated with
star fares from disparste warring
races who must be dissuaded from
tearing each other, and the station,
apart. Anad hoc cadre of the most
powerful and influential captains
enforce this uneasy truce, though
acts of sabotage and assassination are
still commonplace, expecially when it
serves these captains purposes.
Regardless ofits dangers, Precipice
isthe final port of cal for those
brave and brash enough to enter the
Blackstone Fortress itself. It serves
asa bartering point where travellers
‘can buy, sll o steal the equipment
and knowledge needed to survive the
horrors that lie ahead of them, and
a locale where adventurers of every
ilk can form temporary alliances for
shared survival. tis the last point o
reason before plunging into a realm
of madness
= Regue Toader Fas Dro
Warners of Toute RE8-7ANt
Dasalyg Sry W708
Unless Lam mistaken ~ and Tamm
rarely mistaken ~ the accounts
ofa Blackstone Fortresses having
been uncovered are true. By
aeans of parley withthe various
seavenger factions Ihave
learnt ofa stable port tthe
centre ofthe wreckage nebul,
andam carzently en route to this
station of Precipice: Due tothe
sheer mas of floating debris,
it was necestary to leave the
Draikstarat the acbul’s edge,
along withthe vast majority
cof my personnel to guard it
[eel rather nostalgic going
forth in my shutle ~ afterall
itwas aboard Vanguard that
conducted my earliest conquests,
expanding the Emperor’ domain
while enjoying aged amaseca a TTS
The mechanisms by which the Blackstone Fortress operates are little understood, but there are ways to gain access
to its interior. Apertures of varying sizes pock the massive facets of the fortress, Some are large enough to dock a
Retribution-class battleship, while others ae so small that a human can barely fit through them. Those who venture
from Precipice through these apertures may find ways into lightless internal mausoleums scattered with technological
treasures of many a forgotten ag, or they may simply be obliterated by the abstruse defence systems ofthe fortress
ee Re eee ee
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ee ee eg ee ee ee ee
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spir-like towers along thee length, amongst heaps of slowly coroding Once amagle chamber arrives
ne eee ee eee eee ne
Se ee ee ed
(Others are narrow and winding, their them fre. Itsfor this archeotech that or even longer. As such, those on
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eee es a es et Meee et ed Peeeeceres tn cy
races that have tried to harness the _is known as the Stygian Apertore, find another maglev transport t0
Ce eed se eee take them back to the surface. The
floorsand walls, and alongside these small cra it is aid tobe the safest _stranded explorers must keep their
are remnants of those who ventured and most stable port of ingeessyet__wits about them as they plumb the
eos at ee ec cece!
Peed are a number of magley transport Snare)
ee cs eee ee eee eee eT Pree
eee eerie ee ere re
ere erat ne eae fortress, The operation ofthese oe ee
throughout the chambers, along with chambers is far from precise. By Se ees
fragmented pieces of once-grand ety
spacecraft, While some of this morbid interfaces that are arrayed across the Whatever routes taken cannot,
Ceaser ec et ee ee ee
‘ofknown races, most is completely _travel can be initiated, but dictating _known Blackstone Fortreses, the
continues to prove fruitless, Until further notice, datalog entries will
or banks, tobe transferred manually for astropathic relay upon return tot
understand now the nature of Precipice ~ it sa cyst inside which the filth ofthe galaxy has pooled, Within it
corroded corridors and makeshift bazaars I have crossed paths with abhumans snd ina more Imp:
compliant setting, would have cut down immediately, if only y. But alas, the dictates of this
station prevent me from doing so. I have ordered those attachés and bodyguards who have
»mpanied me thus far to remain strictly aboard Vanguard, and have implemented Hostile Territory security
settings. Should any ofthe local scum try to interfere with my shuttle, they shall not live long enough to reget it
lespite the inherent tastelessness of such intermingling, perhaps there is some merit to the arrangement on
Precipice. All aboard possess a degree of grit and determination >, and a handil oft useful as temporary allies. have
limpsed the archeotech taken from the Blackstone Fortress, and over the entre course of my Warrant Ihave rarely
seen objects of such intrinsic value. I must enter, even ifit means venturing slongeide this crop of undesirables
aleaten ee
reshapes itself regularly: Rooms that
Ihave been passed through detach
oe ee
ee ences
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Set)
ee ey
eee ny
eee
arrangement can only be guessed at
Pres cee een
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eee Cee
ty a
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Pepereegrierrenr yr
tap Saeney et
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SERRE
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0 Gee REE Eg
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Fae iaith ea i
(coy mae
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tea eee)
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ees airs an
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; Perea ements
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Meepneirnanr asiiey
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meceetneT
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peters
Passer nie t
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paper nierernnnnernenty
passaTHE DANGER WITHIN
very expe the Blackstone Fortress is fraught with peril. Aside from the ceaselessly rearranging
architecture and deadly defence systems, there are hostile entities lurking in the darkness. Whilst delving through
‘the halls, adventurers may cross paths with clusters of drone-like sentries, packs of predatory creatures and squads
‘of bloodthirsty warriors. But the greatest danger by far isthe incomprehensible sentience ofthe Blackstone Fortress
itself, forthe purpose of its existence and the true extent of its power are yet to be discon
a
Seren ee The sounds of guns, grenades and Ree een ee
‘within the Blackstone Fortress appear bellowed war cries thunder through _vessel, which was drawn in and
ee eens the dark halls, and those fighters who devoured by the Blackstone Fortress
Cee {all are picked clean after battles end, after the opening ofthe Great Rift.
Pee eee ee eee eras
eee et er mC
of the galaxy, from savage Ur-Ghuls architecture ofthe fortress itself. Penne eee nc)
Ree cer ne tea across space and time, collecting its
ee a ee age eT ey
poets Pee rt ea ee es
Fortress are the Chaos Space Marines nested amongst the fortress’ chambers
ee eee eee tos ae eee ected
ee eee ee ae eset eee ee eee
“The ensuing firefights are tenseand _Astartes have been entombed eee ee ee ody
Pee ee nt oe se Sn
Pence ee et er rte ieee
set aside until the common enemy _fleethas yet been seen inthe nebula those who enter its walls, using
has been eliminated. Fighters dive for surrounding the fortress. However, _them like the particles ofan immune
coverbehind wreckage or duckinto fragments ofa Heretic Astrtes ship _ system to purge intruders, But even
trench-lke openings inthe floors and have been found scattered through __more disturbing isthe evidence that
walls. From there they lay down hails the fortress, and amongst the foul eet
Se en es eee Reset er Tere es
Sree et et eet ee ey
Cer eens) CCadia, The information traders of times it prepares for some as yet
Cee eee ec ee
Preparations for my frst B med compacts with some of the denizens of
Precipice to venture int : case, our surface motives align closely enough that we can
ome ofthese individuals ate ofthe
Imperial ilk, whereas others are of species that Humanity ha with a various stages, and with
porary an 8
arying degrees of sucess. These alliances are not robust or elegant, but they are necessary
Through considerable commerce with the information trades, ollected the learnings of previous partes of
explorers. < The traders in Precipice are not as pliable as those found in other back-sector outposts. I
‘must maintain my wiles whilst aboard.> Firstly, large venturing groups are inviable, as only a handful of individuals
can fit in each maglev chamber, and no one has discerned how to direct multiple transports tothe same location,
within the Blackstone Fortress. Secondly, though the internal structure ofthe fortress is inconstant, there are stable
‘known inthe local parlance as ‘hidden vaults; that have not yet been ac at least, not by anyone wh
has returned alive. Thirdly, nothing within the fortress can be trusted, This third observation is part of an almost
titious belief that the Bla ess ‘seo all that happens inside its bounds, and that it actively guards its
ous treasures. I cannot yet speak to the validity ofthis, bt hope that I will soon be abe tiEXPLORERS
‘To enter the Blackstone Fortress is to invite an inglori
and horrificend, and none who undertake such risks do s0
lightly. Some seck valuable archeotech that they can sell for an unimaginable fortune, others search for powerful relics
lost to their race millennia ago, while others still strive to unlock the cataclysmic power of the Blackstone Fortress
itself. But regardless of motive, all must work together if they hope to return to Precipice alive.
JANUS DRAIK ESPERN LOCARNO
Intrepid and audacious, Janus Draik has travelled far and An agent of House Locarno — one ofthe great Navigator
wide in search of rare commodities to sell to Humanity’’ _ Houses ~ Espern Locarno is a sanctioned Imperial mutant.
ruling elite. Asa Rogue Trader, his Warrant of Trade grants Like all of his kind, Espern has third eye capable of both
him the authority to explore beyond the charted regions _ seeing into the immaterium and of nleashing devastating
cof Imperial space and to negotiate agreements with xenos __warp energy a those upon whom its gaze is cast. When.
races, s0 long as such activities serve to strengthen the news of the Blackstone Fortress reached House Locarno,
Imperium. He isa deft duelist, and has slain all manner __Espern was sent to investigate, for it was believed by the
of creatures over the course of his travels. Bylocating and House’ logistors that, amongst the wreckage subsumed
exploring the Blackstone Fortress, Draik hopes to unlock _by the fortress, there could be cargoes from millennia,
the terrifying power of the space station and claim it for _past for which the Navigator House still held contracts
Mankind. Atthe same time, any archeotech he finds that Furthermore, Espern hopes to obtain the time- and space-
‘ould be sold or used in future pursuits makes welcome bending technologies ofthe Blackstone Fortress itself,
addition to is ships holds. ‘hich are greatly desired by the star-faring Navigators.
ROGUE TRADER
IMPERIAL NAVIGATOReq9
TADDEUS THE PURIFIER
‘Asan Adept Ministorum Priest, Taddeus the Purifier
has spread faith in the Emperors godhood across the stars
‘Whether amongst the unwashed rabble ofa teming hive
world or ighting longside the heaving ranks of Astra
Militarum soiery,his word ster Imperial souls towards
righteousness, and are backed up by brtal swings of
his power maul. More than one planetary governor has
been brought low by Taddeus, his winnowing gaze scing
through ther finery to detect deep-seated corruption
corpsychic mutation, In truth, bringing the justice ofthe
faithful to those lftest of individual isthe one teue joy
invhich Taddeus indulges, for inthe pyre-flames ofthe
accused he sces images that he believes to be messages
from the God-Emperor. He saw one sich image whilst
{mmolating an impenitent Navyman who had spread
rumours about the Blackstone Fortress. Tis vision showed
Tadeus that he must travel othe Western Reaches and
carry the Emperor light int the darknes, Now that he
has arrived at Precipice, the Purifier sees tat there is much
righteous workfor him to undertake, both in cleansing
the heretical inhabitants ofthe Blackstone Fortress and in
‘cementing the Imperial Creed within the settlement itself.
MINISTORUM PRIEST
PIOUS VORNE
‘Vorne isa missionary in the service of Taddeus the Purifier,
having been taken under is wing when she was litte more
than a teenager She grew up amongst the refinery clans
‘on the hive world of Gethsemane, and when the Purifier
arsived to weed out the rumoured Chaos cults that were
fomenting heresy amongst the workers, Vorne watched
the priests actions with open admiration. Seven of her
clanspeople were identified as potential heretics, and were
lashed toa pyre-stake for purification, but ater they had
been doused in sacred oils, one slipped his bonds and
fled The fugitive raced into the crowed of onlookers, away.
fiom the bellowing Taddeus and straight into Vorne, who
pushed the oil-drenched man into an exposed pilot light
fn the side ofan alchomite stack. So intense was the heat
ofthe mans combustion thet the skin on Vorne' lips and
hands was burnt away, yet sill she watched eagerly until
the screaming heretic had been reduced to ash. Taddeus
saw one like himselfin Vorne, and gave her the name
Pious, as well asa lamer with which she could continue
the Emperor's work. Now, as she heads into the Blackstone
Fortress, ious Vorne seeks to bring righteous fire to those
who have not seen the light ofthe Imperium.
MISSIONARY ZEALOTAMALLYN SHADOWGUIDE
‘Asa Ranger, Amallyn Shadowguide is used to operating far
from her craftworld home of Biel-Tan, Fr long centuries
she has travelled the webway, the latice-likesub-dimension
that connects distant etars, hunting down the enemies of
her people and seeking ways to return the Aeldai race
toiits former glory. Her craftworld was fractured during
‘massive battle ravenous Daemons fought the Avatar
ofthe newly formed Aeldari god Yanead in a conflict so
cataclysmic that it helped tear open the Great Rift The
Daemon hordes were driven back, the enormous spacecraft
was damaged beyond repair, and many of the Asuryani
souls stored within is Infinity Circuit were lst forever.
After receiving word from Biel-TaisFarseers, Amallyn
set out to find the Blackstone Fortress, for they had
foreseen that deep within its labyrinthine corridors were
rillennia-old remnants of Aeldari technology that might
bye used to restore their eraftworld There are few amongst
the Asuryani better suited to this task than Amallyn
Shadowguide, Her very name is derived from the Aeldari
word otMensha, which means ‘seeker through shadows, and
is borne by those who strive to master the darkness that
surrounds them, as wells the darkness within themselves,
ASURYANI RANGER
DAHYAK GREKH
‘A member of the mercenary species known asthe Kroot
Dahyak Grekih is an experienced tracker for ire, Kroot
are commonly encountered as auxiliaries deployed by the
"Tau Empire, and are known as savage, animalistic warriors
‘who devour the flesh ofthose they killin battle. Many
adventurers on Precipice think that trusting such a bestia
creature is tantamount to ripping out one’ own throat,
‘but little do they know how crucial the mercenary culture
{is to the Kroot, and how seriously they take their violent
profession, Each new contrat fulfilled wins them the
means to travel farther aross the stars, and in this way they
are able to absorb the varied genetic traits of those foes they
devour To betray a cient would be to jeopardise this way
‘off, and to stem the flow of consumed flesh that allows
their entire species to evolve. Dabyak himself has honed
his craft of tracking and slaughtering enemies in multiple
‘war zones, and in service to various client races, He cares
not whom he serves, so long as they pay. But in devouring
the denizens of the Blackstone Fortress, Dabyak has learnt
much of the darkened maze. He has told no one what he
hha discovered inthis way, but ow tirelessly searches for
sacred Kroot artefacts hidden within the shifting halls
KROOT TRACKERUR-025
The Imperial Robot UR-025 is an oddity, even by the
standards of Precipice. Clad in thick metallic plating and
bearing devastating weapon, this batle-machine is
highly sought-after ally for those looking to venture into
the Blackstone Fortress. Having arived at Precipice on
a dilapidated Imperial junk.
proclamation claiming it had been sent by Magos-Ethericus
[Nanctos Ill as an autonomous data-collection unit and that
ithad directives for sanctioned eradication of those who
{impeded its Omnissih-given duty. But in truth, the robot
is far more ancient than anyone realises ls origins date
back to the Dark Age of Technology, when Mankind built
thinking machines that eventually turned violently upon
their masters. Known asthe Men of Iron, these sentient
robots were all but wiped out. Yet UR-025 has persisted
cover the long millennia, hiding on the fringes ofthe galaxy
and allowing others to believe itis an automatous tool of.
the Imperium. Unlike the other inhabitants of Precipice,
itcares little forthe trinkets of xenos races that have been
subsumed by the Blackstone Fortress. Instead, it seeks
to obtain the technologies of the fortress itef, for in the
colossal space station UR-025 ses a kindred being,
ule, it emitted an auto-
IMPERIAL ROBOT
REIN & RAUS
Wily, cunning and unabashedly larcenous, the twins Rein
and Raus Gaffa are admired and distrusted in equal
‘measure on Precipice. As members ofthe abhuman species,
known as Ratlngs, they are comfortable operating on the
fringes of society, and are quick to demonstrate that their
small statures do not make them easy targets for violence
Asfaras anyone has been abl to tell, Rein and Raus were
stowaways aboard a ship that was following the signals
‘emitted by the fortress, and upon reaching the wreckage
nebula they "borrovsed’ a smaller vessel with which to travel
through the debris, No one has been able to figure out if
the pair had planned this journey ahead of time orifeach
leg was simply an improvisation. Regardless, they have
proven themselves worthy combatants and explorers since
their arrival, with Rein being a crackshot sniper and Raus a
nimble acrobat. The gear they bear suggests that they were
‘once part ofan Astra Militarum Auxilla regiment, bt they
hhave shown no signs that they are operating as part of
sanctioned mission. With light fingers they rifle through
the archeotech pulled from the Blackstone Fortress,
‘keeping the best for themselves and sellin the rest for a
healthy profit,
RATLING TWINSVESSELS OF PRECIPICE
Only those craft small enough to pass through the wreckage nebula ever make it to Precipice. As such, the explorers of the Blackstone
Fortress must draw upon what limited resources they are able to bring with them in order to survive, trading amongst each other and.
leveraging the capabilities oftheir various vessels to the fullest extent.
RS eT
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ac a
Beta has served asa junk freighter for over ten millennia.
Itwvas piloted to Precipice by Rein and Raus~ though
how it eame into their possession isnot clear ~ and upon
arrival atthe space station, the Imperial Robot UR-025
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Acldari artefacts.HOSTILES
¥
ing from the darkest comers of realspace and beyond, the entitics inhabiting the Blackstone Fortress are as varied.
as they are deadly. They prow! the shifting chambers, herded by the fortress’ malefic will towards those who enter
from outside, where thei
inherent brutality is put to its use. Those that fall in combat simply ada to the piled detritus
that lines the corridors, or else are restored by arcane technologies so that they may continue to maraud,
SERVANTS OF THE ABYSS
OBSIDIUS MALLEX
(Obsidius Mallex isthe tyrannical Chaos Lord ofthe
‘warband known as the Servants ofthe Abyss. He fought
{nthe ferocious naval battles far above the surface of
is ring the Thirteenth Black Crusade. Aboard his
Hades-clas heavy cruiser, Impaler, Mallex and his warband
watched as the Will of Eternity crashed into the surface of
the word, obliterating the last of the Imperial forces that
had defended the planet for a hundred centuries, In the
ensuing empyric explosion, Impaler was sent hurtling nto
the warp, where it was pulled along by currents neither
natural nor daemonic in origin. It emerged in the Western
Reaches ofthe galaxy, inside the Blackstone Fortress, Warp
‘emergences into solid objects within realspace usually
to cataclysmic explosions in which all overlpping matter is
utterly destroyed, ut by some esoteric means, Impaler was
‘melded with the fortress, its grotesquely twisted hulls inter
splicing with the internal structures ofthe colossal host. As
the tessellating chambers rearranged themselves, Impaler
was ripped apart, stranding Mallex and his warband,
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Obsidius Malle, from the throne of impaler
[Now the Chaos Lord rages in the darkness, taking out his
fury at being made a captive upon all those who dare enter
the boundaries ofthe fortress. But through his seething
anger Mallex sees that there is great prize to claimed, It
was withthe other Blackstone Fortresses that Abaddon
‘wrought such widespread devastation during the Gothic
War and it was with the Will of termty thatthe defences
‘on Cala were finally obliterated. IFhe could bend the
awesome technologies ofthe Blackstone Fortress to his
‘will, Mallex would become a force of destruction without
compare. So its that he searches fora way to tur his
prison into a weapon, striving to control the Blackstone
Fortress before Abaddon himselfcomes to claim this
readial bounty.
CHAOS SPACE MARINES
The most terrifying of the Servants ofthe Abyss are the
‘Chaos Space Marines. Like all oftheir ilk, they are horrific
_mockeres ofthe Adeptus Astartes ofthe Imperium, having
fallen tothe corrupting influences of the Dark Gods.
Overthe long millennia, their weaponry and armour have
become twisted into nightmarish shapes, and their psycho.
indoctrinated sense of duty and honour has been replaced
With selfish avarice and unquenchable hatred.We
“The Chaos Space Marines that were inside Impaler when it
reemerged from the warp within the Blackstone Fortress
now serve as bodyguards to their lord, Obsidius Malle,
shadowing him ashe searches for a means to awaken
the ancient edifice and harness its apocalyptic power for
himself. When interlopers aboard the vast structure are
encountered, the Chaos Space Marines ruthlessly attack
them on sight, basting their enemies into bloody chunks
‘ith a cruel efficiency born of untold centuries of wariare.
Even Mallex does not know how many of his Chaos Space
‘Marines survived their battleships demise and are now
scattered throughout the Blackstone Fortress shifting
corridors, for the structure seemingly strives to keep the
Servants of the Abyss divided. This irks the Chaos Lord
_grealy, for not only does it deny him the fll strength of
his warband, but it allows the more ambitious Chaos Space
Marines to seek out for themselves the arcane secrets of
their prison. As they delve deeper into the Blackstone
Fortress chambers, many of these abhorrent transhuman
warriors hope to acquire power enough to slay Lord
Obsidius Mallex and usurp leadership ofthe Servants of
the Abyss,
Ww
TRAITOR GUARDSMEN
Soldiers that once served in the regiments ofthe Astra
Miltarum funetion as slaves and worshippers for the
Servants ofthe Abyss. Swayed by promises of power
beyond imagining, and twisted in sprit by the litanies of
heretical demagogues, these Traitor Guardsmen seream
praises to the Chaos Gods as they wage war. Those most
blessed by the Ruinous Powers bear mutations in thelr
flesh, with teeth growing into cruel fangs or eyes glowing
with baleful ight. They see the Chaos
whom they serve as gods - proof ofthe immortality that
could be theirs if they ate worthy. Though at times entire
regiments fall tothe insidious taint of Chaos, those ofthe
Servants of the Abyss comprise multiple platoons and
deserter squads from various war zones. They are united
only by their choice to pledge themselves body and soul to
the Chaos warband, rather than being butchered in defence
ofthe Imperium. Inside the Blackstone Fortress the Traitor
(Guardsmen are formed into squads and ériven into battle,
both by their Chaos Space Marine overlords and by the
fortress itself. Then, with overwhelming weight of fire, they
obliterate those who defy the will oftheir dark masters
yace Marines underCHAOS BEASTMEN
Brutshly strong and filled with savage fury beastmen
are among the most deformed species of abhumans,
bearing horns, hooves and matted manes of fur. As such,
they are severely persecuted throughout the Imperium,
and on many worlds they are simply hunted down and
slaughtered, In those regions where their existence is
tolerated, they are indoctrinated into self-loathing, being
told that they must atone for their miscreation through
unquestioning service to Humanity. They are treated little
better than servitors or beasts of labour, and are put to
‘workin the most dangerous environs. When called to
battle they ae armed with simple weapons and herded
{nto war zones as shock troops or cannon fodder. But
despite their feral appearance, beastmen are quite human
in their reasoning and intelligence, and understand all too
‘wel the injustices that they must endure, Its litle wonder
that many succumb tothe lure of Chaos, embracing their
‘mutations as gifs from the Dark Gods and turning theit
savagery upon their pitiless Imperial taskmasters. The
taint of Chaos warps these creatures’ minds, augmenting
their inherent ferocity and strength, and leading them to
seek out new heretical masters to whom they can swear
allegiance. Unlike many ther battle-thalls ofthe Servants
ofthe Abyss, the Chaos Beastmen inthe Blackstone
Fortress welcome their imprisonment, for within the
rearranging chambers they have found a home that is even
‘more twisted than they are, and where their murderous
instincts have allowed them to thrive.
ROGUE PSYKERS
‘The psyker mutation is perhaps the most dangerous genetic
divergence of Humanity, but also the most valuable to
the Imperium. By manipulating the flows of energy that
‘emanate from the warp a psyker can channel bolts of
arcane power through their weapon, create wards against
incoming projectiles, or will into being any number of
cotherrealty-bending manifestations. Yet each time they