Before I jump into my first book review, there is some terminology that is frequently used in the Warhammer 40,000 (or 40k) setting. So frequently, in fact, that most of what's listed below is used in just about every single novel. Therefore, not only have I compiled a list of terms and their definitions that a reader will run into and, if new to the setting often have questions about the first few times they are used, I have also summarized the setting for the new reader.
After conquering much of the galaxy, Warp storms prevented humanity from leaving Terra for thousands of years, leaving the rest of the galaxy to devolve or be conquered by the many alien races. Ten thousand years before this present day, the being now known only as the Emperor used his own flesh to genetically engineer twenty super-human warriors known as the Primarchs, His sons. Created to be the most powerful warriors in the galaxy and virtually immortal, the Primarchs were swept mysteriously away before leaving infancy and deposited on remote, deadly planets. There they grew to dominance amongst the local populations.
Having appeared to have failed at His task, the Emperor used left-over genetic material from the Primarchs to create the Space Marines and set about re-conquering the galaxy. Almost immortal themselves, the Space Marines were created for no other purpose than war. Gathered into twenty Legions ten-thousand strong, one for each Primarch, they were armed and armored with the very best of equipment. As they expanded outward, the Emperor was reunited with the long lost sons. After several hundred years of fighting, the most beloved and trusted son, Warmaster Horus, sold his soul to the Chaos gods and betrayed the Emperor, beginning what is now known as the Horus Heresy. Fully half of the Primarchs and their Legions followed him in worship of the Chaos gods. As the followers of Horus closed in on the Emperor's palace on Terra, the Emperor teleported to Horus' ship and, in hand to hand combat, slew his favorite son. Mortally wounded himself, the Emperor was placed in stasis upon the Golden Throne, yet his powerful psychic abilities were not diminished in any way.
Worshiped as a living god even before the Heresy, worship of the Emperor is now mandatory. It is the 41st Millennium. The Imperium of Man is spread across the galaxy, with Holy Terra being the seat of power. Humanity is beset on all sides by aliens, by mutants, and worshipers of the dark gods of Chaos.
Terms:
PDF- Planetary Defence Force. Basically like the National Guard here in the States.
Arbites (Are-BITE-ease)- local police forces. Think Judge Dredd, only with out the judging rights, only arrests.
Astartes (a-START-ease)- Space Marines. Grouped into 1000 man strong Chapters.
Commissars- attached to military groups as a political and morale officer. Granted the right to punish and/or execute any who they find lacking in respect, duty, or following the Emperor. Judge Dredd, with judging rights.
Ministorum- organization of the Imperium overseeing the worship of the Emperor. Think the Vatican.
Administratum- organization of the Imperium overseeing the daily tasks. The administrators, quill pushers, etc.
Imperial Guard-standard army type.
Inquisition-much like the people in the Spanish Inquisition, able to do basically anything they want to ferret out heretics. Much like the SS in Nazi Germany
Aliens
Tyranids-race of beings the equivalent of locusts. Each planet they destroy makes them stronger, bigger, and better.
Eldar- space Elves
Dark Eldar- space Elves, corrupted by Chaos
Necrons- skeletal beings of metal that can re-form themselves. Think combination of Terminator 1 and 2.
Tau-humanoids that have a rigid caste system based on Nature. Fire-warriors. Earth-builders. Water-ambassadors and diplomats. Air-pilots
Orks- big, tough humanoids whose DNA is partially fungal. can have an arm chopped off in battle, reach down and pick it up, and beat the one that chopped it off to death with it.
Daemons-demons of Chaos
I will add to this list, I'm sure, in later blogs. But this gives you the general idea of the setting and peoples of the Warhammer 40k realm.
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