Void

The Void is as an intricate amalgamation of psychic dimensional strata that run in parallel with the expanses of tangible space. Its designations are diverse, encompassing titles such as Voidspace, the Immaterium, the Empyrean, the Aether, the Sea of Souls, the Othersea, and even the enigmatic Realm of Screams. Within its bounds, a reflection formed purely of psychic energy comes into being, presenting a realm akin to a mirroring counterpart to our own material reality, known as the Materium. This ethereal expanse serves as the dominion of the enigmatic Dark Gods and the precarious aberrations that inhabit it. These deities hold sway within their own spheres, engaged ceaselessly in a contest dubbed the "Great Game," where they vie for supremacy. The expanses of these domains exhibit fluctuations, their boundaries swelling and contracting as the potency of the Void experiences an incessant ebb and flow.
The existence of the Void, along with its intricate Layers, draws sustenance from the sentiments and essences of consciousness that pervade the inhabitants of the Materium. Voidspace manifests without a defined structure, and the conventional laws governing time and space find themselves bereft of relevance within its enigmatic confines. Here, the dimensions of size and temporality interweave in a simultaneous state of infinitude and irrelevance. The energies housed within remain locked in unending tumult, exposed to a ceaseless array of disturbances.
An analogy commonly invoked to illustrate Voidspace likens it to an expansive sea of energy, in perpetual flux with currents, undertows, and the like. The intangible realm and the corporeal domain share an intricate kinship, existing as dual facets that run in unison. This interconnectedness affords vessels capable of navigating the Void the opportunity to immerse themselves within its folds, carried along by the ebbs and flows until their emergence back into the material realm, often at a considerable distance from their point of departure. A prevailing metaphor for traversing the Void draws a parallel to a swift-flowing stream: the tranquil banks signify the stability of real space, while an object introduced into the upstream current will journey along its course propelled by the prevailing currents. This metaphor, while insightful, simplifies the complexity of Voidspace's movements, as its course follows intricate and bewildering patterns that elude prediction.
The Void encapsulates the ultimate fate of souls departed, the denizens of myriad races throughout the Galaxy. These ethereal essences meander endlessly amidst the chaotic spirals of the Void, with many falling prey to the clutches of predatory Daemons.
Rooted in the musings, aspirations, and feelings of each psychically attuned sentient race dispersed across the Galaxy, the Void's very inception finds its origins. The entirety of emotions and actions materializing within the Materium converge to nourish the Void's essence, reflecting back its own existence, ultimately fashioning an independent reality. In the eventuality that the Galaxy's denizens were severed from the clutches of the Void, its baleful entities would invariably undergo a process of weakening and deprivation.
== Overview ==
The Void, a wellspring of all psychic abilities and recognized instances of what is often termed "sorcery" or "magic," stands as the very abode of the formidable entities acknowledged as the Chaos Gods, the Primordials, and the diverse legions of their adherents. This realm is, in essence, the fundamental dwelling of cosmic potency. Notably, the designations "Chaos" and the "Void" are frequently employed interchangeably among those privy to their existence within the overarching cosmic dynamics.
On the surface, the Immaterium presents itself as humanity's ingenious solution to the conundrum of faster-than-light traversal. The Void undertakes the role of the conduit for interstellar FTL travel, wherein voidcraft embark upon its currents through the propulsion of a Void-Drive under the vigilant guidance of Wayfinders. Subsequently, these vessels harness their own conventional reaction drive systems while being aided by a psychic Wayfinder, orchestrating their course amidst the flowing streams of psychic energy akin to traversing an expansive ocean.
The psychic energy that forms the bedrock of the Immaterium is widely held to be a direct consequence of sentience's existence within the cosmos, notably originating from the sapient species of the Milky Way Galaxy. This concept postulates the Void as a shadowed reflection of the material universe, a tempestuous sea brimming with capricious psychic energy, a manifestation of raw emotion granted tangible manifestation.
The lore surrounding the Immaterium further speculates, across a spectrum of cultures spanning both human and xenos civilizations, that this ethereal realm serves as the ultimate sanctuary for the souls of the departed. Consequently, it can be likened to a cosmic "underworld," where the journey of the departed culminates.
== Void Travel ==
The Void is an important factor in the survival of the human race. Spacecraft, capable of voyaging thousands of light-years in a matter of days, travel across the Void. By such fragile means, humanity is bound together in a single Imperium. The Emperor's will may be mighty, but his reach is long only because Voidspace may be crossed by his fleets.[1]
A spaceship may enter the Void through the use of Void drives. This is the means by which spacecraft effectively travel faster than the speed of light. This is achieved because Voidspace is a domain of pure energy, where spacecraft can navigate between streams, as in an ocean. The Imperium uses Navigators, a sub-race of humans, for this purpose. Time also proceeds a great deal slower- or faster- in the Void than in the material universe, resulting in forms of time stasis, acceleration, reversal, and other chaotic violations of physics. While this solution is effective, it is far from perfect.[3]
Long-distance journeys take months or even years, and the timing itself is unpredictable due to the very nature of the Void.[3]
== Void Disturbances ==
The Void stands as an extraordinarily capricious medium, subject to unparalleled volatility. Periodically, disruptions of cosmic magnitude transpire, morphing specific sectors of the Void into tempestuous maelstroms of devastation, a tempest of inconceivable destructive might that defies comprehension. These tumultuous disturbances, with their unrelenting ferocity, have the capacity to endure for spans ranging from fleeting days to protracted months, and in the most staggering of instances, even stretching across centuries.
Yet, the pinnacle of catastrophic occurrences within the Void takes the form of what is known as the Void Fissures. These phenomena represent breaches in the fabric of reality itself, forging tenuous links between the boundless expanses of the Void and the palpable realms of the Materium. These Fissures stand as conduits fraught with peril, allowing the formidable dominion of the Realm of Chaos to surge forth and infiltrate our own reality. Among these Void Fissures, there exist noteworthy entities that loom as pivotal points of intersection between the chaotic abyss and the structured world: the Ancient Great Maw, the ever-churning vortices of the Maelstrom, the Star consuming breach titled only as Pandemonium, and the monumental rift known simply as the Great Fissure.
=== Void Fissure ===
Void Rifts, as harbingers of cosmic instability, manifest as breaches in the very fabric of reality, forging tenuous links between the palpable expanse of the Materium and the ethereal depths of the Immaterium.
The phenomenon of a Void Rift constitutes a perceptible weakening of the intangible barriers demarcating the realm of tangible existence from the esoteric domain of the Void. This enigmatic breach serves as a conduit, a gateway that surges with the potential to facilitate the ingress of the enigmatic creatures dwelling within the Immaterium into the visceral landscapes of the material universe. The advent of a Void Rift is a moment of profound significance, the very essence of dimensions interweaving to permit an intermingling that defies conventional comprehension.
The occurrence of Void Rifts is a testament to the capricious nature of cosmic forces. At times, they emerge spontaneously, their genesis bereft of a discernible pattern, their presence an embodiment of cosmic chaos. In contrast, other instances find the orchestrations of the Chaos Gods or the ambitions of mortal beings interwoven within their very creation. These rifts may endure but fleeting moments, fleeting instants in time when the boundaries between realms blur, or they may persist, stretching their dominion across days, years, or in the most staggering of scenarios, an era encompassing centuries.
The manifestations assumed by Void Rifts are myriad and diverse, spanning the spectrum from the seething maelstroms of raw arcane energy to the spectral glimpses into the abyssal realm of Chaos. They may manifest as gates wreathed in ethereal green fire, enigmatic portals enshrouded in impenetrable shadows, or even as bilious lakes of noxious pus. These visions, inexorably linked to the inception of these rifts, are an embodiment of terror capable of rending the very fabric of sanity from those who bear witness.
The stimuli that induce a Void Rift's emergence are equally varied, their origins spanning the gamut from the unpredictable fluctuations of the Void itself, fragmenting real space and revealing glimpses into the otherworldly dimensions, to the possession of a mortal vessel by daemonic entities. Deliberate rituals, painstakingly orchestrated to summon daemonic beings, can also sow the seeds of a Void Rift, drawing the boundary between worlds into a precarious state of tension. The convergence of suffering and death, as forged within the crucible of great wars, holds the potential to serve as a catalyst for a rift's inception. The juxtaposition of chance circumstances, perhaps resulting from the implosion of a Void drive, may also unfurl the veils between realms. Lastly, the most insidious pathway is one paved through the psyche of an unprotected psychic entity, a gateway borne from within the very consciousness that bridges dimensions, a path fraught with peril that can lead to the unfettered emergence of chaotic forces.
=== Void Storm ===
Void Storms manifest as dynamic and precarious occurrences that transcend the boundaries between the enigmatic Immaterium and the palpable Materium, their origins intricately interwoven with the very essence of the Void's nature.
The Void, an intricate and exceedingly unstable medium, stands as an arena rife with profound volatility. In certain junctures, perturbations of cosmic magnitude ignite, transmuting discrete sectors of the Void into raging tempests of inconceivable and unruly fury. Such tempests, driven by forces beyond comprehension, cast their unrelenting might upon the fabric of existence, extending their dominion across durations ranging from mere fleeting days to protracted months, and in the most staggering of scenarios, even spanning the stretch of centuries.
When ill-fated vessels find themselves ensnared by these tumultuous Void Storms, their prospects of salvation hang in the balance. At best, these vessels might endure the ferocity of the storm, their intended courses awry, ultimately emerging from the tempest's embrace thousands of light-years off course. These errant trajectories propel them into previously uncharted regions of the galaxy, a realm rife with mysteries. Alternatively, the misfortune of a ship can culminate in their being ensnared within the very depths of the Void, a fate teeming with dread. Within this realm, passengers are transformed into unwitting pawns for the insidious and malevolent entities that hold dominion over this malignant expanse. Occasionally, a ship, after traversing the Void for but a brief span, reemerges into the tangible realm, only to confront the bewildering revelation that centuries have lapsed in real space during their transit.
These tumultuous Void Storms wield the capacity to sever the conduits of Void travel across specific regions, enclosing entire star systems within an isolating veil. This estrangement from the Imperium, the bastion of human unity, can perpetuate for durations spanning months, years, or even the scope of centuries. Some star systems, enigmatically marooned, perpetually remain ensnared within this web of isolation, an enduring testament to the inexorable forces that wield dominion over the cosmic order.
Particularly dire Void Storms, noted for their exceptional peril, emerged during the harrowing epoch known as the Dark Ages of the Long Dark. This grievous era bore witness to the cataclysmic devastation wrought upon the once-thriving interstellar realms of humanity. It was only with the advent of the Great Maw that these tempestuous disturbances began to wane, ushering in an era of reprieve from their malevolent embrace.
== Void Entities ==
Within the unforgiving expanse of the Void, a realm intrinsically inhospitable to denizens of the material plane, a distinct manifestation of life finds its abode. These entities, oftentimes characterized by their insatiable appetites, constitute a distinct ecosystem peculiar to this ethereal domain. Their proclivity is to converge upon the psychic emanations that radiate from the sentient inhabitants of the tangible realm, drawing sustenance from these intangible echoes. Among the ranks of these inhabitants are the enigmatic Aetherweavers, the sprawling entity collective known as The Hive, the elusive Specters, the ominous Black Hounds, the insidiously pervasive Dominator Swarms, and, towering above them all in terms of dread and sheer multitude, the abominable Daemons of Chaos.
The nautical expanse of the Void, plied by ships that dare traverse its treacherous currents, stands as a crucible of uncertainty. Yet, these vessels are outfitted with formidable defenses, impregnable bastions erected against the potential onslaughts from these eldritch life forms that prowl the Void's depths. Bereft of these protective barriers, those who venture through the tenebrous stretches of the Void would find themselves at the mercy of the daemonic entities that hunger for their essence, poised to consume them whole. These shields, a bastion against the innumerable horrors that lie concealed within the layers of the Void, serve as the sole line of defense against an otherwise inevitable fate of annihilation and subjugation.
== The Void Strata ==
The moniker "Great Ocean" bestowed upon the Void is neither a mere whimsical invention nor a facet of simple human caprice. Rather, this title carries profound significance, encapsulating the intricate essence of a cosmic expanse characterized by the very same principles that once delineated the Pelagic Zones within the vast and ancient oceans of Terra's yore.
Indeed, the Void's stratification, comparable in its essence to the division of the terrestrial oceans, extends across a structured spectrum of distinct Pelagic Strata. These strata are not arbitrary categorizations; rather, they are a reflection of the inherent perils and degrees of instability that traverse the dimensions of the Void. Each stratum unveils its own unique blend of dangers, strategic potentialities, and intricate intricacies, mirroring the vibrant tapestry that adorns the multifarious expanses of the Great Oceans.
By the classifications prescribed by human scholars, the Void finds itself partitioned into five Pelagic Strata, each existing as a realm unto itself. Yet, these strata extend beyond mere categorical designations; they serve as tangible manifestations of the dynamic equilibrium that orchestrates the celestial order. Within the chronicles of these strata lie the stories of cosmic ventures and harrowing escapades, as sentient beings navigate the perils and promise concealed within the fathomless expanse.
=== Epipelagic Zone - The Silent Reef ===
This surface layer is also called the sunlight zone and extends from the surface to 200 meters (660 feet). It is in this zone that most of the visible light exists. With that sunlight comes heat from sun, which is responsible for wide variations in temperature across this zone, both with the seasons and latitudes - sea surface temperatures range from as high as 97°F (36°C) in the Persian Gulf to 28°F (-2°C) near the North Pole.
Wind keeps this layer mixed and thus allows the sun's heat to be distributed vertically. The base of this mixing layer is the beginning of the transition layer called the thermocline.
=== Mesopelagic Zone - The Shallows ===
Below the epipelagic zone is the mesopelagic zone, extending from 200 meters (660 feet) to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). The mesopelagic zone is sometimes referred to as the twilight zone or the midwater zone, as sunlight this deep is very faint. Temperature changes are the greatest in this zone because it contains the thermocline, a region where water temperature decreases rapidly with increasing depth, forming a transition layer between the mixed layer at the surface and deeper water. The depth and strength of the thermocline varies from season to season and year to year. It is strongest in the tropics and decrease to non-existent in the polar winter season.
Because of the lack of light, bioluminescence begins to appear on organisms in this zone . The eyes on the fishes are also larger and generally upward directed, most likely to see silhouettes of other animals (for food) against the dim light.
=== Bathypelagic Zone - The Trench ===
The depths from 1,000-4,000 meters (3,300 - 13,100 feet) comprise the bathypelagic zone. Due to its constant darkness, this zone is also called the midnight zone. The only light at this depth and lower comes from the bioluminescence of the animals themselves.
The temperature in the bathypelagic zone, unlike that of the mesopelagic zone, is constant. The temperature never fluctuates far from a chilling 39°F (4°C). The pressure in the bathypelagic zone is extreme and at depths of 4,000 meters (13,100 feet), reaches over 5850 pounds per square inch! Yet, sperm whales can dive down to this level in search of food.
=== Abyssopelagic Zone - The Abyss ===
The Abyssopelagic Zone (or abyssal zone) extends from 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) to 6,000 meters (19,700 feet). It is the pitch-black bottom layer of the ocean. The water temperature is constantly near freezing, and only a few creatures can be found at these crushing depths.
The name (abyss) comes from a Greek word meaning "no bottom" because they thought the ocean was bottomless. Three-quarters of the area of the deep-ocean floor lies in this zone.
=== Hadalpelagic Zone - The Screaming Galleries ===
Plunging to the furthest recesses of the known Void, the Hadalpelagic Zone shrouds itself in an enigmatic veil, a realm shrouded in obscurity and riddles. This unfathomable expanse remains a tapestry woven with threads of enigma, a dominion where knowledge is scarce, and speculation abounds, much like the ancient oceans of bygone Terra.
The annals of cosmic history mark a singular event, a momentous translation into the depths of the Hadalpelagic Zone. This remarkable occurrence transpired in the wake of the Long Dark, an epoch nestled within the 60th Millennium. The protagonist of this venture was none other than the enigmatic Archeotech Void Piercer, christened as "The Argos." In a feat whose ramifications transcended time itself, the Argos delved into the inky abyss of the Hadalpelagic Zone, an endeavor that resided at the fringes of daring and folly.
Through the passage of ages, the logs of the Argos, a repository of invaluable Archeotech records, have undergone painstaking restoration and ritualistic purification. Yet, the revelations borne from these ancient chronicles remain profoundly unsettling. A crescendo of inhuman wails reverberates through the annals, a cacophony that emanated from the depths of the Argos itself. A haunting testimonial to the harrowing ordeal endured by the crew, these auditory imprints carry the harrowing cadence of an unseen menace. Within the recording, the crescendo of the Argos' agony becomes entwined with the chilling scrape of foreign claws etching an indelible scar into steel floors, the very fabric of the vessel a canvas upon which terror was painted.