Hell's Grin

**Hell's Grin** is a small-but-growing warp rift that emerged in the Hallstat Sector in M41. Already it has consumed numerous Imperial systems and threatens many more. Like others before it, the Grin has become a haven for the flotsam and scum of society; pirates, renegades and deserters call the Grin home. But they pale in comparison to the threat posed by the Forces of Chaos...

## Location

Hell's Grin is located in the Orion Arm to the south of the Sol System. While it does not lie in the area considered to be Abaddon's 'Scarlet Path' from the Eye of Terror to humanity's birth world, herein lies a danger: Chaos forces emerging from this rift have the pick of vulnerable Imperial worlds whose defences have been weakened in the name of strengthening Terra's. Further, the Grin's existence represents the weakening of dimensional boundaries previously thought to be strong.

A rotten wound in the fabric of space-time, Hell's Grin squats at the centre of the Hallstat Sector. Its presence is a now seemingly-permanent hazard to loyal Throne-fearing citizens; and a reminder that nowhere in the Emperor's realm is truly safe in this new, dark age.

## Notable Planets

* **Osapila** - A Daemon World of Outer Hell made entirely out of the assembled bones of billions of Chaos worshippers. Those foolhardy enough to set foot on its surface may soon find themselves assaulted by bone golems animated by some unnatural presence as well as flocks of Furies. The skeletons of those slain become one with the landscape. Minions of the Dark Gods also randomly manifest and do battle on its surface. It is said that the screams of the bones' previous owners can be heard on the unnatural winds.

* **Sothirax** - A Daemon World ruled over by a Word Bearers warband called the Chosen of Aurelian. Located in Inner Hell, it is a blasted planet given over to the production of vile daemon engines and the worship of Chaos Undivided. Originally located in the Eye of Terror, the violence of the Cicatrix Maledictum's creation pushed the planet through an immaterial wormhole to this new warp rift.

* **Ichoris** - Formerly the administrative capital of the entire Hallstat Sector, the hive world of Alesia Primus is suspected by Imperial military leaders to be the epicentre of Hell's Grin. Though it did not experience significant tectonic activity under Imperial rule it has become a volcanic planet covered with the skulls of its former human inhabitants. Those who survived the upheaval became hosts for the first waves of Bloodletters that emerged to do battle with the tyranids as the planet was claimed by Khorne. Now it is known as Ichoris, the daemon world is given over to constant warfare among the Blood God's denizens.

## Regions

Even though Hell's Grin is a small rift, it already has three areas distinguished by the differing behaviours of eddies and currents of immaterial energies.

### Grin's Edge

The rift's edges flow and swirl like the aurora near Terra's magentic poles. Numerous planets and stars have fallen into the swirling eddies of madness while others teeter on the brink. Several have been rendered lifeless by the malignant energies emitted into real-space. Others have become havens for mutants, beastmen and others whose existence is deemed heretical by Imperial authorities.

On the benighted world of Raxold Beta, an orbital elevator and warehouse rising from one of these warp-scorched worlds is used as a real-space anchor/trading hub for numerous flotillas of raiders and pirates and is considered neutral territory. This unofficial treaty holds as most of the pirates are not devotees of the Ruinous Powers and have some small modicum of honour. In the likely event this area is subject to retaliatory measures from the Imperial Navy, the renegades will probably flee deeper into the Grin. The warehouse is one of the only safe spots on the planet - the rest is a wasteland of storms, mutated wildlife and dangerous etheric phenomena.

### Outer Hell

The planets present in Outer Hell have mostly been transformed Dead Worlds or, more rarely, Daemon Worlds. One has been transmogrified into a ring-shape; another is made entirely from bones. It is over this 'Bone World' that the Fang Breakers hold their fleet at anchor on the rare occasion they have cause to gather. Here they have found a relatively safe harbour from the wrath of their former master Huron Blackheart.

One exception to the sheer anarchy raging on every other consumed planet is the agri-world of Bandel. This is likely due to the faith of the Order of Our Lady's Halloumination holding back the corrupting warp energies. Whispers borne on immaterial currents speak of a race of giant rats rising from the cheese moon of Anari to consume all dairy products in the God-Emperor's realm. Such gossip has been deemed heretical by those few Imperial authorities unfortunate enough to have their time wasted with it; with those who persistently spread these rumours being turned into servitors.

### Inner Hell

This deep into Hell's Grin, the currents of warp energy become more erratic and harder to navigate as an explorer gets nearer and nearer to the warp proper. Not so for the Chosen of Aurelian whose homeworld of Sothirax can be found here; transported from the Eye of Terror through an immaterial wormhole which the warband guards jealously.