+++Timeline of the Imperium+++
Over ten thousand years ago the
Great Emperor of Mankind ascended to the Golden Throne of Earth. Of the wars he waged to
get there, of the countless agonies of battling worlds, there is no record. Only the
Emperor remembers - if indeed even that strange and ancient creature can recall those
distant times.
The ascent of the Emperor marked
the end of a long era of human history, an age typified by inter-human warfare and a
gradual decline of the acculumated knowledge of millennia. This was the Age of Strife. The
high point of scientific achievement had occured thousands of years before, in the yet
older age known now as the Dark Age of Technology. Through the Dark Age of Technology and
the Age of Strife, mankind has come to the present age - that of the Imperium.
TIMELINE OF THE ROGUE TRADER UNIVERSE
| Years |
Age |
|
| The Present |
|
Humanity is bound
within the organisations and societies of the Imperial administration. The Emperor has now
reached the end of his natural life, his existence is maintained only by artificial means
and human sacrifice. Imperial servants work for the furtherance of humanity and its
survival against the myriad perils that threaten to destroy it. Psykers and the horrors of
Warp Space are controlled by the vigilance of Inquisitors, planetary governors and other
imperial servants. Psykers continue to emerge in growing numbers, anarchic, anti-
governmental and predatory groups associated with warp creature domination are steadily
gaining ground in spite of the best efforts of the Emperor. |
|
I
M
P
E
R
I
U
M |
| |
| |
| 10 millennia |
|
From amongst the
chaos of the Age of Strife one faction emerges as the victor. Slowly all the galaxy is
taken within its before present fold and the Imperium is founded. The leader of the
Imperium is known only as the Emperor - at this time still capable of independent life.
with the founding of the Astronomican, a psychic navigational beam directed by the Emperor
himself, interstellar travel becomes easier and quicker. The repression and control of
psykers and warp creatures releases much of humanity from its hellish bondage. |
| before present |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| 15 millennia before present |
A
G
EO
F
S
T
R
I
F
E |
Terrible wars tear human
civilisation apart. Localised empires and factions fight amongst themselves as well as
against the countless aliens who now flock to take part in the sacking of human space.
Many worlds fall to the dominance of Warp Creatures whilst others revert to barbarism.
Humans survive only on worlds where psykers are suppressed or controlled. During this time
Earth becomes enbroiled in terrible warp storms, isolating the home world for several
thousand years and further adding to the ruin of humanity. Human cultures diversify and
many regulations appear including the ancestors of Homo Sapiens Gigantus, Rotundus and
Minimus. |
| |
|
|
Humanity reaches the far
edges of the galaxy completing the push to the stars begun over five thousand years
before, Human civilisation is now widely dispersed and divergent - with countless small
colonies as well as many large, overpopulated planets. Wars with alien races continue, but
pose no threat to the stability of human space. All at once two things happen
simultaneously - humans with psychic powers begin to appear on almost every world, and
civilisation begins to crumble as a result of widespread insanity, demonic possession and
anarchy. At this time the existence of Warp Creatures and the dangers they pose to the
human mind are not fully understood. |
| |
|
D
A
R
KA
G
E
O
F
T
E
C
H |
Humanity
explores and settles the galaxy encountering many of the races of space at the same time.
A golden age for scientific achievement and expansion, perfection of the STC system now
permits an almost explosive expansion as humanity heads for the stars and a new beginning.
Development and subsequent cultivation of the
navigator gene allows human pilots to make longer, faster warp jumps than previously
thought possible. Navigator families, initially controlled by industrial and trading
cartels, eventually become independent forces in their own right.
Discovery of warp drives accelerates the
colonisation process, early independent or corporate colonies become federated to Earth.
The first alien races encountered. The first alien wars begin. |
|
| 20 millenia |
| before present |
|
| |
| 25 millenium |
|
Humanity begins
to colonise nearby solar systems using conventional sub-light spacecraft. At first
progress is slow and the new colonies must survive as independent units isolated from the
mother world by up to ten generations of travel. |
| before present |
| |
| |
From Warhammer
40,000: Rogue Trader
|