The Grimdark Universe of Warhammer 40,000 has its own version of Space Travel that involves “The Warp.” What IS this hellish space dimension?
The Warp is a psychic dimension parallel to real space. It is known by many names: Warpspace, the Immaterium, the Empyrean, the Ether, the Sea of Souls, and also as the Realm of Chaos.
Warpspace is a mirror dimension of pure energy. Existing as a mirror to our own reality, the Materium, it is the domain of the Gods of Chaos. The Warp’s existence is fueled by the emotions and souls of all sentient beings in the Materium. Warpspace is without form and the laws of time and space do not apply there, for both size and time are simultaneously infinite and irrelevant within The Warp. Its energies are in constant turmoil, subject to endless disturbances.
The common analogy used to describe Warpspace compares the Warp to a vast sea of energy, which is subject to constant movement, currents, undertows, etc. Immaterial space and real space bear a relationship as the dimensions parallel with each other. The fact that they share this relationship allows a Warp-capable craft to enter the Warp, carried for a time along the Warp flows until reemerging into real space a distance away from its starting point. The common metaphor used for Warp-jumping compares the Warp to a fast flowing stream. Its motionless banks represent real space. A leaf dropped into the water upstream will be carried along by the currents. This is a useful metaphor in understanding Warpspace, although the Warp is far more complex in its movements than a linear stream. The Warp moves in endlessly unpredictable and convoluted patterns.
The Warp is the final destination of the deceased souls of most races of the Galaxy. These souls will swirl endlessly within the Chaotic eddies of the Warp, and many are consumed by preying Daemons. The Craftworld Eldar use Spirit Stones to protect their departed souls from becoming the playthings of Slaanesh. The Imperials believe that the Emperor will protect a virtuous soul once it has entered the Warp.
The Warp is born from the thoughts, dreams, and emotions of every psychically attuned sentient race in the Galaxy. Every emotion and action in the Materium feeds the Warp and it is reflected back, creating its own reality. Should the races of the Galaxy somehow be cut off from the Warp, its malevolent entities would ultimately weaken and starve.
Would you like to learn more about the Warp? Check out the Lexicanum for things like Warp Travel, Warp Rifts, and Warp Entities!
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Dad, Gamer, Publisher, Pilot, Texan. All games all the time since junior-high.
I started BoLS Interactive in 2006. I’m a lifelong tabletop & RPG gaming enthusiast, and internet publisher working to entertain and inform my readers every day.
I’ve been playing RPGs and Tabletop Games since the 1970s. I’m been playing and covering Warhammer and Warhammer 40K for over 35 years.
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