Welcome to the Sanctum Imperialis. This site is dedicated to the tabletop minature wargame Warhammer 40,000, produced by Games Workshop. Warhammer 40K is a science fiction game of a future humanity living in a galaxy populated by myriad alien races; each with their own rich, elaborate background, and each generally trying to kill off all the others. The games main tagline pretty much sums it up:"In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war."

The game is played on a large table covered with terrain and modelled scenery. Each player or team of players controls a force represented by 50-100 minatures of mind-boggling variety. Games can last from a couple of hours to an entire weekend, and consist largely of players rolling handfuls of dice all over the table (and floor) and shouting things at each other like:

This website's name comes from the background of the Imperium of Man. Humanity has been ruled over by the Immortal Emperor for 10,000 years; ruled over that is, through the august body of The High Lords of Terra, since the Emperor was mortally wounded in battle almost 10,000 years ago by the traitor Horus.

The Sanctum Imperialis is the holiest of temples in the worship of the God-Emperor. It is a part of the vast Imperial Palace on Earth. Pilgrims may pass through the Sanctum Imperialis and climb the steps of the Eternity Gate to gaze upon the adamantine doors of the Imperial Throne Room, sealed for all time with ancient runes of power. Beyond these gargantuan doors lies The Golden Throne, upon which sits the magnificent and beneficent Immortal Emperor. The Golden Throne is a stasis chamber of monumental proportions which will preserve the Emperor's body for all eternity, while allowing his mind to continue the psychic battle with the forces of Chaos.

The following quote comes from the opening text of the 3rd edition of Warhammer 40,000:

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+++REF: Sturn, Lieutenant Commander.
+++SEL: Journal Chapter XVII

As I entered the narthex I was struck by the sheer grandeur of our worshipful buildings. Not even the Temple of Thor on Dimmamar had prepared me for the spectacle of the mile-long aisle stretching from me towards the distance-shrouded portal into the Sanctum Imperialis. The air was filled with incense, a heavy aromatic fog that was uplifting to breathe. The vaulted roof arched half a mile over my head, its recesses lost in dark shadows, supported by pillars that looked as if they could support the whole weight of Terra, such was their girth. All was constructed from the finest marble, alabaster and lunarite, and overlaid with countless precious gems, filigrees and decorations wrought from gold, silver, electrum and other rare metals from distant worlds whose names I do not know. Unnumbered gargoyles stared down at the pilgrims, each leering face more grotesque than the last. Scenes of great battles, mighty heroes and lordly saints adorned the walls. No greater celebration to the artifice of Man exists. There can be found no surer testament to Mankind's right to rule the galaxy, under the ever present gaze of the magnificent Immortal Emperor.
© 1998 Games Workshop

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