This should be interesting.

TECHNOLOGY IN THE IMPERIUM

The Age of the Imperium is not a technically inclined age, to have included descriptions of 'heads-up displays', 'computer links', etc, would have given the wrong impression entirely. This is an age where problems are solved by brute force and ignorance, where dangers are either too gross or too unthinkable to elicit any other response. The other reason why technical description has been avoided is that the Age of the Imperium lies more than forty thousand years in the future - at a stage in history when those head-up displays and computers are about as innovative as stone circles. What scientific knowledge persists from the Dark Age of Technology is far above and beyond anything we can imagine from the perspective of the Twentieth Century. That understanding lies only with a select few - the Adeptus Mechanicus - the Tech-priests of the Imperium. Even their knowledge is somewhat debased, and the popular image of technology can be compared with that of witchcraft in medieval times. Those who come into contact with technology use it with reservations and a reverence that are almost religious. The Space Marines, for example, treat their equipment and armour as if if were imbued with a will of its own - a fine chest-plate, well looked after and constantly maintained may reward its wearer by saving his life; whereas a Marine who neglects his equipment may be struck down by a leaking suit or malfunctioning weapons. Such is the will of the Gods.

>>13027543

While it is impossible to speculate with any certainty on the technical developments of the next forty millennia, it has obviously been necessary to make assumptions. The greatest assumption has involved the creation of a broad history and a universe populated by a variety of dangers. The people of the far future are mentally very different from those of today - they have a way of looking at things in which twentieth century ideas of efficiency and morality are irrelevant. Their technology reflects both their past (an age of discovery and achievement) with their future (an age of danger and survival).

Transmission Systems

Electricity formed the single most important form of transmissible energy for a very long time, and still plays a role in the Imperium. It is one of the primary motivating forces in nature, and has applications which make it ideal as an interface between the biological and physical worlds. The most significant advance in the field of electronics was the development of Stacked Atomic Chains - or 'stacks'. Atoms within a small piece of material are arranged in rows and patterns, forming the basis for molecular level circuitry. Using this technique miniaturisation reached its ultimate form - so that few devices have to be any larger than necessitated by controls or aesthetics. Stacks use an extremely low voltage, depending on perfect refining techniques for their raw materials, and perfect simulation during operation. The natural electricity radiated by a human would destroy an unprotected stack based system.

>>13027575

Photon lines are an extremely refined development of the fiber optic principle. Flexible hair-fine strands made from ceramic based materials are used to transmit laser light signals to photon-powered actuators. A single strand can handle a lot of information, but most systems are so complex they require a bundle of cables to function.

Phased Crystals use crystal technology to transmit a signal - although they provide no power. The conductive material is crystalline, exploiting the way in which a chain of crystals change shape when subjected to varying heat/pressure or energy fields. Phased crystals are the chief components in monitoring devices, and act as regulators of other systems.

Hydroplastics transmit power directly by pressure, or activate other systems by the same means. Hydroplastic lines of a suitably small bore are highly efficient, yet technically simple, means of powering a system. Bore diameters are on the molecular level. Hydroplastic actuators (small motors which transmit energy into physical movement) are perhaps the most common type.

Sucrosol is the usual abbreviation for Sucrose based solution. It is a synthetic blood designed to feed cultured bio-tissues by means of osmotic pressure. Sucrosol is used by all mechanisms incorporating bio-engineered parts, including robots. It is usually white.

Radio signal is essentially the same as in prior ages, although equipment now has the ability to utilise far narrower wave bands.

Generation Systems

Crystal Batteries are based on specially engineered crystal structures with the ability to absorb energy modifying their crystalline form in the process. The absorbed energy is released slowly as the material's structure reverts back to its original form. Units of such crystals may be recharged almost indefinitely. Some units can be recharged by heating (even exposure to daylight), whilst the most powerful are designed to hold an electric charge and must be recharged from an electric generator.

Plasma is the purest form of energy it is possible to generate - essentially the component material of stars. It is completely ionised matter consisting of free sub-atomic particles maintained at incredibly high temperatures. Plasma must be transmitted along armoured coils and contained within a magnetic field. Plasma is little used in the Age of the Imperium, the safety margins necessary for its containment are too tight. Regarded as old fashioned, it is still used to power steam or photon based generators and is used for space drives.

Conventional - on most worlds electric or photon power is generated by wind, tide, photo-cell or by burning something. On many other remoter worlds machinery is powered directly by wind, steam, combustible fuels or good old animal power. Isolated settlements make the best use of local resources.

Motors and Actuators

Hydraulic actuators rely on hydroplastic pressure to power components. These are commonly used in robotic systems and to power sub-systems on vehicles, in buildings, etc.

Electrically Motivated Fiber Bundles are made from a fiber that contracts under the influence of an electric charge, replicating die actions of living muscles. They form the chief components of bionic parts, and are used in many robots. Powered armour and Dreadnoughts use this technology almost exclusively, as it is far more efficient and faster than equivalent hydraulic or mechanical systems - it is also difficult to produce and therefore rare.

Gravitic Reactors are powered from a surrounding magnetic field - such as a planet. They have the ability to counteract gravitational affects, and form the basis for gravity based motors, and suspensors. The technology used in their manufacture belongs to the past. Fortunately a vast reserve of raw material still remains on Earth, from which gravitic reactors can be made utilising conventional technology. Once this store of material is used up, however, further production will be impossible.

I had no idea the Imperium was THIS advanced....

How do I trool?

Control Systems

The actual appearance of equipment is as variable as the populations of the different planets. With over a million worlds in the Imperium, local tastes and materials will inevitably produce a riot of different forms. Some worlds favour an archaic pattern of instrumentation, believing that the arrangements of buttons and levers form part of a runic pattern itself important to proper functioning. Other worlds prefer to mimic the higher technical achievements of their ancestors, utilising the more advanced (although no more effective) pure crystal or holographic control systems. When it comes down to it, all are forms of pushing a button, and are equally effective. Only if characters encounter a system radically different from one they are used to will problems arise.

Archaic controls are basically buttons, levers, switches and dials set into a panel and monitored by video, digital or dial display. This is the sort of thing anyone from the Twentieth Century could easily understand and use.

Pure Crystal Technology and stacked atomic chains have no visible components - control panels often take the form of either black slabs of material or transparent sheets like glass. Held by suspensors, an inactive control panel could appear as a floating pane of glass or slab of stone - the same panel could be recessed into floor or ceiling and might float into position by vocal command, radio-signal, pressure sensors, presence detectors, etc. A panel is activated by coded radio-signal, voice or simply by touch. An active panel displays information visually like a vid-screen. Its equivalent of buttons are differently coloured lights which are touch or heat sensitive.

>>13027622

Holographic Projection envelops the user in holographic images somewhat a three-dimensional wrap-round vid-screen. Activation is usually by presence, or by any of the methods used for crystal technology - so the operator simply sits in a control seat to activate the 'panel'. The projection can be manipulated to provide monitoring or control functions. Projectors sense the movement of the user's eyes and limbs and translate these into instructions - the user only has to press imaginary buttons! This is the most specialised type of tactile panel, being almost impossible for the uninitiated to use. The slightest gesture will change the entire set-up, and unique arm/hand/finger and eye movements form the basis of the operating procedure.

Mind Impulse dispenses with any sort of panel or control gear, allowing the user to control and monitor a system by thought alone. These systems are technically complex and producing them is difficult. Consequently they are rare. Their most common application is in Dreadnought suits: some spacecraft employ mind impulse links but this is not usual. Such devices require considerable training to use at all, and a great deal of practice if they are to be used efficiently. The physical component is a head ring which picks up and amplifies the wearer's instructions. A cruder, but equally effective, version is the spinal tap. This is engineered into the wearer's spinal cortex and works in the same way as the head ring but is difficult to remove without causing physical or mental damage.

Skinplants and Electoos

A development of crystal technology is its use for personal ornamentation. Many races apply paint or tattoos and within the Imperium the practice is common. This is true of all levels of society, from the lowly city-scum of the hive-worlds to the most sophisticated of the Adeptus Terra. Amongst government servants and employees of the Navigator families these marks serve as identification as well as ornament. Devices are also used as secret signs by governmental and anarchist agents, psychic covens and pirates. Tattooing is commonly achieved using materials and technology of a very ancient kind - although the inks used can be of any colour (including florescent) and can be removable, temporary or degenerative when exposed to light, laser light, heat. etc.

Skinplants are sophisticated tattoos - very sophisticated. The miniaturization possible using crystal technology makes it possible to create a functioning device between layers of skin. The device cannot include mechanical components or utilize large amounts of power. The most popular application of this idea is to power and control an electrically sensitive tattoo. So, any citizen with sufficient credit can have a device or logo on their forehead which actually lights up and flashes! This can be either controllable, light-sensitive or a permanent fixture. The subcutaneous wristwatch is a standard way of carrying the time - light pressure on the wrist activates the digital display beneath the skin. A character could even go to the lengths of having an entire limb or his whole body glow if he wanted! A light emitting patch on the palm will illuminate a small area within 10 cm and is popularly known as the 'thief's light', providing sufficient light to pick locks, operate switches, etc.

>>13027635

Electoos also utilise crystal technology, but involve a lot more work and a great deal of skill to create. An inert layer of conductive material is inserted beneath the skin, sometimes it is injected and allowed time to form before the process can continue. Crystal stacks are built up on this film and waste material is dissolved out. The Electoo can then be programmed to function as any control or monitoring device. On Earth everyone carries an electoo containing personal details, credit ratings, security grades and details of social record - these act as police files and automatic credit facilities. Sensors at building entrances read the details of every electoo carrying individual that passes them - so a constant record can be build up of anyone's movements. Similarly when an individual buys anything, a till-sensor automatically modifies the credit rating of the electoo accordingly. The system is also used throughout the Adeptus Terra and on some imperial worlds either generally or within specific social levels. As electoos are invisible they are ideal for carrying secret messages - information is coded so as to be almost useless except to the intended recipient. A character carrying a Electoo need not be aware of the fact, and certainly wouldn't be aware of its contents. Electoos carrying secret messages can be split between several people and only work when joined.

>>13027605

Makes tech-priests seem that little bit more awesome.

And also explains why the majority of people who have no idea wtfisgoingon are happy to see it as religious in nature.

Someone archive this.

Like, soon. Or now.

>>13027638

Electrografts are a special form of electoo engineered directly onto the recipient's cerebellum. This involves cutting away a portion of skull and creating the electoo directly on the brain tissue before (usually) replacing the section of cranium or covering with synthetic material. An electrograft reacts with the brain to alter a creature's memory, personality and knowledge. Many of the Imperium's technological secrets are passed on by this means, and it is certainly a quick and easy way to learn how to speak new languages, operate machinery, etc. On the other hand, interference with the mind tends to cause personality disorders, problems with memory recall and occasionally total mental breakdown. Once inserted an electrograft can be reprogrammed almost indefinitely, although repeated re-use accelerates the degenerative process.

Oh hello.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37718876/W40K-BIBLE-UNOFFICIAL

Standard Template Constructs

During the Dark Age of Technology humanity traveled throughout the galaxy, founding new colonies and exploring new worlds. Many of these colonies failed to establish themselves, others were lost, whilst a few grew into independent civilisations with distinctive cultures. Most however, established a subsistence economy and simply stopped. In such an environment the impetus for change was very low; everything the citizens needed was at hand, their new world supplied them with food, and the store of knowledge brought from Earth enabled them to maintain a high technological base without a technological society. In part this was a result of the Standard Template Construct system carried by every colony.

The heart of the STC system was an evolved computer program designed to provide construction details for the colonists. Its prime function was to enable the colonists to build efficient shelters, generators and transports without any prior knowledge and using almost any locally available materials. The user simply asked how to built a house or a tractor and the computer supplied all the necessary plans - in short it was idiot proof. Many humans attribute the entire Orkish civilisation to early STC systems - but the truth will never be known.

>>13027655

The Age of Technology ended in inter-human war and anarchy. The STC systems that had helped to build it either lapsed into disuse or decayed so that they became increasingly unreliable and quirky. On some worlds they were maintained, but most suffered damage by enthusiastic software specialists or subsequent jury-rigging. Hard copies of the information they contained survived much longer, and were frequently copied and passed down from generation to generation. Today, in the Age of the Imperium, the familiar designs of the STC are still discernable in the shapes of vehicles, spacecraft and buildings. The Adeptus Mechanicus on Earth make it their business to collate and utilise STC material - it is their equivalent to a holy text, a font of all knowledge (which is exactly what it was intended to be).

>>13027661

One result of the STC system and its pivotal place in human development is that many worlds now utilise designs and machinery of a similar type. Of course, the millennia have wrought changes in the basic utilitarian devices proscribed by the STC, but many humans adhere religiously to the old designs. STC designs were intended to be able to cope with anything - by the standards of the day they were rough and ready, big and brutish, hard to damage and easy to repair. Because they were intended for use by unqualified people their power-plants mere based around commonly obtainable materials, employing steam power, wind power, water power and combustion engines. High-tech material was described too (although rarely used) and designs were provided for full-scale nuclear power-grids and fission processors. However few people understood these, and the need for power was supplied quite easily by conventional means. Consequently hard copies were rarely taken and gradually written texts became lost or hopelessly distorted.

>>13027665

In the 41st millennium, the weapons, vehicles and much of the equipment have their roots in the STC system. Fighting vehicles often look like tractors and Rhinos because that's exactly what they were copied from! STC designs can be produced in almost any material; wood, plastic, concrete, steel, plastic, etc, and can be replicated on almost any world that has raw materials of some kind. Uncorrupted STC systems are unknown and after so many years will probably remain so. Nonetheless, finding such a system is regarded by many Tech-priests as their ultimate goal - a sort of quest for the holy grail. Legends surround the existence of lost, functioning STC systems, but whether they have any basis in truth is anyone's guess.

>>13027635

>skin-deep watches

brilliant.jpg

>>13027653

I'm getting it from a different source but I own Rogue Trader and this is all in there.

That link says unofficial but this is all official stuff, to anyone who might make that assumption.

>>13027684
It's not a bible compiled by the actual writing staff though a la the Halo or Fallout bibles, just a compendium of published work. Bible does have connotations.

>>13027690

Ah ok, brilliant!

LANGUAGE & CULTURE

There are many different cultures and civilisations spread across the Imperium and each has its own customs, traditions and variations in language. This section serves as an introduction to highlight some of the differences. As the Imperium sprawls across innumerable star systems, we cannot hope to cover a small fraction of the peculiarities and oddities in the general population. However, the players and the GM should liven up their role-play sessions and bring some individuality to characters by the use of some of these dialects and customs. Nothing can be more infuriating than trying to restock your character's dwindling supplies when no one can understand you.

A NOTE ON LANGUAGE

High Gothic

High Gothic, also known as Principal Gothic, Archaic Gothic or Prime Gothic, is the official language of the Imperium. It is an ancient and highly evolved language mainly used in ceremonies, consultations and situations where absolute clarity and definition are required. High Gothic has remained virtually unchanged since the founding of the Imperium which means that speakers from very different cultures and backgrounds can effectively communicate with each other. The language is mainly used by highly educated people and generally by those of higher class and refinement. High Gothic represents an older tongue, itself a development of Twentieth Century languages, not necessarily Latin as such.

Should save all this into a pdf for easy download :O

>>13027753

Low Gothic

Low Gothic, also referred to as Base Gothic or Common Tongue, is the main language used everyday by the majority of people in the Imperium. It has many variations from world to world and often from sector to sector on a particular planet. Mainly the differences are in accents and peculiarities in pronunciation, but there maybe differences in dialect. This can come about due to unique animals, objects, organisations and so on present on the world. Many words can also have multiple meanings which makes Low Gothic seem incomprehensible to a foreigner. On the other hand, some worlds at opposite ends of the Imperium will have been discovered and settled by groups of colonists setting off from the same world. Therefore the accents and dialects are remarkably similar leading to some citizens proclaiming that their long lost cousins have returned.

>>13027762

If characters resort to very simple sentences using basic words they will be understood most of the time. In the roleplay environment, the GM should rule when a different dialect is in operation and whether it can easily be understood. A few Int and Fel test should suffice. No hard rules can be presented here, it's just to add a bit of colour to the proceedings. Failure of any test by a small margin means that there are problems getting the message across. Failure by a larger amount could lead to animosity and even racial discrimination.

Low Gothic is often debased even further in some cultures, where slang marks one out as belonging to a gang or to an organisation. For example, it is very hard to understand a Hive World gangster as the slang is part of their culture and differs depending on the Hive they grew up in and even on the floor they inhabit. Therefore it is virtually impossible to understand gangsters unless the character has been some form of Rogue. Asteroid miners also form another clique that uses colloquialisms. Some warrior sects also employ secret dialects. If a character can understand these groups then they maybe able to gain useful information as they are part of the 'brotherhood'.

>>13027767

Lingua-Technis

Within the Adeptus Mechanicus a language is used that describes and refers to technical aspects and scientific findings. Known as Lingua-Technis, this language is mainly confined to the Tech-Priests of the Machine God. However, on highly industrialised nations or in technologically oriented cultures some elements of Lingua-Technis can be found integrated into Low Gothic.

Lingua-Technis developed during the Dark Age of Technology (in fact a golden age from the point of view of science - it is only dark in the minds of the men who now fear it). It derives from the common tongue of the time, an assimilation of English, European and Pacific languages which developed over many centuries in the American/Pacific region. This was the universal medium of written record until the Age of Strife, and was spoken as a first language by many and as a second language by almost everyone. Its idioms and vocabulary now appear archaic and mystic, many of its words have acquired religious significance over the years. It is the language of the Tech-priests and of forbidden books.

A NOTE ON CULTURE

Just as there are many different dialects and accents across the Imperium, there are many different customs and traditions. The characters should be careful of their hand movements and body language as the wrong signals can deeply offend some races. The characters should be aware that cultures are different to capitalist, decadent, 20th century America. Going up to someone and giving them a 'high five' whilst shouting "what's up, dude?" can often result in a stub gun in the ribs. A quick apology is advisable at this point.

The usual greeting is to shake someone's right hand. Characters will come across races that bow (particularly on Hasaka), salute, wave, kiss and so on. The PCs could really be put in an embarrassing situation if the greeting is against their culture - I'm sure GMs can think of some good ideas.

Often the left hand is seen as insanitary and if a character waves it in a friendly fashion to a local he will be met with open hostility. On these worlds money should not be exchanged using the left hand.

>>13027769
Holy shit, Tech-priests talk Scientific American.

>>13027785
>As you will see the list is endless and I won't bore you further. If you've got any more information to add, please send it to me.
Peculiar line to add if this is supposed to be from a book or something.

>>13027779

On some worlds, mainly those with lower technology, martial prowess is very important: this is marked out by scars, tattoos, and 'trophies' taken from a victim. Characters who are scarred will gain +10 or more to Fel tests, but lose this bonus on more civilised worlds and will often get -10 to Fel tests. If a duel or similar engagement is fought and the PCs win then they will gain respect on the planet, but they'd better be careful of the loser and his associates.

The PCs should also be aware of the use of technology on Feudal or Feral worlds, or even on some civilised planets as technology is seen as witchcraft and the population is very wary of practitioners of the Dark Arts. The GM could set up some interesting encounters where the PCs are driven out of town for speaking to evil spirits on their comm-links. Maybe one of the PCs is captured and tried for being a witch and the rest of the party have to rescue him (or do they!). Conversely, the characters could be worshipped as demi-gods by savages after they witness the PCs performing some miracles with their equipment.

The Emperor Deified

One thing is for certain that where ever one travels in the Imperium, the Emperor is worshipped as a God. Some worship Him as the saviour of Mankind, others as the protector of the weak or as a God of War. However, it is unlikely that the population of the Imperium know the true nature of the Emperor and how he came to be incarcerated in the Golden Throne.

All over the Imperium there are shrines and temples to the Emperor. The prayers, hymns and ceremonies are usually overseen by priests of the Ministorum. These priests, in the guise of missionaries, are responsible for bringing the divine Light of the Emperor to far off worlds recently embraced by the Imperium. Many missionaries have given their lives to spread the word and many will become martyrs in the future to turn humanity to the True Path of Wisdom.

Needless to say, the brave PCs could be called upon to spread the Word, or maybe they are sent to rescue a group of missionaries from a heathen planet.

>>13027813

It is from a book, I'm not typing it out myself though, I should have looked at what I was copying more carefully though.

I can go dig up my copy of RT and photgraph the page if you doubt its authenticity. The guy who typed this up did a really good job, if memory serves it's word for word correct.

>>13027855
I don't really doubt you, it just stands out and is weird.

>political rasydr
No, captcha, there's nothing political about it.

And we're archived. http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/13027500/

>>13027869

Agreed, and fixed by reposting!

>>13027500

>>13027906

I knew there was a reason i went on /tg/...

>>13027871

This is my first archived thread. Thanks, whoever is responsible!

If you enjoyed reading this, learned something or have any thoughts on it please leave a post so that it stays bumped and more people can read.

What are the chances that we can get a PDF version of this?

>>13028009

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37718876/W40K-BIBLE-UNOFFICIAL

Has this and much more. Especially good for AdMech stuff.

Very awesome, damn shame it was overridden all over the damn place. The technology is very cool, I enjoyed the reverence shown to technology that is clearly pushing the technology backwards.

again, damn shame this isn't canon anymore.

>>13028082

The vast majority of it is still canon.

>>13028099
Everything is still canon. 3rd edition rulebook, after the grimanddarkification had set in, references all the computer system technology mentioned here, the micro crystal based computer cores and such.

>>13028169

Yup

>>13028169

And it's pretty common in Black Library books to see really advanced technology too. It's implied that the 40k universe had it's own Star Trek period of exploration and scientific mastery in addition to a Matrix/Terminator style robot uprising and all sorts of sc-fie adventuring.

Maybe there's still an SS Enterprise mothballed in some forgotten fleet reserve somewhere, Skynet stuck on a laptop miles underground Terra etc...

>>13028304

That sounds awesome.

>>13027635
>The most popular application of this idea is to power and control an electrically sensitive tattoo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW0BZsOcZZE

Bump because I found this thread helpfull.

>>13027812
>>13027812


/did you mean - German/?

This entire thread is wrong because it has nothing to do with the Ultramarines.

bump

bump for helpful /tg/ related content this board is so lacking

>>13029247
Matt do everyone a favor and go suck on a loaded Mauser. Please for the love of everything holy and right, do this one thing for us. And remember, pulling the trigger makes you an Ultramarine.

>>13028839
>>13029440
>>13029522

Thanks guys

bump

>>13029553
You have easily made my day, OP.

Thanks for the good reading, even if it wasn't yours. I think it's neat when you look at 40k as something other than in the DARKGRIMNESS OF THE GRIMDARK ect. ect.

Bump for visibility.

Wow, this thread is still going

Thanks everyone

newer rules override older rules
fluffwise its the other way round, just assume the knowledge was lost and/or twisted over time.

>Many humans attribute the entire Orkish civilisation to early STC systems - but the truth will never be known
What an awesome concept!
Explains that DE Dex fluff with the Ork Warboss desperate to get an STC...

I love the left hand as dirty stuff, and waving at someone with it is an insult. Reminds me of similar current human cultures where the left hand is used for wiping your ass.

"LOL I WAVE AT YOU WITH POO HAND!!!"
"HERESYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!"

Fun thing is we'll probably end up with a tech level comparable to everything listed and more within 500-1000 years, and we'll still have 37000 years to go.

>>13037724
nope as we are in the late 5th Atlantic Epoch...

>>13037514

I thought that. I know there's since been the Old Ones/War In Heaven fluff but I really love the idea myself.

>>13037514
This is where it comes from. A lot of cultures actually have this in some form. "Senestra" and "Dextra" from Romans for example.

>>13027653
because I hate scribd for no real reason other than me forgetting my Password >_>

Megaupload link:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RPM3D0ZL

>>13037724
Probably more like 100 years. Ignoring the FTL stuff of course.

Bumpan for everyone to see

>Encollos escaped
Oh nose we must catch him!

This thread is really informative. Thanks OP.

Kinda gives you a different perspective on the Imperium. Like a different feel.

Well, this is all from the original 1980s Rogue Trader book, and is probably the best part of the setting.

Since I don't own any of the new W40K stuff, do you mean that none of this type of material was published in DH or RT? That would be criminal.

>>13038495
Parts of it are. Those books do a good job of setting a frame where the players and GM decide what's going on. The Imperium is a big place, after all.

This thread still exists? Top quality that deserves to be shared with the masses