Fanfiction and Warhammer 40000

[Soviet Heavy]

Lots of people like Fanfiction. Lots of people also like Warhammer 40K. Putting the two together seems like a smart choice.

Fan fiction has been written for everything from Harry Potter to MLP, to Twilight, to Halo, and everything in between. There's definitely quality work in all of these arbitrarily chosen categories, but from my personal standpoint, nothing can quite stand up to 40K Fan fiction in terms of sheer diversity.

Most of it has to do with the setting itself. Being so open ended is part of the appeal to get into Warhammer 40000 in the first place. In terms of scale, 40K is probably the best franchise in existence to account for the sheer enormity of a galactic science fiction setting. It actively encourages players and fans to come up with their own Space Marine Chapters, Eldar Craftworlds, or Ork Klanz. Or, if one is feeling less creative, there is a ten thousand year playing field to create stories for existing Chapters or Craftworlds or Klanz.

This is why I feel it is the prime ground for sowing new stories. The universe is so large that there is a place for everything, and it is so diverse that things that might be seen as out of character for a certain race or faction can be handwaved as being isolated incidents. This allows for stories to be told that can manage to contradict each other on enormous levels while still coexisting in the same shared universe.

It is rather inspiring, and I have loved a number of stories that have come out of the Fanfiction archives set in the 41st Millennium. Stuff like "Love can Bloom", or "The Age of Dusk" are not only great examples of just how diverse the stories can get, but how many different genres can all believably fit into the universe.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Many bad, and weird things have been created from fanfiction.

For example, here are some pairings that exist in Harry Potter fanfiction.

Harry Potter x his parents.

Luna Lovegood X Dumbldore

JK Rowling X the Hogwarts squid.

Hogwarts CASTLE X the Squid.

Hogwarts X the Shreiking Shack.

Spoiler: Snape X HIS NOSE

Snape is the "catcher."

In all likely hood, Warhammer 40 K exists, some good ones to, but you have to be careful what kind of fanfiction your gettinf into.

 

[WarDialler]

GW are fiercely protective of thier Intellectual Property. FanFic does exist kinda...it's just written by like 4 guys out of an office in Nottingham and Published through GW's Black Library. If you go into most GW stores you'll see a gondola dedicated solely to fiction books.

I cant ever recall seeing a dedicated Fanfic site for GW stuff...places like Bolter And Chainsword may have that kinda thing buried in thier forum somewhere.

But I suspect GW cease and desist anything they dont like or feel tampers with the canon.

 

[Rawne1980]

GW are fiercely protective of thier Intellectual Property. FanFic does exist kinda...it's just written by like 4 guys out of an office in Nottingham and Published through GW's Black Library. If you go into most GW stores you'll see a gondola dedicated solely to fiction books.

I cant ever recall seeing a dedicated Fanfic site for GW stuff...places like Bolter And Chainsword may have that kinda thing buried in thier forum somewhere.

But I suspect GW cease and desist anything they dont like or feel tampers with the canon.

Pretty much this....

Games Workshop even went as far as having one of their fan sites shut down because they felt it went against the direction they take.

People have done fan fiction, i've seen a bit being a big fan of Warhammer from an early age. In fact 40k started when I was 7 so we've kind of grown up together..

But the quoted post is right, GW take their IP very seriously so if you do write some up be very careful where you put it or they will be on you.

 

[dimensional]

It actively encourages players and fans to come up with their own Space Marine Chapters, Eldar Craftworlds, or Ork Klanz.

You do know there are a finite number of space marine chapters right? like 20 I believe being all based off their patriachs genetic material and that 5 (?) of these have been exterminated during the Horus heresy incident, I also believe all the Eldar craftworlds have been named at one point or another but as for orc clans I have no idea.

Generally 40K is not a creative universe as such its main points are not open to speculation they are hammered out but they do still allow for a lot of room within those boundaries i.e how mr x space marine lived his life. Loads of 40K history is endlessly repeated in new editions seriously if possible try and find the original editions you will see that 40K has really regressed in scope since then.

 

[MrMoustaffa]

You do know there are a finite number of space marine chapters right? like 20 I believe being all based off their patriachs genetic material and that 5 (?) of these have been exterminated during the Horus heresy incident, I also believe all the Eldar craftworlds have been named at one point or another but as for orc clans I have no idea.

Generally 40K is not a creative universe as such its main points are not open to speculation they are hammered out but they do still allow for a lot of room within those boundaries i.e how mr x space marine lived his life. Loads of 40K history is endlessly repeated in new editions seriously if possible try and find the original editions you will see that 40K has really regressed in scope since then.

You're thinking of the original 20 legions that were tens of thousands strong, those got broken up after the Horus Heresy into a ton of smaller chapters that are all about a 1,000 marines strong (give or take, like everything else in 40k, there are exceptions to the rules) This is where everyone is coming up with new chapter ideas for fanfic/ customized armies.

The big place where you see creativity in "new" factions is in Imperial Guard, Orks, and of course, the Space marines. If you dont believe me, go to 1d4chan and type in Space Marines, they have tons of homebrew chapters, some serious, some jokes (like the lovable angry marines) And even though almost all of the Imperial guard's armies are just rip offs of armies from history before now, they all have awesome backstories and unique flavors. Read the Gaunt's Ghost's series for an example at how awesome the Imperial Guard fluff can be.

That being said, I hate how they seem so wishy washy over whats actually cannon, and what is merely "fiction" within the setting. Take what they did with the necrons for example, where at first they were all mindless killing machines, except for a few of the leaders and some insane ones. They were all controlled by C'tan star gods and were united towards a common goal. Now they all have independent factions, personalities, and apparently killed their gods millions of years ago and enslaved them. I'm not saying I dont like it better, I just find it wierd that they'd pull such a 180 with the race like that.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

That being said, I hate how they seem so wishy washy over whats actually cannon, and what is merely "fiction" within the setting. Take what they did with the necrons for example, where at first they were all mindless killing machines, except for a few of the leaders and some insane ones. They were all controlled by C'tan star gods and were united towards a common goal. Now they all have independent factions, personalities, and apparently killed their gods millions of years ago and enslaved them. I'm not saying I dont like it better, I just find it wierd that they'd pull such a 180 with the race like that.

That is called Matt Ward syndrome, wherein an entire factions credibility is destroyed by his retarded codexes.

 

[MrMoustaffa]

That being said, I hate how they seem so wishy washy over whats actually cannon, and what is merely "fiction" within the setting. Take what they did with the necrons for example, where at first they were all mindless killing machines, except for a few of the leaders and some insane ones. They were all controlled by C'tan star gods and were united towards a common goal. Now they all have independent factions, personalities, and apparently killed their gods millions of years ago and enslaved them. I'm not saying I dont like it better, I just find it wierd that they'd pull such a 180 with the race like that.

That is called Matt Ward syndrome, wherein an entire factions credibility is destroyed by his retarded codexes.

\

Oh shit was he the one that wrote it? I dont really play 40k (yet, im saving up cash so I can start an army) although that would deffinitely explain it. I wanted to mention how a lot of people who make custom marine chapters hate him, because he essentially said "all marine chapters think and act like the Ultramarines, no matter what", but I thought it would sound like I was just bringing up Matt Ward so I could bash on him.

I feel very sorry all the sudden for anyone who will be fighting the new, 99% likely to be horribly unbalanced Necrons due to Matt Wards Pantsonhead retardation that is writing. I feel even more sorry for all the Necron fans who will have to put up with it destroying their army's backstories.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

That being said, I hate how they seem so wishy washy over whats actually cannon, and what is merely "fiction" within the setting. Take what they did with the necrons for example, where at first they were all mindless killing machines, except for a few of the leaders and some insane ones. They were all controlled by C'tan star gods and were united towards a common goal. Now they all have independent factions, personalities, and apparently killed their gods millions of years ago and enslaved them. I'm not saying I dont like it better, I just find it wierd that they'd pull such a 180 with the race like that.

That is called Matt Ward syndrome, wherein an entire factions credibility is destroyed by his retarded codexes.

\

Oh shit was he the one that wrote it? I dont really play 40k (yet, im saving up cash so I can start an army) although that would deffinitely explain it. I wanted to mention how a lot of people who make custom marine chapters hate him, because he essentially said "all marine chapters think and act like the Ultramarines, no matter what", but I thought it would sound like I was just bringing up Matt Ward so I could bash on him.

I feel very sorry all the sudden for anyone who will be fighting the new, 99% likely to be horribly unbalanced Necrons due to Matt Wards Pantsonhead retardation that is writing. I feel even more sorry for all the Necron fans who will have to put up with it destroying their army's backstories.

Here's an example of how overpowered the Newcrons will be. They have a new vehcile called the Doom Ark or something, who's main gun acts like a Demolisher Cannon with three times the range. Now, Demolisher cannons are used on close support vehicles, because of their short range and huge, armor piercing blast templates. They basically turned it into an artillery unit.

 

[dimensional]

*snip*

You are indeed correct I was getting my terminology confused I am afraid I dont keep up with modern 40K though as it sort of put me off when they started reducing the codexs to pamphlet size but charging just as much for them. To be honest I do feel like games workshop is not so interested in the lore as the game now even though they are equally important for each other so maybe fanfiction can help here but with the exception of early 40k lore I am generally not interested in it (at the moment).

 

[Loop Stricken]

Haha, never heard of that Necron thing before. Oh dear.

Nope, I just stick with Ciaphas Cain and his entourage of awesome Imperial Guard. Some of whom are lesbians!

 

[WarDialler]

GW are taking the Privateer Press (Hordes/Warmachine) approach to 40k nowadays. it essentially has become "LET'S MAKE EVERYTHING AS UNBLALANCED AS EVERYTHING ELSE THEN IT WILL BE BALANCED AGAIN LOL!". I wish Alessio Calvatore would come back and bitchslap some sense into some people...

Been reading about the new Necrons in WD this morning. I always liked the Necrons becuase they were scary...but flushing it out seems to have detracted from it somewhat. It's like...meh.

 

[TheDooD]

Basically no fanfics about the Emperor being reborn and causing the huge Space Marine vs Inquisition War. GW won't like that very much...

 

[Axammar]

You're thinking of the original 20 legions that were tens of thousands strong, those got broken up after the Horus Heresy into a ton of smaller chapters that are all about a 1,000 marines strong (give or take, like everything else in 40k, there are exceptions to the rules) This is where everyone is coming up with new chapter ideas for fanfic/ customized armies.

In addition to that there are the 2 "Unknown" Legions of Space Marines which I think exist for the same purpose. Neither have been named (only a few hints dropped). Think I read somewhere that these two were left out pretty much for the sole reason of fans creating their own chapters.

 

[Thaluikhain]

That being said, I hate how they seem so wishy washy over whats actually cannon, and what is merely "fiction" within the setting. Take what they did with the necrons for example, where at first they were all mindless killing machines, except for a few of the leaders and some insane ones. They were all controlled by C'tan star gods and were united towards a common goal. Now they all have independent factions, personalities, and apparently killed their gods millions of years ago and enslaved them. I'm not saying I dont like it better, I just find it wierd that they'd pull such a 180 with the race like that.

That is called Matt Ward syndrome, wherein an entire factions credibility is destroyed by his retarded codexes.

To be fair, that existed long before him. The franchise has been consistently going downhill for many years - or at least had been, I finally stopped caring, and stuff like Ward comes up with makes sure I don't come back.

I remember the good old days, when just introducing the C'tan or the Tau was seen as some of the worst things GW had ever done to 40k...how naive we all were back then.

 

[TheDooD]

Basically no fanfics about the Emperor being reborn and causing the huge Space Marine vs Inquisition War. GW won't like that very much...

Or fanfics about the God Emperor leaving his throne to make many babies with Eldar women while drinking mountain dew and eating cheetos.

Or about Space marines allying with necrons... *cough*matt ward*cough*

If the God Emperor wants to ravage Eldar women, while eating cheetos and drinking mountain dew. He can damn well do it, we won't question it and we'll make it a holy day as well. FOR THE EMPEROR!!!!

 

[Thaluikhain]

If the God Emperor wants to ravage Eldar women, while eating cheetos and drinking mountain dew. He can damn well do it, we won't question it and we'll make it a holy day as well. FOR THE EMPEROR!!!!

What?! You'd listen to this deceiver spreading lies about the God-Emperor!

I'll rally a massive army with crap force balance and no logistics to wipe you out, and then fall to fighting amongst itself over exactly how He doesn't do this.

 

[roostuf]

as long as it doesn't mess with the fluff and is an isolated incident, its fine.

 

[archvile93]

You do know there are a finite number of space marine chapters right? like 20 I believe being all based off their patriachs genetic material and that 5 (?) of these have been exterminated during the Horus heresy incident, I also believe all the Eldar craftworlds have been named at one point or another but as for orc clans I have no idea.

Generally 40K is not a creative universe as such its main points are not open to speculation they are hammered out but they do still allow for a lot of room within those boundaries i.e how mr x space marine lived his life. Loads of 40K history is endlessly repeated in new editions seriously if possible try and find the original editions you will see that 40K has really regressed in scope since then.

You're thinking of the original 20 legions that were tens of thousands strong, those got broken up after the Horus Heresy into a ton of smaller chapters that are all about a 1,000 marines strong (give or take, like everything else in 40k, there are exceptions to the rules) This is where everyone is coming up with new chapter ideas for fanfic/ customized armies.

The big place where you see creativity in "new" factions is in Imperial Guard, Orks, and of course, the Space marines. If you dont believe me, go to 1d4chan and type in Space Marines, they have tons of homebrew chapters, some serious, some jokes (like the lovable angry marines) And even though almost all of the Imperial guard's armies are just rip offs of armies from history before now, they all have awesome backstories and unique flavors. Read the Gaunt's Ghost's series for an example at how awesome the Imperial Guard fluff can be.

That being said, I hate how they seem so wishy washy over whats actually cannon, and what is merely "fiction" within the setting. Take what they did with the necrons for example, where at first they were all mindless killing machines, except for a few of the leaders and some insane ones. They were all controlled by C'tan star gods and were united towards a common goal. Now they all have independent factions, personalities, and apparently killed their gods millions of years ago and enslaved them. I'm not saying I dont like it better, I just find it wierd that they'd pull such a 180 with the race like that.

My favorite homebrew chapter are the reasonable marines, the only chapter to have access to that mysterious and borderline heretical power known as common sense.