Horus Heresy

This article is about the fictional event. For the series of novels, see Horus Heresy (novels). For the collectible card game, see Horus Heresy (card game).

In the fictional, far-future Warhammer 40,000 universe created by Games Workshop, the Horus Heresy was a relatively short but devastating galaxy-spanning civil war that engulfed the Imperium of Man in the 31st millennium. First described in the 1988 publication Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness, it has since then been used as the background for the original Adeptus Titanicus (1988) and Space Marine (1989) epic-scale games. By providing a justification for intra-Imperial warfare, it spared the effort to include different armies in the basic game boxes. The Horus Heresy story has become a major in-universe component, and it has come into its own as a brand and product line for Games Workshop and its affiliates.

Setting

In the developing Warhammer 40,000 back-story, by the 30th millennium the Emperor of Mankind, founder and head of the newly constituted Imperium of Man, had become a major proponent of Order in the Milky Way, and one of the most formidable enemies of Chaos and its forces. After consolidating his rule on Terra (Earth), and genetically engineering Legions of superhuman warriors (the Space Marines) he embarked early in the 31st millennium on a so-called Great Crusade. The objective was to unify the millions of human colonies scattered throughout the galaxy under an Imperial Truth of science and reason, and against religion and superstition – by extension weakening the influence of Chaos on Humanity and on its continuing evolution. Promoting the notions of Order and Truth from a strictly human perspective as put forth by the Emperor, the Imperium declared the Milky Way to be the exclusive, rightful domain of Humanity, and a part of humankind's Manifest Destiny.

In the expeditions to the stars, while the Emperor was overall commander, the Space Marine Legions and the rest of the Imperial military forces eventually came to be lead by his genetically-engineered progeny, a group of twenty so-called Primarchs, who were in every aspect even mightier than Space Marines.

Outline

Causes

More than two standard (Terran) centuries into the Great Crusade, the Emperor made Horus Lupercal, his most trusted and versatile Primarch, Warmaster (commander-in-chief) of his armed forces and overall leader of the Crusade. The Emperor left the Crusade and returned to Terra to continue his top-secret work regarding Imperial access to the Eldar Webway, relegating the overall administration of the Imperium to a civilian authority, the Council of Terra. These actions exacerbated existing tensions among some of the other Primarchs, especially those who felt slighted by other decisions of the Emperor or had grievances against their brothers.

Horus became the target of a conspiracy planned by the Chaos gods and executed by their allies and minions. It involved his near-fatal injury and supposed healing; both events were designed to make Horus susceptible to the influence of Chaos and lead to his eventual corruption. He turned traitor against the Emperor and the Imperium, ultimately leading eight other Primarchs, as well as their Legions and other forces, in war against the Imperium; the betrayal and campaign became known as the Horus Heresy. Most of those who turned against the Emperor became, or already were, corrupted by Chaos.

Conflict and resolution

Horus engaged in subterfuge and secretly contravened Imperial orders, or issued orders designed to weaken and disperse the Loyalist forces. Then, in the first open move of the Heresy campaign, he succeeded in culling from the ranks of the Traitor Legions the individual units and personnel that were still loyal to the Emperor. During the opening stage of the campaign, the Imperial side is shown to have been beset by poor intelligence, its leaders stunned or in denial when faced with the enormity of events.

The next stage, expertly directed by Horus and his staff, involved the massacre of three Loyalist Legions that were sent by the Imperium (along with other Legions that had secretly turned Traitor) to crush the rebellion. Following this action, the rebels made their way to the Sol (Solar) System; after a brutal in-system space battle, they managed to make planetfall on Terra and to lay siege to the Imperial Palace.

Horus was finally killed in single combat with his creator, while the Emperor himself was nearly fatally wounded in the same action. The death of Horus lead to disarray among the invading Traitors, whose campaign was by that time also threatened by imminent Loyalist reinforcements, and they hastily retreated. The Battle for Terra, and the whole Horus Heresy campaign, was effectively over.

Aftermath

Although the Heresy campaign lasted less than a standard decade, it was devastating in its scale, and the Imperium's victory came at great cost. A long and often violent period of "cleansing" the Imperium from Traitors and of rebuilding its institutions took place following the end of the Heresy, while the Traitor forces fled to a Chaos dominion known as the Eye of Terror. There, they created their own empires, and have continued to harry the Imperium ever since.

The losses in talent, knowledge, manpower, and territory precipitated by the conflict caused a prolonged period of cultural, political, and technological stagnation and regression in the Imperium. As for the Emperor, his dessicated physical form has since the Heresy been kept in a moribund state thanks to a technological marvel known as the Golden Throne, and he is only able to express himself psychically.

Relevance

The Horus Heresy is positioned as a significant component of the Warhammer 40,000 canon. In the current "GrimDark" Warhammer 40,000 background (ten millennia after the end of the Heresy), the continuing Imperial stagnation and regression is one of the major themes, and events related to or caused by the Heresy form the basis for much of the present context.

The Crusade-era Imperial Truth has been subverted into the Imperial Creed, the Imperium's official proclamation of the moribund Emperor as the "God of Mankind" and its only savior. Buffeted by constant xenos (alien) invasions, rebellions, heresies, and Chaos plots, the Rulers of the Imperium have decreed that only unquestioning faith in the Emperor's Divinity, and total obedience to Imperial Authority, can keep the tottering edifice of the Imperium from collapsing – an event that according to the authorities, will surely be followed by the extinction of Humankind. Thanks to official repression and censorship, by the 41st millennium few Imperial citizens consider the bulk of the Horus Heresy to be anything more than allegory or myth, and even fewer know its true history and causes.

Characters

Legions Astartes

Dark Angels (I Legion)

• Lion El'Jonson – Primarch
• Luther – Chief Officer
• Zahariel – Junior Librarian, 22nd Chapter
• Israfael – Chief Librarian
• Sar Hadariel – Chapter Master, 22nd Chapter
• Damas – Company Master, 22nd Chapter
• Nemiel – Member of the 22nd Chapter
• Eliath – Member of the 22nd Chapter
• Attias – Member of the 22nd Chapter
• Midris - Marine

Emperor's Children (III Legion)

• Fulgrim – Primarch
• Eidolon – Lord Commander
• Vespasian – Lord Commander
• Fabius Bile – Apothecary
• Charmosian – Chaplain, Eighteenth Company
• Ancient Rylanor – Dreadnaught
• Julius Kaesoron – First Captain
• Lycon – Equrry to Julius Kaesoron
• Solomon Demeter – Captain, Second Company
• Gaius Caphen – Sergeant, Second Company
• Marius Vairsean – Captain, Third Company
• Saul Tarvitz – Captain, Tenth Company
• Lucius – Captain, Thirteenth Company
• Odovalar – Captain, Standard Bearer
• Lemuel Aizel – Captain, Pride Of The Emperor
• Thestis – Standard Bearer
• Theolonius – Second Company
• Charosian – Sergeant, Second Company
• Fulgerion – Sergeant
• Kaitheron – Sergeant
• Raetherin – Sergeant
• Xiandor – Captain
• Tyrion – Captain
• Anteus – Captain
• Hellespon – Captain
• Scetherin – Loyalist marine
• Solathen – Squad Nasicae, Loyalist marine
• Mathridon – Loyalist marine

Iron Warriors (IV Legion)

• Perturabo – Primarch

White Scars (V Legion)

• Jhagati Khan – Primarch
• Shang Khan – Leader of White Scars Expeditionary Force
• Kurgis – Battle-Brother of the Seventh Company

Space Wolves (VI Legion)

• Leman Russ – Primarch
• Brynngar Sturmdreng – Captain, Wolf Guard
• Rujveld - Blood Claw
• Yorl - Blood Claw
• Borund - Blood Claw
• Elfyarl - Blood Claw
• Vorik - Blood Claw
• Svonfeld - Blood Claw

Imperial Fists (VII Legion)

• Rogal Dorn – Primarch
• Sigismund – First Captain
• Efried – Captain, 3rd Company
• Tyr – Captain, 6th Company
• Halbrecht – Captain, The Phalanx
• Alexis Polux – Captain
• Yonnad – Captain
• Camba-Diaz - Captain

Night Lords (VIII Legion)

• Konrad Curze – Primarch

Blood Angels (IX Legion)

• Sanguinius – Primarch
• Raldoron – Chapter Master

Iron Hands (X Legion)

• Ferrus Manus – Primarch
• Gabriel Santor – First Captain
• Captai Balhaan – Captain of the Ferrum
• Axarden – Gunnery Officer on the Ferrum
• Diederik – Iron Father
• Gebren - Techmarine

World Eaters (XII Legion)

• Angron – Primarch
• Skraal – Captain
• Khârn – Captain, 8th Assault Company
• Ehrlen – Captain
• Fleiste – Sergeant
• Wronde – Sergeant
• Rogath - Sergeant
• Wrathe – Veteran
• Hargrath - Marine
• Kellock - Marine
• Orlak - Marine

Ultramarines (XIII Legion)

• Roboute Guilliman – Primarch
• Hektor - Captain
• Lysimachus Cestus – Captain and Fleet Commander of 7th Company
• Atiges – Honor Guard, 7th Company
• Saphrax – Honor Guard Standard Bearer, 7th Company
• Laeradis – Honor Guard Apothecary, 7th Company
• Lexinal - Honor Guard, 7th Company
• Pytaron - Honor Guard, 7th Company
• Excelinor - Honor Guard, 7th Company
• Morar - Honor Guard, 7th Company
• Amyrx - Honor Guard, 7th Company
• Thestor - Honor Guard, 7th Company
• Polonin - Techmarine

Death Guard (XIV Legion)

• Mortarion – Primarch
• Calas Typhon – First Captain
• Ignatius Grulgor – Commander, Second Company
• Ullis Temetor – Captain, Fourth Company
• Nathaniel Garro – Battle-Captain, Seventh Company
• Andus Haker – Veteran Sergeant, Seventh Company
• Meric Voyen – Apothecary, Seventh Company
• Tollen Sendik – Seventh Company
• Pyr Rahl – Seventh Company
• Solun Decius – Seventh Company
• Kaleb Arin – Housecarl to Battle-Captain Garro
• Huron-Fal – Dreadnaught
• Brother Mokyr – Second Company

Thousand Sons (XV Legion)

• Magnus the Red – Primarch
• Ahzek Ahriman – Chief Librarian
• Mhotep – Sergeant, Captain of the Waning Mooon

Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus/Black Legion (XVI Legion)

• Horus Lupercal – Warmaster, Primarch of Luna Wolves
• Maloghurst "The Twisted" – Equerry to the Warmaster
• Ezekyle Abaddon – First Captain
• Tarik Torgaddon – Captain, Second Company
• Iacton "The Half-Heard" Qruze – Captain, Third Company
• Haster Sejanus – Captain, Forth Company
• Horus "Little Horus" Aximand – Captain, Fifth Company
• Serghar Targost – Lodge Master and Captain, Seventh Company
• Garviel Loken – Captain, Tenth Company
• Nero Vipus – Sergeant, Locasta Squad, Tenth Company
• Casto – Member of Locasta Squad, Tenth Company
• Xavyer Jubal – Sergeant, Hellebore Squad, Tenth Company
• Luc Sedirae – Captain, Thirteenth Company
• Tybalt "The Either" Marr – Captain, Eighteenth Company
• Verulam "The Or" Moy – Captain, Nineteenth Company
• Lev Goshen – Captain, Twenty-Fifth Company
• Falkus "Widowmaker" Kibre – Captain, Justaerin Terminator Squad
• Kalus Ekaddon – Captain, Catulan Reaver Squad
• Vaddon – Apothecary
• Lachost – Sergeant, Loyalist marine

Word Bearers (XVII Legion)

• Lorgar – Primarch
• Erebus – First Chaplain
• Kor Phaeron – First Captain
• Sor Talgron - Lord Commander
• Argel Tal – Captain and Lord of the Crimson Guard
• Faerskarel - Chapter Master, Chapter Of The Opening Eye
• Deinos - Chapter Master, Chapter Of The Burning Hand
• Rukis - Chapter Master, Chapter Of The Crimson Mask
• Skolinthos - Chapter Master, Ebony Serpent Chapter
• Tenaebron - Chapter Master, Chapter Of The Void
• Zadkiel – Fleet Captain
• Baelanos - Assault-Captain
• Ikthalon - Chaplain
• Reskiel - Sergeant-Commander
• Malforian - Weapon Master, Furious Abyss
• Ultis - Marine
• Grazious - Sergeant
• Vorkan - Marine
• Karhadax - Marine
• Eradan - Marine

Salamanders (XVIII Legion)

• Vulkan – Primarch
• T'Kell - Techmarine
• Straken - Astratus representative to Mars

Raven Guard (XIX Legion)

• Corax – Primarch

Alpha Legion (XX Legion)

• Alparius – Primarch
• Omegon – Primarch, Lord of Effrit Stealth Squad
• Ingo Pech – First Captain
• (Ma)Thias Herzog – Captain, Second Company
• Sheed Ranko – Captain, Lernaean Terminator Squad

Imperial forces

Administration of Terra

• The Emperor - Beloved by all
• Malcador - The Sigillite, Regent Of Terra
• Vardus Praal – Governor of Isstvan III
• Ormand Braxton – Emissary of the Administration of Terra
• Lord Governnor Elect Harlad Furt – Overseer of the Sarosh territories
• Falkman - Station Master, Vangelis Space Port

Imperial Army

• Hektor Varvarus – Lord Commander of the Army, 63rd Expedition
• Thaddeus Fayle – Lord Commander of the Army, 28th Expedition
• Teng Namatjira – Lord Commander of the Army, 670th Expedition
• Sri Vedt – Uxor Primus (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Honen Mu – Uxor (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Nefferti – Uxor Aide to Honen Mu (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Jhani – Uxor Aide to Honen Mu (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Tiphain – Uxor Aide to Honen Mu (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Leeli – Uxor Aide to Honen Mu (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Erikah – Uxor Aide to Honen Mu (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Rukhsana Saiid – Uxor (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Tuvi – Uxor Aide to Rukhsana Saiid (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Sanzi – Uxor (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Ida – Senior Medicae (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Koslov – Brigadier (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Hurtado Bronzi – Hetman (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Kaido Pius – Hetman (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Peto Soneka – Hetman (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Franco Boone – Genewhip (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Roke – Genewhip (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Pharon – Genewhip (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Lon – Bashaw (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Tche – Bashaw (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Strabo – Bashaw (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Shah – Bashaw (Geno Five-Two Chiliad)
• Nitin Dev – Major General (Zanzibari Hort)
• Kolmec – Bajour (Zanzibari Hort)
• Lec Tanhu – Subahdar (Zanzibari Hort)
• Dinas Chayne – Bajolur-Captain (Lucifer Blacks)
• Eiman – Companion (Lucifer Blacks)
• Belloc – Companion (Lucifer Blacks)
• Wilde – Lord (Crescent-Sind Sixth Torrent)
• Khedive Ismail Shehard – (Outremars)
• Thuner – Bajolur (Outremars)
• Gan Karsh – General (Regnault Thorns)
• Cherikar – Dynast (Regnault Thorns)
• Lofar – Tribune to Dynast Cherikar (Regnault Thorns)

Imperial Navy

• Boas Comnenus – Master Of The Fleet, 63rd Expedition
• Ing Mae Sing – Mistress Of Astropaths, 63rd Expedition
• Erfa Hine Sweq Chorogus – High Senior of the Navis Nobilite
• Cistor – Master Of Astropaths, 52nd Expedition
• Mathanual August – Master Of The Fleet, 140th Expedition
• Baryk Carya – Shipmaster of the frigate Eisenstein
• Racel Vought – Executive Officer of the frigate Eisenstein
• Tirin Maas – Vox Officer of the frigate Eisenstein
• Captain Stenius – Captain of the Invincible Reason
• Mistress Argenta – Fleet Astropath, Invincible Reason
• Ivan Cervantes - Helmsmaster, Fist of Macragge
• Jan Van Aunger – Master of the Fleet, 670th Expedition
• Sarkorov - Helmsmistress, Furious Abyss
• Esthemya - Navigator, Furious Abyss
• Kyrszan - Astropath, Furious Abyss
• Cronos - Navigator, Waning Moon
• Ramket - Helms-Mate, Waning Moon
• Ammon - Enginerering Helms-Mate, Waning Moon
• Kytan - Master Gunner, Waning Moon
• Lothek - Petty Officer, Waning Moon

Saturnine Navy

• Kaminska – Rear Admiral of the Saturnine Fleet (flagship Wrathful)
• Athena Venkmyer - Helmsmistress, Wrathful
• Lodan Kant - Helms-Mate, Wrathful
• Orcadus - Navagator, Wrathful
• Castellan - Master of Ordnance, Wrathful
• Korbad Heth - Chiel Astropath, Wrathfull
• Huntsman - Officer of the Watch, Wrathful
• Ulargo - Captain of the Fireblade
• Lo Thulaga - Captain of the Ferox
• Vorgas - Captain of the Ferocious
• Abrax Vann - Captain of the Fearless
• Vorlov - Captain of the Boundless
• Artemis - Flight Control, Boundless
• Carnagan Thall - Fighter Pilot Second-Class, Boundless
• Rugal - Fighter Co-Pilot, Boundless
• Carina Scell - Fighter Weapons Officer, Boundless

Oblivion Knights

• Amindera Kendel – Oblivion Knight, Storm Dagger Witchseeker Squad
• Sister Thessaly – Oblivion Knight

Remembrancers (Historians and war artists of the Crusade)

• Kyril Sindermann – Primary Iterator (spokesperson & propagandist)
• Mersadie Oliton – Documentarist (historian)
• Euphrati Keeler – Imagist (photographer)
• Ignace Karkasy – Poet
• Petronella Vivar – Documentarist
• Peeter Egon Momus – Architect
• Petronella Vivar – Documentarist, Palatina Mojoria of House Carpinus
• Serena D'Angelus – Artist and Imagist
• Bequa Kynska – Composer and Harmonist
• Ostian Delafour – Sculptor
• Coraline Aseneca – Theatrical Performer
• Leopold Cadmus – Poet
• Evander Tobias – Archivist of The Pride of the Emperor
• Rhianna Sorel – Composer and Harmonist
• Tannhaut - Remembrancer
• Edwimor - Poet
• Leland Rogert - Painter
• Jeacon Poul - Composer

The Mechanicum and the Titan Legions

Martian Mechanicum

• Kelbor-Hal - Fabricator General, Forge Master of Olympus Mons
• Kane - Fabricator Locum of Mars, Forge Master of Mondus Occulum
• Lachine - Magos-Apprenta to Kane
• Urtzi Malevolus - Forge Master of Mars
• Lukas Chrom - Forge Master of Mondus Gamma
• Regulus – Adept, Mechanicum representative of the 63rd Expedition
• Remiare - Tech-Priest Assassin, Sisters Of Cydonia
• Melgator - Ambassador, Mechanicum Representative to Terra
• Ipluvien Maximal - Forge Master of Mars
• Koriel Zeth - High Adept, Mistress of the Magma City
• Kantor Polk - Magos-Apprenta to High Adept Zeth
• Dalia Cythera - Transcribor in the service of High Adept Zeth
• Zouche Chahaya - Machinist in the service of High Adept Zeth
• Severine Deimar - Schematic Draughter in the service of High Adept Zeth
• Mellicin Oster - Technical Overseer in the service of High Adept Zeth
• Caxton Torgau - Component Assembler in the service of High Adept Zeth
• Rhu-Mu 31 - Protector in the service of High Adept Zeth
• Jonas Milus - Empath in the service of High Adept Zeth
• Semyon - Adept of Mars
• Fortran Quinux - Prospector & former Skitarii
• Jiago - High Adept, Tycho Brahe Ammunition Storage
• Ulterimus - Adept
• Ravachol - Adept
• Ludd - Adept
• Lascu - Adept
• Xanthus – Adept
• Epsulon - Adept
• Pallas Ravachol - Adept
• Mattias Kefra - Magos
• Ahotep - High Magos
• Rueon Villnarus - Adept
• Godolph - Magos
• Chevain - Magos
• Prenzlaur - Adept
• Las Taol - Warlord of Mars
• Gureod - Adept, Mechanicum representative on the Furious Abyss

Legio Tempestus

• Indias Cavelerio, The Stormlord - Princeps, Commander of the Warlord class titan Victorix Magma
• Palus - Sensori, Warlord class titan Victorix Magma
• Kuyper - Moderati, Warlord class titan Victorix Magma
• Lacus - Steersman, Warlord class titan Victorix Magma
• Magos Argyre - Engineer, Warlord class titan Victorix Magma
• Vlad Suzak - Princeps, Commander of the Warlord class titan Tharsis Hastatus
• Jan Mordant - Princeps, Commander of the Reaver class titan Arcadia Fortis
• Sharaq - Princeps, Commander of the Reaver class titan Metallus Cebrenia
• Dolun - Sensori, Reaver class titan Metallus Cebrenia
• Bannan - Moderati, Reaver class titan Metallus Cebrenia
• Adept Eskund - Engineer, Reaver class titan Metallus Cebrenia
• Basek - Princeps, Commander of the Warhound class titan Vipus Rex
• Kasim - Princeps, Commander of the Warhound class titan Raptoria
• Vorich - Moderati, Warhound class titan Raptoria
• Lamnos - Princeps, Commander of the Warhound class titan Astrus Lux
• Zem Aeschman - Commander of the Legio Tempertus Skitarii Martian Divisions
• Maximus Karania - Princeps
• Agathe - Famulous to Princeps Cavelerio

Legio Mortis

• Camulos - Princeps, Commander of the titan Aquila Ignis
• Titus Cassar – Moderati Primus of the titan Dies Irae
• Jonah Aruken – Moderati Primus of the titan Dies Irae
• Esau Turnet – Princeps, Commander of the titan Dies Irae

Legio Xerxes

• Amon Jeveth – Princeps

Legio Destructor

• Graine - Princeps

Knights of Tarsis

• Taymon Verticorda - Lord Commander, Rider of Ares Lictor
• Catorix - Lord Commander, Rider of Gladus Fulman
• Preceptor "Old" Stator - Rider of Fortis Metallum
• Raf Maven - Rider of Equitos Bellum
• Leopold Cronus - Rider of Pax Mortis
• Yelsic - Rider
• Agamon - Rider
• Gentran - Rider

Death Bolts

• Maxen Vledig - Grand Master

Death Stalkers

• Ulriche - Princeps Senioris

Other humans

The Order

• Master Ramiel – Training Master of The Order
• Lord Cypher – Guardian of the Order's traditions
• Sar Amadis – The Hero of Maponis, Battle Knight of the Order

Miscellaneous

• Cyrene – The Blessed Lady
• Jephta Naud – General Commander, the armies of the Interex
• Diath Shehn – Abbrocarius
• Mithras Tull – Subordinate Commander, the armies of the Interex
• Maggard – Bodyguard to Petronella Vivar
• Akshum – Lodge Princess, Leader of the Lodge of the Serpent
• Tsi Rekh – Davinite liaison
• Tsepha – Davinite cultist
• Lord Sartana – Master of the Knights of Lupus
• Lord High Exalter – Leader of the Saroshi Bureaucracy
• Dusan – Saroshi Exegetist
• Den Dang Kegat Shere – Pyrokine working for the Alpha Legion
• Kalamar - Aide to Mhotep of the Thousand Sons
• John Grammaticus (aka Konig Heniker) – Cabal Agent

Xenos

• Eldrad Ulthran – Eldar, Farseer of Ulthwé
• Khiraen Goldhelm – Eldar, Wraithlord of Ulthwé
• Asherot – Indentured Kinebrach, Keeper of Devices (Interex)
• Gahat – Member of The Cabal
• Slau Dha – Member of The Cabal
• G'Latrro – Member of The Cabal

Expansion and continuity

Following the original introduction of the Heresy to the Warhammer 40,000 canon in 1988, the product line expanded with additions in several areas, such as gaming, literature, and art. These were set in the Heresy time period (30,000 AD), as opposed to the circa 40,000 AD era of most Warhammer 40,000 material.

Additions to the Heresy are not necessarily in chronological sequence as far as the storyline is concerned, and the overall narrative across all areas is non-linear; it may include events presented from different perspectives, and gaps that may presumably be filled in the future.

In some cases newer material introduced in the games, art, and literature, has led to continuity conflicts with the older material. The information provided in the ongoing (as of 2012) novel series is generally assumed to be canonical and superseding the older material.

Literature

Literature regarding the Horus Heresy has included additions in several formats and media, created by various authors from the Black Library. As of 2012 it included novels, audio dramas, short stories, and novellas. Additionally, there are special editions, such as anniversary editions or collector's editions, as well as bundle offers.

Novelization

Main article: Horus Heresy (novels)

In the novel series, an initial scene-setting trilogy featured the Luna Wolves Space Marine Legion, and portrayed the fall of their Primarch (the Warmaster Horus), and the beginning of the Heresy. The overall narrative was then expanded to include the actions of other Legions in the war and the role of various Imperial organisations and individuals. As of January 2012 the series has only covered up to the period where the Traitor forces are ready to start the journey to Terra in the timeline of the Heresy.

Most novels have been published in multiple media: in print, as ebooks, and as either abridged or unabridged audiobooks. The print editions are listed below.

1. Horus Rising – Dan Abnett – April 2006
2. False Gods – Graham McNeill – June 2006
3. Galaxy in Flames – Ben Counter – October 2006
4. The Flight of the Eisenstein – James Swallow – March 2007
5. Fulgrim – Graham McNeill – July 2007
6. Descent of Angels – Mitchel Scanlon – October 2007
7. Legion – Dan Abnett – March 2008
8. Battle for the Abyss – Ben Counter – August 2008
9. Mechanicum – Graham McNeill – December 2008
10. Tales of Heresy – Compilation. Nick Kyme & Lindsey Priestley (editors) – April 2009
11. Fallen Angels – Mike Lee – July 2009
12. A Thousand Sons – Graham McNeill – March 2010
13. Nemesis – James Swallow – August 2010
14. The First Heretic – Aaron Dembski-Bowden – November 2010
15. Prospero Burns – Dan Abnett – January 2011
16. The Age of Darkness – Compilation. Christian Dunn (editor) – May 2011
17. The Outcast Dead – Graham McNeill – November 2011
18. Deliverance Lost – Gav Thorpe – January 2012

A Thousand Sons and Prospero Burns are part of the same story arc, from the viewpoints of two opposing Legions of Space Marines. Descent of Angels and Fallen Angels are two parts of a trilogy that includes a third book not in the above list.

As of January 2012 the following future additions to the series have been officially announced:

• Know No Fear – Dan Abnett – March 2012
• The Primarchs – Compilation. Christian Dunn (editor) – June 2012
• Fear to Tread – James Swallow – September 2012
• Shadows of Treachery – Compilation. Christian Dunn (editor) – October 2012

Audio dramas

• The Dark King and The Lightning Tower – Graham McNeill and Dan Abnett respectively, Danny Webb narrates both; released as a single package – June 2008
• Raven’s Flight – Gav Thorpe, Toby Longworth (narrator) – February 2010
• Garro: Oath of Moment – James Swallow, Toby Longworth (narrator) – December 2010
• Garro: Legion of One – James Swallow, Toby Longworth (narrator) – April 2011

As of January 2012 the following future additions have been officially announced:

• Butcher's Nails – Aaron Dembski-Bowden – June 2012
• Garro: Sword of Truth – James Swallow – December 2012

Short stories

• "Death of a Silversmith" – Graham McNeill. Included in the limited-edition compilation Games Day Anthology 2011, edited by Nick Kyme – September 2011

Special and bundled editions

• Horus Rising – Dan Abnett (5th anniversary edition) – April 2011
• Promethean Sun – Nick Kyme. Novella (Collector's Edition) – May 2011
• Aurelian – Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Novella (Collector's Edition) – October 2011
• Limited Edition Horus Heresy Audio Boxset – Dan Abnett, Ben Counter, Graham McNeill. Audio compilation of the opening trilogy, Martyn Ellis (narrator) – November 2011
• Xmas 2011 Horus Heresy eBundle – Series authors. The first 17 Horus Heresy novels in an ebook edition bundle, one of several bundle editions offered – November 2011

Art

Illustrations and images related to the story have been published in art books. The novels' cover art has been separately released in A2-size poster format.

Art books

• The Horus Heresy: Collected Visions – Allan Merret – June 2007

Posters

• "The Outcast Dead" (cover art) – Neil Roberts – November 2011

Gaming

The war is also the focus of both board and card games.

Board games

• Horus Heresy – Wargame by Games Workshop, centers on the Heresy's endgame, the Battle for Terra – 1993

• Horus Heresy – Released by Fantasy Flight Games, this is a reworking of the 1993 original – 2010

Card game

• Horus Heresy – Collectible card game produced by Sabertooth Games – 2003

Bibliography

• Games Workshop Design Staff (2002). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Chaos Space Marines (1st ed.). Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-322-5. 
• King, William (April 2002). "Assault on Holy Terra". White Dwarf (Games Workshop) (268). (Australian ed.). 
• "Index Astartes – The Death Guard". White Dwarf (Games Workshop) (265). January 2002. (Australian ed.). 
• Priestley, Rick & Chambers, Andy (1993). Warhammer 40,000 Codex Imperialis (2nd ed.). Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. 
• Abnett, Dan (2006). Horus rising. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-294-X. 
• McNeill, Graham (2006). False Gods. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-370-9. 
• Counter, Ben (2006). Galaxy in flames. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-393-8. 
• Swallow, James (2007). The flight of the Eisenstein. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-459-4. 
• McNeill, Graham (2007). Fulgrim. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-476-4. 
• Scanlon, Mitchel (2007). Descent of Angels. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-508-6. 
• Abnett, Dan (2008). Legion. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-536-1. 
• Counter, Ben (2008). Battle for the Abyss. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-549-0. 
• McNeill, Graham (2008). Mechanicum. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-664-3. 

External links

• The Horus Heresy at TV Tropes
• Horus Heresy (1993 boardgame), Horus Heresy (2010 boardgame) and Horus Heresy (CCG) at BoardGameGeek