Upcoming BL Stuff 2026

[hd3]

10 hours ago, darkhorse0607 said:

 

Again want to state my like for the cover. The first three weren't my thing, but this Id rate higher than the original 

 

 

Yeah I definitely prefer the new ones if only because they all bring greater specificity. The original covers from Horus to Eisenstein were all just generic space marines without even the correct colours in most. Though I'm trying to remember WHEN did garro leave exactly? Was it before the bombardment? During the battle? Its been so long since I read it I need to check. 

[Nagashsnee]

3 hours ago, wecanhaveallthree said:

 

Nagashnee, I understand that emotions run high, but you have just been explicitly warned about exactly this. Please edit your post to remove this sociopolitical commentary and other rule-breaking behaviour. Otherwise, I will have no recourse but to report you to the relevant authorities (and Roomsky).

If we cant talk about and explore the cover of the novel, there is little point in posting the cover of the novel. If we cant talk about feudal customs, there is  little point in taking about a book taking place around customs on a knight world. Especially as hd3 pointed out the cover and the story description is LITERALLY about someone claiming their dynastic birthright and based on the cover i assume being crowned something or the other in the end. 

 

See the core issue and one that i truly find fascinating is that the imperium IS STILL making knights. So throne mechanicums with no prior experience or spirits are coming off the factory line.  The imperium and the mechanicum is also still settling worlds, and some of those are chosen to be forge worlds, agri worlds, factory worlds and some KNIGHT worlds. Then of course you have mechanicum knight houses and bases and maybe even worlds.  Heck there is a knight house on the howling griffons astartes home world.  A world the marines keep in a state of constant warfare on purpose to farm recruits from.  How would a feudal aristocracy react to a constant outside force starting conflicts with the sole purpose of having the population kill each other? Can you even have a feudal system in such conditions?  What would the political structure....oh wait no no topics. 

 

So there is nothing stopping a new knight house being democratic (democracy does exist in 40k), or non feudal parliamentary monarchy, or ANY other type of goverment. It also means that the well knightly culture of a knight house is not nature (as we know not all houses have it) but nurture.  Sure the thrones push certain character traits....unless they dont like in house tarranis, which also gets new knights, so Mars at least can make knights WITHOUT any character changing side effects (which depending on source is either no one get this tech, or else its just super duper rare).  Also the throne takes between decades and centuries (again source depending) to start making enough of a dent for cultural changes. And of course the mechanicum houses exist which are just a WHOLE different set of worms. 

 

The warhammer CENTRIC point, is that there is no lore reason a knight household has to have 1)feudal nature, 2) much in the way of medieval feudal character 3) dynastic politics. Like space marines and ultramarines or imperial guard and cadians MOST will be like that (tho just how many mech houses exist in the lore vs what they push mini wise is a question). But between the codex standard making of a marine  and throwing kids in blood filled coffins to make angels, oceans lie.  If however we talk about the classic feudal world knights, then we will talk about feudalism, serfdom, class systems and knightly traditions.  Or we might as well not talk about it. 

 

Which is where it gets complicated, cause things like feudalism and knighthood ARE complicated, they are also very different dependent on place and time period one is refrencing while talking about them. And as BL engages more non British/ do actual research/ want to explore themes not just pew pew  authors we will get different perspectives on these which are and this is the key part EQUALLY valid.  And a huge part of the fan of warhammer for me is exploring these things.  Plus classism, monarchies, the role of the rich and in built aristocracy are all very very much still active modern day topics. If anyone should know this its the British. 

 

So how do we talk about a book on a faction where the chair you sit on CHANGES your identity without discusing identity? On feudal/knight rituals without refering to well....feudal/knight rituals? On a persons view of themselves and how they want to be refered to when their life resolves around straping into a chair that changes your sence of self?...sometimes...depending on the house....on the culture...and how old you suit/house/planet is.....

 

So report away is what i am saying. I want to talk about Imperial Knights. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Krelious]

17 hours ago, grailkeeper said:

Leaving aside the issues Brother Tyler has ruled on, and which I won't revisit. The main character of the new knight novel look like they took a fair bit of inspiration from the Joker. Pale skin, black eye make up, chelsea smile facial scars.

 

It's a bit of a  "We live in a society" coded look.

 

Do you see it too?

 

Its like I never expected the attack helicopter meme to become a reality in warhammer 40k but i can guess thats going to be part of the book. 

"On all levels except physical, I am a 40 ft tall knight robot, mom!" "As long as you purge the heretics I don't care what you call yourself."

[Scribe]

4 hours ago, Nagashsnee said:

If we cant talk about and explore the cover of the novel, there is little point in posting the cover of the novel. If we cant talk about feudal customs, there is  little point in taking about a book taking place around customs on a knight world. Especially as hd3 pointed out the cover and the story description is LITERALLY about someone claiming their dynastic birthright and based on the cover i assume being crowned something or the other in the end. 

 

See the core issue and one that i truly find fascinating is that the imperium IS STILL making knights. So throne mechanicums with no prior experience or spirits are coming off the factory line.  The imperium and the mechanicum is also still settling worlds, and some of those are chosen to be forge worlds, agri worlds, factory worlds and some KNIGHT worlds. Then of course you have mechanicum knight houses and bases and maybe even worlds.  Heck there is a knight house on the howling griffons astartes home world.  A world the marines keep in a state of constant warfare on purpose to farm recruits from.  How would a feudal aristocracy react to a constant outside force starting conflicts with the sole purpose of having the population kill each other? Can you even have a feudal system in such conditions?  What would the political structure....oh wait no no topics. 

 

So there is nothing stopping a new knight house being democratic (democracy does exist in 40k), or non feudal parliamentary monarchy, or ANY other type of goverment. It also means that the well knightly culture of a knight house is not nature (as we know not all houses have it) but nurture.  Sure the thrones push certain character traits....unless they dont like in house tarranis, which also gets new knights, so Mars at least can make knights WITHOUT any character changing side effects (which depending on source is either no one get this tech, or else its just super duper rare).  Also the throne takes between decades and centuries (again source depending) to start making enough of a dent for cultural changes. And of course the mechanicum houses exist which are just a WHOLE different set of worms. 

 

The warhammer CENTRIC point, is that there is no lore reason a knight household has to have 1)feudal nature, 2) much in the way of medieval feudal character 3) dynastic politics. Like space marines and ultramarines or imperial guard and cadians MOST will be like that (tho just how many mech houses exist in the lore vs what they push mini wise is a question). But between the codex standard making of a marine  and throwing kids in blood filled coffins to make angels, oceans lie.  If however we talk about the classic feudal world knights, then we will talk about feudalism, serfdom, class systems and knightly traditions.  Or we might as well not talk about it. 

 

Which is where it gets complicated, cause things like feudalism and knighthood ARE complicated, they are also very different dependent on place and time period one is refrencing while talking about them. And as BL engages more non British/ do actual research/ want to explore themes not just pew pew  authors we will get different perspectives on these which are and this is the key part EQUALLY valid.  And a huge part of the fan of warhammer for me is exploring these things.  Plus classism, monarchies, the role of the rich and in built aristocracy are all very very much still active modern day topics. If anyone should know this its the British. 

 

So how do we talk about a book on a faction where the chair you sit on CHANGES your identity without discusing identity? On feudal/knight rituals without refering to well....feudal/knight rituals? On a persons view of themselves and how they want to be refered to when their life resolves around straping into a chair that changes your sence of self?...sometimes...depending on the house....on the culture...and how old you suit/house/planet is.....

 

So report away is what i am saying. I want to talk about Imperial Knights. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great post, touching on concepts I love that are central to 40K and have always been.

 

What is it to be a man in such a world universe? What is it to be a young man coming of age? What is it like to accept the burden of duty? Of your role as a man in such a setting? The Knightly (and yes very British, its coded into the DNA of the whole thing!) and Class systems. Yes, all of these things are 100% on point.

 

So yeah, all of that should be the focus of a story of a young man, about to, expected to, having a duty to, accept the mantle of his station, and easily could have been.

[Griefbringer]

Speaking of social structures, one recurring trope in WH40K fiction seems to involve "incompetent upper class fop in charge messing things up". Seems to occur especially when the story involves some poor Imperial guardsmen who find themselves in trouble due to the failings of those above them. One classic example is Herman von Strab, the incompetent overlord of Armageddon during the Second Armageddon War, introduced as part of the background for The Battle for Armageddon board game (1992). Of his incompetence during that war, and his treasonous behaviour during the Third Armageddon War, plenty has been written elsewhere.

 

That said, sometimes the trope is inverted, and those "upper class fops in charge" are actually described as both competent and caring of those serving beneath them (sometimes this actually takes me by surprise). I would presume that in a knight novel main protagonist is not likely to be presented merely as an "incompetent fool" - or at least there is room for personal development once a protagonist realises personal shortcomings in need of addressing.

 

Space marines tend to be less affected by the trope, since they are recruited young and tend to give up family ties, with promotion based on actual service merit.

[Lathe Biosas]

1 hour ago, Griefbringer said:

Speaking of social structures, one recurring trope in WH40K fiction seems to involve "incompetent upper class fop in charge messing things up".

 

That's not just in 40k fiction.

 

The same trope is played out every time a new edition of 40k is announced. 

[Nagashsnee]

10 hours ago, Griefbringer said:

Speaking of social structures, one recurring trope in WH40K fiction seems to involve "incompetent upper class fop in charge messing things up". Seems to occur especially when the story involves some poor Imperial guardsmen who find themselves in trouble due to the failings of those above them. One classic example is Herman von Strab, the incompetent overlord of Armageddon during the Second Armageddon War, introduced as part of the background for The Battle for Armageddon board game (1992). Of his incompetence during that war, and his treasonous behaviour during the Third Armageddon War, plenty has been written elsewhere.

 

That said, sometimes the trope is inverted, and those "upper class fops in charge" are actually described as both competent and caring of those serving beneath them (sometimes this actually takes me by surprise). I would presume that in a knight novel main protagonist is not likely to be presented merely as an "incompetent fool" - or at least there is room for personal development once a protagonist realises personal shortcomings in need of addressing.

 

 

 

The most unexpective negative example i have seen in 40k Warlord Fury of the God Machine, where a adeptus titanicus princepts and really his entire legions culture seems to upper class hunting fop. And i kept expecting him to be humbled and learn at some point and iirc (it beens years) he never really does.  But then you have whole regiments like the royal volpone of compotent incompetent upper class flops, so 40k really plays with this trope.  Where they are a good regiment....when their clasism, elitism and general snobbery doesnt make them try to derail entire battles.

 

The other side of the coin is seen a couple of times in the Ciaphas Cain books, with Cain always expecting the imperial leadership on planets to be "incompetent upper class fop in charge messing things up", but get pleasantly suprised a couple of times.

 

Its generally a weird case cause we only really explore 40k thru the lens of war, and war time, but for 99.9% of the time the people in charge priorities will be squeezing out the tithe and maintaining order. This over time leads to structures and skill sets that when suddenly the tithe doesnt matter and order gets tossed out the window that cannot adapt and have little use.  Its why wartime leaders often make terrible peace time leader and the oposite. 

 

Take Van Strab for instance, form a Imperial pov if the orks had never come, and he delivered the tithe on time every time (as he had been doing) he would have gone down as a examplary governer.  He succefully plotted his way to the top over 3 older brothers in a culture where doing so was expected and the norm, and achieved his goal of becoming planetary governor. A position he then mantained untill the invasion.  It just that a lifetime of using fear to keep workers in line and aristo politics do NOT prepare one for leadership or military planning during a xenos invasion. And even then its noted he generally just followed the instructions for such cases from the codex iirc(no not astartes lol).  A lifetime of plotting, paranoia and mistrust does not prepare one to suddenly step back and hand the levels of power to others. Neither does living in a enviroment where weakness is a sight for others to strike, one that makes one ready to admit they are not capable of handling the current situation.  If the virus bombs had launched and he had wiped out the orks, he would have likely been executed for failing to meet the tithe, rather then any military errors. 

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Nagashsnee

[wecanhaveallthree]

1 hour ago, Nagashsnee said:

Where they are a good regiment....when their clasism, elitism and general snobbery doesnt make them try to derail entire battles.

 

Volpone Glory exploring this was absolutely incredible. The corrupted ideal of 'noblesse oblige', so perfectly 40K, was great. If you're not a noble, you are literally forbidden from touching a weapon, even in self-defence. Fighting (and, more importantly, dying) for the Emperor is a duty only those of noble blood may, and are expected to, perform. It's selfishly selfless. You go out and fight not because you're protecting the people or sparing them from the horrors of war, but because they'd profane it with their unworthy souls. Kyme's not bad when he's on a roll, eh?

 

It is also unapologetically the gayest book in canon, and all the better for it.

Edited 1 hour ago by wecanhaveallthree

[Griefbringer]

Dan Abnett certainly likes to play with the "upper class fop" tropes in his books, especially the Gaunt's Ghosts series. But it can also be seen in his fantasy fiction. For example, in The Riders of the Dead (2003, one of the first BL hardcovers) one of the themes involves an arrogant young Empire nobleman slowly developing into a slightly less arrogant person. I think I have seen it also in one of the (non-GW) comic books that he wrote, but I have not read many of those.

 

As for Ciaphas Cain, I have not read much of those stories, but I would expect a certain number of tropes to be inverted in those works, considering that Ciaphas himself is something of an inversion of the heroic, self-sacrificing commissar. Though from what I have read, the series also develops its own tropes and repeats them shamelessly.

 

The most literal (ahem...) take on "class conflict" in the WH40K Imperium that I can think is the initiation rite of the young nobles in Necromunda. These upper class fops (who literally dwell in the uppermost parts of the hive) dress up in the fancy spyrer rigs and go hunting for the "under class" that dwells in the underhive (literally at the bottom of the physical hive and its social structure). Supposedly makes the young fops to show that they have the kind of character they will need later on to manage their houses in the internal struggles of the upper class.

 

That said, Imperium is structurally divided when it comes to hereditary issues. On one hand, you have organisations with strong hereditary structures: naval officer families, planetary aristocracies (which get mirrored to their PDF and Imperial Guard regiments), mercantile houses, navigator houses etc. And on the other hand, there are organisations that take children of youngsters away from their familiies (possibly never to see them again), and train them for service in essential meritocratic Imperial hierarchies. Examples include Schola Progenium (for orphans of Imperial officials), the black ships of inquisition (collecting young psykers), space marine chapters (mostly) and assassin temples.