Prologue
The Imperium of Mankind has reached the stars. A Galactic Empire ruled from Holy Terra, the Imperium is beset on all sides by enemies. Hordes of creatures vie against humanity for the stars, aliens bent on conquest of human space or to use as raw genetic gruel for their vast bioships as a locust upon wheat. Worst of all are the enemies within, seeking to corrupt the souls of others to appease the hunger of Chaos. To defend itself, mankind relies on the strength of the flesh and steel of the Imperial Guard, men and women who valiantly give their lives to defend their worlds. Sadly, to live a life as a Guardsman is one in untold numbers, as Generals feasibly waste the lives of their soldiers as if they were only statistics. However, mankind has the Space Marines, Genetically modified warriors, who each is an army in their own right, to help stave off its enemies. Unfortunately, not even these beings are immune to corruption. Centuries ago, roughly half of them turned to join with the powers of Chaos and led to a Galactic civil war. What remains of these malicious entities are now the great agents of Chaos, seeking to destroy all that humanity has strived for. To the Galactic East, a relatively new empire is forming. Preaching for the Greater Good, the Tau are expanding at an alarming rate. Unlike most of the aliens humanity has dealt with, the Tau are willing to allow humans into their society. While humanity struggles with weapons drafted millennia ago, the Tau forgo this and use highly advanced technology on the battlefield. Devastating rail guns annihilate all but the toughest armor, and their allies the Kroot are strong fighters in melee. United, the Tau are a powerful military force, and in the 41st millennium, there is only war.