Necromunda, the aptly named world of death. Since its halcyon days over fifteen millennia ago, its surface has been covered by layer over layer of bile and brown and black, unpleasant side products of the Hive World's behemoth industry. Once the proud centre of a thriving technocratic empire, this world now serves the mighty Emperor with all manners of supplies and some of the toughest recruits the galaxy has ever seen. Where mountains have stood, arcologies – or to most of their inhabitants, hives – have instead taken over the race to the sky.
Now, are you still with me? Good. Follow my voice.
Imagine that, by some circumstance, we must go to Necromunda. Our first impression would be about Necromunda's clouds. You see, without oceans of relatively clean water, the clouds tend to come in many different colors. Back around the Cataclysm of Souls, a xenos invasion destroyed Hive Caramus and its promethium production plants. The fires were visible from orbit for decades, but it was the clouds that were the most terrible. Rolling black waves of toxic ash poured into even mighty Hive Primus itself, taking the lives of billions, rightly earning the name "Black Death". But on most days, Necromunda is not so different from an ocean world in storm season, with the spires of its hive clusters forming glowing islands amidst the dark clouds of ash-coloured dust and multicoloured corrosive vapour. No, Myrku is atypical of ocean worlds, no other world boasts the valanti avaruskia. Yes, they are the things you called the flying islands, but they are whaling vessels. Alright, and among the islands of light are two spaceports. We would dock at the one owned by the Planetary Governor Geronitus Helmawr, as there is little we known about the other one. Some say it is but a crumbling wreck, a relic broken during the War of the Beast. As we approach the passenger port, we will see the world's trade port, Selene's Ring.
After we disembark, our first stop is one of the most grandiose monuments the world has to offer: the Helmawr Palace of Hive Primus. Correct, Primus is the Palatine. It would just be the outskirts of course, we were not invited to see its splendid interior after all. Don't be fooled though, hidden beneath all the masonry and gildings are the governor's private army and massive artillery batteries the Imperial House uses to secure its position. We will then come face to face with an adamantium barrier, Helmawr's last line of defense against rebellion, though it generally serves as a tangible insult to the noble houses lower down. This section is also called the Spire, and locations such as the Imperial Fists' fortress and the Sector Bazaar are located on this level. This is also where most outside dignitaries stop during their stay on Necromunda, and some leave thinking 'life is quite comfortable there'! We, on the other hand, would follow in the footsteps of Tithe officials and the Arbites past a second great adamantium barrier, and see the complete picture.
*Ring*
Get up now, sleepyhead, and look outside. Seriously, this is the first time I have seen clouds of three different colours mixing with each other. Aww, come on my friend, why in the Emperor's name would I interrupt your beauty sleep if we weren't headed for the damn planet? Remember our orders: this is a journey to collect stories of Necromundan life beyond the Wall. Yes, our rendezvous is the entrance to the Sector Bazaar, one and a half standard years later.
*Dull clunking*
Very well, we have arrived at Hive Primus. Take note of the inter-hive pathways and don't drink ok? Nah, I've learned to stay my hand, the Grand Master would probably have my head if I lose five thousand thrones overnight again.
Be alert. Be prudent. Be vigilant. And most of all, don't forget your emergency transponder. I look forward to trading stories with you again. Bon voyage, mon ami.