The Epochs

The wheel of history turns ever onwards. As it turns tactics become obsolete, heroes become forgotten and great powers become laughing stocks. The Archivists of The Great Khan has saw fit to divide the spokes of these wheels as epochs. Each Epoch, in the eyes of The Khan, are created by a great one, this figure shatters the old age and forces reality to bend around him. As others cling to his legacy, the greatness tarnishes and the strong men leads to weak ones who do little but parrot the past, paving the way for a new great one.

During each of these eras the technology and tactics of the day changes, giving rise to new powers, while withering away old ones.

The Pre-Epochs

"We look upon the accomplishments of our Imperium, of the structures of Dorn, and the Mastery of Magnus and Fulgrim with so much pride. But we delude ourselves. We do nothing but build huts with the stone of past wonders."

- Al Xorazim, Librarius and archivist of The White Scars.

The Khan has searched long and far for evidence of this era. But much is shrouded in history. There are stories of an ancient race of beings who ascended to godhood. Of a people at war with their own gods. Of a war in heaven fought between the Eldar and the Necrons.

The First Epoch: M1-M15

The Age of Eldar

"Speak to me not about the Great Aeldari Empire! They speak of the old ways as something to emulate, yet for all the wisdom of the Asuryans they still walked blissfully into the belly of Slaanesh. The keepers of the old ways do not understand the technology of our ancestors, and know even less about our futures. If their knowledge offers nothing of the past, and their visionaries offer nothing for the future, then tell me, of what use is it to us?"

- Yvraine

"The First Epoch is one defined not by its founding, but by its extinction. We do not know who began the great epoch of eldar, but it does not matter. The Age exists as midwife to She Who Thirsts."

- Jaghatai Khan

Roughly from M1 to M15, the Age of The Eldari is one of great legends for the Eldar, and ignorance for man. As the Eldarri built the most powerful and advanced civilization this galaxy had ever seen, and likely will again, humanity still dwelled silently on its own planet. Squabbling in their petty conflicts, and clutching to their superstitions.

So illustrious and wealthy was this civilization, that the Aeldari Empire turned to decadence and pleasures. And while Hedonism and decay is a common motif of history, this correlation is usually an indicator of greater rot and lack of strength. The Aeldari were truly caused by decadence, in that the hedonism caused the birth of a new Chaos god. Slaanesh, She Who Thirsts, dragged the Eldari screaming into the warp, and the remnants of the empire struggling to find a new fate.

Weapons and Technologies of The First Epoch

The technology of the Eldar of this era are rivaled only by the old Necron empire. Wraithbone and Blackstone were transformed into almost magic like technology. Much of the Aeldari's most prized weapons and technology comes from this area. The craftworlds, the wraithknights, the blackstone fortress, were all built and created during this area. It is technology that the Aeldari must protect at all cost, for knowledge of its creation is lost.

The Second Epoch: M14-M30

The First Age of Man

"And at this age the Omnissiah rested, for he saw the knowledge of man, and saw that it was good."

-Magos Domnios Skizaltes-9513, Archivist of Ryza

From M15 - M30

The fabled "Dark Age of Technology" as the great empire of The Eldar waned and collapsed in on itself, Humanity began to spread across the stars. It was said to be an era of peace and prosperity. An era of unfathomable knowledge and advanced wondrous technologies. But it was also an Age of Strife. As the first age of man reached its climax, the Man of Flesh fought for its life against a man of iron. The Man of Flesh one, but at the cost of all it built. Humanity was broken, its secrets lost, and its homeworlds left desolate ruins. But the seeds of Humanity's glory were planted.

Weapons and Technologies of The First Epoch

The weaponry and technology of The First Epoch is considered to be the finest Mankind ever built. It is a struggle to imagine that The Imperium of Man built its empire out of the discarded salvage of this mighty era, and that the most impressive machines of Mars were small arms.

The Third Epoch: (M30-M39)

The False Age of Chaos

"The history of the Mon'Keigh is a history of Lorgar. It is his soul who will guide the spirit of man. For the Imperium to survive it cannot defeat him, it must supplant him."

-Eldrad

"In the Great Crusade, The Gue'la struggled to reach Tau'va. Only for the leash to snap back. It was since learned that they were forever shackled to illogic and the monsters that reside there."

- Por'La Tau'n Shase'fin (High Gothic: Shafinus Tauvanis), Water Caste Historian 3rd Age.

The Third Epoch from M30 to M39 is an era of false promises. It begins with The Emperor of Mankind united Magna Terra under his banner. The Emperor attempted to unite Humanity under one will and one cause, and was undone by one man. Lorgar's Uprising against his father Lasted for over 10,000 years and dragged the Entire species of humanity into a fight over their destiny. All the while the other species of the galaxy slowly built their strength as Humanity tore itself apart.

The Weapons of The Third Epoch.

The Third Epoch was the age of the Bolter and Cruiser. Humanity's weapons changed little, but they did improve. As the Age came to its close the Bolter and Chainsword of Great Crusade saw its replacement to the Radium and Plasma of its end. The Space Marine, the fearsome warrior of the early epoch, also began to see his replacement in the form of more traditional armies.

The Fourth Epoch: M40-M45

The Second Age of Eldar

"It's fitting that as the First Eldar Age ended with the Birth of Slaanesh, that The Second Age begin with the birth of Ynnead. It's humiliating to think that our struggle, our rise, and our stumblings may only be remembered as an Aedlari Interregnum."

- Al Xorazim, Librarius and archivist of The White Scars.

"The orks gather strength, the Eldar found their Emperor, while the necrons bond with their children The T'au. Where does that leave us? As the war in heaven resumes, shall we be once again only watch?"

- Fulgrim

Many hoped that this would be The Age of Macharios, but it was clear this was Yvraine's age. From M40-M45, Humanity saw its power ebbing, for so long at war with itself, it was blindsided by the enemies that grew along its frontier. The Tau expanded along the unknown frontier of the Galactic west, while Yvraine united the Eldari into forcefully reclaiming the Croneworlds. The idealist states of Grand Macharia, Ultramar, and Imperium Undivided all fell as a hobbled and smaller humanity was forced to rebuild itself. Not fast enough to retake what was lost, but perhaps enough to survive as their enemies squandered.

Weapons of the Fourth Epoch:

The Fourth Age is an age of Plasma and Wraithbone. Humanity lacking the skills to build one, was forced to cling to the other. Its old weapons grew useless as the arms race of the galaxy escalated, and new armor and weapons emerged.

The Coming Ages

"Your pathetic despair sickens me. There is only war? You fools! There will come a time when your children will look upon this age, and they will see an age of heroes. This is an era of song you squander, and they will long for it as they behold the shape of nightmare to come."

- Konrad Curze to the council of Terra.

Only the fading prophecies of The Farseers, the Fateweaver, and The Night Haunter give any Guidance to this world. The Farseers say Yvraine's age of Eldar will be as false as Terra's age of Man. The Fateweavers say The Imperium will in its final gasp defeat the Lords of Chaos. The Night Haunter says that the galaxy's flesh and soul will be consumed by Leviathans and Crows. All say The War in Heaven begins anew. What is one to make of these prophecies.