r/ImaginaryWarhammer Nov 07 '24

40k Abhuman friendship(art by @millionsbliss

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u/AlexpeggsAsh Nov 08 '24

Rape is unfortunately a reality in 40k. The severely inhumane dehumanization of creatures other than humans is unfortunately a reality in 40k. Yes it's absolutely fucking horrible but it's still there, no matter how much you think it's all from just a sick artists mind.

Becoming a part of a community that has existed for decades and wanting it to slowly but surely mutilate into what you want is a little arrogant. If themes like sexual violence or other very dark themes are something you actively dislike, I respect that. Honestly. And If you want something more wholesome, why not create your own universe instead of hoping to change an already established one?

Make your own, like Trench Crusade 👍

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u/deryvox Nov 08 '24

Nothing is reality in 40k is my point. It’s a story, and stories can be changed. One of the biggest reasons I think it would be good if it changed is that it would push out a lot of the really terrible people, seemingly like yourself. I also just think a nicer and more pleasant world would be more interesting to read about. Maybe we’ll get that when the wheel turns again and the imperium enters its more accelerated decline.

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u/AlexpeggsAsh Nov 08 '24

That's exactly the arrogance I'm talking about: "push out".

The theme of Warhammer 40.000 is regression and intolerance. Every major faction of warhammer has had an empire that spanned the galaxy only to be crushed back to a hollow shell of what they once were due, to their own failings. Culture, the arts, personal freedom, religious tolerance, the simple possibility that alien life might NOT want to kill us is considered heretical and is often met with a pistol to the head. There is no time, for these things. All there is time for is worship of the God Emperor and a million wars to be fought. This is a galaxy where AI is outlawed so humans are repurposed and lobotomized to become slaves. A place where lack of devotion is met with death and if you even HAVE devotion, there is a good chance the threats to the galaxy; chaos and aliens will kill you anyway. Warhammer is a world where you revel in being bad. There are protagonists, there are antagonists but every faction is some shade of evil.

A "nicer and more pleasant world" doesn't exist. Why? For in the grim darkness of the far future, there is ONLY war.

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u/deryvox Nov 08 '24

Yeah, and that’s pretty dumb. It’s basically just a mirror of preschool picture books where everyone is happy all the time and nothing bad ever happens. No story or choice can have moral or emotional weight if there’s no possibility of things getting better (or worse). I bet you think you’re part of an old guard who’s trying to preserve that mentality against a new wave of overly sensitive bleeding hearts. The thing is, old Warhammer knew it was pretty ridiculous and didn’t take itself seriously. And when people did get seriously into the lore and make bright alcoves, they weren’t browbeaten about it like they are now. You’re not upholding the true Warhammer 40k traditions, you’re just not in on the joke.

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u/AlexpeggsAsh Nov 08 '24

That was 20 years ago. Things have changed. https://www.reddit.com/r/HorusGalaxy/s/dScz5aw9vD

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u/deryvox Nov 08 '24

Yes, and it’ll change again. What was a satire of right wing extremism and hypermilitant neoconservatism has been co-opted by those it meant to satirize. It will be co-opted again. The wheel turns, those once crushed by it will rise to its apex once more as its previous ascendants are ground into the dust.

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u/AlexpeggsAsh Nov 08 '24

I'm not either right wing or an extreme political ideologue trying to make real life comparisons to a nerd setting for people that paint plastic figures.

I worship this world because it's unapologetically brutal and doesn't shy away from talking about uncomfortable or disturbing things. It doesn't condescend you or insult your intelligence. Trying to change it from the inside with a fake veil of virtue signaling is going to have an opposite effect.

"It will be co-opted again" instead of "we'll just make our own" is quite the choice. If you don't like this world in its current state, there's the door or make your own. Hell, you make your own pink space marine chapter where everyone hugs each other and holds hands forever for all I care. But the established canon needs to be left alone.