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{{EldarPortalredirect|Black Library|the publishing subsidiary of [[Games Workshop]]|Black Library (BL Publishing)}}{{HarlequinsPortal}}[[Image:Endymtorblacklibraryguardians.jpg|thumb|200px300px|right|Guardians [[Guardian-Scribes]] of the Black Library{{Fn|3}}]]{{otheruses|USE=Black Library of the Eldar|OTHERUSE=publishing subsidiary of [[Games Workshop]]|OTHERPAGE=Black Library (BL Publishing)}}The '''Black Library of Chaos''' (also known as just the '''Black Library''') is the [[Eldar]]'s repository of forbidden lore.{{Fn|1}} Knowledge of the library's existence is known to few and even fewer are allowed entry.{{Fn|1}} The passages to the Black Library are guarded by [[Harlequin]]s, who come and go as needed from the library{{fn|9}} although their [[Solitaire]]s may come and go as they wish.{{Fn|1}} Entrance to the library{{Fn|11}} is guarded by the [[Guardian-Scribes]]{{Fn|1}} – said to be themselves the most terrible of all perils in the [[Webway]],{{fn|14}} and its records maintained by the [[White Seer]]s.{{Fn|7b}}
== History Library Contents==The [[Craftworld]]Within the Black Library of Chaos are collected tomes and writings describing the Eldar's became the only surviving sources studies of their ancient knowledge after the [[Fall of the Eldarwarp]]. As the Craftworlds have drifted apartThese collected tomes, this knowledge has consequently become fragmentedbooks, and as some Craftworlds have become lost over the millenniacodicies describe all aspects of Chaos: its blandishments, influences, forms, creatures, perils, more knowledge has been lost with thempromises and horrors.{{Fn|1}} The Library is the only source Within psychically-locked rooms are countless black tomes of [[Daemon]] summoning, grimoires of the Eldar's knowledge concerning magic, and records on countless [[ChaosCult]] that has remained untoucheds throughout the galaxy,{{Fn|14}} and thousands of dark and secret volumes of malignant power. It was created by {{Fn|18}} The library contains not just Eldar knowledge of Chaos; any knowledge of Chaos is taken and kept within the Library,{{Fn|1}} such as a copy of the [[CegorachBook of Magnus]](better known as the Laughing God), though for what purposes can only be guessed.{{Fn|213}}
Works known to be in the collection include:*[[Atlas Infernal]]*[[Book of Mournful Night]]{{fn|15}}*[[Book of Rhana Dandra]]{{Fn|12}}*[[Cries of Isha]]{{Fn|9}}*[[Crystal Tome of Cegorach]]{{Fn|5e}}*[[Book of Magnus]]{{Fn|13}} (copy){{Fn|8}}*[[Daemonicus Totalus]] (copy){{Fn|8}}*[[Stern Codex]]{{Fn|6}} ===Rumoured Contents===*The existence [[True Name]] of the [[Emperor of Mankind]]{{Fn|6}} (possible location) ==Location==[[File:BlackLibraryTheLordOfDamnation.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kyganil]] shows [[Ephrael Stern]] the beginnings of the path through the [[Webway]] to the Black Library{{Fn|19}}]]While the Black Library exists wholly within the [[Webway]]{{Fn|5a}} within the [[Warp]],{{Fn|11}} echoes of the Black Library is known to fewpersist within the [[materium]]. Some time after the opening of the [[Great Rift]], the last of these traces in realspace were located at the western fringes of the [[Ghoul Stars]], within a triangle formed by the [[Grand Shrine of Asuryan]] and the [[Exodite world]]s of [[Syph]] and even fewer are allowed access to it[[Quilan]]. {{Fn|5a}} The Black Library'may be accessed in several ways, including the labyrinthian paths of [[Webway Gate]]s guarded by the [[Harlequin]]s mind defends itself, barring the weak and corruptible. Only such as those who have mastered detailed within the Chaos within themselves are able [[Tome of Karebennian]]{{Fn|10a}}{{Fn|16a}} (which intentionally lead to enter. Only two groups come an ambush on [[Arcadia]]){{Fn|16b}} and go at will: through the more flamboyant path known as the [[Endless Stair]] or '''Neverending Stair'''{{Fn|7a}}, a coiling vortex of silver runes through which the Human [[IlluminatiWhite Seer]] s and their engines translocate to any [[Webway Portal]] within the [[Webway]].{{Fn|17}} However, every passage to the Black Library is triple-guarded by the [[EldarHarlequin]] [[Solitaire]]sand [[Guardian-Scribe]]s.{{Fn|18}} ==Construction==The Black Library is often described as a ''"Dark [[Craftworld]]"''.{{Fn|19}} While this is true in the sense that it is an [[InquisitorArtificial World]] of [[Bronislaw CzevakWraithbone]] gained entry onceconstruction,{{Fn|11}} it is no mere ship or lost city.{{Fn|11}} Just as the webway is a labyrinth of psychoactive tunnels that shift and change, as if each visit is a visit anew,{{Fn|9}} so does the structure of the Library – it is a labyrinth within a labyrinth.{{Fn|9}} The Library's mind defends itself, but had to prove himself worthybarring the weak and corruptible. {{Fn|1}} ==History=====Ancient History===The exact origin of the library is unclear, stories within its shelves name the [[AhrimanOld Ones]] of ,{{Fn|9}} the ancient [[Thousand SonsAeldari]] has sought entrance to the Library for almost ten thousand years, in his vain attempt to understand {{fn|9}} and the ever changing [[TzeentchEldar Mythology|Eldar Gods]], Lord of Change. Inquisitor {{Fn|9}} [[Jaq DracoCegorach]] also managed to find is closely associated with the library, and may be it's creator, although for what purposes the Laughing God would build such a way into repository can only be guessed.{{Fn|2}} ===Fall of the Black Library and steal Eldar===Much of the [[Eldar]]''Book s ancient knowledge was lost during the [[Fall of the Eldar]], with the [[Rhana DandraCraftworld]]''s being the rare exception and as they have drifted apart, aka this knowledge has consequently become fragmented – yet more lost each time a Craftworld has been lost over the ''Book of Fate''millennia.{{Cite thisFn|1}}
[[Ahriman]] of the [[Thousand Sons]] has sought entrance to the Library for nearly ten thousand years, in his vain attempt to understand the ever changing [[Tzeentch]], Lord of Change.{{Fn|9}} ===Recent History===In [[M41]], Inquisitor Bronislaw Czevak was granted entry once he had proven himself worthy to the Black Council.{{Fn|10}} [[Inquisitor]] [[Jaq Draco]] followed the [[Emperor's Tarot]] and found a way into the Black Library from which he stole the ''Book of the [[Rhana Dandra]]''.{{Fn|12}} ====Invasion====
In 998.[[M41]], shortly before [[Abaddon the Despoiler]]'s [[Thirteenth Black Crusade]], [[Ahriman]] led his warband of [[Thousand Sons]] into the Webway in an effort to finally claim the Black Library. Engaging in furious battles with the [[Harlequin]]s and the [[Craftworld]]s of [[Ulthwé]] and [[Lugganath]], Ahriman advanced to within sight of the Library itself. However, several major arteries of the Webway were choked with the dead before the Chaos Marines were driven from the secret paths leading to the Library. The breach caused by the rampaging [[Sorcerer]]s was sealed. As a result, a section of the Webway was lost forever.{{Fn|4}}
==Known Contents=Opening of the Great Rift===Shortly before the [[Dathedian|Great Rift]]{{fn|5e}} the last lock on the [[Crystal Tome of Cegorach|Crystal Tome]],{{Fn|5d}} which has rested upon an obsidian plinth at the heart of the Black Library since the [[Fall of the Eldar]], opened – revealed within were writings said to have been written by [[Cegorach]] itself, telling of a final act that changed utterly the tale of the [[Fall of the Eldar]] telling of Cegorach's ultimate jest which would trick Slaanesh into expending all of her energies to save the Eldar instead of destroying them.{{fn|5c}} Even hidden in the [[Webway]] the Black Library was not immune to the turmoil caused by the [[Great Rift]], which caused a section of the Library to fall into the [[Warp]] completely. Now in the clutches of [[Slaanesh|She who Thirsts]], that portion of the library is tainted forever and beyond the reach or ability of even the [[White Seer]]s to cleanse.{{Fn|7b}} ==Black Council==The Black Council serves in an advisory role to the [[Guardian-Scribes]] of the Black Library, the race's greatest [[Farseers]] drawn from several [[Craftworld]]s.{{Fn|10}} *[[Eldrad Ulthran]] of [[Ulthwé]],{{Fn|10}} in absentia*[[Atlas InfernalEiladar Ys]] of the [[Lugganath]]{{Fn|10}}*[[Book Ffaid Karhedra]] of Mournful Night[[Eyslk-Tan]]{{Fn|10}}*[[Book Iqbraesil]] of Rhana Dandra[[Iyanden]]{{Fn|10}}*[[Stern CodexMorcan Fiorinintal]] of [[Alaitoc]]{{Fn|10}} A select few [[Human]]s dedicated to destroying [[Chaos]]{{fn|1}} have been given access to the [[Black Library]] by the Black Council{{fn|10}} and even then only in the company of [[Harlequin]]:{{Fn|14}} a select few [[Inquisitor]]s of the [[Ordo Malleus]]{{Fn|14}} and [[Bronislaw Czevak]],{{Fn|10}} as well as the [[Illuminati]] (intended who have been granted special access to be placed here)come and go as their needs warrant.{{Fn|1}}
==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness]], pg. 215
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Xenology]] by [[Simon Spurrier(Background Book)]], {{Cite ThisMarker End}}*{{Endn|3}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 Collectible Card Game(game system)]]: Siege of Malogrim Hive
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Eldar (6th Edition)]] (E-Book), ''The Doom of the Eldar''
*5: [[Codex: Harlequins (8th Edition)]] :**{{Endn|5a}} pgs. 12-13 — ''The Great Stage''**{{Endn|5b}} pg. 14 — ''The Black Library''**{{Endn|5c}} pg. 15 — ''The Black Library — The Final Act'', pg. 15**{{Endn|5c5d}} pg. 29 — ''The Dance of Ages — The First Sign'', pg. 29**{{Endn|5c5e}} pg. 30 — ''The Dance of Ages — The Death of Dúriel''*{{Endn|6}}: [[Pariah (Novel)]], Chapter 41*7: [[Hand of Darkness (Audio Drama)]]:**{{Endn|7a}} Part I, ca. 00h:18m:45s**{{Endn|7b}} Part II, ca. 00h:04m:20s*{{Endn|8}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook]], pg. 30296*{{Endn|9}}: [[Ahriman: Undying (Novel)]], Prologue*10: [[Atlas Infernal (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|10a}}: Interregna III**{{Endn|10b}}: Interregna IV*{{Endn|11}}: [[Codex: Eldar (2nd Edition)]], pg. 13*{{Endn|12}}: [[Harlequin (Novel)]], Chapters 19-20*{{Endn|13}}: [[Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]], pg. 267*{{Endn|14}}: [[Codex: Eldar (4th Edition)]], pg. 13*{{Endn|15}}: [[Codex: Necrons (5th Edition)]], pg. 6*16: [[Dawn of War: Tempest (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|16a}}: Chapter Ten**{{Endn|16b}}: Chapter Twelve*{{Endn|17}}: [[Rise of the Ynnari: Ghost Warrior (Novel)]], Ch. 5*{{Endn|18}}: [[Renegades]], pg. 6*{{Endn|19}}: [[Daemonifuge (Graphic Novel Series)]] – Book Two: the Lord of Damnation
[[Category:Craftworlds]]
[[Category:Eldar]]
[[Category:Harlequins]]
[[Category:Webway]]
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