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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}}
Though most often mentioned in relation to its collection of chaotic lore, the Library contains other mysteries as well. It is said that knowledge of the fate of [[Arhra]], the fallen [[Phoenix Lord]], is contained within the vast archives of the Black Library, as does is the nature of ancient "star gods[[C'tan|Star Gods]]" and more besides. {{Fn|5b}}
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 Black Library is spoken of by Eldar as a dark Craftworld existing within the [[WebwayTrue Name]], far beyond the reach of the [[ImperiumEmperor of Mankind]]{{Fn|6}} (possible location) ==Location==[[File:BlackLibraryTheLordOfDamnation. Within are collected tomes and writings describing jpg|thumb|right|[[Kyganil]] shows [[Ephrael Stern]] the Eldar's studies beginnings of the path through the [[warpWebway]]. These writings describe all aspects of Chaos: its perils, promises and horrors. The to the Black Library{{Fn|19}}]]While the Black Library is enclosed exists wholly within a nearly impenetrable psychic barrier, and is watched and maintained by its Guardian-scribes, who collate and transcribe the knowledge of [[Webway]]{{Fn|5a}} within the Library[[Warp]], a task they have carried out since the Fall.{{Fn|111}} It contains not just Eldar knowledge echoes of Chaos; any knowledge the Black Library persist 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 Chaos is taken and kept within the Library[[Ghoul Stars]], such as within a copy triangle formed by the [[Grand Shrine of Asuryan]] and the [[Book Exodite world]]s of Magnus[[Syph]]. It is as much a source of knowledge for those who fight Chaos as it is a vault to keep dangerous knowledge hidden and protected from those who would misuse it[[Quilan]].{{Cite thisFn|5a}}
The existence of the Black Library is known to fewmay be accessed in several ways, and even fewer are allowed access to it. The Library'including the labyrinthian paths of [[Webway Gate]]s mind defends itself, barring the weak and corruptible. Only those who have mastered guarded by the Chaos within themselves are able to enter. Only two groups come and go at will: the Human [[IlluminatiHarlequin]] and s, such as those detailed within the [[EldarTome of Karebennian]] {{Fn|10a}}{{Fn|16a}} (which intentionally lead to an ambush on [[SolitaireArcadia]]s.){{Fn|116b}} and through the more flamboyant path known as the [[InquisitorEndless Stair]] or '''Neverending Stair'''{{Fn|7a}}, a coiling vortex of silver runes through which the [[Bronislaw CzevakWhite Seer]] gained entry once, but had s and their engines translocate to prove himself worthy. any [[AhrimanWebway Portal]] of within the [[Thousand SonsWebway]] has sought entrance .{{Fn|17}} However, every passage to the Black Library for almost ten thousand years, in his vain attempt to understand is triple-guarded by the ever changing [[TzeentchHarlequin]], Lord of Change. Inquisitor [[Jaq DracoSolitaire]] also managed to find a way into the Black Library s and steal the ''Book of the [[Rhana DandraGuardian-Scribe]]'', aka the ''Book of Fate''s.{{Cite thisFn|18}}
==History=====Ancient History===The exact origin of the library is unclear, stories within its shelves name the [[Old Ones]],{{Fn|9}} the ancient [[Aeldari]],{{fn|9}} and the [[Eldar Mythology|Eldar Gods]].{{Fn|9}} [[Cegorach]] is closely associated with the library, and may be it's creator, although for what purposes the Laughing God would build such a repository can only be guessed.{{Fn|2}} ===Fall of the Eldar===Much of the [[Eldar]]'s ancient knowledge was lost during the [[Fall of the Eldar]], with the [[Craftworld]]s being the rare exception and as they have drifted apart, this knowledge has consequently become fragmented – yet more lost each time a Craftworld has been lost over the millennia.{{Fn|1}} The Library is the only source of the Eldar's knowledge concerning [[Chaos]] that has remained untouched.{{Fn|1}} Since the fall, the [[Guardian-Scribes]] have begun to collate and transcribe the Black Library's knowledge of [[Chaos]] to disseminate it among the [[Aeldari]].{{Fn|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}}
===LocationOpening of the Great Rift===While it exists wholly within Shortly before the [[Dathedian|Great Rift]]{{fn|5e}} the last lock on the webway[[Crystal Tome of Cegorach|Crystal Tome]], echoes {{Fn|5d}} which has rested upon an obsidian plinth at the heart of the Black Library persist 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 [[materiumFall 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. Some time after {{fn|5c}} Even hidden in the [[Webway]] the opening of Black Library was not immune to the turmoil caused by the [[Great Rift]], which caused a section of the last 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 these traces even the [[White Seer]]s to cleanse.{{Fn|7b}} ==Black Council==The Black Council serves in realspace were located at an advisory role to the western fringes [[Guardian-Scribes]] of the Black Library, the race's greatest [[Ghoul StarsFarseers]] drawn from several [[Craftworld]]s.{{Fn|10}} *[[Eldrad Ulthran]] of [[Ulthwé]], within a triangle formed by {{Fn|10}} in absentia*[[Eiladar Ys]] of the Grand Shrine [[Lugganath]]{{Fn|10}}*[[Ffaid Karhedra]] of Asuryan and the [[ExoditeEyslk-Tan]]{{Fn|10}}*[[Iqbraesil]] of [[Iyanden]]{{Fn|10}}*[[Morcan Fiorinintal]] worlds of Syph and Quilan.[[Alaitoc]]{{Fn|5a10}}
==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'', pgs. 12-13**{{Endn|5b}} pg. 14 — ''The Black Library'', pg. 14**{{Endn|5c}} pg. 15 — ''The Black Library — The Final Act'', pg. 15**{{Endn|5d}} pg. 29 — ''The Dance of Ages — The First Sign'', pg. 29**{{Endn|5e}} 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
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