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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}}]]The '''Black Library of Chaos''' (also known as just the '''Black Library''') is the [[Eldar]]'s repository of forbidden lore.{{otherusesFn|USE1}} 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}} ==Library Contents==Within the Black Library of Chaos are collected tomes and writings describing the Eldar's studies of the [[warp]]. These collected tomes, books, and codicies describe all aspects of Chaos: its blandishments, influences, forms, creatures, perils, promises and horrors.{{Fn|1}} Within psychically-locked rooms are countless black tomes of [[Daemon]] summoning, grimoires of magic, and records on countless [[Chaos Cult]]s throughout the galaxy,{{Fn|14}} and thousands of dark and secret volumes of malignant power.{{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 [[Book of Magnus]].{{Fn|13}} 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 is the nature of ancient "[[C'tan|Star Gods]]".{{Fn|5b}} Works known to be in the collection include:*[[Atlas Infernal]]*[[Book of Mournful Night]]{{fn|OTHERUSE15}}*[[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===publishing subsidiary *The [[True Name]] of the [[Games WorkshopEmperor of Mankind]]{{Fn|OTHERPAGE6}} (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 (BL Publishing)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 the [[Ghoul Stars]], within a triangle formed by the [[Grand Shrine of Asuryan]] and the [[Exodite world]]s of [[Syph]] and [[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, such as those detailed within the [[Tome of Chaos''' Karebennian]]{{Fn|10a}}{{Fn|16a}} (also which intentionally lead to an ambush on [[Arcadia]]){{Fn|16b}} and through the more flamboyant path known as just the [[Endless Stair]] or '''Neverending Stair'''{{Fn|7a}}, a coiling vortex of silver runes through which the [[White 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 [[Harlequin]] [[Solitaire]]s and [[Guardian-Scribe]]s.{{Fn|18}} ==Construction==The Black Libraryis often described as a ''"Dark [[Craftworld]]"'') .{{Fn|9}} While this is true in the sense that it is an [[EldarArtificial World]] of [[Wraithbone]]construction,{{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 repository of forbidden loremind defends itself, barring the weak and corruptible.{{Fn|1}}
==History==
===Ancient History===The exact origin of the library is unclear, stories within its shelves name the [[CraftworldOld Ones]]s became ,{{Fn|9}} the only surviving sources of their ancient knowledge after the [[Fall of the EldarAeldari]]. As the Craftworlds have drifted apart, this knowledge has consequently become fragmented, and as some Craftworlds have become lost over the millennia, more knowledge has been lost with them.{{Fnfn|19}} The Library is and the only source of the Eldar's knowledge concerning [[ChaosEldar Mythology|Eldar Gods]] that has remained untouched. It was created by {{Fn|9}} [[Cegorach]] (better known as is closely associated with the Laughing God)library, and may be it's creator, though although for what purposes the Laughing God would build such a repository can only be guessed.{{Fn|2}} As such, ===Fall of the Eldar===Much of the Black Library is guarded by [[HarlequinEldar]]'s such as those of ancient knowledge was lost during the [[Masque Fall of the Falling MoonEldar]], 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|91}}
====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}}
===DamageOpening of the Great Rift===Once considered inviolate, even the Black Library is not immune to the turmoil caused by Shortly before the [[Dathedian|Great Rift|Cicatrix Maledictum]]. The opening of {{fn|5e}} the Great Rift caused a section of last lock on the Library to fall completely, breached by the warp. Now in the clutches of [[SlaaneshCrystal Tome of Cegorach|She who ThirstsCrystal Tome]], that portion {{Fn|5d}} which has rested upon an obsidian plinth at the heart of the library is tainted forever, beyond Black Library since the ability [[Fall of even the Eldar]], opened – revealed within were writings said to have been written by [[White Seer|White SeersCegorach]] to cleanse.{{Fn|7b}} ===Location===The Black Library is often described as itself, telling of a "dark craftworld". While this is true in the sense final act that it is a crafted construct, it is no more ship or lost city than a hole in changed utterly the heart is tale of the heart itself. Just as [[Fall of the webway is a labyrinth Eldar]] telling of Cegorach's ultimate jest which would trick Slaanesh into expending all of psychoactive tunnels that shift and change and deceive, so does her energies to save the structure Eldar instead of the Library. It is a labyrinth within a labyrinthdestroying them.{{Fnfn|95c}}
==Black Council==
The Black Council serves in an advisory role to the [[Guardian-scribes 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
*[[Eiladar Ys]] of the [[Lugganath]]{{Fn|10}}
*[[Ffaid Karhedra]] of [[Eyslk-Tan]]{{Fn|10}}
*[[Morcan Fiorinintal]] of [[Alaitoc]]{{Fn|10}}
==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|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. 296
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Ahriman: Undying (Novel)]] - , Prologue*{{Endn|10}}: [[Atlas Infernal (Novel)]] - :**{{Endn|10a}}: Interregna IV ===Uncited===III**{{UncitedEndn|10b}}: Interregna IV*{{Endn|11}}: [[Warhammer 40,000Codex: CompendiumEldar (2nd Edition)]], pg. 13*{{Cite ThisEndn|12}}: [[Harlequin (Novel)]], Chapters 19-20*{{Endn|13}}: [[Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]], pg. 267*{{Cite ThisEndn|14}}: [[Codex: Eldar (4th Edition)]], pg. 13*{{Endn|15}}: [[Harlequin Codex: Necrons (Novel5th Edition)]] by , pg. 6*16: [[Ian WatsonDawn of War: Tempest (Novel)]], :**{{Endn|16a}}: Chapter Ten**{{Cite ThisEndn|16b}}: Chapter Twelve*{{Endn|17}}: [[CodexRise of the Ynnari: Necrons Ghost Warrior (5th EditionNovel)]], 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]]
[[de:Schwarze Bibliothek]]
[[fr:Bibliothèque Interdite (Eldars)]]