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[[File:Hiveworldpic.JPG|thumb|Image of the Hive World]]A '''η-class (eta class)''' or '''Hive World''' is a category of [[Imperial]] planet distinguished by vast, continent-spanning cities, often built high into the sky and deep beneath the earth. Their populations are enormous, and almost all food needs to be imported. A hive world rendered temporarily inaccessible through warp space will suffer a devastating famine within a very short space of time. It will become a vast catacomb of lunatics driven to excesses of anarchic, urban savagery by starvation and claustrophobia. Hive worlds are dangerous, being too large to monitor safely, and their citizens are typically unbalanced, if not utterly crazed. It has been known for the [[Adeptus Arbites]] to cull these planets in order to bring their populations down to manageable levels.²

Billions of people can live crowded together in a single [[A '''η-class (eta class)''' or '''Hive|hive-city]]. Each of these hiveworlders World''' is a potential soldier for Imperial forces, including the category of [[Imperial Guard]] planet distinguished by vast, continent-spanning cities, often built high into the sky and deep beneath the [[Space Marine]]searth. Their populations are enormous, and almost all food needs to be imported. A Hive worlds contribute the World rendered temporarily inaccessible through Warp space will suffer a devastating famine within a very short space of time. It will become a vast bulk catacomb of lunatics driven to excesses of the recruits anarchic, urban savagery by starvation and claustrophobia. Hive Worlds are dangerous, being too large to monitor safely, and their citizens are typically unbalanced, if not utterly crazed. It has been known for the Imperial Guard. The violent [[gangAdeptus Arbites]]land lifestyle which most residents are forced to live means they are already hardened and experienced cull these planets in warfare. Almost every recruit will already know how order to bring their populations down to handle a gunmanageable levels.²

Billions of people can live crowded together in a single [[Hive|Hive worlds also serve to populate newly discovered planets-city]]. Each of these Hive Worlders is a potential soldier for Imperial forces, including the [[Imperial citizens are gathered from various hive worlds (willingly or unwillingly) Guard]] and shipped off to distant coloniesthe [[Space Marine]]s. An example Hive Worlds contribute the vast bulk of this would be the recruits for the Imperial Guard. The violent [[Medusa Vgang]]land lifestyle which most residents are forced to live means they are already hardened and experienced in warfare. Almost every recruit will already know how to handle a gun.

Hive worlds have huge import/export ratios, exporting a vast range of materials, Worlds also serve to populate newly discovered planets. Imperial citizens are gathered from various Hive Worlds (willingly or unwillingly) and relying on imports shipped off to distant colonies. An example of food and waterthis would be [[Medusa V]].

There are 38,256 hive worlds in the Imperium<sup>3<Hive Worlds have huge import/sup>. Most consist of various enclosed hive cities or hive clusters surrounded by wasteland, jungle, ice, plainsexport ratios, etc. In the most extreme examples the hive world has developed beyond the point of separate hive clusters - the planet's surface instead is completely urbanized with hundreds of stacked layers exporting a vast range of arcologiesmaterials, covering the entirety of the planet. Holy [[Terra]] is an example and relying on imports of this "city-planet"food and water.

There are 38,256 Hive Worlds in the Imperium³. Most consist of various enclosed Hive cities or Hive clusters surrounded by wasteland, jungle, ice, plains, etc. In common with the most other Imperial worlds, hive world society extreme examples the Hive World has distinct classesdeveloped beyond the point of separate Hive clusters - the planet's surface instead is completely urbanized with hundreds of stacked layers of arcologies, with a ruling class and a working class. Invariably covering the lower classes inhabit entirety of the lower and more decayed and polluted levels planet. Holy [[Terra]] is an example of the hivethis "city-planet".

In common with most other Imperial worlds, Hive World society has distinct classes, with a ruling class and a working class. Invariably the lower classes inhabit the lower and more decayed and polluted levels of the Hive. The sheer numbers of workers in a hive Hive makes them hard to control. Gangs grow up and control sections, fighting among themselves and millions subsists on scraps. Further up power reaches the ancient lighting system, while even further up, air circulation systems clean the air for those rich enough to afford it. It is a hierarchical system, and a ruthless one, but given sufficient forces to keep the populace down, it is a very efficient way of housing billions of people. If each person had a house on the ground, the entire planet would be overrun with living quarters and no room for production facilities.

*¹ ''[[Warhammer 40,000 3rd Edition Rulebook]]''*² ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]]''*³ ''[[Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook]]''