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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
→History: Added information on library contents and last realspace position
== History ==
The [[Craftworld]]s became the only surviving sources of their ancient knowledge after the [[Fall of the Eldar]]. 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.{{Fn|1}} The Library is the only source of the Eldar's knowledge concerning [[Chaos]] that has remained untouched. It was created by [[Cegorach]](better known as the Laughing God), though for what purposes can only be guessed.{{Fn|2}}
Though most often mentioned in relation to its collection of chaotic lore, the Library contains other mysteries as well. It is said that knowledge the fate of [[Arhra]], the fallen [[Phoenix Lord]], is contained within the vast archives of the Black Library, as does the nature of ancient "star gods" and more besides. {{Fn|5b}}
The Black Library is spoken of by Eldar as a dark Craftworld existing within the [[Webway]], far beyond the reach of the [[Imperium]]. Within are collected tomes and writings describing the Eldar's studies of the [[warp]]. These writings describe all aspects of Chaos: its perils, promises and horrors. The Library is enclosed within a nearly impenetrable psychic barrier, and is watched and maintained by its Guardian-scribes, who collate and transcribe the knowledge of the Library, a task they have carried out since the Fall.{{Fn|1}} It contains not just Eldar knowledge of Chaos; any knowledge of Chaos is taken and kept within the Library, such as a copy of the [[Book of Magnus]]. 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.{{Cite this}}
===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}}
===Location===
While it exists wholly within the webway, echoes of 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 the [[Ghoul Stars]], within a triangle formed by the Grand Shrine of Asuryan and the [[Exodite]] worlds of Syph and Quilan.{{Fn|5a}}
==Known Contents==
