Changes

However some isolated pockets of human civilisation managed to survive and even thrive; mainly those worlds and star systems which were, or became, completely self-sufficient in all vital aspects. Sub-light travel was still possible, and some star systems had several colonies to trade and to share resources. Warp jumps could be made on occasion, as the storms waxed and waned. Some few fortunate star systems were even close enough to each other for tiny "pocket empires" to begin forming. Known "pocket empires" of this time were the domain of the [[Interex]] {{Fn|10}} and the Squat homeworlds.{{CMEFn|11}}

Terra and the rest of the Solar System was surrounded by terrible Warp storms, isolating the human homeworld for several thousand years. Control of the Solar System shifted constantly between Terra and Mars during the first half of the Age of Strife. By the 28th Millennium almost all traces of civilisation on Earth were long gone; instead, techno-barbarians battled one another over the scraps of the ancient culture. Little information remains from this dark time, but it is known that warlords such as [[Dalmoth Kyn]] of [[Hy Brasil]], [[Kalagann]] of [[Ursh]], [[Cardinal Tang]] of the [[Yndonesic Bloc]], "the half-mad half-genius" [[Narthan Dume]] of the [[Panpacific Empire]], [[Daival Shan]], [[Venal]], or [[Belot]] ruled during this age.{{Fn|8}} Other known nations include [[Freinc]], [[Jermani]], [[Gyptus]], [[Merica]], the [[Nordafrik Conclaves]], the [[Terrawatt Clan]], [[Albyon]], and [[Oseania]].{{Fn|9}} Other social groups included the "[[Nordyc]]" people.{{CMEFn|12}}

[[Mars]] underwent a very different transformation. After a brief period of anarchy, the [[Tech-priest]]s of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus|Cult Mechanicus]] emerged victorious over the mutants and unified their homeworld. The Tech-priests then visited Terra, occasionally raiding it for remnants of technology that they could take home and adapt to their purposes, however, they were appalled at the destruction of Terra, and saw nothing worth saving. Instead, the Martians studied the Warp and, after many lifetimes, learned to detect lulls in the Warp storms. At the same time the immense fighting machines known as [[Titan]]s were created.{{CMEFn|13}}

For over a thousand years the Cult Mechanicus watched and waited. Whenever a break in the Warp storms occurred, an expeditionary force was sent, complete with a full Titan Legion, thousands of Servitors and Techpriests. Some of these expeditions were lost in the Warp or perished on faraway worlds. Others succeeded in establishing "[[Forge World]]s" - replicas of Mars. Broken messages were transmitted to [[Mars]], but it was not until the time of the [[Great Crusade]] that the various Forge Worlds and Mars would be reunited.{{CMEFn|13}}

The Warp storms continued to increase for a reason: the birth of [[Slaanesh]], caused by the [[Fall of the Eldar]]. As Slaanesh was finally born the Warp storms ended with a single storm of massive proportions. As the Warp began to calm the Emperor was able to lead his [[Thunder Warriors]] and later twenty Space Marine Legions from unified Terra to reunite humanity, beginning the [[Great Crusade]] that would create the Imperium.{{CMEFn|14}}

The [[Age of the Imperium]] officially began with the Emperor's conquest of Terra in the [[Unification Wars]], but in the view of many, truly began with the Great Crusade.{{CMEFn|14}}