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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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{{redirect|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.{{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 (as well as the human [[Illuminati]]) may come and go as they wish,{{Fn|1}} The entrances to the library itself are guarded by mythic guardians,{{Fn|11}} [[Guardian-Scribes]],{{fn|1}} as well as 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}} 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}} Since the [[Fall of the Eldar]], a [[Crystal Tome of Cegorach|Crystal Tome]] bounded with chains of light has rested upon an obsidian plinth at the heart of the Black Library. As fabled events came to pass — beginning with [[Ahzek Ahriman]] learning the first of those truths leading to his eventual attack on the Black Library{{Fn|5d}} and culminating with the death of the [[Maiden World]] of Dúriel{{Fn|5e}} — so those chains faded one by one until the tome opened shortly before the opening of the [[Great Rift]].{{Fn|5e}} ===Known and Rumoured Works===*[[Atlas Infernal]]*[[Book of Mournful Night]]*[[Book of Rhana Dandra]]*[[Cries of Isha]]*[[Stern Codex]] (intended to be placed here)*The [[True Name]] of the [[Emperor of Mankind]] (rumoured, as one possible location){{Fn|6}}*[[Book of Magnus]] (copy){{Fn|8}}*[[Daemonicus Totalus]] (copy){{Fn|8}}
==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 the only source of and the [Eldar Mythology|Eldar's knowledge concerning [[ChaosGods]] 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]]{{Fn|9}} as well as , with the [[White SeerCraftworld]]sbeing 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 millenia.{{Fn|7b1}}
====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 The last lock on the [[Great RiftCrystal Tome of Cegorach|Cicatrix MaledictumCrystal Tome]]. The opened shortly before the opening of the [[Great Rift caused a section of the Library ]].{{Fn|5e}} Revealed within were writings said to fall completely, breached have been written by the warp. Now in the clutches of [[Slaanesh|She who ThirstsCegorach]]itself, telling of a final act that portion changed utterly the tale of the Fall. Instead of the library is tainted foreverultimate victory of Chaos, beyond the ability final act tells of even Cegorach's ultimate jest that would trick Slaanesh into expending all of her energies to save the [[White Seer|White Seers]] Eldar instead of destroying them. How such an event could come to cleansepass remains unclear.{{Fn|7b5c}}
==Location==While it Black Library exists wholly within the webway[[Webway]]{{Fn|5a}} within the [[Warp]], {{Fn|11}} and 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 world]]s of [[Syph]] and [[Quilan]].{{Fn|5a}}
The Black Library may be accessed in several ways, including via [[Webway Gate]] and the more flamboyant [[Neverending Stair]].{{Fn|7a}}
==Construction==
The Black Library is often described as a ''"Dark [[Craftworld]]"''.{{Fn|9}} While this is true in the sense that it is an [[Artificial World]] of [[Wraithbone]] construction,{{Fn|11}} it is no more ship or lost city than a hole in the heart is the heart itself.{{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 mind defends itself, barring the weak and corruptible.{{Fn|1}}
==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}}
*[[Iqbraesil]] of [[Iyanden]]{{Fn|10}}
*[[Morcan Fiorinintal]] of [[Alaitoc]]{{Fn|10}}
==Sources==
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Ahriman: Undying (Novel)]] - Prologue
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Atlas Infernal (Novel)]] - 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
===Uncited===
{{Uncited}}
*[[Codex: Necrons (5th Edition)]], pg. 6
