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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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→Overview: clean up, replaced: rumor → rumour
==Overview==
The Dark Imperium is a region of space that became isolated from the greater [[Imperium]], now known as the [[Imperium Sanctus]],{{Fn|4}} due to the formation of the [[Great Rift]] at the end of the [[Thirteenth Black Crusade]]. The "Dark Imperium" is aptly named, for here the light of the [[Astronomican]] is obscured, travel is extremely dangerous, astropathic communication is difficult, and many enemies of [[Humanity]] besiege its remaining isolated worlds. Though Imperium Sanctus suffers from a myriad of problems and threats, they pale in comparison to those of Imperium Nihilus.{{Fn|7b}} [[Chaos]] fleets and warbands in particular reave with near-impunity, new [[Daemon World]]s allow for [[Daemon]]ic armies to roam freely, and many of the isolated Imperial worlds in this blighted region believe themselves the last outpost of mankind. Many of these worlds have essentially seceded from Imperial rule, establishing themselves as petty kingdoms. It is not uncommon for these small palatinates to fall under the sway of Chaos armies. It is doubtful that even [[Abaddon]] himself is aware of every such sovereign empire spreading beyond the influence of the Imperium, though rumors rumours are abound that he is guiding them.{{Fn|8}}
Travel across the Great Rift to the Dark Imperium is said to be difficult to nigh-impossible.{{Fn|1}} A stable route, known as the [[Nachmund Gauntlet]] was eventually discovered and is now one of the most strategically vital regions of the Galaxy. Until the [[Indomitus Crusade]], it was not even clear to the Imperium if anything remained alive on the other side of the Rift.{{Fn|6}} [[Lord Commander]] [[Roboute Guilliman]] has declared one of the aims of the [[Indomitus Crusade]] to be the liberation of the stranded worlds within Imperium Nihilus.{{Fn|2}}
