18,648
edits
Changes
From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
m
no edit summary
==History==
===Imperial===
Like many examples of [[human]] invention, the chainsword’s many variants seem to have their roots in the shrouded heresies of the [[Dark Age of Technology]]. Accordingly, it saw consistent use in the armoured fists of [[techno-barbarian]]s during the [[Age of Strife]], and among the [[Emperor]]’s own armies during his [[Thunder Warriors]]’ brutal conquest of [[Terra]]. {{Fn|19}} Imperial chainswords are known to be inherently unbalanced melee weapons.{{Fn|32}} But chainswords have been wielded by inhuman hands for aeons. Several [[xenos]] races have borne such blades into battle even in the ages where Mankind could only look up to the stars with spears in their filthy hands.{{Fn|19}}
[[Tech-Priest]] foundry masters have speculated, down the centuries, that it is simply a natural evolution of the sword’s design: from bronze to iron; from iron to steel; from steel to chain-teeth; and from chain-teeth to a weapon wreathed in an energy field - such as the Imperial power sword. But doubt remains. More than one Martian [[magos]] has devoted their life’s work to researching the primeval origins of chainweapons; mostly likely as an inspiration stolen from an alien race, in a war that may never be remembered. If this theorem ever bears fruit, it is distinctly possible that the galaxy’s first wielders of chainswords were jade-clad warriors of the ancient Eldar.{{Fn|19}}
==Sources==
<div style="column-width:24em;column-count:2;font-size:85%">
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition)]], pg. 57
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Eldar (4th Edition)]], pg. 33
*{{Endn|30}}: [[White Dwarf 513]], pg. 69
*{{Endn|31}}: [[Codex: World Eaters (10th Edition)]], pg. 96-97
*{{Endn|32}}: [[Blood Reaver (Novel)]], Chapter XV
</div>
===Uncited===
