Actually, Warhammer 40,000 is primarily known for one thing: Constant wars in a dystopian future with futuristic weapons. However, this is not true for the entire galaxy. Some worlds are deliberately prevented from ever reaching even modernity.
For most, even some veterans, this may sound strange, after all, hardly anything represents Warhammer as much as the crazy Bolters or the science fiction laser guns that represent the standard of the Imperial army.
Why should there be worlds where – if at all – only gunpowder has been invented in a world where such things are possible? And still, there is exactly that in Warhammer 40,000: Feudal worlds where the Middle Ages never end.
Somehow, this dichotomy is also part of the setting, where archaic brutality can combine with postmodern efficiency. Swords and axes are, after all, a staple in every arsenal, because they fill gaps where other weapons fail.
Similarly, feudal worlds serve a purpose for which they are the only candidates. Such planets are usually not considered valuable enough to be properly supplied. Nevertheless, they must contribute their part to the whole. Do the people who live there like it? That doesn’t matter – the Imperium wants it this way, and that must suffice.
You can roughly imagine the technological level of a feudal world as what you know from Warhammer Fantasy:
Planets without cars, internet, and servitors
Well, the internet is somewhat exaggerated anyway. As futuristic as Warhammer 40,000 is, much technology is at a level that would be considered outdated even today, partly because there was once a pretty bad experience with artificial intelligence. But what exactly are these worlds?
Feudal worlds have virtually no technology known from the Imperium. There are no modern weapons, no modern transportation (and certainly no spaceships), and there are also no forever damned servitors.
Ironically, the Imperium partially allows feudal worlds to use modern prosthetics – which makes sense, as the people there are supposed to do their work. Another grotesque contrast that makes Warhammer so wonderfully “grimdark”.
The very fact that there is no technology present on feudal worlds makes them valuable in a way for the Imperium, or rather: its nobility.
Quasi the organic seal of the 41st millennium
The primary purpose of feudal worlds is provisioning, as strange as it may sound. After all, there are agricultural worlds where food is grown on a large scale or livestock is raised.
However, feudal worlds have clean atmospheres, whereas agricultural worlds and other planets – especially swarm worlds – are polluted with industrial waste, smog, and toxic contamination. Food from there is… well, let’s just say, not as good as it could be.
Since feudal worlds have never known industry, the air here is clean. Rain comes without free additives, and the soil provides vegetables with natural nutrients, not with excessively bred fertilizers.
What comes from the feudal worlds, however, is only intended for the absolute elite of the Imperium, as it is still a class society. The common folk may eat each other, and yes, I mean that literally.
Not just granaries, but also barracks for the Imperium’s super soldiers
Planets where there aren’t even tractors are correspondingly harsh – you all surely remember a few things about the Middle Ages from history class or the last medieval market. However, this also means: People from these worlds are tough.
Just like people who can establish themselves on dangerous death worlds, inhabitants of feudal worlds are considered resilient and strong. That makes them perfect candidates for “training” as Space Marines, and even the Astra Militarum partially recruits people from there for the army.
Some orders, such as the Dark Angels, like to specifically recruit from feudal worlds. And yes, a 2.50-meter tall guy in power armor looks rather strange on a world where a lighter is considered witchcraft.
Space Marines are thus somewhat like mythical beings on feudal worlds, literal angels and demigods, even more so than in the Imperium as a whole. However, it is probably better for humans to never encounter a Space Marine.
Where would you most like to live in Warhammer 40,000? Do you think a feudal world would be the best option? Or would you prefer to be directly on Terra? Leave us a comment!
As rough and unrefined as feudal worlds may sound, they are probably the closest thing to a peaceful place
in the Warhammer sense. And honestly, living there would still be better than in a big city: Warhammer 40,000: Why you wouldn’t survive long in a big city of the Imperium
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