Hi there!

Me and my friends are going to test Dark Heresy in the near future, and I've take on the role as the GM. I have played some Warhammer 40k the "board game" or what you can call it, and even though I'm quite familliar with the 40k universe there's (as said in the title) a lot to take in for my new players, there is so much that I don't even know where to start. There are so many aspects to remember and think of. For example: How does a Hive City look like? etc. etc.

The players are familliar with RPG's since before but not the 40k universe. I tried to search for a simillar topic but couldn't find anyone who had the things i was after. And the things I'm asking for is, quite simple, are there some place I can find all the "basic" stuff about the 40k universe.

I'm also from Sweden (excuse my bad english) and it feels like it will be weird to translate for example "Space marine" into swedish. I think the name itself will loose some of the "epicness" in the pronounce.

I apologize if I'm repeating myself (or if there are a simillar topic somewhere about the basic things).

I'm also from Sweden so its nice to see a fellow Swede here.

I would check out Lexicanum.com which is a Wiki where you can find some stuff about most things 40k. Other than that I would recommend against making to many translations. Its fine to translate plasma pistol into "plasmapistol" or perhaps Captain into Kapten, but most things should probably be left as English expressions. I know this will lead to a significent ammount of "Svengelska", if you're a Swede you know what I mean, but it is probably best to avoid to confusions.

Yeah, that's kinda what I thoguht first but as they're new players even english words will create some confusion but I guess the only way to avoid that is to explain more about the weapons etc. Thank you for the tip of the "wiki" site

If you are in need for some visuals/pics, this site might be helpful

http://www.malleus.dk/Ordo/Default.aspx

Oh, thanks alot!

Hi fellow Nord!

We keep our sessions in English these days, but then we’re comfortable with the language. In any case I’d recommend against “romsoldat” ?

As to the vast amount of information, I’d recommend 2 things.

First, use comparisons to things they know. Most of 40K is stolen from other writers, and chances are your players will know some of it. Hive city? Think Judge Dredds Megacity (they did see the movie, right?). Or Star Wars’ Coruscant, just without the shiny white and covered in filth The whole Navigating-the-Warp-thingy? Dune, and their spice-sniffing Navigators Guild. You’ll find the tech-priests and Rogue Traders in Asimovs Foundation books, but if you and your players aren’t familiar with Ye Olde Sci-Fi Classics, then you can still compare the Mechanicus to Mystic Wizards controlling “tech-as-magic” through rituals and secrecy.

Second tip would be to plan the campaign in such a way that the characters don’t know much more than the players, and so let them learn gradually in-game what they need to know as they progress. You can start them all off on a feudal world, where the only difference between a “regular fantasy RPG” would be the knowledge/faith in the Emperor of Man and his Imperium in the Sky, and the odd techo-trinket that is indistinguishable from magic anyway. Or in some dark underhive, where the warrens, gangways and town-caves are all they know, and gangwarfare is the name of the game. The point is it eases you all into the game, and will let you expand the scope of the setting at a pace you all find comfortable.

Hi, I feel stupid now because i ddin't think of that... I'll take your idea and put into use, they will simply start off on a feudal world as you said, and then learn things step by step.