"You take on the roles of heretics, worshippers of the Dark Gods of Chaos fighting against the crumbling monolith that is the Imperium of Man.
The Imperium is the massive empire of humanity, stretching from one end of the galaxy to the other. However, it is beset on all sides by threats; both human and alien. It is also a harsh, cold regime, enforcing its rule with the iron fist of its mighty armies. The Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy, and above all, the genetically enhanced superhuman warriors of the Adeptus Astartes, the mighty Space Marines.
Though the galaxy of the Imperium is vast, there is another realm, alongside which the Imperium is nothing in comparison.
The Realms of Chaos, the warp, the immaterium, all are names humanity has given this parallel dimension. None, however, can hope to encompass it, for the warp is a realm of infinite size, infinite possibilities, and infinite madness. Humanity makes use of the warp. Starships travel through it to reach the far ends of the galaxy, astropaths send messages through it that would, take centuries to travel across real-space, and those blessed (or cursed) with psychic potential can manipulate the warp's energy to do miraculous and terrible things. However, the immaterium is far from a resource to be harvested, or even an ally to be trusted.
The warp is a realm of swirling emotions, of thought made manifest, and of the purest chaos. Deep in the darkest corners of the immaterium, vast, unknowable intelligences move like sharks beneath the surface of the ocean. They speak to mankind, offering power...at a price. And though the price may be steep, it is one many gladly pay.
As a disciple of the Ruinous Powers, you have turned your back on the Imperium. You have abandoned the oppressive society of mankind, and turned to unknowable entities within the warp; the Dark Gods of Chaos. Now you fight for your new masters, or only for yourself, to gain plunder, glory, and infamy. Perhaps you will gain enough power to lead your own armies, rising up to command your own Black Crusade!
Black Crusade centres around a small group of powerful individuals, the warband. You, the players, take on the role of members of that warband, either as Traitor Legionnaires (Space Marines who have turned from the Imperium and embraced Chaos) or powerful human renegade and heretic Disciples of the Dark Gods. Though you have only yourselves to rely on, you are some of the most formidable warriors and dangerous adversaries in the galaxy, and there is much you can accomplish with your own hands.
The game focuses on your warband's rise to power and glory. Your characters must be resourceful, powerful, and bold to succeed. As you accomplish great deeds and defeat powerful foes you accrue more infamy and fortune. Meanwhile, you are constantly being infused with the attentions of the Ruinous Powers, attentions which can have very real effects and corrupt you in body and mind even as they give you greater abilities and powers. You must earn enough renown and infamy to impress the gods and be elevated to immortal daemon-hood upon your end. Perhaps you may even be one of the very few skilled enough to earn the infamy required to lead your own Black Crusade before your apotheosis."
- Black Crusade Core Rulebook
Not much else to say here, I think. Too long has the Imperium sat in the way of Chaos, too long has the Corpse-Emperor denied the Gods their due! Now it is time to form a warband, to gnaw away from within, and to eventually reach your very own apotheosis at the hands of the true deities.
Do you possess the will and the corruption required for such a transformation, or will you fall by the wayside?
That is up to you.
Death to the False Emperor!
