The Unremembered Empire Quotes

“A capacity for the theoretical is admirable, but a stomach for the practical is priceless.”

—Roboute Guilliman, private writings”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire

“Death does not discriminate. It is so even handed, so scrupulously fair, that it seems not fair at all. - Eeron Kleve, Iron Hand's Captain”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire

“But there is always a shadow on him. He dwells in secrets, he plays his cards too close, and he walks by himself when he pleases. There is… too much of the wild forest in him. He should be as noble as any of my beloved brothers, but we have never been close, and there is too much about him that is sly. This will be an interesting reunion. I wonder what agenda brings him all the way to Ultramar.”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire

“My lord?’ Guilliman did not look up. ‘Three dead,’ he said softly. ‘Lorgar’s boasts were true. Three.’ ‘My lord.’ Guilliman shook his head, eyes still on the display. ‘The stories they bring to me, Euten. That Horus, or any of them, should turn against us, against me, against my father… I cannot begin to process it. My only consolation… My only consolation at all, as I have learned through our bitter fight with Lorgar, is that something has overtaken them, contaminated them. The warp is in their brains. It hardly excuses their actions, but it explains them. They are run mad and are no longer of themselves.’ He looked at the elderly chamberlain. She was upright and slender, supported by her tall staff. Her short hair was as glacial as her gown. ‘It is a hard thing to accept, my lord,’ she said. ‘I thought it would be the hardest,’ Guilliman agreed. ‘But what are brothers turned traitor compared to the death of three loyal sons? The survivors cannot refute it. Ferrus is dead. Corax, Vulkan, loyal all, and dead. Then, from the mouths of others, this news from Prospero. Magnus defying our father so much that they set the damned Wolves upon him? And now we hear from the Phall System, confirmation that Perturabo has indeed betrayed us…’ He rose to his feet. ‘What else? What else, I wonder? Is Terra already burning? Is my father already dead? If half of my brothers have turned to follow Horus’s treachery, then who remains? Three of those who might be counted loyal are already dead. Who else? Where is the Khan? Does Dorn burn along with Terra? Sanguinius and his Legion are said to be lost. The Lion has gone into the dark. Have the traitors hunted down the Wolf King and torn him to shreds? Am I alone now?’ ‘My lord, you–’ Guilliman held up his hand. ‘I am just thinking out loud, mam. I will be composed by the time I reach the hall. You know I will.’ She nodded. ‘All I can count upon is what I know as solid fact,’ said Guilliman. ‘Macragge still stands. My Legion still stands. While those two facts remain, there remains an Imperium.”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire

“Mankind has made gods in their own image, and those gods have proven false.”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire

“I cannot build an empire and put myself on the throne, even if I am the only candidate. It smacks of hubris, of arrogance, of overweening pride and foul ambition.”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire

“Guilliman has always believed that the true purpose of a warlord, or a Battle King, or a warmaster, was not to wage war but to prevent it.”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire

“I read extensively to that end,' said Prayto. 'I find the notions and wisdoms contained in literature and poetry push my mind to places that pure technical reading does not.”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire

“You read, Titus?’ the Avenging Son asked. ‘Of course, my lord.’ Guilliman demurred with a slight shake of his hand. ‘You misunderstand. Of course you can read. But I don’t mean data, or tactical updates, or informational material. Do you read fiction? Drama? Poetry? History?’ Prayto maintained a solemn face, though he was amused. There were times when Lord Guilliman of Ultramar seemed to know everything about everything, in astonishing detail, yet he could also be childlike in his naivety and not understand very basic things about the people and the culture surrounding him.”
― Dan Abnett, The Unremembered Empire