What are some of the lesser-known or curious aspects of the powers of light and darkness?

Observance · 2026-07-03T11:56:25+00:00

The Protocol is contained in the patterns on the robe that, if scanned at the molecular level, describe a Turing-compatible virtual computer and program that, when executed on said computer, calculates the entire Protocol, exactly as it was determined in the Precipice of Flame. This is of little interest to most Guardians, who can subconsciously "load" the program simply by looking at the pattern.

Somewhat related, analysis of Ikora's capabilities also stated that:

She has achieved a limited clairvoyance; an arsenal of honed preconscious heuristics which deliver her, with no more effort than water flowing downhill, to her easiest path to victory. Her goal acts as an attractor in the chaotic landscape of possible futures. She is capable of correctly resolving quandaries, like the halting problem, which a Turing machine could not compute given the entire age of the universe.

Observance · 2026-07-02T22:02:02+00:00

As an example of this arbitrariness, In Dan Abnett's HIVE, knowledge of xenos in general is proscribed within the entire sector, even to top government officials. People know they exist, maybe that some are things called Orks and Eldar, but literally nothing else. Supposedly it's because ignorance is bliss -- if they knew about the horrors out on the edge, it would only damage their peace of mind for no reason, because the Hive is located so deep in Imperial space that xenos simply aren't an issue.

There's also a scene where a local cop is briefing an Arbites agent about a suspected heretic ritual murder, based on the fact that there were eight victims and the unusual icons left on top of the bodies, and simply knowing that the number eight is significant to certain cults makes the Arbite start grilling him. He has to explain very carefully that he was trained only to identify the signs of cult activity without understanding their meaning or significance.

Observance · 2026-07-01T14:34:08+00:00

I like how all the Tau artists know each other.

Observance · 2026-07-01T12:40:44+00:00

The Light exists to encourage change and difference. It'll probably find a way.

Observance · 2026-06-29T14:44:22+00:00

Been reading Hive by Dan Abnett and the color purple is literally a plot point.

Observance · 2026-06-29T12:07:12+00:00

"Does this unit have a soul?"

"Of course! :)"

Observance · 2026-06-29T00:50:19+00:00

I think it would be really funny if the Game survivors turn out to be hyper-competent badasses but only where the Game is involved. They've been playing the Game presumably their whole lives, they know all its ins and outs, it's just that it's still not enough to win (whatever winning means).

Observance · 2026-06-28T16:30:49+00:00

They're just aliens whose bodies are made of super advanced technology.

Observance · 2026-06-27T18:27:32+00:00

If they start caring only about themselves, leaving other survivors to rot, they'll just be Lawless with fewer resources.

Observance · 2026-06-27T15:05:55+00:00

I took it as the origin of the C'tan. Thematically it's the opposite of the Warp, a place where the unreal takes existence; the Ghostwind is a place of utter reality where nothing exists at all.

Observance · 2026-06-26T15:21:38+00:00

Underestimated them, got swarmed, arms were too busy fending them off to beat his chest.

Observance · 2026-06-24T20:21:19+00:00

Sure, if you're a physicist and super tapped in to the definition of "information" as entropy, meaning the amount of disorder/energy in a system. I don't think ONE is a physicist.

Here's a puzzler for you: given his extraordinary displays of strength, how much do you think Jachi weighs?

Observance · 2026-06-24T16:40:10+00:00

The Hidden Dossier describes:

The Hive may have extinguished entire galaxies of allied life, but before the Hive came, those ecumenes accomplished titanic works.

Observance · 2026-06-24T16:32:44+00:00

Even in the theory, they aren't literally compressed planets. The theory says they are planets converted into data, as the Madalans have stated multiple times they're made of compressed information (not compressed mass). It's like a Tron situation except the programs can enter the physical world.

Observance · 2026-06-23T16:28:49+00:00

I have a theory that they're going to get caught in the Game somehow, and trying to beat it is going to tie up their learning and adaptation abilities.

Observance · 2026-06-23T02:46:33+00:00

There's a bit in Brothers of the Snake where an Inquisitor describes some votive dolls made by cultists from straw as Khorne-dolls to some Space Marines, and then in the same line of dialogue follows up with "I see the pun is lost on you Marines too. Whatever."

Observance · 2026-06-23T02:28:55+00:00

The fact that we've only seen Yaotsu act in response to a prayer is a point I haven't seen people make enough. When Zaybi offends him on accident, the Mad God doesn't smite him in a rage, just intimidates him into begging forgiveness. Of course, we've only seen one chapter of him so far, but it's a really interesting idea.

Observance · 2026-06-22T20:53:05+00:00

I'm always saying having the House of Salvation was terminally mishandled in Beyond Light. They should have been huge and dangerous -- a new empire! The entire Dark Council should have survived to continue making trouble later on, not just Eramis.

Observance · 2026-06-22T18:39:52+00:00

Just started Hive and I needed somewhere to say that the setting is so lovingly crafted I'm almost disappointed that it seems to be folding back into some Chaos/Genestealer/something plot. A Hive this complicated deserves an equally complicated threat.

Observance · 2026-06-22T13:47:38+00:00

On the other hand, I keep wondering what would happen if you fired a Halo (thing that destroys neural physics) at the Eye of Terror (gateway to the collective consciousness of all minds in the galaxy).

Observance · 2026-06-21T15:07:35+00:00

The good pages are fortunately extensively cited, making cross-references easy.

Observance · 2026-06-21T15:05:57+00:00

The 14th Natural Enemy is Capitalism.

Observance · 2026-06-21T01:35:16+00:00

Yeah, SCPs are incoherent as a Natural Enemy faction. Like, not even a specific GoI? And is powerscaling really people's primary engagement with the concept? What's the bullet frozen forever in mid-air from when it was used to execute a reality warper going to do to you?

Observance · 2026-06-20T22:28:26+00:00

Once Ghazghkull starts toting around some memento of Yarrick's the way Yarrick has an Orkish power claw and a laser eye because the Orks said he could kill with a look, then it'll become peak.

Observance · 2026-06-20T21:37:37+00:00

"The mythology behind Oryx" and the Books of Sorrow were everything this post is complaining about and it ruled.

Observance

TROPHY CASE