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"GOT FLUFF?"
A Brief Study of Fluff in the 40K Universe
By Ranulf Thunderwolf
Fluff, a truly fascinating word that has its origins buried deep in human history. From the early Egyptians that would roll and smoke fluff, to your modern day kindergarten student who picks it from his navel to flick at the school-mate sitting next to him, Fluff has been always been with us. The Oxford dictionary defines "Fluff" as:
Fluff n. 1. A light, soft downy substance.
Right, now your probably thinking: What's this got to do with 40K? Why am I reading this at 3am in the morning? Why did Fenrir agree to allow this weirdo access to his site? Well hang in there sports fans, the answer is just around the corner………
FLUFF IN THE 40K UNIVERSE
To some, Fluff is yet another piece of lingo created by 'dedicated' gamers to describe an element of their hobby. Just like 'beardy', 'tin-boy' or any one of a number of terms, it has become an entry in the 40K Slang dictionary. But to others, Fluff is one of the main reasons they continue collecting and gaming in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Fluff in 40K refers to the fiction.
You know those entertaining stories at the start of a Battle Report in White Dwarf, the ones about how the Imperial Guard Colonel gives an inspiring speech to his troops. The last part at the end of the report, that tells the story of the aforementioned Colonel's last moments before the Chaos Lord rips off his head to use a drinking cup. That's Fluff.
The reasons why the Dark Angels are a bunch of grumpy, surly, generally miserable marines, the explanation for why the Eldar float around on the 41st millenium's equivalent to modern day Cruise-liners? Even the answers to the creation of those four big badasses in the Eye of Terror, are contained in the FLUFF.
Fluff is the background that 40K is set upon. It is the ever-present story that has unfolded over the last 40,000 years and still filters through all elements of the game. To exemplify this further, image you live in a flat above an Indian restaurant famous for its Curries. Over the years the smell of curry will waft through your apartment so many times, that the smell is always apparent. It is the same with Fluff. How do we know Logan Grimnar is a great and powerful warrior, because of the Fluff. How do we know why is the Emperor a rotting carcass sitting in a Technologist's dream chair? Because of the Fluff. Imagine the following situation with an absence of Fluff:
As the three suns set on Acturas II, young Jimmy sits with his father on the porch. Colonel Gabriel Fane looks down upon his son and is overcome with a feeling of sadness and dread in equal measure. His attention is drawn to the sky once more, as yet another crudely assembled Ork Rok comes hurtling down through the stratosphere.
"Your going away to fight again aren't you daddy?" whispers a concerned young Jimmy.
"I'm afraid so son, with this Ork invasion of our homeworld, I must join the defense"
"But I'm so confused papa, I've got so many questions" Cries young Jimmy, his voice breaking, due to the concern for his father.
"Don't be frightened my son, ask me"
"Well…um…where do Orks come from? How did they get here? Why is your unit called the 'Emperor's chosen', whose this Emperor guy anyway? Where is he right now?………"
"Well son…um…Orks come from the …er…Cabbage Patch, and um… the Emper…"
I'll step back in to save the father shall I, good. You see without the Fluff, without the background knowledge we have about the Emperor and Ork reproductive systems, the story seems somewhat…hmmm…crap. Not to mention, young Jimmy remains ignorant about his reality at best, and sexually confused regarding Orks at worst…
In short Fluff is the glue that holds the unstable 40K universe together, it is one of the reasons we keep coming back to the hobby after each GW instigated price-hike.
Using Fluff in your every-day lives (the 40K part anyways….)
Yes! That's right folks! You too can use Fluff™ in your own homes and gaming groups! It slices it dices, make your own Fluff to impress friends at dinner parties! Give Fluff to family as a wonderful, thoughtful birthday present! All for the low, value for money price of…..nothing!
Creating your own Fluff is great way of adding an extra level of enjoyment to your gaming.
Step 1: Give all your Characters names, i.e my own Wolf Lord, the proud and mighty "RANULF THUNDERWOLF". Even slightly more humble persons benefit from an identity: "Veteran Sergeant Vasques of the 4th Catachen "Lucky Devils" regiment reporting for duty, SIR!" Sounds a little more exciting then "Veteran Sergeant Upgrade +10 points" Don't you think?
Step 2. Attach Fluff to equipment: "Rune Priest Hiemdal was gifted with his ancient Rune Staff following the death of his teacher, the mighty Skalf Blackhammer. It is said to have been made from the Oak trees that grew upon the holy soil of Earth itself." So what if the rules for the item suck, how else could you smack an Eldar in the face and shout "GOT OAK!"
Step 3. Document the history of your army. Ranulf's Wolves have fought under the suns of many a varied planet. They have had many glorious victories, as well as quite a few crushing defeats, and it is all recorded in the Saga of Ranulf………
Step 4. The Models. Collecting a Marine chapter? Then right from the get-go, chose a company, pick a symbol for the 'pads and banners, stick with the scheme so it shows throughout the models in your army.
This is just the beginning to Fluff, and there certainly is no end to it, so get out there and Fluff it up. In the words of the enlightened Dali Lhama, or possibly some drunken bloke I met in a pub somewhere:
"Fluff is everything, Fluff is nothing, Fluff is everywhere, Fluff is nowhere….wanna buy me another pint o' ale buddy"
The last part of the quote is a little abstract, but I hope you get the idea, so go get fluffy!
-Ranulf Thuderwolf "The Fluff Master"
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