The Ghoul Stars region is a desolate stretch of the galaxy where dying suns light dead worlds and aliens seem more like nightmares than flesh. It’s the Imperium’s northern nightmare, and it’s kept that way by ancient horrors that never really left.
What and where it is
The Ghoul Stars, also called the Ghost Stars, sit in the extreme northeast of the galaxy, in the northern part of the Ultima Segmentum. It’s a feared area of void-space where cold, dying suns light scattered planets.
Once, humans lived on many of those worlds. Now they’re dead, and an ancient threat is blamed for wiping them out. The region’s natives are described as supernatural, and some are so alien they don’t seem natural at all.
- Location: extreme northeast, northern Ultima Segmentum
- Also known as: the Ghost Stars
- Key threat: Necron Bone Kingdom of Drazak
- Notable xenos: Cythor Fiends, Togoran Bloodreeks
Imperial presence and watchers
The Imperium has kept only a light presence there since the Horus Heresy. No Imperial expedition into the deeper regions has ever come back.
The Death Spectres Chapter maintains a constant vigil, making sure the region’s horrors don’t spill out into the wider galaxy. The Deathwatch of Fort Pykman also watches, and the Carcharodons pass through from time to time.
The Angels Erythrean patrol the area too, often trading with the Carcharodons and other nomad predation forces. But neither group puts much effort into protecting the few Imperial colonies there. They’re focused on shielding the Imperium itself.
- Death Spectres: constant vigil over the Ghoul Stars
- Deathwatch: Fort Pykman watches the region
- Carcharodons: periodic passages through the area
- Angels Erythrean: patrols and trades with exiles
History: crusades and disappearances
During the Great Crusade, the Imperium conquered some parts of the Ghoul Stars. Nostramo, homeworld of the Night Lords, sat on its border. In 002.M31, Raven Guard elements were sent on a crusade into the region and became renegades, forming the Ashen Claws.
Most Imperial presence there was destroyed during the Horus Heresy, with many worlds depopulated. In late M34, a threat called the Pale Wastings swept out of the Ghoul Stars. Records are sparse, but they mention a star-spawned plague and nightmare engines that slaughtered entire sectors. The Novamarines and eleven other Chapters fought back.
Much later, the Black Templars launched the Ghoul Stars Crusade against the Cythor Fiends. They captured 18 planets, but when they reached the Cythors’ homeworlds, the planets were empty. The xenos had vanished. The Black Templars were then diverted to Armageddon, leaving the mystery unsolved.
- Great Crusade: partial conquest, Nostramo on the border
- 002.M31: Raven Guard crusade leads to Ashen Claws
- Late M34: Pale Wastings threat
- Late M41: Ghoul Stars Crusade vs Cythor Fiends
Known worlds and regions
The Ghoul Stars are full of dead worlds and a few stubborn survivors. The Ashen Claws, a small independent Human empire, is based there. The Necron Bone Kingdom of Drazak is one of the most horrifying threats native to the area.
Other named places include the Sarvakal Cluster, where the Death Spectres kept a vigil, and the Cythors’ former capital, 9836-18 Grave Core. The region also borders the Somnium Stars and sits near an Astropathic Duct.
| World or region | Notes |
|---|---|
| Drazak | Necron Bone Kingdom, major threat |
| 9836-18 Grave Core | Cythor Fiends’ former capital, atmosphere set on fire |
| Sarvakal Cluster | Death Spectres vigil point |
| Nostramo | Night Lords homeworld, on the border |
| Ashen Claws territory | Independent Human empire |
Key facts
- The Ghoul Stars region is in the extreme northeast of the galaxy, in the northern Ultima Segmentum.
- It’s also called the Ghost Stars and is lit by dying suns.
- The Necron Bone Kingdom of Drazak is one of its most horrifying threats.
- The Death Spectres keep a constant vigil over the region.
- The Black Templars’ Ghoul Stars Crusade captured 18 planets, but the Cythor Fiends vanished.
- No Imperial expedition into the deeper regions has ever returned.
FAQ
What is the Ghoul Stars region?
It’s a dangerous, ill-understood area in the extreme northeast of the galaxy, known for dying suns, dead worlds, and alien horrors that seem supernatural.
Who watches over the Ghoul Stars?
The Death Spectres maintain a constant vigil, the Deathwatch of Fort Pykman keeps watch, and the Carcharodons and Angels Erythrean pass through periodically.
What happened to the Cythor Fiends?
During the Ghoul Stars Crusade, the Black Templars found their homeworlds empty. The xenos had vanished, and their disappearance remains unexplained.