This year Games Workshop celebrates the 40th anniversary of Warhammer, and they've been reflecting on some iconic miniatures that have left a lasting impact. Today, we're delving into the rich lore of Warhammer 40K, focusing on a significant figure – the First Loyalist Primarch to reappear in the game after a long hiatus: Roboute Guilliman. His return sparked a profound transformation in the narrative and set the stage for the game's evolution. This marked a turning point – a "no turning back" moment that propelled Warhammer 40K into a new era of storytelling.

Let's rewind and delve into the Primarch saga. These genetically-engineered warlords, handcrafted by the Emperor to lead his Great Crusade and bring order to the cosmos, found themselves entangled in the Horus Heresy – a tumultuous conflict among brothers that tore the Imperium apart. The aftermath of this internal strife left the Imperium fractured, many Primarchs deceased, others twisted into daemonic beings, and a few vanished into the unknown expanse of the galaxy. One such Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, fell victim to his own kin and was entombed in stasis – a tale woven into the lore since the early 90s.

As years rolled on and Warhammer 40K's grand narrative unfolded, the prospect of a Primarch's return seemed distant – these were revered figures hailing from the dawn of history. Yet, a seismic shift occurred with the dramatic reappearance of Magnus the Red, shattering the perception of their mythical status.

The void left by the absence of the Primarchs favored the forces of Chaos, but a glimmer of hope emerged during the Gathering Storm campaign. Through a series of narrative twists, the unthinkable happened: Roboute Guilliman, the Primarch of the Ultramarines, emerged from a state of suspended animation into an Imperium drastically altered by time.

This momentous event was nothing short of a showstopper. The Imperium finally had its guiding Primarch returned, precisely when it needed him most. Guilliman's resurrection was accompanied by a meticulously crafted miniature that captured his essence and significance.

Draped in the intricate Armor of Fate, a creation shrouded in secrecy by Belisarius Cawl, the Primarch's attire doubled as both protective shell and life sustainer. Empowered by the essence of a nascent Aeldari deity, its conception was the result of an unlikely alliance involving Cawl, Saint Celestine, and Yvraine of the Ynnari. The Armor of Fate, adorned with exquisite filigree and ornate scrollwork, befitted a figure of his stature.

Guilliman's arsenal also underwent enhancement by the hands of Cawl. The Hand of Dominion, a reconstructed rendition of his battle-tested wargear from the Horus Heresy, symbolized his indisputable authority. However, the pièce de résistance among Guilliman's weaponry was none other than the Emperor's Sword – a masterfully crafted blade infused with the Emperor's psychic might. When swung, it traced arcs of crimson flames through the air, an incandescent beacon amid the darkness of the 41st Millennium.

This incarnation of Guilliman incorporates influences from his portrayal in the Horus Heresy Character Series, featuring the more understated Armor of Reason in line with the era's aesthetics. In Warhammer 40,000, Guilliman transcends being merely a distinguished military strategist and respected leader – he becomes a demigod, an unwitting object of veneration for countless souls in dire need.

Guilliman's return not only introduced the Primaris Space Marines into both the game's mechanics and lore but also paved the way for an onslaught of nefarious threats from the Chaos faction. Abaddon the Despoiler underwent a redesign, mirroring Guilliman's presence with deliberate parallels in posture and demeanor. Even Mortarion, the Daemon Primarch of Nurgle, emerged as Guilliman's initial formidable adversary, launching a plague-ridden assault on Ultramar.

As the narrative surged, the climactic Arks of Omen campaign introduced the arrival of another lost Primarch – Angron, the Daemon Primarch of Khorne. A personification of violence incarnate, Angron amplified the potency of Abaddon and Vashtorr, aiding in the realization of their sinister ambitions.

The unfolding saga seemed to suggest that the return of one Primarch inevitably summoned forth another. Amid uncanny omens, the enigmatic Lion El’Johnson emerged from obscurity, assuming a magnificent new form. Wielding the blade Fealty and clasping the Emperor's own shield, Lion El'Johnson embodied the Imperium's darker aspect – a vigilant predator prowling the corrupted Imperium Nihilus, even as his brother forged order within the Imperium Sanctus.