The Warp’s Curse is Michael J. Hollows’ second Black Library short story, but his first Blackstone Fortress tale. For Primaris psyker Aradia Madellan, venturing into the fortress is an opportunity to understand the cause of the visions that have been plaguing her, and to find a way to avert the catastrophe they foretell. As she sets out to explore in the company of Taddeus the Purifier and the aeldari Amallyn Shadowguide she’s forced to confront not only the fortress’ dangerous inhabitants but the prejudices of her companions too, with her own warp-born powers proving both a blessing and a curse.
A psyker, a priest and a ranger walking into the Blackstone Fortress might sound like the setup to a joke, but in reality this is a dark and portent-laden story full of ambiguous characters in dire straits. As a psyker, Aradia offers an unusual viewpoint into the fortress, its denizens and dangers, while her uneasy relationship with Taddeus allows for some interesting character observations as the mission progresses. It’s not entirely clear just what the explorers are hoping to achieve, beyond vague suggestions of somehow clearing or controlling the fortress, so while Aradia’s desire to find answers does make sense, the overall plot feels a touch aimless. In all it lacks a little in the way of relatable stakes and focus, but as an action-packed jaunt through the fortress it’s entertaining nonetheless.
