Ciaphas Cain: Difference between revisions

* [[Anachronic Order]]: The first three books are in chronological order, the fourth is a prequel, the fifth takes place between books two and three, the sixth takes place in the WH40K universe's "present day" long after the events of the rest (although the last three all focus on his part in a single larger story), the seventh takes place between book four and book one, and the eighth (Which notably involves his second campaign on a specific world when the story of his first trip there has yet to be published) takes place after the third, but still half a century before the sixth. The short stories are in equally random order, ranging from Cain's first allegedly heroic deed as a Commissar to a story taking place a decade before the sixth book. In-story, the Cain Archive Amberley is editing the stories from is described by her as "consisting merely of a single dataslate, stuffed full of files arranged with a cavalier disregard for chronology, and to no scheme of indexing that I've been able to determine despite prolonged examination of the contents." Also, the editing and release of Cain's memoirs is done at Vail's sole discretion, such as expanding upon [[Plot Hole|Plot Holes]] in previous books (''Duty Calls'' was used to resolve a dangling plotline in ''Death or Glory'').

* [[Apocalypse Wow]]: Cain's {{spoiler|Necron tomb-killing}} promethium bomb in ''The Caves of Ice'' is powerful enough to launch debris into orbit, where it buffets his fleeing troop ship. That would probably manage to squeak onto the [[Apocalypse How|Class 0 minimum requirements]] were the planet reasonably civilized beyond the sole refinery (which was consumed in the blast entirely).

* [[Armour Is Useless]]: Averted. Cain takes to wearing carapace armor under his coat from ''For The Emperor'' onwards, which helps on several occasions. Armor has also saved some others' lives.

** Played straight with the Reclaimers and genestealers in "The Emperor's Finest".