The Eye of Terror campaign for Warhammer 40k began in the early 2000s.
And until 2016, until I bought Games Workshop, nothing had happened. Yes, nothing.
40k was frozen at one minute to midnight. Forever. Abaddon had launched his 13th Black Crusade, and that was that.
The company had run a worldwide tabletop campaign where players' actual game results were supposedly meant to determine the fate of Cadia and the 13th Black Crusade years ago, so fans already knew how all of this would end. Chaos had technically won. But Games Workshop ignored the results and even stated that Cadia had survived and the Imperials had won.
Of course, if I remembered correctly, in my old life Games Workshop's long period of stagnation ended with a massive update. The fate of Cadia was finally decided, with the old results being accepted. Abaddon won. Cadia fell.
Everything happened in just three months.
Now that the company was in my hands, and after almost a year of rearranging and restructuring, it was time to get to business.
The Fall of Cadia was going to be a multi month affair.
The first big change was the Warhammer Community website, which was massively improved. Alongside it, a big three year narrative plan was announced, instantly getting fans excited.
In December 2016, we began the road to the Fall of Cadia with the free release of Gathering Storm: Prelude. It consisted of short stories showing increased Chaos activity, Abaddon moving pieces into place, and slowly making him a serious threat rather than the joke the community had made him out to be.
2017 began with Campaign Book One, Shadows Over the Imperium. New model releases accompanied it, including a new Abaddon model, which everyone loved.
In the coming months, from April to June, the second book would release: The Crimson Path. It focused on the Blood God's forces, Khorne's contribution to the 13th Black Crusade. The World Eaters took the spotlight, and Angron rumors began.
In May, the Fall of Cadia itself would be announced, set to arrive by the end of the year. Six months to build hype. This was THE event. Multiple factions would be involved.
In June, Book Three, Schemes of the Changer, would release. It explored Tzeentch's role in the grand plan. Thousand Sons updates followed, along with Magnus's schemes. It showed Chaos coordinating, something rare for them.
Then in July, the fourth book would release: The Plague Fleets. The Death Guard mobilized. Mortarion's role was revealed. New Death Guard models launched.
August brought Book Five: The Dark Prince's Pleasure. Slaanesh's forces joined the war. The Emperor's Children returned to prominence. Fulgrim rumors intensified. It further emphasized the unity of Chaos.
September would ramp things up even more.
Profiles of key characters fighting at Cadia were released. Imperial: Creed, Celestine, Greyfax, Cawl, Trazyn. Chaos: Abaddon, various daemon princes, traitor guard.
Background was provided on why Cadia mattered so much, with explanations of the pylons and detailed information on the Blackstone Fortresses.
Black Library tie ins followed, with multiple novels building toward Cadia from different perspectives, Guard, Space Marines, and Chaos, each fleshing out different aspects of the conflict.
Then in October, The Fall of Cadia would release.
It was a comprehensive narrative told from multiple perspectives: Imperial, Chaos, Eldar, and Necron.
Model releases included:
New Cadian models with updated sculpts
Saint Celestine with an amazing new model
Inquisitor Greyfax
Belisarius Cawl, the mysterious tech priest
Abaddon, already released earlier and now in the spotlight
Blackstone Fortress terrain and models
By the end of the month, the aftermath would be made clear.
The next book, The Bleeding Galaxy, focused on the immediate aftermath. The galaxy was split by the Great Rift, Imperium Nihilus and Imperium Sanctus cut off from each other. Warp storms raged everywhere. Chaos was rampant. There was no immediate fix. The Imperium was losing.
That was the big Fall of Cadia plan for 2017, a year long event designed to spark a resurgence within the fandom and bring in new players.
Of course, there were even bigger plans for 2018.
Guilliman's return was planned for the beginning of the year with the book The Avenging Son, featuring expanded lore. It would also mark the beginning of the Indomitus Crusade.
Then, by June, Warhammer 40k 8th Edition would launch.
It was a complete rules overhaul. It made sense lore wise. In universe, the galaxy was broken and warfare had changed. Out of universe, it provided an accessible entry point for new players drawn in by the narrative.
New models like Primaris and more would follow.
All of this, along with expanded media such as TV shows, movies, and more, would make Warhammer even bigger in the coming years.
I put the report on the iPad down. It was almost midnight, and tomorrow was the day of the Academy Awards.
Still, I felt like I was forgetting something. Something important about this specific Oscars ceremony that I could not quite recall. But in the back of my mind, I knew something had happened.
I shrugged, turned off the lamp beside me, and closed my eyes, drifting to sleep.
.
.
.
I stepped out of the car, the flash of cameras immediately blinding. Margot followed, and the noise from the photographers intensified, a wall of shouted names, clicking shutters, and overlapping voices.
Margot was wearing a sleek, floor length black gown with an off the shoulder neckline that rested softly across her upper arms. It had a fitted, corset like bodice that contoured her waist and hips. The fabric was covered in glossy sequins arranged in vertical lines. The skirt fell straight down before gently flaring near the hem, where the sequin pattern became denser and more textured. It was designed by Haley, whose career in fashion was now beginning to really take off. This was very big for her.
Event staff led us toward the red carpet. Margot glanced at me, her smile wide but nervous. She was, let's just say, prepared to lose until she won the Golden Globe. Now she was very excited and dreaming of both of us winning tonight.
Sadly, I knew it was not happening. But I was not going to spoil her dreams.
After the red carpet, once we were inside the theater and before the show began, I was crowded by actors and actresses.
There were a lot of them.
I met Leo again, who kept insisting I buy a yacht so we could vacation together. "Come on, man, it's the best investment you'll ever make," he said, grinning.
Samuel L. Jackson, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Evans, Javier Bardem, Michael J. Fox, Ryan Gosling, Denzel Washington, Viggo Mortensen. I had met everyone and worked with some before, except Denzel. Denzel was cool. I was a bit starstruck, too.
Margot and I found ourselves talking with Meryl Streep and Viola Davis when I was pulled away into a conversation with the Rock.
The Rock then kept complaining about Vin Diesel.
"Look, man," he said, leaning in slightly, his voice low but intense. "You and I? We're the reason the franchise is where it is right now. Vin's unprofessional. He shows up late, rewrites scenes on set without telling anyone, and thinks he is the franchise. And I'm done with it."
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. I was very glad I had decided to step away from it all. The Rock versus Vin era was about to begin, and I wanted no part of it.
He shifted gears. "But hey, people have always told me I'd be great as Black Adam. The fans too, you must know. You think the character could be in your DCU movies soon?"
Oh fuck, I thought. No way. No way.
"It's not being thought of right now," I said carefully. "We're focused on wrapping this phase up, and the next one already has a pretty tight schedule planned out."
The Rock grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. "Well, I'm always a call away."
I smiled and nodded.
To escape him, I walked over to where I saw Margot talking with Charlize Theron and Scarlett.
Scarlett said, "Aha, here he is." She gestured toward me. "We were talking about the new movie Charlize here is going to be doing with you."
"It's a great movie," I said.
Charlize nodded. "It is."
Scarlett tilted her head, smirking. "It sounds like the same movie you said you wanted me in."
Charlize let out a mock gasp.
All three of them had grins on their faces.
"You see, Scar, it's like this," I started.
"It's like what?" Scarlett asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You are already a big superspy known as the Black Widow," I said. "Having you play another spy would be, I don't know..."
Margot cut in. "He's right."
Scarlett crossed her arms. "What? That doesn't make any sense. Of course I could have done that."
Charlize raised her glass. "Well, it worked out for me, so cheers to that."
We all drank from our glasses of champagne.
The show was about to begin, and we were led by the staff to our seats. I was also a presenter this year, so I was looking forward to that.
The ceremony began with the host, Jimmy Kimmel, who was tolerable, I suppose. He opened with his monologue.
And of course, I was mentioned.
"And of course, Daniel Adler is nominated once again," Jimmy said, gesturing toward me. "Probably next year too. And the year after that. Like, whatever, man. Keep your secrets."
Small laughter rippled through the audience.
The show continued. Midas got its first win with Best Visual Effects. Both Batman Pt. 3 and The Thing were nominated, and The Thing won.
We were off to a good start.
Then it won Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing, which was also expected.
Then it was time for me to present.
Backstage, I was given the envelope and the Oscar and told what to do. When my cue came, I walked out to big applause.
I began, "Animated films have grown over the last few years. I got my start in the industry with one, and I cannot emphasize their importance." I then listed the nominees.
"Zootopia,
Kubo and the Two Strings,
Moana,
My Life as a Zucchini,
The Red Turtle."
I paused for a moment. "And the Oscar goes to..." I opened the envelope. "Zootopia."
Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Clark Spencer came onstage, and I handed them the award, standing to the side as they gave their speeches. Then I walked off with them.
When it was time for Best Cinematography, I was back in my seat. It was won by Birdman, the first win for the movie.
Then Javier Bardem presented Best Film Editing, which was also won by Birdman. That was the second for Birdman and the fifth for Midas.
Best Original Screenplay came next. It was funny, since Alejandro and I were both nominated, me for The Thing and Alejandro for Birdman.
Sam Jackson came onstage to present.
He read out the nominees.
"Daniel Adler, The Thing.
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman.
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea.
Taylor Sheridan, Hell or High Water.
Damien Chazelle, La La Land."
Margot held my hand. I was surprisingly calm. Could I win? It was only in the last moments, when he took consider the envelope and began to read, that the rush hit me.
Sam said, "Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman."
"Oh no," Margot muttered beside me.
I clapped happily and stood, hugging Alejandro as he made his way to the stage. He accepted the Oscar and gave his speech, and then it was on to the next category, Best Supporting Actress.
This is it.
Margot said, "Yeah, I am not going to win."
"What? Why? What's with the sudden loss of confidence?" I asked.
Mark Rylance presented. He read out the nominees.
And yes, I was proven correct when Viola won.
The show continued, with Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor both going to Birdman. It was a big sweep.
The big upset of the night was that Alejandro did not win Best Director.
And then the final one arrived.
Best Picture.
Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway came onstage.
Huh. Where have I seen this before? I thought, as that nagging feeling returned.
They began listing the nominees.
"Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).
The Thing. Arrival. Fences.
Hacksaw Ridge.
Hell or High Water.
Hidden Figures.
La La Land.
Lion.
Manchester by the Sea."
It was going to be either Birdman or La La Land. I was sure of that.
Then Warren Beatty opened the envelope. He paused, staring at it strangely. He looked at Faye, then back at the card. He seemed confused.
Faye looked at him, waiting.
Warren finally said, "And the Oscar goes to..." He paused again, squinting at the card.
Faye leaned in and read it herself. "The Thing."
Big applause erupted.
I sat there, stunned. I looked at Julian, who was just as shocked as I was. Then at Paul. Then at the entire Birdman cast sitting nearby. Margot grabbed my arm.
"What the fuck?" she whispered.
We all stood up, me, Julian, Paul, the cast of The Thing who were present, along with the other producers.
"Holy shit, man," Julian said to me as we walked up to the stage.
We reached the stage, and I accepted the Oscar.
I walked toward the microphone to give the speech.
"This is unexpected," I said. The audience was still clapping. I could see Alejandro standing and clapping politely, though his expression held a bit of sadness.
I was about to continue when I noticed a small commotion backstage. My attention shifted as a man hurried toward me.
He leaned in and said quietly, "We made a mistake. The Thing did not win."
Fuck, I thought, embarrassment washing over me.
This sucked.
And then I remembered why that nagging feeling had been stuck in my head all night. Something similar had happened in my old life as well.
Fuck.
This was going to be the talk of the world soon.
Damn.
But then he said something that instantly calmed me.
"Birdman won."
He handed me the correct envelope.
I took it and looked at Warren, who was still standing there, confused, staring at the card in his hand. I looked at Julian, who had heard everything and was laughing, hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking.
I looked out at the audience. They were all wondering what was going on. The Rock looked like he was about to get up on stage himself. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
I stepped up to the mic.
"There has been a mistake," I said clearly. The room went silent. "I am told that The Thing did not win. The real winner is Birdman."
I held the envelope up.
The hall erupted with sound, gasps, laughter, confused murmurs. I saw Alejandro stand up, his hands going to his head in disbelief. Margot's mouth was open, her eyes wide. Michael Keaton was laughing. Edward Norton looked stunned.
I motioned for Julian and the others who had come up with me for The Thing to stay on stage while the Birdman team made their way up.
As they climbed the stairs, Alejandro, Michael, Edward, Naomi, and the rest, I spoke into the mic again.
"It's not much of a problem. We still won. Just the wrong movie."
I paused, then grinned. "That's one hell of a plot twist."
That broke the dam. Laughter rolled through the audience.
"I guess I can say I'm the only producer to have two of his movies win Best Picture in the same night," I added.
More laughter. Applause. Even the embarrassed Warren Beatty cracked a smile.
I looked around the stage with me, Julian still laughing, Paul shaking his head in disbelief, the Thing cast looking both disappointed and amused.
"Thank you, Warren and Faye," I said, turning to the embarrassed Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who waved awkwardly.
The Birdman team had fully assembled now. Alejandro walked up to me, and I handed him the Oscar. He took it, still looking dazed, and pulled me into a hug.
"What the hell just happened?" he whispered.
"You won," I said.
I stepped back to the mic. "Alright, I'll keep this short."
I gave a brief speech, mostly making jokes about the situation, then stepped aside as Alejandro took the microphone. He delivered his speech, heartfelt and emotional, thanking everyone.
When it was done, the ceremony came to an end.
And what an ending it was.
Just lucky.
Damn lucky it was Birdman and not another movie.