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The '''Chaos Gods''', also called the '''Dark Gods''' or the '''Ruinous Powers''', are powerful beings of the psychic universe known as the [[warp]], created and sustained by the emotions and souls of every living being of the material universe. Although they are god-like beings, they are by their nature monomaniacal and completely single-minded - being formed completely of a single emotion or concept - as well as being completely dependent on the emotions of mortal creatures for their power and continued existence.
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[[Image:ChaosMap.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The realm of the Chaos Gods]]
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The '''Chaos Gods''', also called the '''Dark Gods''' or the '''Ruinous Powers''', are powerful beings of the psychic universe known as the [[Warp]], created and sustained by the emotions and souls of every living being of the material universe. Although they are god-like beings, they are by their nature monomaniacal and completely single-minded (formed completely of a single emotion or concept) as well as being completely dependent on the emotions of mortal creatures for their power and continued existence.
  
In the early history of the galaxy, the powers of the warp had yet to form into distinct entities but rather the emotions of mortals flowed and ebbed as water does in a stream. As the mortal races grew and prospered, so did the strength of their emotions. Eventually the gods grew to such a point where they could act independently of the general flow of emotions and thus were formed with gods of Chaos. They reached into the dreams of mortals and demanded praise and servitude in order to increase their own power, as the more one emotion is exhibited (in both thought and action) the stronger that god becomes.<sup>1</sup>
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Gods are able to devote a fraction of their power to create [[daemon]]s, whose appearance and character reflect the god's own nature. These daemons may be reabsorbed into the god at whim. The least of the minor gods may be so limited in their power that expending their power to create a daemon means their entire power is expended; in effect, the god becomes a daemon.
  
The Chaos Gods' most loyal followers are known as [[Chaos Champion|Champions]], spiritually bound to their patron. Chaos Champions are rewarded with 'gifts' unique to each god and the potential blessing of ascension to a [[Daemon Prince]]. The gods are rivals of each other - the constant war between them mirrors the struggle between their followers in the material universe, and vice versa. Victory in mortal battles lends more power to the relevant god, although often victory is not necessary, just the shedding blood and sacrifice is required.<sup>1</sup>
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==Origins==
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In the early history of the galaxy, the powers of the Warp had yet to form into distinct entities.  At this time, the emotions of mortals flowed and ebbed as water does in a stream. As the mortal races grew and prospered, so did the strength of their emotions. Eventually, the gods grew to such a point where they could act independently of the general flow of emotions and thus became the Gods of [[Chaos]]. They reached into the dreams of mortals and demanded praise and servitude in order to increase their own power, as the of more one emotion is exhibited (in both thought and action) the stronger that god becomes.{{Fn|1}}
  
When a follower of a Chaos God dies their soul is absorbed into the greater mass of that god, adding its life-force to the already formidable power of that god. This power is often used for sustenance, eternally living within the god and supplying the life-force for its benefit.<sup>1</sup>
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;The four main Gods of Chaos are:
 
 
The four main Gods of Chaos are:
 
 
*[[Khorne]] - The Blood God
 
*[[Khorne]] - The Blood God
 
*[[Tzeentch]] - The Changer of the Ways
 
*[[Tzeentch]] - The Changer of the Ways
 
*[[Nurgle]] - The Great Lord of Decay
 
*[[Nurgle]] - The Great Lord of Decay
 
*[[Slaanesh]] - The Prince of Excess
 
*[[Slaanesh]] - The Prince of Excess
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The "Fifth" Chaos God is one of mystery and terror
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*[[Malice (Chaos God)|Malice]] - The Lost God
 +
  
 
The first three gods became sentient by the end of [[M2]] but Slaanesh didn't fully awaken until the [[Fall of the Eldar]] in [[M29]].
 
The first three gods became sentient by the end of [[M2]] but Slaanesh didn't fully awaken until the [[Fall of the Eldar]] in [[M29]].
  
Gods are able to devote a fraction of their power to create a [[daemon]], whose appearance and character reflect the god's own nature. These daemons may be reabsorbed into the god at whim. The least of the minor Gods may be so limited in their power that expending their power to create a daemon means their entire power is expended - in effect the god becomes a daemon.
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==Followers==
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The Chaos Gods' most devoted followers are known as [[Champion of Chaos|Champions]], spiritually bound to their patrons. Chaos Champions are rewarded with 'gifts' unique to each god and the potential blessing of ascension to a [[Daemon Prince]].
 +
 
 +
When a follower of a Chaos God dies, their soul is absorbed into the greater mass of that god, adding its energy to the already formidable power of that god.{{Fn|1}}
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==Daemons==
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A [[Daemon]] is a creature formed from a fragment of a Chaos God's consciousness. They form the armies of the Chaos Gods, and frequently battle the armies of other gods and unbelievers on the material plane.
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 +
==Relationships between the gods==
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The gods are rivals of each other - the constant war between them mirrors the struggle between their followers in the material universe, and vice versa. Victory in mortal battles lends more power to the relevant god, although often victory is not necessary, just the shedding blood and sacrifice is required.{{Fn|1}}
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The Chaos Gods are almost constantly at war with one another within the [[Warp]], vying for power amid the immaterial planes. Despite their myriad differences, the Great Gods of Chaos have the same goal: total domination. Such absolute power cannot be shared - especially amongst gods. This struggle for dominance is known as the [[Great Game]].{{Fn|3}}
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==Other Chaos Gods==
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The warp has created many nameless chaos gods, only to die with the passing of aeons.{{Fn|5}}
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*'''Ans'l''', '''Mo'rcck''' and '''Phraz-Etar''' are minor Chaos deities. [[Chaos Space Marine|Chaos Space Marines]] were rumored to praise them by putting spikes on their [[power armour]].{{Fn|2}} Their names are puns on the last names of [[Bryan Ansell]], [[Wikipedia:Michael Moorcock|Michael Moorcock]], and [[Wikipedia:Frank Frazetta|Frank Frazetta]].
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*'''[[Malice (Chaos God)|Malice]]''' is an entity worshipped as the '''Renegade God''' of Chaos and '''Hierarch of Anarchy and Terror'''. The Renegade [[Chapter]] [[Sons of Malice]] are among his followers.{{Fn|4}}
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*It is speculated that [[Chaos Raptor|Raptor]] Cults worship a minor Chaos deity.{{Fn|6}}
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
*<sup>1</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]]
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*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]], {{Cite This}}
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*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 1st Codex)]], pg. 20
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*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Chaos Daemons (4th Edition)]], {{Cite This}}
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*{{Endn|4}}: ''[[Labyrinth (Short Story)]]'' by [[Richard Ford]]
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*{{Endn|5}}: [[Black Crusade Core Rulebook]], by [[Fantasy Flight Games]], page 11
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*{{Endn|6}}: [[ Index Astartes IV]] - Harbingers of Doom
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===Uncited===
 
*[[Realms of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness]]
 
*[[Realms of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness]]
 
*[[Realms of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]]
 
*[[Realms of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]]
 
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{{Chaos Main}}
[[Category:Gods and Daemons]]
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[[Category:Chaos Gods| ]]
 
[[de:Chaosgötter]]
 
[[de:Chaosgötter]]

Revision as of 01:50, 2 July 2016

The realm of the Chaos Gods

The Chaos Gods, also called the Dark Gods or the Ruinous Powers, are powerful beings of the psychic universe known as the Warp, created and sustained by the emotions and souls of every living being of the material universe. Although they are god-like beings, they are by their nature monomaniacal and completely single-minded (formed completely of a single emotion or concept) as well as being completely dependent on the emotions of mortal creatures for their power and continued existence.

Gods are able to devote a fraction of their power to create daemons, whose appearance and character reflect the god's own nature. These daemons may be reabsorbed into the god at whim. The least of the minor gods may be so limited in their power that expending their power to create a daemon means their entire power is expended; in effect, the god becomes a daemon.

Origins

In the early history of the galaxy, the powers of the Warp had yet to form into distinct entities. At this time, the emotions of mortals flowed and ebbed as water does in a stream. As the mortal races grew and prospered, so did the strength of their emotions. Eventually, the gods grew to such a point where they could act independently of the general flow of emotions and thus became the Gods of Chaos. They reached into the dreams of mortals and demanded praise and servitude in order to increase their own power, as the of more one emotion is exhibited (in both thought and action) the stronger that god becomes.[1]

The four main Gods of Chaos are

The "Fifth" Chaos God is one of mystery and terror


The first three gods became sentient by the end of M2 but Slaanesh didn't fully awaken until the Fall of the Eldar in M29.

Followers

The Chaos Gods' most devoted followers are known as Champions, spiritually bound to their patrons. Chaos Champions are rewarded with 'gifts' unique to each god and the potential blessing of ascension to a Daemon Prince.

When a follower of a Chaos God dies, their soul is absorbed into the greater mass of that god, adding its energy to the already formidable power of that god.[1]

Daemons

A Daemon is a creature formed from a fragment of a Chaos God's consciousness. They form the armies of the Chaos Gods, and frequently battle the armies of other gods and unbelievers on the material plane.

Relationships between the gods

The gods are rivals of each other - the constant war between them mirrors the struggle between their followers in the material universe, and vice versa. Victory in mortal battles lends more power to the relevant god, although often victory is not necessary, just the shedding blood and sacrifice is required.[1]

The Chaos Gods are almost constantly at war with one another within the Warp, vying for power amid the immaterial planes. Despite their myriad differences, the Great Gods of Chaos have the same goal: total domination. Such absolute power cannot be shared - especially amongst gods. This struggle for dominance is known as the Great Game.[3]

Other Chaos Gods

The warp has created many nameless chaos gods, only to die with the passing of aeons.[5]

Sources

Uncited


Chaos
Gods of Chaos KhorneTzeentchSlaaneshNurgleMalice
Chaos Space Marines Traitor LegionsDaemonkinArmouryWarbands
Daemons Daemon PrinceGreater DaemonLesser DaemonDaemonic BeastsDaemon EnginesDaemonic HeraldChaos Daemon ArmouryDaemon WeaponsDaemonic Gifts
The Lost and the Damneds Chaos CultTraitor GuardMutantsBeastmenRogue PsykerGellerpox InfectedArmoury
The Traitor Primarchs Alpharius/OmegonAngronFulgrimHorusLorgarKonrad CurzeMagnus the RedMortarionPerturabo
Notable Characters AbaddonAhrimanBlue ScribesChangelingEpidemiusFabius BileHorticulous SlimuxKairos FateweaverKu'GathTyphusKhârnLuciusLufgt HuronBe'lakorM'karThe MasqueRotigusShalaxi HelbaneSkarbrandSkulltakerSyll'EsskeVashtorr
Other Traitor Titan LegionsChaos KnightsDark MechanicumChaos Space FleetChaos VehiclesChaos ArtefactsGreat RiftEye of TerrorMaelstromWarp