Difference between revisions of "Gods of Chaos"
Will564752 (talk | contribs) m |
m |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
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. | 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. | ||
| + | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Origins== | ||
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> | 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> | ||
| − | + | ;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 | ||
| Line 16: | Line 15: | ||
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 | + | ==Followers== |
| + | The Chaos Gods' most devoted 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]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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.<sup>1</sup> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==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.<sup>1</sup> | ||
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 strive for dominance is known as the [[Great Game]].<sup>3</sup> | 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 strive for dominance is known as the [[Great Game]].<sup>3</sup> | ||
| − | == | + | ==Minor Chaos Gods== |
These are Chaos Gods who had brief appearances in older editions of [[Warhammer 40k]]: | These are Chaos Gods who had brief appearances in older editions of [[Warhammer 40k]]: | ||
*'''Ans'l''', '''Mo'rcck''', and '''Phraz-Etar''' are minor Chaos deities. [[Chaos Space Marines]] were rumored to praise them by putting spikes on their [[power armour]].<sup>2</sup> Their names are puns on the last names of [[Bryan Ansell]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Moorcock Michael Moorcock], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Frazetta Frank Frazetta]. | *'''Ans'l''', '''Mo'rcck''', and '''Phraz-Etar''' are minor Chaos deities. [[Chaos Space Marines]] were rumored to praise them by putting spikes on their [[power armour]].<sup>2</sup> Their names are puns on the last names of [[Bryan Ansell]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Moorcock Michael Moorcock], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Frazetta Frank Frazetta]. | ||
| Line 27: | Line 32: | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
*<sup>1</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]] | *<sup>1</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]] | ||
| − | *<sup>2</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition)#1st Codex]], | + | *<sup>2</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition)#1st Codex]], p. 20 |
*<sup>3</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Daemons (4th Edition)]] | *<sup>3</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Daemons (4th Edition)]] | ||
Revision as of 00:01, 10 April 2009
Template:ChaPort 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.
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.
Origins
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.1
- The four main Gods of Chaos are
- Khorne - The Blood God
- Tzeentch - The Changer of the Ways
- Nurgle - The Great Lord of Decay
- Slaanesh - The Prince of Excess
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 patron. 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
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 strive for dominance is known as the Great Game.3
Minor Chaos Gods
These are Chaos Gods who had brief appearances in older editions of Warhammer 40k:
- Ans'l, Mo'rcck, and Phraz-Etar are minor Chaos deities. Chaos Space Marines were rumored to praise them by putting spikes on their power armour.2 Their names are puns on the last names of Bryan Ansell, Michael Moorcock, and Frank Frazetta.
- Malal is the renegade God of Chaos and represents Chaos turned upon itself. He is, however, absent from the most recent editions of Warhammer publications for copyright reasons. Though Malal is not named, the Renegade Chapter Sons of Malice, who are known to fight other Chaos followers, display his colors and heraldry.
