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{{Chaos God|Slaanesh|Lust, pleasure, pain|6<ref>Index Astartes I, p. 26.</ref>|Pleasure seeker|Khorne|Keeper of Secrets|Daemonette|Fiend|Mount of Slaanesh}}
 
'''Slaanesh''' is the [[Gods of Chaos|Chaos God]] of lust, excess, pleasure, perfection and hedonism. Slaanesh typically appears in a form which is female on the right side and male on the left with two sets of horns rising from its flowing golden hair. It can however assume any form; male, female, hermaphrodite or asexual, but prefers male bodies. Its sacred number is six. The symbol of Slaanesh combines the conventional symbols for male and female. It is also known by a multitude of titles such as the ''Prince of Chaos'', ''Prince of Excess'', ''Prince of Pleasure'' and ''Lord of Dark Delights''. To the [[Eldar]], who do not name the god, she is referred to only by the [[Wikipedia:H. P. Lovecraft|Lovecraftian]] titles of ''She Who Thirsts'', ''She Who Is Not Named'', ''The Great Enemy'', ''The Great Serpent'', etc.
 
 
{{ChaosPortal}}
 
{{ChaosPortal}}
 +
'''Slaanesh''' is the [[Gods of Chaos|Chaos God]] of lust, greed, excess, pain, pleasure, perfection and hedonism. Slaanesh was the last of the major Chaos Gods to be born—coming into existence with the collapse of the [[Eldar]] civilisation.
  
==Background==
+
{{Chaos God
The name Slaanesh derives from ''Slaaneth'' - the god's name in the language of Chaos, (''Slaa'' meaning "ecstasy", "pleasure", etc, ''Neth'' meaning "lord of", "master of", or "prince of"; hence, the Prince of Pleasure). The correct adjective of things associated with Slaanesh (such as its worshippers) is "Slaaneshi".
+
|Symbol=Slaanesh mark.png
 +
|Name=Slaanesh
 +
|Aspect='''Lust, greed, pleasure, pain'''
 +
|Sacred Number='''6'''
 +
|Traits='''Pleasure seeker'''
 +
|Enemy God=[[Khorne]]
 +
|Daemons=[[Keeper of Secrets]], [[Daemonette]], [[Fiend]], [[Steed of Slaanesh]] }}
  
Slaanesh was fully born at the moment of the [[Fall of the Eldar]]. The birth of Slaanesh created the [[Eye of Terror]] and slew most of the Eldar except those far enough away from the Eldar homeworlds to escape. This event also slew the Eldar Gods except for [[Khaine]], who was shattered into many pieces, the Laughing God, [[Cegorach]], and [[Isha]], who was according to one Craftworld taken captive by the Chaos god [[Nurgle]].<sup>4</sup>
+
==Overview==
 +
[[Image:SlaaneshArt.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Slaanesh{{Fn|1}}]]
 +
The name Slaanesh derives from ''Slaaneth'' - the god's name in the language of Chaos, (''Slaa'' meaning "ecstasy", "pleasure", etc, ''Neth'' meaning "lord of", "master of", or "prince of"; hence, the Prince of Pleasure). The correct adjective of things associated with Slaanesh (such as its worshipers) is "Slaaneshi".{{Cite This}}
  
==Rivalries==
+
Slaanesh typically appears in a form which is female on the right side and male on the left, with two sets of horns rising from its flowing golden hair. It can, however, assume any form—male, female, hermaphrodite or asexual—but prefers male bodies. Its sacred number is six. The symbol of Slaanesh combines the conventional symbols for male and female. It is also known by a multitude of titles, such as ''Prince of Chaos'', ''Prince of Excess'', ''Prince of Pleasure'' and ''Lord of Dark Delights''. To the [[Eldar]], who do not name the god, it is referred to only by the [[Wikipedia:H. P. Lovecraft|Lovecraftian]] titles of ''She Who Thirsts'', ''She Who Is Not Named'', ''The Great Enemy'', ''The Great Serpent'', etc. {{Cite This}}
Slaanesh has a neutral attitude to many of the gods of Chaos, and is generally too caught up in his own pleasures to be interested in alliances and co-operation. Particular enemies are the followers of [[Khorne]], whose belief in pain and death is completely opposed to Slaanesh's principle of a life of unrestricted pleasure. Followers of [[Nurgle]] and [[Tzeentch]] are subject to Slaanesh's usual neutral attitude.
 
  
==Followers of Slaanesh==
+
Slaanesh was fully born at the moment of the [[Fall of the Eldar]]. The birth of Slaanesh created the [[Eye of Terror]] and slew most of the Eldar except those far enough away from the Eldar homeworlds to escape. This event also slew all the Eldar gods except for [[Khaine]] (who was shattered into many pieces), the Laughing God - [[Cegorach]], and [[Isha]] - who was, according to one Craftworld, taken captive by the Chaos God [[Nurgle]].{{Fn|4}}
Slaanesh's symbol is rarely worn openly by its followers. They instead often wear items of jewellery bearing erotic motifs. Followers dress in robes which are often opened to leave the right side of the chest uncovered, a requirement of many of the rituals involved in his worship. Pastel and electric shades are the chief colours, although white is often used as well. These colours are also sometimes carried over into everyday wear, although they may be modified to fit in with current fashions. Regardless of any considerations, all Slaanesh followers wear garb of sensuously high quality.<sup>1</sup>
 
  
Slaanesh is most notably followed by the [[Emperor's Children]] [[Chaos Marine]]s, hedonistic psychopaths who wield unique sonic weaponry in battle. They, like other Chaos Space Marines, fled to the [[Eye of Terror]] after the death of [[Horus]] at the hands of the [[Emperor]]. Over the thousands of years since the Horus Heresy, a few other Space Marine chapters have inevitably fallen to the seductions of Slaanesh and become renegades. Among these are the [[Violators]], [[The Flawless Host]] and the [[Angels of Ecstasy]].
+
Slaanesh has a neutral attitude to some of the other Gods of Chaos (as he is generally too caught up in his own pleasures to be interested in rivalries or alliances), but his particular enemy is [[Khorne]], whose belief in pain and death is completely opposed to Slaanesh's principle of a life of unrestricted pleasure.{{Cite This}}
 +
 
 +
==Worship of Slaanesh==
 +
Slaanesh's symbol is rarely worn openly by its followers. They instead often wear items of jewellery bearing erotic motifs. Followers dress in robes which are often opened to leave the right side of the chest uncovered, a requirement of many of the rituals involved in his worship. Pastel and electric shades are the chief colours, although white may be used as well. These colours are also sometimes carried over into everyday wear, although they may be modified to fit in with current fashions. In all cases, all Slaanesh followers wear garb of sensuously high quality.{{Fn|1}}
 +
 
 +
Even the most militant of Slaanesh's followers do not deny themselves this hedonistic lifestyle; [[cultist]] hideouts may be fortified and stocked with weapons, but they are equally stocked with luxurious furniture, sumptuous food, and erotic decorations.{{Fn|10a}}
 +
 
 +
In the mythology of the primitive inhabitants of [[Fenris]], "Sla Nahesh" (presumably a misinterpretation of Slaanesh) is an evil deity, described as the offspring of the dark god [[Horus]] and the dragon goddess '''Skrinneir''', and is imprisoned within one of the planet's volcanic islands after being defeated by [[Leman Russ (primarch)|Leman Russ]].{{Fn|6}}
  
 
==Daemons of Slaanesh==
 
==Daemons of Slaanesh==
The greatest of Slaanesh's daemonic servants are the [[Keeper of Secrets|Keepers of Secrets]], huge, bestial and ugly creatures exuding an intoxicating musk. The common Daemons of Slaanesh are the [[Daemonette]]s, creatures feminine on one side, with hugely grotesque claws. [[Mount of Slaanesh|Mounts of Slaanesh]] are the Steeds of Slaanesh, lurid snakelike creatures who lash with their prehensile tongues. They are often ridden by Daemonettes, as well as gifted to favoured [[Champion of Chaos|Champions]].
+
*[[Keeper of Secrets|Keepers of Secrets]] - the [[Greater Daemon]]s of Slaanesh. They can resemble huge, bestial and ugly creatures or lithe, terrifying creatures with an unholy beauty.
 +
 
 +
*[[Daemonette]]s - the common Daemons of Slaanesh they are disturbingly beautiful - often feminine on one side, masculine on the other. They usually have crab-like claws instead of hands.  
 +
 
 +
*[[Steed of Slaanesh|Steeds of Slaanesh]] - the daemonic mounts of Slaanesh, lurid snakelike creatures who lash with their prehensile tongues. They are often ridden by Daemonettes, as well as gifted to favoured [[Champion of Chaos|Champions]].
 +
 
 +
*[[Fiend of Slaanesh|Fiends of Slaanesh]] - the daemonic beasts of Slaanesh, they are a bizarre hybrid of insectoid, reptilian and human.
 +
 
 +
===Daemon Engines of Slaanesh===
 +
A [[Daemon Engine]] is a part-technological, part-daemonic vehicle, those dedicated to Slaanesh include the [[Slaanesh Subjugator]]{{Fn|5}} and [[Sonic Dreadnought]]
 +
 
 +
===Titans of Slaanesh===
 +
*[[Questor]]
 +
*[[Hell-Knight]]
 +
*[[Hell-Scourge]]
 +
*[[Hell-Strider]]
 +
 
 +
==Forces dedicated to Slaanesh==
 +
===Chaos Space Marines===
 +
[[Image:SlaaneshMarine.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Chaos Space Marine]] of Slaanesh{{Fn|9}}]]
 +
* The [[Emperor's Children]] - [[Chaos Space Marine]]s, once amongst the [[Emperor]]'s most loyal servants they turned traitor during the [[Horus Heresy]]. Most of their remaining members are little more than hedonistic psychopaths who often wield unique [[Noise Marines|sonic weaponry]] in battle.
 +
 
 +
Over the thousands of years since the Horus Heresy, a few other Space Marine chapters have inevitably fallen to the seductions of Slaanesh and become renegades. Among these are{{Cite This}}:
 +
* The [[Violators]]
 +
* [[The Flawless Host]]
 +
* [[Angels of Ecstasy]]
 +
* The [[Corpus Brethren]]
 +
* The [[Children of Torment]]
 +
* The [[Exquisite Host]]
 +
 
 +
===Renegades and Cults===
 +
*[[House Glaw]]{{Fn|7}}
 +
*[[Cult of Frantic Flensing]]
 +
*[[Pirate Princes of the Ragged Helix]]
 +
*[[Flesh Shapers of Melancholia]]
 +
 
 +
===Daemonic Warbands===
 +
*The [[Golden Host]]
 +
 
 +
==Notable Servants of Slaanesh==
 +
*[[Fulgrim]] - [[Primarch]] of the [[Emperor's Children]], now a powerful [[Daemon Prince]]
 +
*[[Zarakynel]] - the most revered of Slaanesh's Keepers of Secrets
 +
*[[N'Kari]] - A Keeper of Secrets who fought on [[Horus]]'s [[Battle barge]] during the Heresy
 +
*[[The Masque]] - A powerful Daemonette and Daemonic Herald of Slaanesh
 +
*[[Lucius]] – former [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] of the Emperor's Children, now a favoured Champion of Slaanesh
 +
*[[Jihar the Lacerator]]
 +
*[[Emeli Duboir]] - leader of a [[Chaos cult]] on [[Slawkenberg]], later manifests as a powerful [[Daemon]]ess on [[Adumbria]]{{Fn|10b}}{{Fn|11}}
 +
 
 +
==Gifts of Slaanesh==
 +
{{main|Gifts of Slaanesh}}
 +
{{main|Mark of Slaanesh}}
 +
 
 +
As with all the Chaos Gods, Slaanesh will often reward his most favoured followers with special gifts and blessings. Slaanesh's gifts can take many forms, including physical mutations, [[daemon weapon]]s or an exotic appearance.
  
 
==The Palace of Slaanesh==
 
==The Palace of Slaanesh==
[[Image:Palace of Slaanesh.jpg|thumb|right|The Palace of Slaanesh]]
+
[[Image:SlaaneshPalace.jpg|thumb|right|The Palace of Slaanesh{{Fn|17}}]]
The Palace of Slaanesh is Slaanesh's realm within the [[Warp]]. Those that dare his realm risk becoming trapped in its warped delights for eternity. The Dark Prince's realm is divided into six domains, arranged in concentric rings about the Palace of Pleasure. The palace itself can only be reached by passing through all six domains. The circle of Avidity plays upon the interloper's greed. The circle of Gluttony is next; it plays upon the intruders desire for lavish foods and wines. The third circle is the circle of Carnality, where the perfect desires of the heart reside; testing to the extreme the individuals desires. The fourth circle is the circle of Paramountcy, where the traveller is greeted by roars of adulation, here the intruder is tempted with absolute power over others. The penultimate circle is the circle of Vainglory. The traveller is presented with his ideal self-image, and if he feels but an ounce of pride, for eternity will this circle be his prison. The last circle is the most perilous, it is a heavenly place, within which resides a seemingly perfect environment. Every second that passes fills the intruder with bliss, but to rest and enjoy the pleasure for a single moment results in falling into a coma, and eventually dying in idle bliss. One may walk the circles for centuries, but cannot for a second give into his ultimate desires for he will fall. If one is able to successfully pass through the circles he comes before the palace and Slaanesh himself. It is impossible for mortals to look upon the god without instantly losing their soul, for all who see it become willing slaves to every whim of the Dark Prince.<sup>4</sup>
+
The Palace of Slaanesh is Slaanesh's realm within the [[Warp]]. Those that dare his realm risk becoming trapped in its warped delights for eternity. The Dark Prince's realm is divided into six domains, arranged in concentric rings about the Palace of Pleasure. The palace itself can only be reached by passing through all six domains. The circle of Avidity plays upon the interloper's greed. The circle of Gluttony is next; it plays upon the intruders desire for lavish foods and wines. The third circle is the circle of Carnality, where the perfect desires of the heart reside; testing to the extreme the individuals desires. The fourth circle is the circle of Paramountcy, where the traveller is greeted by roars of adulation, here the intruder is tempted with absolute power over others. The penultimate circle is the circle of Vainglory. The traveller is presented with his ideal self-image, and if he feels but an ounce of pride, for eternity will this circle be his prison. The last circle is the most perilous, it is a heavenly place, within which resides a seemingly perfect environment. Every second that passes fills the intruder with bliss, but to rest and enjoy the pleasure for a single moment results in falling into a coma, and eventually dying in idle bliss. One may walk the circles for centuries, but cannot for a second give into his ultimate desires for he will fall. If one is able to successfully pass through the circles he comes before the palace and Slaanesh himself. It is impossible for mortals to look upon the god without instantly losing their soul, for all who see it become willing slaves to every whim of the Dark Prince.{{Fn|4}}
  
==Sources==
 
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
*<sup>1</sup>:[[Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness]] (1988), pp. 16, 30-34
+
==Sources==
*<sup>2</sup>:[[Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]] (1990), p. 80
+
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness]] (1988), pp. 16, 30-34
*<sup>3</sup>:[http://uk.games-workshop.com/darkeldar/torturer/ The Torturers Tale]
+
**{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 14
*<sup>4</sup>:[[Codex: Chaos Daemons (4th Edition)]]
+
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]] (1990), p. 80
 
+
*{{Endn|3}}: [http://uk.games-workshop.com/darkeldar/torturer/ The Torturers Tale]
 +
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Chaos Daemons (4th Edition)]]
 +
*{{Endn|5}}: http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1181266_Chaos_Space_Marines_Datasheet_-_Slaanesh_Subjugator.pdf Games Workshop Official Site
 +
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Space Wolf (Novel)]] - [[The Space Wolf Omnibus]] by [[William King]]: Chapter One, pg. 28
 +
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Xenos (Novel)]] by [[Dan Abnett]] - [[Eisenhorn (Omnibus)]], Chapter Twenty-One, pg. 212
 +
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Index Astartes I]], pg. 26
 +
*{{Endn|9}}: [[The Art of Warhammer 40,000]] pg. 156
 +
*10: [[The Traitor's Hand (Novel)]] – [[Ciaphas Cain: Hero of the Imperium]] by [[Sandy Mitchell]]:
 +
**{{Endn|10a}}: Chapter Seven, pp. 581-582
 +
**{{Endn|10b}}: Chapter Twenty, pp. 747-749
 +
*{{Endn|11}}: ''[[The Beguiling (Short Story)]]'' by '''Sandy Mitchell'''
 +
*{{Endn|12}}: [[Codex: Chaos Daemons (6th Edition)]] pg.17]
 
{{Chaos Main}}
 
{{Chaos Main}}
[[Category:Gods and Daemons]]
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[[Category:Chaos Gods]]
 
[[Category:Slaanesh| ]]
 
[[Category:Slaanesh| ]]
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[[Category:Characters (Gods)]]
 
[[de:Slaanesh]]
 
[[de:Slaanesh]]
 
[[fr:Slaanesh]]
 
[[fr:Slaanesh]]

Revision as of 17:38, 24 February 2016

Slaanesh is the Chaos God of lust, greed, excess, pain, pleasure, perfection and hedonism. Slaanesh was the last of the major Chaos Gods to be born—coming into existence with the collapse of the Eldar civilisation.


Slaanesh
Daemons Keeper of Secrets, Daemonette, Fiend, Steed of Slaanesh

Overview

Slaanesh[1]

The name Slaanesh derives from Slaaneth - the god's name in the language of Chaos, (Slaa meaning "ecstasy", "pleasure", etc, Neth meaning "lord of", "master of", or "prince of"; hence, the Prince of Pleasure). The correct adjective of things associated with Slaanesh (such as its worshipers) is "Slaaneshi".[Needs Citation]

Slaanesh typically appears in a form which is female on the right side and male on the left, with two sets of horns rising from its flowing golden hair. It can, however, assume any form—male, female, hermaphrodite or asexual—but prefers male bodies. Its sacred number is six. The symbol of Slaanesh combines the conventional symbols for male and female. It is also known by a multitude of titles, such as Prince of Chaos, Prince of Excess, Prince of Pleasure and Lord of Dark Delights. To the Eldar, who do not name the god, it is referred to only by the Lovecraftian titles of She Who Thirsts, She Who Is Not Named, The Great Enemy, The Great Serpent, etc. [Needs Citation]

Slaanesh was fully born at the moment of the Fall of the Eldar. The birth of Slaanesh created the Eye of Terror and slew most of the Eldar except those far enough away from the Eldar homeworlds to escape. This event also slew all the Eldar gods except for Khaine (who was shattered into many pieces), the Laughing God - Cegorach, and Isha - who was, according to one Craftworld, taken captive by the Chaos God Nurgle.[4]

Slaanesh has a neutral attitude to some of the other Gods of Chaos (as he is generally too caught up in his own pleasures to be interested in rivalries or alliances), but his particular enemy is Khorne, whose belief in pain and death is completely opposed to Slaanesh's principle of a life of unrestricted pleasure.[Needs Citation]

Worship of Slaanesh

Slaanesh's symbol is rarely worn openly by its followers. They instead often wear items of jewellery bearing erotic motifs. Followers dress in robes which are often opened to leave the right side of the chest uncovered, a requirement of many of the rituals involved in his worship. Pastel and electric shades are the chief colours, although white may be used as well. These colours are also sometimes carried over into everyday wear, although they may be modified to fit in with current fashions. In all cases, all Slaanesh followers wear garb of sensuously high quality.[1]

Even the most militant of Slaanesh's followers do not deny themselves this hedonistic lifestyle; cultist hideouts may be fortified and stocked with weapons, but they are equally stocked with luxurious furniture, sumptuous food, and erotic decorations.[10a]

In the mythology of the primitive inhabitants of Fenris, "Sla Nahesh" (presumably a misinterpretation of Slaanesh) is an evil deity, described as the offspring of the dark god Horus and the dragon goddess Skrinneir, and is imprisoned within one of the planet's volcanic islands after being defeated by Leman Russ.[6]

Daemons of Slaanesh

  • Daemonettes - the common Daemons of Slaanesh they are disturbingly beautiful - often feminine on one side, masculine on the other. They usually have crab-like claws instead of hands.
  • Steeds of Slaanesh - the daemonic mounts of Slaanesh, lurid snakelike creatures who lash with their prehensile tongues. They are often ridden by Daemonettes, as well as gifted to favoured Champions.
  • Fiends of Slaanesh - the daemonic beasts of Slaanesh, they are a bizarre hybrid of insectoid, reptilian and human.

Daemon Engines of Slaanesh

A Daemon Engine is a part-technological, part-daemonic vehicle, those dedicated to Slaanesh include the Slaanesh Subjugator[5] and Sonic Dreadnought

Titans of Slaanesh

Forces dedicated to Slaanesh

Chaos Space Marines

A Chaos Space Marine of Slaanesh[9]

Over the thousands of years since the Horus Heresy, a few other Space Marine chapters have inevitably fallen to the seductions of Slaanesh and become renegades. Among these are[Needs Citation]:

Renegades and Cults

Daemonic Warbands

Notable Servants of Slaanesh

Gifts of Slaanesh

Main article: Gifts of Slaanesh
Main article: Mark of Slaanesh

As with all the Chaos Gods, Slaanesh will often reward his most favoured followers with special gifts and blessings. Slaanesh's gifts can take many forms, including physical mutations, daemon weapons or an exotic appearance.

The Palace of Slaanesh

The Palace of Slaanesh[17]

The Palace of Slaanesh is Slaanesh's realm within the Warp. Those that dare his realm risk becoming trapped in its warped delights for eternity. The Dark Prince's realm is divided into six domains, arranged in concentric rings about the Palace of Pleasure. The palace itself can only be reached by passing through all six domains. The circle of Avidity plays upon the interloper's greed. The circle of Gluttony is next; it plays upon the intruders desire for lavish foods and wines. The third circle is the circle of Carnality, where the perfect desires of the heart reside; testing to the extreme the individuals desires. The fourth circle is the circle of Paramountcy, where the traveller is greeted by roars of adulation, here the intruder is tempted with absolute power over others. The penultimate circle is the circle of Vainglory. The traveller is presented with his ideal self-image, and if he feels but an ounce of pride, for eternity will this circle be his prison. The last circle is the most perilous, it is a heavenly place, within which resides a seemingly perfect environment. Every second that passes fills the intruder with bliss, but to rest and enjoy the pleasure for a single moment results in falling into a coma, and eventually dying in idle bliss. One may walk the circles for centuries, but cannot for a second give into his ultimate desires for he will fall. If one is able to successfully pass through the circles he comes before the palace and Slaanesh himself. It is impossible for mortals to look upon the god without instantly losing their soul, for all who see it become willing slaves to every whim of the Dark Prince.[4]


Sources


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