Slaanesh
From Lexicanum
| Symbol | Characteristics | |
| ||
| Name: | Slaanesh | |
| Aspect: | Lust, Pleasure, Pain | |
| Traits: | Pleasure seeker | |
| Dedicated Legion: | Emperor's Children | |
| Greater Daemon: | Keeper of Secrets | |
| Lesser Daemons: | Daemonette | |
| Daemonic Beasts: | Mount of Slaanesh | |
| Psychic Abilities: | Lash of Submission | |
| Enemy Gods: | Khorne | |
| Sacred Number: | 6 | |
Contents |
Background and Rivalries
Slaanesh is the 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. 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 Lovecraftian titles of She Who Thirsts, She Who Is Not Named, The Great Enemy, The Great Serpent, etc.
The name Slaanesh is a corruption of the Chaos term Slaaneth (Slaa meaning "ecstasy" or "pleasure" and Neth meaning "lord" or "prince"; hence, the Prince of Pleasure). The correct adjective of things associated with Slaanesh (such as its worshippers) is "Slaaneshi".
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, and the Laughing God, Cegorach.
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
The symbol of Slaanesh combines the conventional symbols for male and female, although it is seldom worn openly by his followers. In its place they often wear items of jewelery 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.
Slaanesh is most notably followed by the Emperor's Children Chaos Marines, 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.
Also the renegade Violators chapter have dedicated themselves to the Prince of Excess.
Daemons of Slaanesh
The Greater Daemon of Slaanesh is the Keeper of Secrets, huge, bestial and ugly creatures exuding an intoxicating musk.
The main Daemons of Slaanesh are the Daemonettes, creatures feminine on one side, with hugely grotesque claws. Daemonettes can also ride Steeds of Slaanesh, lurid snakelike creatures who lash with their prehensile tongues.
Sources
| Chaos | |||
| Chaos Space Marine Army List | Chaos Infantry • Chaos Vehicles • Daemons | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaos Space Marine Armoury | Chaos Weapons • Daemon Weapons • Chaos Wargear • Chaos Psychic Powers | ||
| Daemons | Daemon Prince • Greater Daemon • Lesser Daemon • Daemonic Steed • Daemon Weapons • Daemonic Gifts | ||
| Gods of Chaos | Khorne • Tzeentch • Slaanesh • Nurgle | ||
| Rebels/Characters | Traitor Legions • Renegade Chapters • Chaos Cults/Ezekyle Abaddon • Lucius • Ahriman • Kharn • Typhus | ||
| Products of Chaos | Chaos Artefacts • Chaos Structures | ||
