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Slaanesh

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Background and Rivalries

Slaanesh is the Chaos god of lust, excess, pleasure, perfection and hedonism. Slaanesh typically appears in a form which is a woman on the right side and a man 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 known by a multitude of titles such as the Prince of Chaos, Prince of Excess, She Who Thirsts, She Who Is Not Named, The Great Enemy, The Great Serpent or Prince of Pleasure.

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). It 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.

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 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.

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 is served primarily by the Emperor's Children Chaos Space 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 chapter Violators have dedicated themselves to the prince of excess.

Daemons of Slaanesh

The Greater Daemon of Slaanesh is the Keeper of Secrets, a huge and indescribable creatures whose very presence is capable of bringing the bravest warrior to his knees in anguish and ecstasy.

The main Daemons of Slaanesh are the Daemonettes, feminine creatures whose seductive bodies are at contrast with their grotesque claws and lightning speed. Daemonettes can also ride Steeds of Slaanesh, lurid snakelike creatures who lash with their prehensile tongues.

Sources