Difference between revisions of "Chaos"

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{{ChaosPortal}}'''Chaos''' is the psychic energy that composes [[Warp|warp]] space. More generally "Chaos" refers to anything related to Chaos, including its influence, the [[Gods of Chaos]] and their followers, and the warp. Chaos is almost synonymous with the warp - the two concepts are inseparable: Chaos is the limitless ocean of spiritual and emotional energy that defines the warp. It is a great and raw force of change and power, and is both physically and spiritually corrupting. The most gifted mortals, [[psyker]]s, can utilize this energy, thus making them capable of abilities which transcend the laws of the material universe. However, the malevolent power of Chaos can gradually corrupt a psyker, tainting his mind and body.
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{{ChaosPortal}}'''Chaos''' is the psychic energy that composes [[Warp]] space. More generally, "Chaos" refers to anything related to Chaos, including its influence, the [[Gods of Chaos]], their followers, and the Warp. Chaos is almost synonymous with the Warp - the two concepts are inseparable: Chaos is the limitless ocean of spiritual and emotional energy that defines the Warp. It is a great and raw force of change and power, and is both physically and spiritually corrupting. The most gifted mortals, [[psyker]]s, can utilize this energy, thus making them capable of abilities which transcend the laws of the material universe. However, the malevolent power of Chaos can gradually corrupt a psyker, tainting his mind and body.
  
 
The iconic symbol of Chaos is the eight-pointed star, representing the infinite possibilities of Chaos.
 
The iconic symbol of Chaos is the eight-pointed star, representing the infinite possibilities of Chaos.
  
[[Image:Chaos Star.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The '''Chaos Star''']]
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[[Image:Chaos Star.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The Chaos Star.]]
  
 
==The Forces of Chaos==
 
==The Forces of Chaos==
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===Daemons===
 
===Daemons===
 
{{main|Daemon}}
 
{{main|Daemon}}
'''Daemons''' are entities of the warp, horrific creatures brought to the battlefield by the whims of sorcerers. They are often armed simply with claws that rip and tear the enemy to shreds; some use psychic based powers. The lesser daemons tend to be very poorly armored and fall in great numbers to rapid fire weaponry.  
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'''Daemons''' are entities of the Warp, horrific creatures brought to the battlefield by the whims of sorcerers. They are often armed simply with claws that rip and tear the enemy to shreds; some use psychic based powers. The lesser daemons tend to be very poorly armored and fall in great numbers to rapid fire weaponry.  
  
 
===The Lost and the Damned===
 
===The Lost and the Damned===
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*[[Nurgle]] is born of the mortal races' reaction to the inevitably of death and disease and suffering.
 
*[[Nurgle]] is born of the mortal races' reaction to the inevitably of death and disease and suffering.
 
*[[Slaanesh]] is born of lust and hedonism.
 
*[[Slaanesh]] is born of lust and hedonism.
*[[Tzeentch]] is born of ambition, hope and the desire for change.
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*[[Tzeentch]] is born of ambition, hope, and the desire for change.
  
 
==Chaos Forces in the Galaxy==
 
==Chaos Forces in the Galaxy==
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[[Image:chaos marines engagements.jpg|none|thumb|Chaos Space Marine Engagements, 998.M41]]
 
[[Image:chaos marines engagements.jpg|none|thumb|Chaos Space Marine Engagements, 998.M41]]
[[Image:daemons strongholds.jpg|none|thumb|Daemon Strongholds]]
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[[Image:daemons strongholds.jpg|none|thumb|Daemon strongholds]]
  
 
==Ancient History==
 
==Ancient History==
At the dawn of time, the [[Old Ones]] took some of the primitive races, guiding their development to suit a specific purpose. The warp at this time was not the hostile place it was in later ages. Once the [[Necron]]s arose, the Old Ones created races to battle the threat they posed, creating races with stronger ties to the warp, giving them psychic power to turn the tide against the Necrons. One of these races was the [[Eldar]].
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At the dawn of time, the [[Old Ones]] took some of the primitive races, guiding their development to suit a specific purpose. The Warp at this time was not the hostile place it was in later ages. Once the [[Necron]]s arose, the Old Ones created races to battle the threat they posed, creating races with stronger ties to the Warp, giving them psychic power to turn the tide against the Necrons. One of these races was the [[Eldar]].
  
Just before the birth of the Emperor, three of the Chaos gods, Khorne, Tzeentch and Nurgle, had already begun to take form in the warp, although it would take until the end of earth's Middle Ages for them to fully awaken. Slaanesh had not awoken until around [[M29]], marking the end of the Eldar empire and the end of the [[Age of Strife]], as well as the beginning of the Great Crusade and the rise of the Imperium.
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Just before the birth of the Emperor, three of the Chaos Gods, Khorne, Tzeentch, and Nurgle had already begun to take form in the Warp, although it would take until the end of Earth's Middle Ages for them to fully awaken. Slaanesh had not awoken until around [[M29]], marking the end of the Eldar Empire and the end of the [[Age of Strife]], as well as the beginning of the Great Crusade and the rise of the Imperium.
  
The rise of Chaos and the first three Chaos Gods, as described, seems to correspond to the development to humanity, implying that Mankind, of all the sentient species, were primarily responsible for the disharmonising of the warp and the birth of the first three Chaos Gods. Although, without question, all sentient species played a role in the birth of the Chaos Gods, it seems that Mankind has an especially close relationship with Chaos, or that Mankind's nature is particularly aggressive and unstable.<sup>2</sup>
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The rise of Chaos and the first three Chaos Gods, as described, seems to correspond to the development to humanity, implying that Mankind, of all the sentient species, were primarily responsible for the disharmonizing of the Warp and the birth of the first three Chaos Gods. Although, without question, all sentient species played a role in the birth of the Chaos Gods, it seems that mankind has an especially close relationship with Chaos, or that mankind's nature is particularly aggressive and unstable.<sup>2</sup>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
[[Quotes Chaos|Chaos-related quotes]] Quotes by followers of Chaos, and quotes otherwise regarding Chaos.
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[[Quotes Chaos|Chaos-related Quotes]] - Quotes by followers of Chaos, and quotes otherwise regarding Chaos.
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
*<sup>1</sup>:[[Realm of Chaos|Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness]] (1988), p. 213
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*<sup>1</sup>:[[Realm of Chaos|''Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness'']] (1988), p. 213
*<sup>2</sup>:[[Realm of Chaos|Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]] (1990), p. 176
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*<sup>2</sup>:[[Realm of Chaos|''Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned'']] (1990), p. 176
  
 
{{Chaos Main}}
 
{{Chaos Main}}
 
[[Category:Chaos| ]]
 
[[Category:Chaos| ]]
 
[[de:Chaos]]
 
[[de:Chaos]]

Revision as of 05:06, 31 December 2009

Chaos is the psychic energy that composes Warp space. More generally, "Chaos" refers to anything related to Chaos, including its influence, the Gods of Chaos, their followers, and the Warp. Chaos is almost synonymous with the Warp - the two concepts are inseparable: Chaos is the limitless ocean of spiritual and emotional energy that defines the Warp. It is a great and raw force of change and power, and is both physically and spiritually corrupting. The most gifted mortals, psykers, can utilize this energy, thus making them capable of abilities which transcend the laws of the material universe. However, the malevolent power of Chaos can gradually corrupt a psyker, tainting his mind and body.

The iconic symbol of Chaos is the eight-pointed star, representing the infinite possibilities of Chaos.

File:Chaos Star.jpg
The Chaos Star.

The Forces of Chaos

The forces of Chaos are made up of three types:

Daemons

Main article: Daemon

Daemons are entities of the Warp, horrific creatures brought to the battlefield by the whims of sorcerers. They are often armed simply with claws that rip and tear the enemy to shreds; some use psychic based powers. The lesser daemons tend to be very poorly armored and fall in great numbers to rapid fire weaponry.

The Lost and the Damned

The Lost and the Damned are a broad range of renegades and mutants, including degenerated humans and mutants of the Daemon Worlds and renegade Imperial Guardsmen. They are also often poorly armored but come in vast numbers.

Chaos Space Marines

Main article: Chaos Space Marine

The Chaos Space Marines are those who fell under the sway of Warmaster Horus and rebelled against the Emperor in an attempt to bring the material galaxy under the control of Chaos. A full nine legions left the side of the Emperor and joined Chaos, some choosing specific deities to worship while others went to Chaos Undivided.

The Gods of Chaos

Main article: Gods of Chaos

There are four great Powers of Chaos. Each are given form and fed by the emotions manifested by sentient beings in the material universe.

The Chaos Powers and the emotions that gave rise to them:

  • Khorne is born of hate and rage.
  • Nurgle is born of the mortal races' reaction to the inevitably of death and disease and suffering.
  • Slaanesh is born of lust and hedonism.
  • Tzeentch is born of ambition, hope, and the desire for change.

Chaos Forces in the Galaxy

Chaos Space Marine Engagements, 998.M41
Daemon strongholds

Ancient History

At the dawn of time, the Old Ones took some of the primitive races, guiding their development to suit a specific purpose. The Warp at this time was not the hostile place it was in later ages. Once the Necrons arose, the Old Ones created races to battle the threat they posed, creating races with stronger ties to the Warp, giving them psychic power to turn the tide against the Necrons. One of these races was the Eldar.

Just before the birth of the Emperor, three of the Chaos Gods, Khorne, Tzeentch, and Nurgle had already begun to take form in the Warp, although it would take until the end of Earth's Middle Ages for them to fully awaken. Slaanesh had not awoken until around M29, marking the end of the Eldar Empire and the end of the Age of Strife, as well as the beginning of the Great Crusade and the rise of the Imperium.

The rise of Chaos and the first three Chaos Gods, as described, seems to correspond to the development to humanity, implying that Mankind, of all the sentient species, were primarily responsible for the disharmonizing of the Warp and the birth of the first three Chaos Gods. Although, without question, all sentient species played a role in the birth of the Chaos Gods, it seems that mankind has an especially close relationship with Chaos, or that mankind's nature is particularly aggressive and unstable.2

See also

Chaos-related Quotes - Quotes by followers of Chaos, and quotes otherwise regarding Chaos.

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 Damned 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