[[Image:Cherubael.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cherubael]], a bound daemonhost.]]A '''Daemonhost''' is a living mortal body used as a receptacle to bind a [[daemon]], differing from a [[Daemonic Possession|possessee]] in that the daemon does not possess or control the mortal, but is bound into within it. The Daemonhost is used controlled by another mortal, usually its creator,{{Fn|13}} often in order to use [[Chaos ]] to fight Chaos.{{Fn|1}}

Being an entity of the [[warp]], a daemon cannot manifest itself in real space under normal circumstances. A daemon may instead enter the mind of a vulnerable [[psyker]] and turn the individual to its will and, through its host, affect reality. Outside of natural circumstances, and outside the [[Eye of Terror]], daemons can exist temporarily in real space by being summoned through complex rituals.{{Fn|1}}

==OriginsOverview==The source binding of such bodies varies. a Daemonhost is a dangerous and arcane practice beyond the scope of all but the most malign and knowledgeable [[Chaos Cultsorcerer]]ists will often sacrifice themselves for "the good of the cause" so their patron daemon s. A single error can lead them personallyto disastrous situations. Other times an end-justifies-Two notable results of failure includes the-means type [[Inquisitor]] of daemon being loosed uncontrolled, or the subject's flesh being transformed into a ravening [[Ordo MalleusChaos Spawn]] will sacrifice inconsequential individuals so that they can bring forth a daemon that can be interrogated for information on Chaos. Or even more diabolically, they create daemonhosts to fight other daemonic creatures. The creation of a daemonhost is considered heresy, and is enough for an Inquisitor to be declared ''excommunicate''.{{Fn|12b}}

===Origins===[[Image:Cherubael.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Cherubael]], a bound daemonhost{{Fn|5}}]]The bound source of such psychically attuned bodies varies. [[Chaos Cult]]ists will often sacrifice themselves for "the good of the cause" so their patron daemon can be released, leaving lead them personally. Other times an end-justifies-the individual free, but usually mentally and physically scarred by -means type [[Inquisitor]] of the experience[[Ordo Malleus]] will sacrifice inconsequential individuals so that they can bring forth a daemon that can be interrogated for information on Chaos. SometimesOr even more diabolically, such they create daemonhosts to fight other daemonic creatures. The creation of a mark daemonhost is made that the individual considered [[heresy]], and is more susceptible enough for an Inquisitor to future daemonic possession, so that a freed individual should be executeddeclared ''excommunicate''.{{Fn|2a}}

==Process==The host must first bound daemon can be inscribed with certain marksreleased, leaving the individual free, runes but mentally and wardings to prepare it for physically scarred by the entrapment of a daemonexperience. The sigils involved are largely unknownSometimes, but an essential rune called such a mark is made by the ''"Rune of Voiding"'' must be inscribed on the chest of the host in order to empty it of any previous souls so experience that the daemon can be effectively contained. Apparently, this rune individual is sometimes ignored, more susceptible to future daemonic possession; as in certain occasionssuch, a freed individual should be executed for the original host's mind endured. Radical [[Inquisitor]]s with the resources would also string the host with chains, padlocks, amulets, and other bindings as to ensure the daemon's obediencesake of safety.{{Fn|2a}}

===Creation===The host must first be inscribed with certain marks, runes and [[ward]]ings to prepare it for the entrapment of a daemon.{{Fn|3}} [[Pentagrammic wards]] can be inscribed on physical objects to contain a warp entity, however, they can be easily altered to help a sorcerer or witch control and enslave rather than simply create a barrier that the daemon finds difficult to breach.{{Fn|12a}} The sigils involved are largely unknown, but an essential rune called the ''"Rune of Voiding"'' must be inscribed on the chest of the host in order to empty it of any previous souls so that the daemon can be effectively contained. Apparently, this rune is sometimes ignored, as in certain occasions, the original host's mind endured. [[Radical|Radical Inquisitors]] with the resources would also string the host with chains, padlocks, amulets, and other bindings that ensure both daemon's obedience and its containment.{{Fn|3}}{{Fn|13}} Once all the preparations are made, the Incantations of Binding, the Litany of Servitus, and the Wards of Entrapment must be spoken, along with the final sealing words: ''"In servitutem abduco, I bind thee fast forever into this host."'' Note that only these were mentioned by [[Inquisitor]] [[Eisenhorn]] in his logs, and that other rites might have been involved.{{Fn|1}}

===Effects on the Host===Daemonic possession eventually takes its toll on the mortal body until it is consumed and destroyed by the power. Initially, they may remain human in appearance, but over time the human form will be corrupted - its eyes will start to change, sometimes becoming blood red, or taking on the look of a cat's or snake's eyes, while the bone structure will be reformed, resulting in horns and other inhuman features.{{Fn|1}} The host also usually manifests [[psychic powers]] as a result of their close connection with a creature of the warp, sometimes so powerful that the host's body can barely contain it. They may appear to arc with electrical energy, cause minor air disturbances and often float a few inches from the ground. Daemonhosts also benefit from the invulnerability of the daemon inhabiting its body, though the particulars may change from daemon to daemon. Some may only be harmed with silver, while others may be destroyed by sunlight. Some need to consume nothing but blood to survive. These traits may account for the stories of Vampyre cults that exist on some worlds in the [[Imperium]].{{Fn|3}}

The Eventually, no matter how powerful a host also usually manifests psychic powers as 's will, the experience of sharing a result of their close connection mind and body with a creature daemon will lead to insanity, effectively bringing an end to the life of the warphost, sometimes so powerful that and allowing the host's body can barely contain itwarp entity to take complete control. They In such cases, an exorcism may appear be of little benefit to arc with electrical energythe pathetic creature, cause minor air disturbances and often float a few inches from death will be the groundonly mercy.{{Fn|3}}

===Lesser Daemonhosts also benefit from the invulnerabilities of the daemon inhabiting its body, though the particulars may change from daemon ===Summoners who don't wish to try untried or unperfected rituals might conjure far less powerful entities to daemonbind and thus more easily controlled. Some may only Animals, humans, or both might be harmed with silver, while others may used for these trials and be destroyed by sunlight. Some need used to consume nothing but blood to survive. These traits may account create a '''lesser daemonhost''', also known as a [[Dybuk]] (translating in some proscribed texts as literally meaning ''"a vessel for the stories of Vampyre cults that exist on some worlds in the Imperiumunclean"'').{{Fn|12b}}

EventuallyThis "lesser" form of daemon binding is still an exceptionally dangerous of a process. Once the victim is bound and has the proper bindings carved into their flesh, no matter how powerful a the depraved and bloody rituals of summoning begins. It takes many hours of sustained torture to the hostwhile under the sorcerer's observation. If the living host dies, the ritual willfail and misfire. If it is successful, the experience soul of sharing a mind the mutilated host body is murdered from within and body with a [[Lesser Daemon|lesser daemon will lead to insanity, effectively bringing an end to ]]ic spirit takes its place.{{Fn|12b}} The flesh holding the life daemon serves as a vessel for its malignant hunger and contains a portion of its unnatural power. Over time the host, body will writhe and allowing warp under the warp entity to take complete control. In such cases, an exorcism may be stain of little benefit to the pathetic creature, vile presence within and ultimately destroy itself. Some cults favour Dybuk as guardians and death will be the only mercyshock troops.{{Fn|12b}} ==Notable Daemonhosts==*[[The Burning One]]{{Fn|3}}*[[Cherubael]]{{Fn|1}}*[[Ghaustos]]{{Fn|2b}}*[[Hedrodal]]{{Fn|7}}*The [[Infernal Celestials]]{{Fn|4}}*[[Loa Gorg]]{{Fn|2a}}*[[Kessel]]{{Fn|14}}*[[Prophaniti]]{{Fn|10}}*[[Red Angel]]{{Fn|8}}*[[Sarasti]]{{Fn|9}}*[[The Vessel]]{{Fn|11}} ==See also==*[[Cackling Abomination]]*[[Daemon Engine]]*[[Daemon Weapon]]*[[Malediction]]

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Hereticus (Novel)]] - — [[Eisenhorn (Omnibus)]] by , Chapters Six and Seven, pgs. 589–595*{{Endn|2}}: [[White Dwarf 264 (UK)]] - ''Battle Report: The Paraelix Configuration'':**{{Endn|2a}}: pg. 104**{{Endn|2b}}: pg. 105*{{Endn|3}}: [[Dark Heresy: Creatures Anathema]], pg. 113*{{Endn|4}}: [[Dark Millennium (game system)]]: '''Prophecy's Peril''' — [http://ccggamez.com/index.php?opcja=karta&idkarty=287201 Card description] (Last accessed on 24 April 2022)*{{Endn|5}}: [[Inquisitor Rulebook]], Characters, pg. 33*{{Endn|6}}: [[Dark Heresy Core Rulebook]], pg. 368*{{Endn|7}}: [[White Dwarf 258 (UK)]], pgs. 38-42*{{Endn|8}}: [[Collected Visions]], pgs. 265-266*{{Endn|9}}: [[Fallen (Comic Series)]], Issue #9*{{Endn|10}}: [[Dan AbnettMalleus (Novel)]], Chapters Six and SevenChapter Fifteen*{{Endn|11}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20250923192338/https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/mkh26zdt/meet-the-lords-of-war-venturing-to-the-warhammer-40000-grand-narrative-this-week/ Warhammer Community: Meet the Lords of War venturing to the Warhammer 40,000 Grand Narrative this week] ''(saved page 23/09/2025, last accessed 23/09/2025, [https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/mkh26zdt/meet-the-lords-of-war-venturing-to-the-warhammer-40000-grand-narrative-this-week/ original link])''*12: [[Dark Heresy: Disciples of the Dark Gods]]:**{{Endn|12a}}: pg. 120**{{Endn|12b}}: pg. 128*{{Endn|13}}: [[White Dwarf November 2019]], pgs. 58926-27 -595''Index Imperialis: Inquisition: Forces of the Inquisition''*{{Endn|14}}: [[Codex: Inquisition]], pg. 36