[[Image:ChaosMap.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The realm of the Chaos Gods]]The '''Chaos Gods''', also called the '''Dark Gods''' or the '''Ruinous Powers''', are god-like psychic entities of cosmic power. The most powerful beings Dark Gods of the psychic universe known as pantheon are the '''dark brothers''': [[Khorne]], [[Tzeentch]], [Warp[Nurgle]], created and sustained by [[Slaanesh]].{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|13}} They called the emotions and souls of every living being of the material universe. Although they are god-like beings, they are '''True Gods''' by their nature monomaniacal and completely single-minded (formed completely of a single emotion or concept) as well as being completely dependent on the emotions some of mortal creatures for their power and continued existencefollowers.{{Fn|21}}

==Overview==[[Image:40k-139-the-ruinous-powers.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Greater Daemon]]s of the Ruinous Powers]]The Chaos Gods are able to devote a fraction of their power powerful beings that exist in the psychic mirror-realm that is parallel to create [[daemonrealspace]]s, whose appearance and character reflect known as the god's own nature[[Warp]]. These daemons may be reabsorbed into The Chaos Gods are created and sustained by the god at whim. The least emotions and souls of every living being of the minor gods may be so limited in material universe. Although they are god-like beings, they are by their power that expending their power to create nature monomaniacal and completely single-minded (formed completely of a daemon means single emotion or concept) as well as being completely dependent on the emotions of mortal creatures for their entire power is expended; in effect, the god becomes a daemonand continued existence.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|13}}

==Origins=Daemons==={{Main|Daemon}}In the early history of the galaxy, the powers of the Warp had yet to form into distinct entities. At this time, the emotions of mortals flowed and ebbed as water does in A '''daemon''' is a creature formed from a stream. As the mortal races grew and prospered, so did the strength fragment of their emotions. Eventually, the gods grew to such a point where they could act independently of the general flow of emotions and thus became the Gods of [[Chaos]]God's consciousness. They reached into form the dreams armies of mortals the Chaos Gods, and demanded praise and servitude in order to increase their own power, as frequently battle the more one emotion is exhibited (in both thought armies of other gods and action) unbelievers on the stronger that god becomesmaterial plane.{{Fn|17a}}

Gods are able to devote a fraction of their power to create daemons, whose appearance and character reflect the god's own nature. These daemons may be reabsorbed into the god at whim. The least of the minor gods may be so limited in their power that expending their power to create a daemon means their entire power is expended; in effect, the god becomes a daemon.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|7a}} ==History=====Origins==={{Spoiler|source=Rise of the Ynnari: Wild Rider (Novel)}}Over billions of years, the emotions of mortal creatures fell into the warp like rain. Watersheds of immaterial energy and emotion formed from the ongoing deluge. As the mortal races prospered and struggled, torrents and streams of pride and anguish, hatred and desire, and so on pooled as time progressed. Eventually these formless beings gained rudimentary consciousness and the Chaos Gods were born — vast psychic presences made from the dreams and nightmares of mortals. Each sought to nurture their own power by influencing the dreams of mortals to perform acts in ways to feed their power, sometimes rewarding those mortals that serve in their name with strange gifts. The souls of those who serve the Dark Gods don't dissipate in the warp like others, instead they are enfolded into their patron's, further increasing the power of Chaos.{{Fn|1a}} The Chaos Gods exist in the Warp, a dimension outside of space and time. So when exactly the Chaos Gods emerged in unclear, especially to by own understanding, as the passage of time is a foreign concept to them. Their first three recorded instance is during the [[War in Heaven (Necrons)|conflict]] between the [[Old Ones]] and the [[Necrontyr]]. While the nascent [[Aeldari]] civilisation was still protected by their creators, the Old Ones, the Dark Gods and other warp predators are said to have assailed both the Old Ones and Necrontyr. The Aeldari were well designed to resist Chaos corruption and eventually pushed back Chaos alongside Necrontyr.{{Fn|16b}} After working together to construct many prisons for the Dark Gods and other psychic threats, the Aeldari and Necrontyr's alliance soured and a new [[War in Heaven (Eldar)|conflict in the stars]] unfolded. These most distant ages are largely lost to time and remain unclear.{{Fn|16a}}{{Fn|16c}} ===Chaos and Mankind===Humanity and Chaos are inherently interlinked. Humanity became entirely dependent on [[warp travel]] for interstellar travel and [[astropath]]s for interstellar communication. Humanity would only have a fraction of its current numbers and strength without the Warp, and Chaos would also be much diminished without the rise of Mankind. The gods drink deep of the emotional wellspring that is Mankind, growing bloated and powerful in the process. As Mankind spread across the stars, their exponential populations fueled the godsimmeasurably.{{Fn|3b}} Some say that by the middle ages of Mankind, the Chaos Gods had reached a tipping point and became fully sentient and self-aware.{{Fn|8}}{{Fn|Note 2}} ===Age of Strife===[[File:KhorneForces.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The forces of Khorne.{{Fn|}}]]Throughout humanity's [[Age of Strife]], Khorne's [[Bloodthirster]] generals lead [[Blood Legions]]in wars across the galaxy. Many worlds, both human and xenos, fell to Chaos or were destroyed in the [[Warp Storm]]s appearing across the galaxy. Towards the end of this era, when the being known as the [[Emperor]] neared his completion of the [[Primarch Project]], [[Tzeentch]] sensed potential chain of events that could someday cause the downfall of the Chaos Gods. Thus Tzeentchmanipulated the dark powers that flung the nascent [[Primarch]]s from their sanctum.{{Fn|7b}} The birth of at least one of the Ruinous Powers can be placed with surety, that being Slaanesh in [[M31]]. Born from the decadence, depravity, and excess of the once-great [[Eldar Empire|Aeldari empire]], Slaanesh is a corrupt and perverse reflection of the [[Aeldari]]'s darkest extremes of desire. The [[Fall of the Eldar]] climaxed with the apotheosis of Slaanesh. The apotheosis of the new god created a psychic explosion at the heart of the Aeldari empire, consuming the majority of the Aeldari race. The birth-cries leaving the [[Eye of Terror]] where the most densely populated Aeldari heart worlds had once been. The vast warp storms across the galaxy subsequently becalmed and abated.{{Fn|7b}}{{Fn|18}} ===Great Crusade and Horus Heresy===The [[NurgleGreat Game]]began anew as Slaanesh, became sapient glutted and emboldened by the end power gained from the consumption of most of the Aeldari race and their [[M2Eldar Gods|murdered pantheon]], expanded his domains but his dark brothers met him with significant opposition. After a brief time as the ascendant god in the Great Game, Slaanesh's stolen domains from Khorne would be taken back. Tzeentch and Nurgle allied and Khorne's rage at being usurped in power by Slaanesh led to a rampage claiming back all Slaanesh had stolen from him and more.{{Fn|7b}} Thus, the Dark Gods' full attention was given to the Great Game as the Emperor and [[Mars]] began their [[SlaaneshGreat Crusade]] didnunimpeded by the gods, at least for a time. Amidst the Great Crusade't fully awaken until s triumphs the seeds were sown by the Dark Gods in the hearts of the Primarchs. Eventually, they bore fruit when the Emperor returned to Terra. The [[Warmaster]] [[Horus Lupercal]] was corrupted and he swayed many of his fellow Primarchs to join him in rebellion and damnation. The Daemon legions were deployed by the gods to aid them in their [[Fall Horus Heresy|civil war]] that blackened the Imperium forever.{{Fn|7b}} At the final climax of the Eldar[[Horus Heresy]] in , the fifth major Chaos God nearly reached apotheosis. Known as the [[M29Dark King]]in prophecy, was to be born from Humanity and consuming nearly the entirety of the species,{{Fn|12}} just as Slaanesh's apotheosis had done to the Aeldari.{{Fn|29}}

[[Image:ChaosMap.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The realms of the Chaos Gods{{Fn|}}]]{{main|The Lost and the Damned}}The lives of mortals go mostly unnoticed by the Chaos Gods, being little more than a brief flicker to their cosmic consciousnesses. They care nothing for mortals, only that they are continually fed their souls and emotions. Some of the most devoted followers' deeds might gain the momentary fraction of a god's attention, sometimes bestowing [[Marks of Chaos|Marks]] and [[Gifts of Chaos]], alongside other 'boons' to their apparent followers.{{Fn|4}} The Chaos Gods' most devoted followers are known as [[Champion of Chaos|Champions]], spiritually bound to their patrons. Chaos Champions are rewarded with 'gifts' unique to each god and the potential 'blessing' of ascension to [[Daemon Prince]]dom.{{Fn|1b}} As a Daemon Prince, they take on the thoughts and deeds, becoming a sliver of their patron in power and mind, while still wearing the face of their former mortality but now immortal.{{Fn|15b}} When a follower of a Chaos God dies, instead of dissipating into the warp or being torn apart by daemons, their soul is absorbed into the greater mass of that god, adding its energy to the already formidable power of that god.{{Fn|1a}} ==Relations between the Dark Gods==The gods are rivals of each other - the constant war between them mirrors the struggle between their followers in the material universe, and vice versa. Victory in mortal battles lends more power to the relevant god, although often victory is not necessary, just the shedding blood and sacrifice is required.{{Fn|1a}} Each God is monomaniacal and care only for their own power, but each reserves a special enmity for one of their dark brothers in particular. Khorne finds the material pursuits of Slaanesh at odds with his martial pursuits and indiscriminate slaughter. Slaanesh find Khorne's single-minded violence dull and artless; finding perverse delight in agitating him. Tzeentch's twisting of ambition and constant change is inimical to the hopeless despair and stagnation spread by Nurgle, creating a special rivalry between the two.{{Fn|17a}}

When a follower of a ===Great Game==={{main|Great Game}}The Chaos God diesGods are almost constantly at war with one another within the [[Warp]], vying for power amid the immaterial planes. Despite their soul is absorbed into myriad differences, the Great Gods of Chaos have the same goal: total domination. Such absolute power cannot be shared - especially amongst gods. With the greater mass ebb and flow of that godenergy within the Warp, adding its energy to the already formidable power powers of that godthe Chaos Gods expand and contract.{{Fn|7a}} As the great Game rages, [[Warp Storm]]s will often appear in realspace as a result.{{Fn|20}} This eternal struggle for dominance is known as the Great Game.{{Fn|13}}

==Daemons==A [[Daemon]] Although the vague of hierarchy of the Dark Gods ebbs and flows, Khorne is a creature formed from a fragment currently the mightiest of all, for murder and blood sacrifice stretch all the way to the dark beginnings of a Chaos Godthe universe. Tzeentch is Khorne's consciousness. They form closest rival, who thrive on the armies raw stuff of Chaos, always plotting and scheming for the Chaos Godssake of change. In times of galactic pandemic, Nurgle can eclipse them both, reveling in hopelessness and frequently battle despair. The last of the armies pantheon of dark brothers is Slaanesh, who was born of other gods obsession and unbelievers on desire can turn the material planecompulsions of their brothers to his will with a whispered promise.{{Fn|7a}}

==Relationships between the gods=Forge of Souls==={{main|Vashtorr}}{{main|Forge of Souls}}The gods are rivals constant battles between the four greater powers requires machines of war and one entity in the warp has grown to profit immensely off of each other bartering with the Dark Gods and aiding in fueling their Great Game. [[Vashtorr|Vashtorr the Arkifane]], a growing Demi- God and the Demon King of the constant war between them mirrors [[Soul Forge]], supplies each of the struggle between Dark Gods and their followers in the material universedaemon minions with various [[Daemon Engine]]s, weapons, and vice versaarmour. Victory in mortal battles lends more power Vashtorr is on his way to ascending to true dark godhood, and although the relevant godfour Dark Gods are loathed to have another ascend to their level, although often victory none dare assail him or his realm directly. The daemonic arms manufacturer is a valuable cog in the balance of the Great Game. Attacking the Arkifane would not necessaryonly deny supplies to the aggressor, just but also result in a rival in the shedding blood and sacrifice is requiredGreat Game being bolstered instead.{{Fn|117}}

The ==Known Chaos Gods are almost constantly at war with one another within the [[Warp]]==The dark brothers, vying for power amid the immaterial planes. Despite their myriad differences, the Great most powerful Chaos Gods of Chaos have the same goal: total dominationDark Pantheon. Such absolute power cannot be shared - especially amongst gods. With These four are the ebb and flow only Chaos Gods worth noting to many of energy within the warp, [[Lost and the powers Damned]] followers of the Chaos Gods expands and contracts.{{Fn|77a}}*[[Khorne]] — The Blood God{{Fn|2}} This eternal struggle for dominance is known as *[[Tzeentch]] — The Changer of the Ways{{Fn|2}}*[[Nurgle]] — The Great GameLord of Decay{{Fn|2}}*[[Slaanesh]].— The Prince of Excess{{Fn|32}}

==Notable=Other===The Beyond the main four main Gods , the Warp has created many nameless Chaos gods, only for them to die with the passing of Chaos aeons. Of these the following areknown or speculated to exist within the setting:{{Fn|5}}*[[KhorneAns'l]], [[Mo'rcck]], and [[Phraz-Etar]] are minor Chaos deities. [[Chaos Space Marine|Chaos Space Marines]] were rumoured to praise them by putting spikes on their [[power armour]] — .{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|Note 1}}*The Blood [[Dark King (Entity)|Dark King]], theoretical 5th major Chaos God.{{Fn|12}} Nearly birthed by Humanity as Slaanesh was by the Eldar.{{Fn|29}}*[[TzeentchMalice (Chaos God)|Malice]] — is an entity worshiped as the '''Renegade God''' of Chaos and '''Hierarch of Anarchy and Terror'''. The Changer Renegade [[Chapter]] [[Sons of Malice]] are among his followers.{{Fn|4}}*[[Pater Mutatis]] - God of distortion of the Waysbody and mutation. Emerging from the worship [[Fabius Bile]] receives from his creations, such as the [[New Men]].{{Fn|15a}}*[[NurgleMord’dagan]] — , '''the Eater of the Dead''', supernatural beast of legend, godhead of the [[Saynay]] cannibal cult.{{Fn|10}}{{Fn|11}}*The Great Lord [[Quaestor (warp entity)|Quastor]], said to be known as the ''Bringer of Dark Truths'' and worshiped on a million worlds. A minor god, but still considered by some to be a greater entity than another minor god known as ''Pater Mutatis'', at least as of Decaysometime prior to [[M37]].{{Fn|19}}*[[SlaaneshVashtorr]], '''the Arkifane''', ruler of the [[Forge of Souls]] — The Prince , has been called the Demi-God of Excessinventors, engineers, scientists, and artisans. He seeks to become a 5th major Chaos God in his own right.{{Fn|9}}*It is speculated that [[Chaos Raptor|Raptor]] Cults worship a minor Chaos deity.{{Fn|6}}

Beyond the main four, the warp has created many nameless chaos gods, only to die with the passing of aeons. Of these the following are known or speculated to exist within the setting:==Trivia=={{Fn|5trivia}}* '''[[Malice (Chaos God)|Malice]]''' is an entity worshipped as the '''Renegade God''' of Chaos and '''Hierarch of Anarchy and Terror'''. The Renegade [[Chapter]] [[Sons of Malice]] are among his followers.{{FnEndn|4Note 1}}* It is speculated that : The names of the minor Chaos Gods [[Chaos Raptor|Raptor]] Cults worship a minor Chaos deity.{{Fn|6}}* '''Ans'l''']], '''[[Mo'rcck''']], and '''[[Phraz-Etar''' are minor Chaos deities. [[Chaos Space Marine|Chaos Space Marines]] were rumored to praise them by putting spikes on their [[power armour]].{{Fn|2}} Their names are puns on the last names of [[Bryan Ansell]], [[Wikipedia:Michael Moorcock|Michael Moorcock]], and [[Wikipedia:Frank Frazetta|Frank Frazetta]].*{{Endn|Note 2}}: In the [[Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned|Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned (1990)]] it states that the first three Chaos Gods became sentient by the "middle ages"; First Khorne from the many wars and bloodshed, then Tzeentch from politicking and double-dealings of society, and then Nurgle from the plagues and contagions spreading in the prospering societies.{{Fn|8}} The birth of the first 3 Chaos Gods is implied to be due to humanity's actions on Old Earth alone.

* [[List of Warp Entities]]* [[True DeathDark Tongue]] - It is the act of destroying the essence of a [[Daemon]] entirely, rather then simply banishing it back to the [[Warp]].* [[Goddess T'au'va]] - It is a [[Warp Entity]] that has recently been created. She is the personification of the [[Tau]] and their [[Greater Good|guiding principles]].{{Fn|1a}}* [[Grobula]] - It is a titanic [[List of Warp Entities|warp beast]] that Imperial scientists theorize is a Tyranid bio-experiment gone mad.

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]], :**{{Cite ThisEndn|1a}}: pgs. 8-9**{{Endn|1b}}: pgs. 94-95

*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Chaos Daemons (4th Edition)]], :**{{Cite ThisEndn|3a}}: pgs. 6-8**{{Endn|3b}}: pg. 14**{{Endn|3b}}: pgs. 23-24 - ''Chaos and Mankind''

*7: [[Codex: Chaos Daemons (8th Edition)]]:**{{Endn|7a}}: pgs. 6-9**{{Endn|7b}}: pg. 28*{{Endn|8}}: [[Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]], page 175-176*{{Endn|9}}: [[Arks of Omen: Abaddon]], pg. 15-16*{{Endn|10}}: [[Dark Heresy: The Radical's Handbook]], pg. 97*{{Endn|11}}: [[Rogue Trader: Battlefleet Koronus]], pg. 105*{{Endn|12}}: [[The End and the Death: Volume II (Novel)]] - i*{{Endn|13}}: [[The Talon of Horus (Novel)]] - Chapter 5*{{Endn|14}}: [[Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Warhammer 40,000]]
- ''Ruinous Powers''*15: [[Fabius Bile: Manflayer (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|15a}}: Chapter 5**{{Endn|15b}}: Chapter 17**{{Endn|15c}}: Chapter 19*16: [[Rise of the Ynnari: Wild Rider (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|16a}}: Chapter 7**{{Endn|16b}}: Chapter 15**{{Endn|16c}}: Chapter 28*{{Endn|17}}: [[Arks of Omen: Abaddon]], pgs. 15-16*{{Endn|18}}: [[Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition)]], pg. 20*{{Endn|19}}: [[Fabius Bile: Clonelord (Novel)]], Chapter 11*{{Endn|20}}: [[Codex: Chaos Daemons (8th 6th Edition)]], pg. 8*{{Endn|21}}: [[Rites of Passage (Novel)]], ''Preparations''