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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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[[Image:Chaos_Champion.jpg|thumb|right|A Champion of Chaos]]
A '''Champion of Chaos''' is an individual who has dedicated himself to further the cause of his particular [[Gods of Chaos|Chaos God]], or [[Chaos Undivided|Chaos as a whole]]. He is either a warrior or sorcerer.
==Motivations==
The '''road to power''' begins by offering body and spirit to Chaos: either to an individual Chaos Power or to Chaos as a whole. Not all who choose to dedicated themselves are accepted. Often it takes a spectacular deed of courage to attract the attention of the Chaos Powers. If the candidate is accepted he receives a '''[[Mark of Chaos]]''' from his Chaos Patron. This is the Patron's own mark, and each mark confers some ability or characteristic.<sup>1</sup>
Once a Champion receives the mark he begins to attract followers from the lesser servants of Chaos. The Chaos Powers use their Champions to further their aims in the material universe. The Champion's life becomes an endless series of battles, raids and quests. As the Champion serves Chaos he becomes increasingly changed through mutations granted by the Patron. The road to power ends eventually either in the Champion being reduced to a mindless and formless [[Chaos Spawn]] or raised to Daemonhood [[Daemon]]hood as an immortal and powerful [[Daemon Prince]].<sup>1</sup>
All Chaos Champions are mortal and can be killed, although this is always a dangerous undertaking as they are powerful foes. A Chaos Champion's followers are known as a Chaos Warband. Warbands are deadly rivals to each other, fighting each other to gain the attention of their Patrons. Even followers of the same god are deadly rivals. Sometimes shaky alliances are formed by extremely powerful champions. The truly successful are rewarded with immortality and are elevated to the rank of Daemon Prince.<sup>1</sup>
===God Champions===
[[Chaos Lord]]s are often aligned to one of the four gods and become Champions of their chosen deity. Often this grants them a measure of the power of their god including mutations and greater resilience, or enhanced strength or psychic abilities.
*'''Champion of Nurgle''' - Disease and death are the most potent forces in the galaxy and the Champion of [[Nurgle ]] embodies all of these. They are swollen and bloated, often little more than moving pus sacks and disease transmitters. Their bodies have been dulled to pain and as such can endure much damage before they die.<sup>2-p30</sup>*'''Champion of Khorne''' - The most bloodthirsty and savage fighters, Champions of [[Khorne ]] lust after the spilling of blood and the roar of battle to satisfy the desires of Khorne. They are experts in many weapon forms which others could not master but do not fight in a graceful manner, preferring to bludgeon their way through enemies. Only the greatest battles can sate their thirst for blood.<sup>2-p30</sup>
*'''Champion of Slaanesh''' - Desire is a strong emotion and Slaanesh is the embodiment of this, with his Champions revelling in their pleasures. They take joy from the ending of life on the battlefield, a perverse pleasure for which the desire is constantly increased. The senses of the Champion are increased beyond recognition and their minds are so fast to react that they fight in a blur which many enemies cannot even see, let alone defend against.<sup>2-p30</sup>
*'''Champion of Tzeentch''' - Highly powerful psykers make up the ranks of the followers of [[Tzeentch]], and his most deadly followers are the greatest of these. The enhanced powers Tzeentch grants his Champions allows them to project warp [[Warp]] powers which no loyal follower of the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]] would dream about. They often wear charms and pendants to protect themselves from the powers of the warpWarp; although the dangers are lessened they are still there. Often the Champion is merely a piece in a larger scheme and useful pieces are the best protected.<sup>2-p30</sup>
==Sources==
