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{{Otheruses|USE=Chaos cult|OTHERUSE=novel|OTHERPAGE=Blood Pact (Novel)}}{{cite}}[[File:BloodPactartwork.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A soldier's rendition of a '''Blood Pact''' soldier{{Fn|4}}]]The '''Blood Pact''' is a highly organized [[Chaos CultsCult|Chaos warrior-cult]] devoted to [[Khorne]]. Unlike many cultist warbands, the Pact fights as a disciplined army, and this is what makes them so effective. Consisting of highly trained, vicious soldiers and [[Xenos]] mercenaries, the soldiers of the Blood Pact know no fear or hesitation. They have overrun entire worlds and caused the people of the [[Imperium]] no small amount of suffering and woe.

Unlike many Chaos cultist warbands, ==History==The exact origin of the Blood Pact fights as a disciplined armyis unknown, and this but it is what makes them so effective compared to the disorganized Chaotic masses. Consisting of highly trainedgenerally held they originated some 3, vicious soldiers and 000 years ago on a planet known as [[Xenos|alienGhourra]] mercenaries, sometimes pronounced '''Gaurra''', at the soldiers of the Blood Pact know no fear or hesitation. They have overrun entire worlds and caused the people edge of the [[ImperiumSabbat Worlds]] no small amount of suffering and woe.{{Cite This}}

==History==At that time, the tribal society of Ghourra was ruled by a feudal overlord, or [[File:BloodPactartwork.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A soldier's rendition of a '''Blood Pact''' soldier⁴Gaur]](sometimes referred to as "Ghour" or "Gour"). The exact origin of Gaur surrounded himself with an elite priesthood who conducted the ritual observances by which the Blood Pact is unknown, but it is generally held they originated some 3,000 years ago on a planet known as ''Ghourra'', sometimes pronounced ''Gaurra''Gaur made tribute to his god, at the edge of the [[Sabbat WorldsKhorne]]. This militant-priesthood evolved over time into a bodyguard force which practiced its martial skills as diligently as it had once conducted its simple bloody rites.{{Cite This}}

At that timeAs the Gaur's influence grew and spread to neighboring worlds, the tribal society of Ghourra it was ruled by this bodyguard force that led his conquering armies. It soon became a feudal overlord, or mark of respect to be '''Gaur''' (sometimes referred bloody-pacted" to as 'Ghour' or 'Gour'). The Gaur surrounded himself with an elite priesthood who conducted the ritual observances by which the Gaur made tribute to his god. Numbers grew, recruited from vassal worlds, [[Khorne]]. This militant-priesthood evolved over time into a and the bodyguard force which practiced eventually became an army in its martial skills as diligently as it had once conducted its simple bloody ritesown right; the current Blood Pact.{{Cite This}}

As Uniquely, every single member of the Blood Pact (and Imperial tactical estimates suggest there may be as many as three quarters of a million Blood Pact warriors) is personally inducted into service by the Gaur's influence grew and spread to neighboring worlds, it was this bodyguard force that led himself. To prove his conquering armies. It soon became a mark of respect to be 'bloody-pacted" allegiance in blood to both the Gaur. Numbers grewand the Blood God, recruited from vassal worlds, and each aspirant ritually gashes his hands on the bodyguard force eventually became an army in its own right; sharpened edges of the current Blood PactGaur's battle armor.{{Cite This}}

UniquelyThe Blood Pact were first encountered by the Imperium during the [[Sabbat Worlds Crusade]]. An oft-disputed area, the Sabbat Worlds had first been colonised as part of the Imperium in [[M35]], when Chaos was driven from the [[sector]] by the original [[crusade]] of [[Saint Sabbat]], every single member after whom the sector was named. In the middle period of [[M41]], a vast Chaos host commanded by the Blood Pact warlord, [[Archon (Chaos)|Archon]] [[Nadzybar]], swept through the Sabbat Worlds and tore them out of Imperial tactical estimates suggest there may be as hands. Nadzybar's host was not one single army, but in fact a cooperative alliance of many as three quarters , each one led by its own warlord, known by his title of a million Blood Pact warriors[[Magister (Chaos) is personally inducted into service by the Gaur himself|Magister]]. To prove his allegiance in blood to both the Gaur These warlords became Nadzybar's lieutenants, and the Blood Godnames of many live in infamy: [[Anakwanar Sek]], [[Enok Innokenti]], [[Sholen Skara]], [[Heritor Asphodel]], each aspirant ritually gashes his hands on [[Nokad the sharpened edges Blighted]] and [[Urlock Gaur]] of the Gaur's battle armorBlood Pact.{{Cite This}}

The Blood Pact were first encountered by the Imperium during the [[Sabbat Worlds Crusade]]In 755. An oft-disputed areaM41, the Sabbat Worlds had first been colonised as part of the Imperium in [[M35High Lords of Terra]], when Chaos was driven from the charged [[sectorWarmaster]] by the original [[crusadeSlaydo]] of [[Saint Sabbat]], after whom with the sector was named. In the middle period task of [[M41]], raising a vast Chaos host commanded by the warlord, [[Nadzybar|Archon Nadzybar]] swept through liberating army and retaking the Sabbat Worlds . Slaydo built a formidable Crusade and tore them out eventually took on a major part of Nadzybar's strength at Balhaut. Though Slaydo himself perished in the battle, this was a famous Imperial handsvictory. Archon Nadzybar's host was not one single armyslain and his forces put to rout. After protracted infighting, but in fact a cooperative alliance new Archon emerged from the ranks of many, each one led by its own warlord. These the Chaos warlords became to take Nadzybar's lieutenants, and the names of many live in infamyplace: Anakwanar Sek, Enok Innokenti, Sholen Skara, [[Asphodel|Heritor Asphodel]], Nokad the Blighted and [[Urlock Gaur]] of the Blood Pact.{{Cite This}}

In 755.M41, the [[High Lords of Terra]] charged [[Warmaster]] [[Slaydo]] with the task of raising a liberating army and retaking Although Urlock was never counted among the Sabbat Worlds. Slaydo built a formidable Crusade and eventually took on a major part most charismatic or tactically brilliant of Nadzybar's strength at Balhaut. Though Slaydo himself perished in the battlelieutenants, this was his position as commander of a famous Imperial victory. Archon Nadzybar was slain and his sizable, disciplined army within the Chaos forces put allowed him to rout. After protracted infighting, a new Archon emerged from beat the ranks of other Magisters in the Chaos warlords to take brief power struggle following Nadzybar's place: Urlock Gaurdeath.{{Cite This}}

Gaur's Blood Pact had been encountered in combat during the early years of the Crusade, but never properly identified. However, once he became Archon, the Blood Pact became a backbone element of the Chaos host. It is believed many other arch-enemy units and divisions, wishing to prove their loyalty to the new Archon, converted to the Blood Pact. Within just a few years, the Crusade forces came to recognize the Blood Pact as elite infantry of the arch-enemy.^{{Fn|1}}

This recognition was aptly demonstrated at the battle [[Battle of the Akkorite Peninsula ]] on [[Belshiir Binary ]] in 771. A vital and much-contested world due to its [[Promethium|promethium]] wells, refineries and processing depots clustered, Belshiir Binary was the site of a notable Blood Pact victory. A force of two hundred Blood Pact troopers, supported by just four [[stalk-tanks tank]]s and two [[Loxatl ]] brood groups, cut off and annihilated a force of three thousand [[Imperial Guardsmen]]. The outnumbered Blood Pact force was commanded by an officer called [[Vesh Etogaur ]] (the second word possibly indicative of rank, as in 'demi-gaur' or [[colonel]]) whose strict command led to the Pact force lying in baking heat for three days without breaking cover until the Imperial forces had moved into the cone of their ambush. The resulting combat lasted twenty -two minutes. No members of the Guard unit survived the slaughter, and the Akkorite Peninsula refinery remained under Chaotic control for a further fifteen months.^{{Fn|2}}

Blood Pact warriors usually resemble a particularly ragged or barbaric [[regiment ]] of the [[Imperial Guard]]. They wear fabric battledress uniforms either looted from the corpses of Guardsmen, or manufactured to resemble a basic Imperial design. Over this are worn packs, webbing and the usual assortment of infantry kit, including a steel bowl-helmet. Because their kit, equipment and battle dress is essentially a mix of plunder and homemade, no two Blood Pact troopers are ever identical. Their appearance is rough and ill-kempt: their clothing torn, patched and dirty, and helmets chipped and dented.{{Cite This}}

A Blood Pact member is most characterized by their ritual iron visor, known as a ''"[[Wikipedia:Grotesque|grotesque]]'', " and which is worn by all [[human ]] members. These generally portray a grimacing, or leering face, often coupled with an exaggerated hooked nose or chin. These masks are usually a black color, although it has been known for senior officers to wear one of gold or silver.{{Cite This}}

Their armor and clothing is all a drab red, the color of dried blood. In fact, one of the Pact's rituals prior to battle is to dye their clothing with the blood of their enemy. As a result, the Blood Pact warriors exude a revolting, charnel stink, made even less palatable by the unguents and oils with which they anoint their bodies and their own lax standards of hygiene. Their support vehicles all tend to be painted this universal crimson as well. {{Cite This}}

A Blood Pact warrior's hands always remain bare to display the ritual scars across the palms and knuckles, made at the time of induction to the Pact. Often this ritual scarring covers other parts of the body and face. The deeper and more severe the wounds, and the amount, are part of a unofficial honour system and devotion to Khorne.{{Cite This}}

The Blood Pact, originally consisting of soldiers from the worlds around Ghourra, is a diverse organization. As the Blood Pact rose to prominence amongst the forces holding the [[Sabbat Worlds]], many lesser war bands and forces submitted to their rule and were absorbed. The leaders of the Pact willingly encourage the integration of other [[Chaos]] war bands, especially traitor [[Imperial Guard]] regiments and soldiers. The Blood Pact is also allied with alien races and mercenaries, such as the [[Loxatl]].{{Cite This}} The Blood Pact is a highly organized army, consisting of soldiers rather than blood-crazed [[cultist]]s. They often have support in the forms of plundered tanks, which are often looted from defeated [[Imperial]] armies or manufactured in captured [[Forge World]]s. They are drilled and trained in warfare techniques to a standard of competence at least equivalent to the [[Imperial Guard]]. They have excellent (often captured) communication systems, and a firm chain of command, meaning that they can be confidently deployed with tactical precision. A Blood Pact General is called an [[Etogaur]]. The Blood Pact can hit specific targets or accomplish specific missions, and individual warriors have the intelligence and field training to operate independently, if necessary, for the Pact's interests. This is what makes them so dangerous. They are not mindless fanatics; they are excellent battlefield soldiers in the sworn service of Chaos.{{Cite This}}

The Blood Pact is a highly organized army, consisting of soldiers rather than blood-crazed [[Chaos Cults|cultist]]s. They often have support in the forms of plundered tanks, which are often looted from defeated [[Imperial]] armies or manufactured in captured [[Forge World|forge worlds]]. They are drilled and trained in warfare techniques to a standard of competence at least equivalent to the Imperial Guard. They have excellent (often captured) communication systems, and a firm chain of command, meaning that they can be confidently deployed with tactical precision. A Blood Pact General is called an [[Etogaur]]. The Blood Pact can hit specific targets or accomplish specific missions, and individual warriors have the intelligence and field training to operate independently, if necessary, for the Pact's interests. This is what makes them so dangerous. They are not mindless fanatics; they are excellent battlefield soldiers in the sworn service of Chaos. Certain elite or veteran sections of the Pact form the so-called '''Death Brigades''', representing the finest and most ruthless storm squads in the Blood Pact. Though few in number, the Death Brigades are often encountered at the spearhead of assaults, as the private company of senior Chaos leaders, or deployed on specialist missions, and are the most dreaded of all Blood Pact units.{{Cite This}}

Unlike most Khorne worshipers, the Blood Pact favors a more disciplined and tactical style, utilizing emphasizing the martial aspects of the ''War Blood God'' besides that over those of the [[berserker]]. This means that the average Blood Pact trooper will be armed with a [[lasgun]] or [[autogun]] as his primary weapon. In close-quarter environments such as trenches or when storming techniques are required, they favor plate or chain mail tunics and arm themselves with billhooks, trench clubs and [[grenades]]. Some are able combat specialists in the field of demolition or sniping.{{Cite This}}

Blood Pact units will often contain a mix of heavy and support weapons akin to those of the Imperial Guard. Some Imperial tacticians claim that the officers of the Blood Pact deliberately style themselves on the Imperial Guard, and it is certainly the case that [[traitor Guardsmen ]] are used to hone and improve the basic combat abilities of the Pact. Such traitors, due to their relative rareness, are distributed throughout the Pact's numbers to disseminate good techniques. Others point out that Blood Pact armaments resemble those of the Imperial Guard because these are the most commonly plundered. Several munitionmunitions-producing Forge Worlds - especially [[Neffethyl ]] and [[Urdesh]] - were amongst the planets conquered in the Sabbat cluster, and from them the Blood Pact have enjoyed a ready supply of Guard-quality weapons.{{Cite This}}

The Blood Pact - thanks to these captured Forge Worlds - have numerous armor and artillery formations. Blood Pact armor is generally slightly inferior to standard Imperialissue, most of it being Urdeshi-pattern variants such as the [[STeG 4]], and the [[AT70 Reaver Battle Tank|AT70 Reaver-pattern tanks]]s, though they do also have more limited numbers of the larger and more powerful [[AT83 Brigand]]-pattern tanks, as well as a few of the rare [[Baneblade]] super-heavy tanks. The Blood Pact also field a lighter-armored variation of the [[Defiler]] known as the [[Stalk Tank|Stalk tank]]. All Blood Pact armored armoured vehicles are painted red, inscribed with numerous obscene Khornate slogans, and are often decorated with the skulls and hides of their enemies.^{{Fn|1}}

In addition to their fearsome weaponry and vehicles, the Blood Pact have special psykers [[psyker]]s known as [[Gore Mages]]. These dark wizards can possess Blood Pact warriors with [[Daemonic ]] spirits, turning them into ferocious, almost unstoppable creatures that they call [[Blood Wolves]]. Also, Gore Mages radiate a sense of irrational fear and have access to many other powers involving blood.^{{Fn|3}}

*[[Chaos CultsSons of Sek]]

*^{{Endn|1}}: [[WD292|White Dwarf 292]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|2}}: [http://web.archive.org/web/20080928005105/http://www.blacklibrary.com/articles/blood-pact.asp Blood Pact Article] (found on the old Black Library website, accessed through the internet archive).*^{{Endn|3}}: [[Blood Pact (Novel)]] by [[Dan Abnett]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|4}}: [[The Sabbat Worlds Crusade(Background Book)]]by '''Dan Abnett''', {{Cite This}}