Difference between revisions of "Realm of Chaos"

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{{Navbox Mortal Realms}}
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[[File:Map of Realm of Chaos.jpg|300px|thumb|right|A mortals impression of the Realm of Chaos]]
  
The '''Realm of Chaos''' is the realm of the [[Dark God]]s an nightmarish landscape whose trespassers are devoured, grotesquely transformed or damned for all eternity.{{Fn|1}}
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The '''Realm of Chaos''', also known as the '''immaterium''', the '''spirit world''', the '''aethyr''' and '''the warp''', is another dimension - a separate reality from the physical dimension of the Warhammer World which is intrinsically linked to the mortal, material world. It is the source of all magic and within, the physical laws of our universe do not apply.{{Cite This}}
  
It's also known as the '''immaterium''', the '''spirit world''', the '''aethyr''' and '''the warp''', is another dimension - a separate reality from the physical dimension of the Warhammer World which is intrinsically linked to the mortal, material world. It is the source of all magic and within, the physical laws of our universe do not apply.{{Cite This}}
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==The nature of the Realm of Chaos==
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If humans and all other races did not exist, then the Realm of Chaos would be a grey, neutral void fot it is life, more specifically intelligent life, that fills and populates the Realm of Chaos with raw emotions with negative emotions that are generally stronger. {{Fn|2a}}
  
==The nature of the Realm of Chaos==
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Within the Realm of Chaos, the physical rules of the material world, such as space, time and gravity, do not apply. It is an ever-changing dimension of pure [[magic]] that lacks the order and consistency of our universe, and indeed is the source of all magical powers in Warhammer Fantasy. {{Fn|1a}} The Realm of Chaos is home to many Gods, daemons, spirits and other magical entities. At the poles of the [[Warhammer World]], there are permanent rifts to the Realm of Chaos which constantly spew raw magic (the "matter" of that dimension) into our world, warping and changing our reality.{{Cite This}}
Within the Realm of Chaos, the physical rules of the material world, such as space, time and gravity, do not apply. It is an ever-changing dimension of pure [[magic]] that lacks the order and consistency of our universe, and indeed is the source of all magical powers in Warhammer Fantasy. The Realm of Chaos is home to many Gods, daemons, spirits and other magical entities. At the poles of the [[Warhammer World]], there are permanent rifts to the Realm of Chaos which constantly spew raw magic (the "matter" of that dimension) into our world, warping and changing our reality.{{Cite This}}
 
  
 
The Elves describe the Realm of Chaos as being separated from the physical world by a "veil". This veil can be weakened in certain magically-saturated places in the world, and at various times (such as [[geheimensnacht]] and [[hexensnacht]]). It can also be torn asunder creating rifts to the Realm of Chaos through which magical energy, daemons and such can pass.{{Cite This}}
 
The Elves describe the Realm of Chaos as being separated from the physical world by a "veil". This veil can be weakened in certain magically-saturated places in the world, and at various times (such as [[geheimensnacht]] and [[hexensnacht]]). It can also be torn asunder creating rifts to the Realm of Chaos through which magical energy, daemons and such can pass.{{Cite This}}
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The most famous inhabitants of the Realm of Chaos are Gods and [[Daemon]]s. These entities are a form of coalesced magical energy that has gained consciousness and self awareness. The most famous of these are the Chaos Gods: [[Khorne]], [[Tzeentch]], [[Nurgle]] and [[Slaanesh]]. Each of these is fuelled by a primal emotion/sensation experienced by mortals. For instance as mortals experience anger, it changes the magical energy of the Realm of Chaos and feeds the God Khorne, who grows stronger. Daemons are best thought of as a fragment of their God, with the more powerful Daemons being larger fragments.{{Cite This}}  
 
The most famous inhabitants of the Realm of Chaos are Gods and [[Daemon]]s. These entities are a form of coalesced magical energy that has gained consciousness and self awareness. The most famous of these are the Chaos Gods: [[Khorne]], [[Tzeentch]], [[Nurgle]] and [[Slaanesh]]. Each of these is fuelled by a primal emotion/sensation experienced by mortals. For instance as mortals experience anger, it changes the magical energy of the Realm of Chaos and feeds the God Khorne, who grows stronger. Daemons are best thought of as a fragment of their God, with the more powerful Daemons being larger fragments.{{Cite This}}  
  
It is important to realise however that not all Gods in Warhammer actually exist in the Realm of Chaos. Some are merely objects in the physical world which are worshipped, such as the Great Maw and the Fire Mouth. Others Gods have entered the physical world in physical bodies and remain here still. Indeed, it is also possible for mortals to cross into the Realm of Chaos physically (ie: their physical mortal bodies enter the other dimension) by travelling through a rift. This is what [[Chaos Warriors]] do, returning with their Chaos Armour. In addition, mortals may be "blessed" by the Chaos Gods and actually be transformed into a daemon. In 1460 [[IC]], Marius Hollsecher crossed physically into the Realm of Chaos and returned to write the [[Liber Malefic]]. Some who do this may become Gods themselves, such as Sigmar.{{Cite This}}
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It is important to realise however that not all Gods in Warhammer actually exist in the Realm of Chaos. Some are merely objects in the physical world which are worshipped, such as the [[Great Maw]] and the Fire Mouth. Others Gods have entered the physical world in physical bodies and remain here still. Indeed, it is also possible for mortals to cross into the Realm of Chaos physically (ie: their physical mortal bodies enter the other dimension) by travelling through a rift. This is what [[Chaos Warriors]] do, returning with their Chaos Armour. In addition, mortals may be "blessed" by the Chaos Gods and actually be transformed into a daemon.  
 
 
==Locations==
 
===Khorne's Domain===
 
The kingdom of [[Khorne]] is an unending battle field of brass and blood, and the largest in the Realm of Chaos. It is a hellish land of wastelands stained with blood, bone-strewn plains and rage-spewing volcanoes. The landscape is scarred by craters created by the fall of titanic combatants that serve as monuments to their fervour. In this endless fight pit of desolation the greatest warriors, mortal and daemon alike are constantly tested.{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|5}}
 
  
The center of power of Khorne's domain is his fortress the [[Brass Citadel]].{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|5}}
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Whilst mortals may be unaware what a Daemon actually looks like, what they are or where they come from they may know myths and stories about them. The subconscious learns and informs how manifestations from the Realm of Chaos takes shape which then reinforces that image by those unfortunate enough to witness them so a a [[Bloodletter]] looks the way it does because people believe it should look like that, their subconscious, filled with abject terror, further underpins the Daemon’s perceived form. {{Fn|2a}}
  
===Varanspire===
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==History==
Varanspire is the fortress of Archaon located in the Realm of Chaos and is linked to the nexus of gateways connecting the [[Mortal Realms]] known as the [[Eightpoints]]. It's so large it spans the Mortal Realms with spiked walls, jagged spire, towers and keeps reaching into horror-choked skies.{{Fn|3}}
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In 1460 [[IC]], Marius Hollsecher crossed physically into the Realm of Chaos and returned to write the [[Liber Malefic]]. Some who do this may become Gods themselves, such as Sigmar.{{Cite This}}
  
===Blight City===
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==Locations==
When the [[Great Horned Rat]] ascended to the pantheon of the Dark Gods the sprawling [[skaven]] capital a verminopolis called the Blight City was merged into the Realm of Chaos.{{Fn|2b}}{{Fn|6}}
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All these are heavily couched in metaphor and are relatvively mutable and chaotic being extensions of the Chaos God’s traits, much like their daemons. Should two mortals ever visit Nurgle’s garden, although they would both see a festering, decaying mass,  it would still appear different to each of them. {{Fn|2a}}
  
The skaven used arcane machinery to try to expand their Under-Empire, but the machines went awry and the resulting implosion sank the city to the edges of the Realm of Chaos. From this position that straddled reality the skaven were able to gnaw tunnels into the [[Mortal Realms]] and beyond.{{Fn|2b}}
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* [[Court of Covenant]]: Neutral territory for the Dark Gods. {{Fn|1a}}
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* [[Forge of Souls]]: A hidden sub-realm where Daemonic craftsmen create [[Soul Grinder]]s. {{Fn|3a}}
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* [[Khorne]]: His domain is mostly formed of blasted wasteland, broken up by lakes of blood, jagged craters and canyons. It is tied to the mood of the Blood God and the level of his rage - when he his most furious, the sky itself screams, the lakes boil and bast clouds of choking ash billow from geysers to incinerate any nearby combatants. {{Fn|1a}}
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** [[Brass Citadel]]: A vast jagged walled fortress within a moat of boiling blood. {{Fn|1a}}
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*** '''The Skull Throne''': Deep within the central keep is a great vault holding Khorne's throne. Eight iron pillars hold up the ceiling, each inscribed with the commandements of the Blood God. The centre of the room houses the Skull Throne, sitting upon a great mountain of the skulls of champions.  A carpet of bone extends from the foot of the throne, the remains of those slain by champions of Khorne.  Also in the room is a mighty anvil where weapons and armour are forged for the favoured and the room is constantly patrolled by [[Karanak]]. {{Fn|1a}}
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* [[Nurgle]]
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** [[Garden of Blight]]: A overgrown collection of flora from a thousand worlds and a hundred realities, they are cultivated with great care and pride by Nurgle himself. Many of them are carnivorous and the garden istelf has a form of intelligence with a drive to attack intruders. {{Fn|1a}}
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*** Mansion: A gigantic mouldering building vast enough to hold all the oceans of the world. Within is the workshop of Nurgle where he creates new diseases in his iron cauldron, testing them on [[Poxfulcrum]], a daemon able to heal from any infliction. Any plagues that meet with their creators approval are poured into a grate that then falls as rain in the material world. {{Fn|1a}}
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* [[Slaanesh]]
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** [[Circles of Seduction]]: The realm of the Dark Prince is divided into six rings around the Palace of Pleasure, each formed around a specific seduction. {{Fn|1a}}
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*** [[Palace of Pleasure]]. Six great hall can be found in the paalce, again devoted to the six deadly seductions of Slaanesh.  {{Fn|1a}}
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* [[Tzeentch]]
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** [[Crystal Labyrinth]]: Immense iridescent plateau, it is said that should it be destroyed, the Realm of Chaos itself would loose cohesion.  {{Fn|1a}}
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*** [[Impossible Fortress]]: Its appearance and reality depends on the beholder but it is in constant flux being somehow bound to the progress of the schemes of Tzeentch. {{Fn|1a}}
  
===Tzeentch's Domain===
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==Quotes==
At the heart of Tzeentch's domain lies the [[Crystal Labyrinth of Tzeentch]].{{Fn|4}}
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{| width="33%" align="center"
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|align="center"|''No one can know for sure what the Realm of Chaos, the Warp, the never-space, truly is. And if you did understand it, then you’d be truly insane. It’s an indefinable place that defies any kind of context. All we, as mere mortals, can do is try to perceive it in ways that can be confined and adapted so our minds do not crumble and break. We’re talking about grasping at fragments of a reality that cannot be explained..''
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'''~  John Blanche. {{Fn|2a}}  
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|}
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
* {{Endn|1}}: [[White Dwarf]] [[White Dwarf Issue 75|Issue 75]] 4 July 2015, The Nine Realms
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*{{Endn|1}}:[[Warhammer Armies: Daemons of Chaos (7th Edition)]] (2008)
* {{Endn|2}}: [[Warhammer: Age of Sigmar]]
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**{{Endn|1a}}: The Realm of Chaos, pg. 6-7
** {{Endn|2a}}: The Blood God's Domain
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* {{Endn|2}}: [[White Dwarf 368 (UK)]]
** {{Endn|2b}}: The Threat Below
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** {{Endn|2a}}: Realms of Chaos, pg. 50
* {{Endn|3}}: [[The Realmgate Wars: Call of Archaon 2: Eye of the Storm]] by [[Rob Sanders]]
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* {{Endn|3}}: [[White Dwarf 341 (UK)]]  
* {{Endn|4}}: [[Lord of the Cosmic Gate]] by [[Gav Thorpe]].
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** {{Endn|3a}}: Daemons Design Notes, pg. 27
* {{Endn|5}}: [https://www.games-workshop.com/en-BE/Warhammer-Age-of-Sigmar-Factions-Guide Age of Sigmar faction guide].
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* {{Endn|6}}: [[Age of Sigmar: Core Book (2nd Edition)]] - Nagash's Ire, pg. 66-71
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[[Category: Chaos]]
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[[Category: Realm of Chaos]]
  
[[Category: Mortal realms|C]]
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{{Daemons of Chaos}}
[[Category: Realm of Chaos| ]]
 

Latest revision as of 10:56, 18 August 2022

A mortals impression of the Realm of Chaos

The Realm of Chaos, also known as the immaterium, the spirit world, the aethyr and the warp, is another dimension - a separate reality from the physical dimension of the Warhammer World which is intrinsically linked to the mortal, material world. It is the source of all magic and within, the physical laws of our universe do not apply.Needs Citation

The nature of the Realm of Chaos

If humans and all other races did not exist, then the Realm of Chaos would be a grey, neutral void fot it is life, more specifically intelligent life, that fills and populates the Realm of Chaos with raw emotions with negative emotions that are generally stronger. [2a]

Within the Realm of Chaos, the physical rules of the material world, such as space, time and gravity, do not apply. It is an ever-changing dimension of pure magic that lacks the order and consistency of our universe, and indeed is the source of all magical powers in Warhammer Fantasy. [1a] The Realm of Chaos is home to many Gods, daemons, spirits and other magical entities. At the poles of the Warhammer World, there are permanent rifts to the Realm of Chaos which constantly spew raw magic (the "matter" of that dimension) into our world, warping and changing our reality.Needs Citation

The Elves describe the Realm of Chaos as being separated from the physical world by a "veil". This veil can be weakened in certain magically-saturated places in the world, and at various times (such as geheimensnacht and hexensnacht). It can also be torn asunder creating rifts to the Realm of Chaos through which magical energy, daemons and such can pass.Needs Citation

Even when the veil is strong, however, the thoughts and emotions of mortal creatures can influence the warp, creating eddies and tides in the magical energy. Most mortal creatures have an immortal magical soul within the Realm of Chaos. This soul is typically anchored to their physical body during life, but floats free upon death and is then vulnerable to being preyed upon by malevolent . To avoid their souls being eaten by Slaanesh, the Wood Elves and High Elves bind their souls to the physical world in the form of magical trees (The Weave) and waystones, respectively. Other Elves may pray to Ereth Khial to take their souls, stealing them from Slaanesh. Humans from The Empire pray to Sigmar, Morr and other gods to protect their souls upon death. Particularly powerful souls able to influence the warp to a great degree glow brightly.Needs Citation

The most famous inhabitants of the Realm of Chaos are Gods and Daemons. These entities are a form of coalesced magical energy that has gained consciousness and self awareness. The most famous of these are the Chaos Gods: Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle and Slaanesh. Each of these is fuelled by a primal emotion/sensation experienced by mortals. For instance as mortals experience anger, it changes the magical energy of the Realm of Chaos and feeds the God Khorne, who grows stronger. Daemons are best thought of as a fragment of their God, with the more powerful Daemons being larger fragments.Needs Citation

It is important to realise however that not all Gods in Warhammer actually exist in the Realm of Chaos. Some are merely objects in the physical world which are worshipped, such as the Great Maw and the Fire Mouth. Others Gods have entered the physical world in physical bodies and remain here still. Indeed, it is also possible for mortals to cross into the Realm of Chaos physically (ie: their physical mortal bodies enter the other dimension) by travelling through a rift. This is what Chaos Warriors do, returning with their Chaos Armour. In addition, mortals may be "blessed" by the Chaos Gods and actually be transformed into a daemon.

Whilst mortals may be unaware what a Daemon actually looks like, what they are or where they come from they may know myths and stories about them. The subconscious learns and informs how manifestations from the Realm of Chaos takes shape which then reinforces that image by those unfortunate enough to witness them so a a Bloodletter looks the way it does because people believe it should look like that, their subconscious, filled with abject terror, further underpins the Daemon’s perceived form. [2a]

History

In 1460 IC, Marius Hollsecher crossed physically into the Realm of Chaos and returned to write the Liber Malefic. Some who do this may become Gods themselves, such as Sigmar.Needs Citation

Locations

All these are heavily couched in metaphor and are relatvively mutable and chaotic being extensions of the Chaos God’s traits, much like their daemons. Should two mortals ever visit Nurgle’s garden, although they would both see a festering, decaying mass, it would still appear different to each of them. [2a]

  • Court of Covenant: Neutral territory for the Dark Gods. [1a]
  • Forge of Souls: A hidden sub-realm where Daemonic craftsmen create Soul Grinders. [3a]
  • Khorne: His domain is mostly formed of blasted wasteland, broken up by lakes of blood, jagged craters and canyons. It is tied to the mood of the Blood God and the level of his rage - when he his most furious, the sky itself screams, the lakes boil and bast clouds of choking ash billow from geysers to incinerate any nearby combatants. [1a]
    • Brass Citadel: A vast jagged walled fortress within a moat of boiling blood. [1a]
      • The Skull Throne: Deep within the central keep is a great vault holding Khorne's throne. Eight iron pillars hold up the ceiling, each inscribed with the commandements of the Blood God. The centre of the room houses the Skull Throne, sitting upon a great mountain of the skulls of champions. A carpet of bone extends from the foot of the throne, the remains of those slain by champions of Khorne. Also in the room is a mighty anvil where weapons and armour are forged for the favoured and the room is constantly patrolled by Karanak. [1a]
  • Nurgle
    • Garden of Blight: A overgrown collection of flora from a thousand worlds and a hundred realities, they are cultivated with great care and pride by Nurgle himself. Many of them are carnivorous and the garden istelf has a form of intelligence with a drive to attack intruders. [1a]
      • Mansion: A gigantic mouldering building vast enough to hold all the oceans of the world. Within is the workshop of Nurgle where he creates new diseases in his iron cauldron, testing them on Poxfulcrum, a daemon able to heal from any infliction. Any plagues that meet with their creators approval are poured into a grate that then falls as rain in the material world. [1a]
  • Slaanesh
    • Circles of Seduction: The realm of the Dark Prince is divided into six rings around the Palace of Pleasure, each formed around a specific seduction. [1a]
      • Palace of Pleasure. Six great hall can be found in the paalce, again devoted to the six deadly seductions of Slaanesh. [1a]
  • Tzeentch
    • Crystal Labyrinth: Immense iridescent plateau, it is said that should it be destroyed, the Realm of Chaos itself would loose cohesion. [1a]
      • Impossible Fortress: Its appearance and reality depends on the beholder but it is in constant flux being somehow bound to the progress of the schemes of Tzeentch. [1a]

Quotes

No one can know for sure what the Realm of Chaos, the Warp, the never-space, truly is. And if you did understand it, then you’d be truly insane. It’s an indefinable place that defies any kind of context. All we, as mere mortals, can do is try to perceive it in ways that can be confined and adapted so our minds do not crumble and break. We’re talking about grasping at fragments of a reality that cannot be explained..

~ John Blanche. [2a]

Sources

Daemons of Chaos
Units Beast of Nurgle - Bloodbeast - Bloodcrusher - Bloodletter - Bloodthirster - Blood Throne - Changebringer - Chaos Fury - Chariot of Khorne - Chariots of Nurgle - Chariots of Slaanesh - Chariots of Tzeentch - Daemonic Herald - Daemonette - Daemon Prince - Discs of Tzeentch - Exalted Daemon - Exalted Seeker Chariot - Firewyrm of Tzeentch - Fiend of Slaanesh - Flamer of Tzeentch - Flesh Hound - Great Unclean One - Heir of Change - Hellflayer - Horror of Tzeentch - Hound of Khorne - Juggernaut of Khorne - Keeper of Secrets - Lord of Change - Nurgling - Palanquin of Nurgle - Plaguebearer - Plague Drones - Plaguerider - Plague Toad - Pleasureseekers - Pox Rider - Screamer of Tzeentch - Seeker of Slaanesh - Skull Cannon - Soul Grinder
Characters Alkhor - Amin'Hrith - Amon 'Chakai - Azazel - Be'lakor - Bileflood - Blackie - Bloodwrack - Blue Scribes - Changeling - Epidemius - Fa'vaer - Grubile - Gurug'ath - Hargrim Dreadaxe - Htarken - Ischbak Gatrog Nurgle - Kairos Fateweaver - Karanak - Kelsydra - Ku'gath Plaguefather - Kuhl'tyran - Mabrothrax - Mardagg - Masque of Slaanesh - N'Kari - Pox-mother - Ru'kaab - Skarbrand - Skulltaker - Ss'sath - The Blue Scribes - The Changeling - Throttle Gurglespew - Tzara'riador - Tz'arkan - Urlfdaemonkin - Uthl'kritchnaak - Vorass Kineater - Xathrodox - Ystareth
Images - Miniatures