Nurgle

From Warhammer - The Old World - Lexicanum
Jump to: navigation, search
Nurgle
Nurgle Symbol.png
Titles The Maker
Papa Nurgle
Father Nurgle
Grandfather Nurgle
Plague Crow
Lord of Flies
Great Lord of Decay
Status Active
Type Chaos God
Domains Despair
Hopelessness
Life
Pestilence
Disease
Physical Corruption
Mortality
Entropy
Morbidity
Aspects Neiglen
Onogal
Nurglitch
Nurgleth
Home Realm of Chaos
Affiliation Beastmen
Daemons of Chaos
Norsca
Warriors of Chaos
Followers Cult of Nurgle
Adjectives Nurglesque
Symbols 7
Tripartite Fly


Nurgle is one of the Four Great Powers of Chaos. He is titled the Great Lord of Decay and represents pestilence, disease, and physical corruption. [2a] Of the four Chaos Gods he is said to be the most attentive and involved with the plight of mortals. Those afflicted by his contagions often turn to him in order to escape their suffering.

Appearance

The physical likeness of Nurgle is described as gigantic and bloated with corruption, with foul-coloured leathery and necrotic skin. Legions of Daemons play amongst his exposed entrails or drink the foul discharge he emits. Vast numbers of bloated flies swarm around his great antlers as invariably he beams with a amiable smile of contentment. [3a]

Overview

Nurgle is also known by the names Neiglen, Onogal and Nurglitch, derived from his Dark Tongue name of Nurgleth. Human Chaos Marauders call him Lord of Flies or the Plague Crow.

All Chaos Gods are embodiments of the hopes, fears and other emotions and concepts generated by mortals. In Nurgle's case, the source of power is the mortal fear of inevitable death and disease, and their unconscious response to that fear, which is the motivating power that drives the lives of mortals.

All things end and the creation and construction only foreshadow decay and inevitable destruction. Faced with this, mortals do not merely lie down and die but often seek to enjoy and embrace life with what time they have left. Happiness and endeavour are often formed by coming to terms with this futility and decay. Whilst Nurgle is full of disease, he is also equally filled with energy and enthusiasm, seeking to organise and enlighten. [2a]

Nurgle and his daemons, in contrast to their morbid and putrid appearance, are jovial and friendly in demeanor. Nurgle is often referred to as Grandfather Nurgle, Father Nurgle or Papa Nurgle by his followers because of his paternal nature.

The energy that Nurgle gains from defiance born of hoplessness and despair is opposite in source to that of Tzeentch who draws it from hope and changing fortune. [2a]

Pronunciation

Nurgle rhymes with Gurgle. [1]

Rivals

Although each of the Chaos Powers seek to dominate their siblings, Nurgle seems to care the least about the Great Game between them. Myths about the Court of Covenant where they meet to parley often depict as a chatty buffoon. However, his humour and enthusiasm cleverly undermine the other gods as Slaanesh is distracted, Khorne is driven to further fury and Tzeentch's plotting is disturbed. [3b]

Nurgle's main enemy is Tzeentch, the Lord of Change, as the two draw their power from opposing sources. Tzeentch is hope and changing fortune, while Nurgle is defiance born of despair and hopelessness.

Slaanesh's indolent nature is anathama to the constantly busy Nurgle and the equally constant urge of Khorne to destroy also usptes his nurturing and patient heart. [3b]

Symbol

Nurgle's sacred number is seven. His symbol is the tripartite fly - often rendered as three spheres arranged in a triangle.

Mortal followers and Cult of Nurgle

Humans who are afflicted with illness, plague, grievous injuries or starvation often pledge themselves to the service of Nurgle in their desperation. Followers of Nurgle are still afflicted with disease and pestilence, but instead of killing them, it makes them tougher.

Beastmen, bestial creatures who wallow in filth, often find Nurgle a suitable patron god. Nurglesque Bestigors are called Pestigors.

Daemons of Nurgle

Gallery

Sources

The gods & goddesses of the Warhammer World
Chaos Powers Great Khorne - Nurgle - Slaanesh - Tzeentch
Lesser Hashut - Horned Rat - Khakkekk - Kka - Kweethul Gristlegut - Malal - Mermedus - Necoho - Screaming God-Child - Zuvassin
Old World pantheon Major Khaine - Lady of the Lake - Lucan & Luccina - Manann - Morr - Myrmidia - Ranald - Rhya - Shallya - Sigmar - Stromfels - Taal - Ulric - Verena
Old Faith Cailledh - Goederan - Ishernos - Medhe - Naiedhe - The God of Death
Halfling Esmeralda - Gaffey - Groplotta - Hyacinth - Josias - Phineas - Quinsberry
Kislev Dazh - Kalita - Salyak - Tor - Ursun
Minor Aach - Ahalt - Ahltler - Albaulea - Altaver - Arvala - Artho - Azure Man - Beoforn - Borchbach - Bögenauer - Bylorak - Clio - Dark Helgis - Dehagli - Dyrath - Eldal - Father Raven - Forsagh - Gadd - Gargali - Gid - Gnistre - Gorol - Gunndred - Guvaur - Haendryk - Handrich - Haleth - Halétha - Hyssron - Ishnernos - Jack O' the Sea - Kakarol - Karnos - Karog - Katya - Kavarich - Khirreth - Koppalt - Ktharta - Loerk - Lupos - Manhavok - Margileo - Mercopio - Millavog - Mittlmund - Narlog - Narvorga - O Prospero - Oboroch - Olovald - Reik - Renbaeth - Rudric - Scripsisti - Seppel - Shaback - Hagh - Shadreth - Sheirrich - Shrowl - Skalor - Snow King - Solden - Stovarok - Styriss - Talos - Toar - Tahrveg - Ursash - Urvijak - Uutann - Vallich - Vylmar - Wendred - Wulfor
Elf Pantheon Adamnan-Na-Brionha - Amex - Kourdanrin - Liadriel - Mannanin - Meneloth - Morai-Heg - Sarriel - Torothal
Cadai Asuryan - Hoeth - Isha - Kurnous - Lileath - Loec - Vaul
Cytharai Anath Raema - Atharti - Eldrazor - Ellinilli (Addaioth - Drakira - Ellinill - Estreuth - Hukon - Mathlann) - Ereth Khial - God of the Salthites - Hekarti - Khaine - Khirkith - Nethu
Ancestor Gods Gazul - Grungni - Grimnir - Morgrim - Skavor - Smednir - Thungni - Valaya
Nehekharan pantheon Asaph - Basth - Djaf - Geheb - Khsar - Neru - Pha'a - Phakth - Ptra - Qu'aph - Sakhmet - Shapesh - Sokth - Tahoth - Ualatp - Usekph - Usirian
Old One Axlberyn - Caxuatn - Chotec - Conalxa - Huanchi - Inhamex - Itzl - Potec - Quatl - Quetli - Quetzl - Rigg - Sotek - Tepok - Tlanxla - Tlazcotl - Tzcalli - Tzcatli - Tzunki - Uxmac - Xapati - Xapiti - Xholanka - Xhotl - Xokha - Xoloc - Yuxa
Gods of Law Alluminas - Astasis - Daora - Solkan - Unnamed Craft Deity of Law
Other Amazon (Kalith - Shaekal) - Araby (Mordig) - Gnome (Evawn - Ringil - Mabyn) - Greenskin (Gork - Mork - Feaster from Beyond) - Ind (Brahmir - Gilgadresh - She'ar Khawn) - Nippon (Orange Simca) - Ogre (Great Maw - Fire Mouth) - Pygmy (Beesbok - Brobat)