Khorne

Khorne is the Blood God, the Lord of Skulls, also known among many of the northern tribes as Arkhar or Kharnath, as well as a myriad of other names. He is perceived as an angry, raging god of bestial strength and merciless battle prowess who rewards bravery, might at arms and conquest. In the few depictions of Khorne that exist, he is represented as an overly-muscled, beast-headed being, sitting on a massive brass throne atop a mountain of skulls, said to be the skulls of those slain by his Champions, as well as the heads of his followers who have fallen in battle. Chained to his throne are flesh hounds, and it is written in dark texts that a follower can call upon Khorne to let loose these merciless hunters upon a foe, in particular those craven enemies who refuse to fight in open battle.

There are no temples to Khorne and few true ceremonies in his name, for he is the God of War and is worshipped on the battlefield. The only known dedication is the bloodthirsty battle-cry roared by all his followers – "Blood for the Blood God!"

In the wider world beyond the Chaos Wastes, some worship the god Khaine, Lord of Murder, though whether the Elven god Khaine is Khorne by another name or a lesser power in his own right is debated over by scholars inclined to such heretical and dangerous subjects.

Khorne despises spellcasting and magic in general, although magical weapons and armour that aid the slaughter in his name are a different matter. There are no wizards dedicated to Khorne, for a Champion of Khorne is the embodiment of the warrior who battles his enemy face-to-face rather than blasts his foes from afar with magical bolts. Axes are the favoured weapons of Khorne, and another common mark worn by his followers is the Collar of Khorne: a massive studded ring clasped around the neck in imitation of the collars worn by the Flesh Hounds.

Champions of Khorne are unpredictable fighters, for they believe that a day gone by without a death in Khorne's name is a day wasted. For this reason, they are as likely to attack friends as much as foes, particularly when true enemies are hard to come by. Khorne's Champions are highly competitive, and unless they believe that their god has brought them together for a grander battle to come, when two Champions meet it almost inevitably ends in bloodshed and the death of one or both of them.

Khorne and all his followers despise his brother, Tzeentch, for his role as god of magic and his sneaking, behind-the-scenes method of defeating his enemies. Slaanesh is also despised, for the hermaphroditic god of pleasure is no warrior, preferring to seduce and pervert; his debauched, effete ways are a stink in the Blood God's nostrils.