A Bloodbeast of Khorne as rendered for Total War: Warhammer III.
A Bloodbeast, also spelled Blood Beast, and also known as a Beast of Khorne, a Monstrous One, Bloodspawn, The True Form, The Shapeless and the Beasts of Blood, is a massive, savage humanoid monstrosity that may be a Daemonic beast in service to the Blood God Khorne.[1a]
Of all the cursed minions of Khorne, these creatures are at once the most twisted and brutal and yet most mysterious, for none can tell their true nature, whether they be truly Daemons or simply twisted, mutated mortals similar to Chaos Spawn. Some wizard-scholars suggest that they be mortal, for they can detect in them no connection to the Realm of Chaos, like those possessed by a true Daemon.[1a]
Among Khorne's cursed followers, these creatures stand out as both the most brutal and mysterious. Their true nature remains unclear -- whether they are Daemons or mortals is unknown. Resembling massive, ape-like monsters, they excel in powerful charges and deal devastating armour-piercing damage. Their sheer size and ferocity grant them strong armour-piercing melee capabilities, while their monstrous presence instills fear in their enemies. Marked by Khorne, they gain all the benefits of his favour, further enhancing their destructive power on the battlefield.[2]
A few go further, claiming them to be some monstrous mortal species unto their own, broken and enslaved beneath the Chaos yoke. Others, those who have faced them in battle or taken up arms to hunt them to the ground say otherwise, for with such terrible magics torturing and twisting their bodies at every moment, how can any such flesh be considered mortal. They are the very raw energy of the vastness of Chaos, cloaked within the vestiges of the mortal damned.[1a]
Quick Answers
What is the true nature of a Bloodbeast in Warhammer?
How does a Bloodbeast serve the Blood God Khorne?
What are the other names for a Bloodbeast in Warhammer?
What distinguishes a Bloodbeast from other minions of Khorne?
Is a Bloodbeast a Daemonic beast in Warhammer?
Appearance[]
A horrific sketch of a Bloodbeast made by a scholar.
The Bloodbeasts, and others of their ilk beholden to the Ruinous Powers, are wildly diverse in their appearance. If they are Daemons then they care not as others of their type do to maintain a preferred form. [1a]
Some are little more than a writhing mound of pulsating flesh, gaping maws and vicious spines, while others may be almost Human except for the blankness of their eyes. The truth of Chaos is in its corruption, and these spawn are the manifestation of this truth.[1a]
As with the Chaos Spawn of various allegiances to the individual Dark Gods, there are certain attributes by which one may categorise them. The Bloodbeasts of Khorne are always masses of muscle and tendon, with pulsing veins and whip-cord sinew. Their every orifice is ringed with sharp teeth that tear into the flesh of those who become entangled within their elongated limbs.[1a]
These limbs and tails are often armoured or scaled, while at their ends they transform into the shapes of crude but deadly weapons, flattening into blades and knives or bulging outwards into spiked maces. The Bloodbeasts are always hugely muscled, and are often emblazoned with the skull-mark of their lord somewhere upon their bodies.[1a]
Their means of locomotion will vary from creature to creature, some may walk upright, others on all fours as horses or dogs. Those whose limbs have atrophied beyond all usefulness may drag themselves forwards by their vestigial arms or bunch and ripple along the ground as worms or slugs or snakes.[1a]
A few may even have wings, although these are not so common among the Bloodbeasts, and if they are present may well be useless for flight. They wear no armour, nor bear any arms, but their marks of evil are such to overcome even the strongest of foes.[1a]
Warfare[]
Bloodbeasts may be found travelling among the multitude of small Chaos warbands of Northmen that cross back and forth over the Chaos Wastes. They may be treated as beasts of war or of burden, depending upon their temperament and the nature of the corruption inflicted upon them. A few are even venerated by these warbands and carried or dragged in gilded throne-cages, from which their trusted followers interpret their gibbering as commands and prophecies.[1a]
When these warbands join together into a horde the Bloodbeasts may remain with their trusted masters, or they may be gathered into herds. There they may be controlled en masse before being goaded to crash into the enemy's lines, creating terror and confusion.[1a]
Sources[]
- 1: Liber Chaotica (Volume I) (Background Book)
- 1a: pg. 74
- 2: Total War: Warhammer III - Omens of Destruction: Introducing Skulltaker (Creative Assembly Blog)
Gallery[]
