The Great Beast, which may also be referred to as the "Great Nameless One" or the "Thing That Should Not Be," is the name given to the theoretical god that embodies Chaos Undivided.[1a][2a]
By its very definition, Chaos claims no allegiance to anything but itself. The Chaos Gods and their Daemonic and mortal followers are fractious and warlike in the extreme, and view each other with suspicion and disgust. Hordes of Chaos Warriors are drawn together not out of camaraderie, but out of a mutual desire to murder, burn, and slaughter in the name of their gods. A follower is just as likely to be killed and offered as a sacrifice to their own god as they are to die in battle with the forces of the Old World or against any other foe.[1a]
Some insane scholars believe that the four greater Chaos Gods are simply aspects of some other, larger god called the "Great Beast." At times, this entity sets aside its mad internal struggle to make it possible for the fragmented armies of Chaos to gather together under one banner, such as during the great Chaos assaults upon the civilised realms like the Great War Against Chaos, the horde led by the Chaos Lord Tamurkhan that attacked the city of Nuln in 2511 IC or even the conflicts of the End Times themselves.[1a]
These moments cause the Old World to tremble and quake in fear and loathing. The followers of Chaos typically come together under the banner of a particularly powerful and charismatic leader who is a Chaos Champion. Driven by dreams of mayhem, loot, and glory in battle, the forces of the various factions of Chaos set aside their differences for a short time to fight side-by-side.[1a]
The people of the Old World know that it is just a matter of time before another such leader inspires the hordes of Chaos to come together yet again. Whether there exists a Great Beast or not is subject to much debate, but certainly the power of Chaos Undivided and its great Everchosen mortal champions are undeniable.[1a]
Monoliths to the Great Beast[]
Chaos Monoliths dedicated to pure Chaos come in almost any shape and size. The most common are simple, rough-hewn slabs of granite, carved or painted with the dreaded, eight-pointed sigil known as the Star of Chaos.[1b]
While the followers of Khorne defile the Monoliths of Slaanesh, and Nurgle's warriors deface the Monoliths of Tzeentch, all followers of Chaos pay their respects and homage to this representation of Chaos whenever they find one.[1b]
There are some rumours of black stone obelisks seen by travellers in the middle of the forest. All speak of strange runes carved on the trunks of trees, a shimmering cold light just beyond the campfire's glow.[3a]
Lore of Chaos[]
The so-called Lore of Chaos, a form of Chaos Sorcery, is sometimes called the "Lore of the Great Beast." It offers a spectrum of spells not tied to the portfolio of a particular Dark God. In general, this lore is studied by warlocks and some unaligned Black Magisters who have abandoned the strictures of the Imperial Orders of Magic as well as many daemonologists.[1c]
Notable Cultists[]
- Gashrakk Blackhoof - Gashrakk was a Beastmen champion of the Great Beast and Beastlord of the Dark Horns tribe. He has met a dramatic and fiery end when the burning effigy of his god collapsed on him. This event resulted in his instant combustion and impalement by a burning spar, marking a significant and violent demise.[4a]
Notable Regiments[]
- Swords of Chaos - All Chaos Champions are devoted to their Dark Gods with reverent faith, but to this warband the worship of Chaos as a whole is everything. They are more like a religious order than a band of warriors. The Swords of Chaos are not dedicated to any one of the Chaos Gods alone. They follow Chaos Undivided, in the form of the Great Nameless One, the Thing That Should Not Be. Their leader is the thirteenth Everchosen of Chaos Undivided, Archaon.[2a]
Trivia[]
The Great Beast is inspired by the biblical depiction of two (sometimes three) entities within the Book of Revelation, one which came from the sea and the other which came from the earth. In their fight against God, the two beasts join forces with "the dragon."
They persecute the "saints" and those who do not "worship the image of the beast [of the sea]" and influence the kings of the earth through three unclean spirits to gather for the battle of Armageddon. The two beasts are defeated by Jesus Christ and are thrown into the lake of fire mentioned in Revelation 19:18–20.
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Corruption (RPG)
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Realm of Chaos (5th Edition)
- 2a: pg. 91
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Enemy in Shadows Companion (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 36
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Enemy in Shadows Companion (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 36