"There is a fine line between the arcane marks left on the Magisters and the corruptions that manifest in the mind and flesh of witches and warlocks. For Magisters, the arcane marks are inevitable, by-products of working with the Winds of Magic. But, for those who dabble in Dark Magic, the corruptions of the flesh and mind are rewards for dabbling in the forbidden."
- —Paulo Elias, Magister, Order of Light[2a]
A Mark of Chaos is a sign of favour from one of the Ruinous Powers, often bestowed upon a loyal servant. It is a brand connecting the person to their foul deity, and an outward sign of their devotion. Marks of Chaos can come in many different shapes, styles, or designs, but are clearly associated with their Ruinous Power and often come in the form of the actual symbol of that Dark God. Below are just a few examples of alternative forms the mark can take.[1a]
- Mark of Tzeentch - A Mark of Tzeentch, the Chaos God of change and intrigue, may manifest as a pulsing, blue Chaos Star, a raven tattoo that appears to be flying across the subject's skin, or a sinuous, writhing flame emblazoned on the subject's back.[1a]
- Mark of Nurgle - A Mark of Nurgle, the Chaos God of disease and decay, may be a distended boil oozing foetid pus, an open sore weeping a stream of maggots, or a pox-marked patch of vaguely green-tinted skin that constantly sheds and peels.[1a]
- Mark of Khorne - A Mark of Khorne, the Chaos God of war and murder, may change the marked person's eyes to deep, blood red, it may manifest as a dark red battle scar still wet with crimson blood, or a skull-shaped knob or deformity on the marked one's flesh.[1a]
- Mark of Slaanesh - A Mark of Slaanesh, the Chaos God of pleasure and pain, may be a subtle, intoxicating scent of musk lingering upon the person, a slightly dreamy, purplish tinge to the marked one's lips, eyes, and hair, or the growth of additional nipples.[1a]
Followers of the same Chaos God have an uncanny intuition, allowing them to sense when someone bearing their deity's Mark of Chaos is nearby. Bearers of a Mark of Chaos usually go to great lengths to hide it from non-believers, as recognition of such a sign is a death sentence, sure to draw the attention of Witch Hunters, angry mobs, or worse.[1a]