"Heed my words, all you that read this, for I have walked into the abyss and my eyes have been changed. All that was hidden is now revealed to me. I have seen all worlds, and the secrets that scheming gods and lesser men would keep from us are now the bread and wine of my heart. No longer shall I labour under the shallow misconception of received wisdom. Truth shall be my companion from this day on, for the scale have been lifted from eyes and I have seen the hope of salvation. At last I can be forgiven... for at last, I can see that I have sinned..."
- —"The Thousand Faces of Chaos," from the Liber Chaotica by Richter Kless, declared insane.[2a]
A Champion of Tzeentch stalks the battlefield, as depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.[3]
Champions of Tzeentch are amongst the most magically attuned of all Chaos Champions and Chaos Lords, warriors that combine the raw brute strength of the tribes of the Northmen with the magical powers of Chaos itself.[1a]
A Champion of Tzeentch leading the forces of the Architect of Fate.
Those few who succeed upon the twisting path of Tzeentch, the Chaos God of change and intrigue, become the most otherworldly of all Chaos Champions. They are blessed with both exceptional warrior skills and the arcane powers of the Lord of Magic. This deadly combination makes them cunning leaders and lethal warriors who command their armies with uncanny presence.
They are not to be confused with Tzeentchian Sorcerer Lords, who are purely wizards, but rather they are highly powerful sorcerer-warriors. The power Tzeentch, the Chaos God of change and intrigue, grants his Champions allows them to become masters of magic, which mixed with their skill in combat, makes them truly powerful foes.[1a]
These spectacular dark knights are bizarre Champions of Chaos, even by the normal standards of such Champions. Their Chaos Armour is decorated in dazzling colours, inlaid with bands of gold and bluish-silver and constructed from strangely curving components.[1a]
In some ways, these warriors resemble giant insects, crabs, or scorpions, emphasised by their elaborate headdresses and insect-shaped helmets. Though the Champions of Tzeentch are brightly adorned, with crests and elaborate capes and panoply, it is their individual uniqueness that identifies them as the mortal slaves of the Architect of Fate.[1a]
Role[]
Concept art of Tzeentchian Chaos Lord as created for Total War: Warhammer III.[3]
Rather than bestow his blessings upon mortals and asking nothing in return, Tzeentch endeavours to further complicate the plans of any scheming mortal that has attracted his gaze, thereby increasing the stakes for the mortal and perhaps pushing him closer to the brink of desperation as new complexities unfold.[2b]
A mighty Chaos Champion of Tzeentch wearing a suit of unique Chaos Armour.
Tzeentch hopes to push the unfortunate mortal into a position where nothing short of a miracle could save them from the dilemma they are in -- and then, of course, Tzeentch will be waiting with open arms and empty promises.[2b]
An Exalted Hero of Tzeentch stands upon ground that has been corrupted by the touch of his master, as depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.[3]
It is not just the devious and duplicitous members of society who are at risk of becoming part of Tzeentch's attentions. By far the most dangerous converts to Tzeentch are those few blessed (or perhaps cursed) with an affinity for magic. It is said that Tzeentch grants increased magical ability quite freely to those spellcasters who turn to his worship and do his bidding. Tzeentch is, after all, the foremost god of magic and sorcery in the universe.
Whether they are Magisters from one of the great Imperial Colleges of Magic, healers, witches, warlocks or any other magically-inclined individual, it would appear that Tzeentch accepts the worship of all with an equal and passionate enthusiasm. Whatever their background might be, those who commit themselves to a life in the service of Tzeentch (and retain their sanity long enough to rise through the ranks of his servants), tend to be the most puissant of all magic-users.[2b]
It is for this reason that so many of the would-be servants of Tzeentch believe that the benefits of turning to his worship far outweigh the risks -- regardless of how foolish this might seem to those who are untainted by an association with the Ruinous Powers.[2b]
The Exalted Heroes of Tzeentch are also ostensibly often the most bizarre and macabre of the Lord of Change's mortal servants. Their armour is typically Tzeentchian in style, inlaid with bands of gold and bluish-silver and assembled from strangely curving components, but it is the god of magic's generous mutant "gift" of two extra heads that sets some of his Exalted Heroes apart from others on the battlefield.[3]
It is a change that irrevocably affects the mind, splitting an Exalted Hero's mortal personality into three conniving extremes. With eyes sealed shut, the central head jeers the whims of the two other personalities dwelling in the leering cyclopean heads on either side. Yet with a singular will, the creature swings its weapon with Tzeentch-imbued strength.[3]
Notable Champions of Tzeentch[]
- Egrimm van Horstmann - The most favoured of Tzeentch's mortal followers, a powerful Chaos Champion and Chaos Sorcerer who rides atop the great Chaos Dragon Baudros.
- Melekh the Changer - The most magically gifted of Archaon's Lieutenants.
- Aekold Helbrass - A Champion of Tzeentch who possesses an ability known as the "Breath of Life."
- Tchar'zanek - A towering, heavily-mutated Champion of Tzeentch.
Miniatures[]
.png "Chaos Sorcerer of Tzeentch (1).png (190 KB)")
.png "Chaos Sorcerer of Tzeentch (2).png (225 KB)")
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Corruption (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 162
- 2: Liber Chaotica: Nurgle (Volume III) (Background Book)
- 3: Total War Blog: Patch 4.2 Shadows of Change Content Additions - Part 2: Tzeentch
Gallery[]
