40K Lore: Bloody Daemons
Beware Loremasters, today we delve into forbidden lore–Daemons–specifically the bloody host of Khorne. Whether out for blood, thirsting for it, seeking it, crushing it, or just letting it drain away, the forces of Khorne are intrinsically tied to blood.
If there’s one thing that drives a Daemon of Khorne, it’s an unending anger that knows no satisfaction, and overwhelms any reason or sanity. If there’s two things, it’s a lust for blood (and skulls), but mostly blood that drive on the foot soldiers of Khorne. So gather ’round your talismans against possession (standard issue) and equip your heresy grade memory editors as we prepare to delve into the lore of the Bloody Daemons of Khorne.
There are many Daemons in Khorne’s service–from the lowliest pup of Khorne to the mightiest Bloodthirster, but none are quite as numerous–nor as relentlessly savage as the humble Bloodletter. These are the Lesser Daemons of Khorne, eager foot soldiers that form the core of his vast legions. Possessed of enormous strength, they are renowned for the savage ferocity of their charges. As a host, they march as one in complex formations with supernatural precision, manoeuvring for the utmost advantage, but in battle they try to outdo each other in ruthless acts of cruelty and savagery.
Bloodletters possess bestial, snarling faces and wiry, crooked bodies surrounded by a reek of gore, and skin the color of blood. Like all of Khorne’s creatures they are formidable and ferocious warriors, among the deadliest in the galaxy with savage ferocity and, being daemons, strength far out of proportion to their body mass. Each Bloodletter is a natural master of combat, borne of constantly fighting their brethren in the warp when not killing enemies on the battlefield. Bloodletters go into battle with the deadly Hellblade.
Led into battle in vast legions by the most veteran of their number, the Heralds of Khorne, they tend to march in disciplined regiments accompanied by horns and drums, a living example of Khorne’s militarism and a sharp contrast to the armies of other Chaos Gods. However, the craving for skulls, bloodshed and competing for personal glory and the glory of Khorne in battle usually turns this discipline into frenzy once they charge the enemy. Bloodletters are notorious for their fearsome advances and ferociously brutal charges but are also capable of vile and low tactics.
Those Bloodletters that distinguish themselves with savagery and ferocity find themselves sitting astride Juggernauts. But subduing a Juggernaut is no easy task, as the vicious creatures will violently resist any attempt to be corralled or mounted. However those who succeed become Bloodcrushers, Daemonic Knights that are feared for their almost unstoppable charges. It is frequent for Heralds of Khorne to serve as Bloodcrushers.
But Khorne’s sanguine fixation doesn’t stop there. The hounds of Khorne, sometimes called Hunters of Blood do much to earn their name. These canine Daemons exist to hunt down the enemies of Khorne. They are tireless predators that possess a crimson skin as durable as mesh armour, massive claws and teeth, as well as amazing speed, each Flesh Hound is larger than a fully armoured Space Marine, and is capable of outrunning a horse at full gallop.
And that merely encompasses the common forces of Khorne’s blood legion–take for instance the Blood Slaughterer: a Chaos Daemon Engine devoted to Khorne, larger than a Dreadnought, the Blood Slaughterer has a hunched, tick-like appearance and is armed with a multitude of monstrously large claws and blades making it a formidable weapon of war on the battlefield. Speaking of weapons of war, there is also the Blood Throne of Khorne, which pulls Khorne’s mighty Heralds into battle.
The Blood Throne of Khorne is a Daemonic chariot ridden by the Daemons of Khorne. An echo of the mighty dais upon which Khorne himself resides, these Daemon Engines are able to mangle all those who stand in its path. The Blood Throne is a mark of status, a manifestation of Khorne’s own favor among his minions. Should the Herald manning the chariot stand high enough in the Blood God’s favor, his blessing ripples outward from the throne and with it a portion of Khorne’s wrath. This sensation becomes infused within the veins of nearby Daemons, driving them into a maddening frenzy.
Or taking a page from the Daughters of Khaine, who has absolutely no relation to Khorne whatsoever, there’s the Cauldron of Blood: a Daemon Engine of Khorne which mounts a huge cauldron full of bubbling daemonic ichor. The cauldron is used to supply the vehicle’s jutting cannon with red-hot daemonic blood which is fired through the cannon’s nozzle, showering foes with molten lava.
Last but not least is the Blood Reaper is a towering Daemon Engine of Khorne, literally bristling with weapons. The battery of guns mounted in its main tower launch constant salvos of fire, whilst its twin main cannon blast apart armored targets. Any foe lucky enough to survive its deadly barrages is likely to be crushed beneath its huge wheels, or impaled on its large prow-mounted ram.
