Slaanesh is
the Chaos God of lust, excess, pleasure, perfection and hedonism. Slaanesh
typically appears in a form which is a woman on the right side and a man on
the left with two sets of devilish horns growing from its head. It can
however assume any form; male, female, hermaphrodite or asexual, but prefers
male bodies. Its sacred number is six. It is known as the Prince of Chaos or
Prince of Pleasure.
The name Slaanesh is a corruption of the Chaos term Slaaneth (Slaa meaning
"ecstasy" or "pleasure" and Neth meaning "lord" or "prince"; hence, the
Prince of Pleasure).
Slaanesh was born during the time the Eldar call The Fall from their own
decadence echoed in the Warp. The birthcry of Slaanesh created the Eye of
Terror and slew most of the Eldar (and their gods except for Khaine who was
dispersed into many pieces and the Laughing God- Cerogach) except those very
far away from the Eldar homeworlds. Slaanesh is served primarily by the
Emperor's Children Chaos Space Marines, hedonistic psychopaths who wield
unique sonic weaponry in battle.
Slaaneshi Daemons include Daemonettes, feminine creatures whose seductive
bodies are at contrast with their grotesque claws and lightning speed.
Steeds, lurid snakelike creatures who lash with their prehensile tongues to
support their rider, and the Greater Daemon, the Keeper of Secrets, a huge
and indescribible creature whose very prescence is capable of bringing the
bravest warrior to his knees in anguish and ecstasy.
The symbol of Slaanesh combines the conventional symbols for male and female,
although it is seldom worn openly by his followers. In its place they often
wear items of jewellry bearing erotic motifs. Followers dress in robes which
are often opened to leave the right side of the chest uncovered, a
requirement of many of the rituals involved in his worship. Pastel and
electric shades are the chief colours, although white is often used as well.
These colours are also sometimes carried over into everyday wear, although
they may be modified to fit in with current fashions. Regardless of any
considerations, all Slaanesh followers wear garb of sensuously high quality.
Slaanesh has a neutral attitude to many of the gods of Chaos, and is
generally too caught up in his own pleasures to be interested in alliances
and co-operation. Particular enemies are the followers of Khorne, whose
belief in pain and death is completely opposed to Slaanesh's principle of a
life of unrestricted pleasure. Followers of Nurgle and Tzeentch are subject
to Slaanesh's usual neutral attitude.
