| “ | "Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!" | „ |
| ~ Battle cry of The Khorne Berzerkers |
Khorne is the name given to the malevolent chaos-god of anger, violence, and hate, and is the Chaos god that is the purest embodiment a deity of War. Every act of violence gives Khorne power, whether committed by his followers or by enemies. The name "Khorne" derives from his Dark Tongue name, Kharneth, meaning "Lord of Rage" or "Lord of Blood".
He is considered the most powerful of the four primal chaos deities - which consist of himself, Nurgle, Slaanesh and Tzeentch.
Khorne hates magic and those that use it, thus reserves much of his hatred for Tzeentch, but his true wrath is reserved for Slaanesh - who is his complete opposite and seen as a weakling by the war-god. He is associated with the number eight, and it's reflected in rituals.
Khorne is envisioned as a monstrous demon that sits upon a huge throne of brass atop a mountain of skulls, surrounded by a lake of blood. The skulls are said to be all of the skulls claimed in Khorne's name, as well as those of his slain Champions, and the blood is said to be that which was spilled for him. Thus, both the lake and mountain are eternally growing.
Followers
Khorne has many followers, and many who don't worship him directly, as any act of violence, especially carried out with hatred or rage are corridors of worship. A considerable number of individuals who fight against the forces of Khorne, or who practice acts or violence or rage or hatred regularly, eventually become obsessed with violence, and become willing followers.
Khorne Berzerkers
Khorne Berzerkers are Chaos Space Marines dedicated entirely to glorifying the Chaos God Khorne through hand-to-hand combat. Driven by bloodlust, their only purpose is to kill and destroy their enemies in the name of Khorne. While worship of Khorne is not rare, true Berzerkers are most often created by surgical modifications to the brain of any Space Marine, which will put them into a constant state of rage.
Eschewing long ranged weaponry, Berzerkers make almost exclusive use of close combat weapons, in particular the chainaxe. However, they are known to use almost anything as a weapon at times, often continuing fighting even when in possession of no offensive weapons other than their own bodies.
The original Berzerkers came from the World Eaters Legion led by Angron, who turned to worshiping the Blood God almost immediately after renouncing the Emperor; however, Marines from other Legions and chapters that more recently turned Renegade also took to Khorne worship, becoming Khornate Berserkers.
Khorne Berzerkers are rightly feared by friend and foe alike, and in accordance with their will to please the god of war Berzerkers find the need to spill "Blood for the Blood God" overpowering. They are known to kill even their own allies if caught in the heat of battle or lacking alternative adversaries, a situation epitomized by Khârn the Betrayer.
Their battle prowess and rage has earned them a fearsome reputation on the battlefield, although it also leads to them being unable to form a single, cohesive and mutually supportive unit.
Berzerker bands vary in size and strength, often lending their aid to whichever side offers them the greatest chance of combat and slaughter.
Champions Of Khorne
These are the Berzerkers whose bloodlust and combat prowess have made them stand out from the rank-and-file of Khorne's worshipers. Khorne's Champions are absolute terrors in close combat, hacking and tearing their way through anyone and anything that has the misfortune to be in their way. The Champions who can maintain a semblance of sanity tend to become the leaders of mighty Warbands, leading their fellows into endless battles and slaughters, eager to feed the Blood God's savage hunger.
Khârn the Betrayer
The greatest of all of Khorne's Champions, please see Khârn the Betrayer for more information on this mighty warrior.
Human Servants
While Space Marine Berzerkers are at the forefront of Khorne's worshipers, human servants are welcome as well. Sometimes soldiers, and more often warriors, Khorne will encourage all who are willing to spill blood for him.
While not as infamed, most of Khorne's followers are human or mutants who have given themselves over to rage and violence, or the worship of Khorne for the sake of killing. Many of Khorne's followers organize themselves into warbands, or underground blood- and warrior-cults festering under Imperial society. Perhaps the most infamous and successful army of humans gathered in Khornate worship is the Blood Pact.
Daemons
Alongside Khorne's mortal worshipers are his legions of Daemons. These savage creatures are the literal embodiment of Khorne's will and mortal rage and hatred. On occasion, they will break through into the material universe to aid any Chaos forces that summon them, or by the will of their master to harvest blood and skulls.
Bloodthirsters
Bloodthirsters are the Greater Daemons of Khorne and are the most savage and warlike of the Bloodgod's servants. Their bloodlust extends beyond mortal comprehension and their power is said to be only matched by the Primarchs of old. They manifest as towering, muscular behemoths with bestial, almost canine faces, bloodied manes and sharp horns and are clad in the Brass Armour of Khorne which protects them from magic spells and from ranged attacks.More noteworthy are their great leathery wings that allow them to dive into the midst of battle. In combat they use immense Axes that have been forged in the heat of Khorne's wrath and bear the essence of a caged Greater Daemon in conjunction a long whip that allows them to attack farther foes.
Bloodletters
The Lesser Daemons known as Bloodletters are the eager foot soldiers of Khorne. As a host, they march as one, in formations with supernatural precision, 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 that reek of blood. Like all of Khorne's creatures they are formidable and ferocious warriors but they are also capable of vile and low tactics The Heralds of Khorne, the most veteran of these Daemons, lead their vast legions to battle. Unlike the armies of other Chaos Gods they tend to march in disciplined regiments accompanied by horns and drums, a living example of Khorne's militarism. However, the craving for skulls, bloodshed and personal glory in battle usually turns this discipline into frenzy once they charge the enemy. Bloodletters are notorious for their fearsome advances, and, being Daemons, exhibit enormous strength considering their body mass. Each Bloodletter is a master of combat, naturally from constantly fighting their brethren in the warp as well as their enemies.
Juggernauts
Juggernauts are the Daemonic Steeds of Khorne. These dim-witted monstrosities combine the most grueling aspects of the Blood God with the skills of his armorers and weapon-smiths. The Juggernaut's heavily armored, partially mechanical bodies are made of living metal and burning blood. They are said to embody the rawest moments of battle, where overwhelming force is prevalent and only the mightiest and toughest can survive. They have their pens within Khorne's realm, constantly fighting against each other and anyone who dares to approach them. Despite of that, each of them has its flesh cut to form a saddle, supposed to become the steed of a mighty follower of Khorne, but only few prove mighty enough and the ground upon which the Juggernauts tread is covered with the remains of once powerful warriors. Those men and daemons who manage to master their chosen mount in a direct confrontation can unleash its immense power against their foes. A Juggernaut moves easily through enemy formations, smashing and crushing almost everything within its path like a living battering ram. Though they can withstand the attacks of regular infantry with ease, they are not invulnerable and anti-tank weaponry in particular has proven effective against them.
Flesh Hounds
Flesh Hounds are the Daemonic Beasts of Khorne and exist to hunt down the enemies of Khorne. They are tireless predators that possess a crimson skin as durable as mesh armor, massive claws and teeth, as well as amazing speed.
Each Flesh Hound has a Collar of Khorne growing out its neck. These protect the Daemon from psychic attacks, making them highly efficient against psykers. Chaos forces often use them to track down and eliminate specific targets such as enemy commanders or hidden foes. Large packs of Flesh Hounds are known to prowl the wastes outside the Blood God's Realm where they pose a threat to any other Daemon who crosses their way.
Daemon Princes
While most of Khorne's worshipers will end their journey in death, a select few will please him enough that he will elevate them to a Daemon Prince. Becoming a Daemon Prince is the loftiest and ultimate goal of any follower of Chaos, and apotheosis to this state will mean incredible power, eternal life, and an eternity of waging wars.
Khorne's daemon princes are the souls who have gained enough honor or spilled enough blood to please Khorne enough that he would have them fight for him for eternity, and they are all warrior daemons without exception.