Obviously the citizens of the Empire know about Chaos – enough for normal folk to avoid it at all costs. But how much common (or uncommon) knowledge is there about the things that as players we all know about – four chaos gods, demons, beastmen, etc. I've always played WFRP with the assumption that most people know almost nothing about Chaos, to the point that many people are in denial about many aspect of Chaos ("Mutant beastman in the hills? What nonsense!"). Although I'm not sure that this fits with GW's current vision of the Warhammer world.

Anyway, as an extension of this, I am wondering if there is material out there that mentions alternative (and more subtle) names for the Chaos gods? The reason I ask is because I think of WFRP as, in some ways, being like Call of Cthulhu. There are dark, terrible gods but no one knows about them, and when characters encounter them, or their cults, they are referred to by names which don't reveal their true identity eg. "the black man" for Nyarlathotep.

Cheers.

Tome of Corruption for WFRP 2nd Ed has a list of alternate names and it also tells you who uses them.

In general knowledge seems to be that people know it exists, they know cults exist and the know beastmen exist but they know almost nothing of its nature. To most people the Ruinous powers are simply the enemy that worship dark gods and who should be feared and shunned. This is something that has been missing from the WFRP 3 materials IMO, extensive background information. The WFRP 2 books were full of useful stuff about the nature of things in the warhammer world, the WFRP 3 stuff seems to give only the most cursory information and hope that the players and GM can work things out from there.

I dont like that to find out alot of stuff about Warhammer you have to look beyond the WFRP 3 materials even in topics that they have supposedly covered. I may be wrong as I haven't looked at the newer stuff that closely but it seems to be a problem, feel free to correct me.

Kaihlik

sound advice kaihlik

another way to look at it, is from our own world perspective. In Medieval europe most persons where christians, and feared the devil, demons and witches. Although their understanding of theology is next to nothing, the priests did their to ensure the threat is REAL.

So in warhammer I quess most people in the Empire learn of Chaos through the brimstone speeches of zealous Sigmarite priests. That and gossip from the local tavern.

I think you are right that the common man wouldn't be able to call the different chaos gods by names, but refer to them as the Ruinous powers or Chaos itself. Beastmen and Chaos cults happens with the same frequency (or less) than that of banditt attacks, so most old worlders at least have a concept about it. It happens often enough that the idea circulates and gravitates into the common knowledge.

I like the idea of using other names on the different chaos gods, it kinda add more mystic. are they up against a cult of Tzeentch? or Slaanesh? not knowing will def. upset my players ....so yeah, I'm gonna do that more often, than just say, "the Tzeentch cultists stand arround a sacrifical altar, chanting as their magus do an impressive moonwalking".

thanks for sharing your ideas

Good gaming

"Moonwalking priests" good image

Believe it or not I have players who next to *nothing* about the warhammer world! I'm looking forward to introducing them to the ruinous effects of chaos very, very slowly...

I'll hunt down that Tome of Corruption from 2nd ed. too, thanks for the suggestion.

Hi (SPOILER ALERT)

I forgot to mention that the chaos cults often have very inventive names for their "shindings", like the cult of the Eldritch Eye.

Some famous (infamous) Chaos cults:

Khorne (the Blood God, the Skull Lord, the Master of Battle, the Slaughterer): The Crimson Skull, Brass Sisters (hmm the last one is kinda funny)
Nurgle (The Lord of Pestilence, the Great Corruptor, the Master of Plague, the Fly Lord): Children of Doom, Followers of the Foetid Maw
Slaanesh (the Pleasure Lord, the Master, the Despoiler, the Serpent, the Prince of lies): Sybarites, The Bleak Society
Tzeentch (the Changer of Ways, the Master of Fortune, the Great Conspirator, the Architect of Fate): The Purple Hand, Red Crown,

since you like the CoC angle of wfrp ToC offers some famous forbidden grimoires like:

The Celestine Book of Divination
Catalogue of Flesh
Codex of Unspeakable Damnation
Liber Malefic
Tome of Corruption.

If you can track down the out-of print book, you certainly will not be dissapointed. it's a gold nugget.

Good gaming

Mal Reynolds said:

I really like some of the names for Khorne/Tze, Master of Battle/Fortune, and Architect of Fate. These names sounds positive, but are disguises for a sinister master... want to find more "good" names for the gods...

All good suggestions, thanks!

In the liber chaotica texts, the gods carried many nicknames. Like Old Grandfather for Nurgle.

In my Dark Heresy campaign, I had it that the cult that they were after worshipped a Daemon Prince of Tzeentch named after Tsathuggua.

They also, as Mal Reynolds said, searched for Tomes of Corruption which included rituals that would prevent the awakening of said Daemon Prince. Books right out of Lovecraft such as "Der Vermis Mysteriis" and "Unspeakable Cults".

Great stuff. Oh yeah the TOme of Corruption (from v2) is a TREASURE TROVE of ideas.

The Tome of Corruption in book form is stupidly expensive now so I wouldnt recomend going out and buying one but you can buy a digital copy here rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php .

Kaihlik