Nurgle

From Warhammer 40k

Nurgle is the Chaos god of disease, decay, despair, destruction and rotting death. He is the oldest of the four Chaos gods and is the most involved with the plights of mortals. Many of those affected by his poxes usually turn to him in order to escape the pain caused by sickness. Nurgle is depicted as a large hulking figure covered in oozing sores and vivid marks of decay. The traitorous Death Guard Chaos Space Marine Legion serve him solely.

Nurgle's anti-thesis is Tzeentch, the Lord of Change, because, where Tzeentch seeks to build, and plot, and scheme, Nurgle only seeks to destroy, and break down.

Nurgle's sacred number is seven, His colours those of rot and ruin.

Nurgle also embodies the will of mankind to struggle on no matter what opposes them, albeit perversely. Suffering, death, etc: the human race pushes these things from their minds and tries to forget them by living in the moment. For this reason he, his daemons and followers usually demonstrate a disturbing joy at the pestilence that he inflicts, seeing the plagues as gifts and the cries of their victims as gratitude rather than agony. He is often referred to as "Grandfather Nurgle," "Father Nurgle" or "Papa Nurgle" by his followers because of this paternal stance.

It has recently been uncovered that Nurgle is in possession of the Eldar God Isha. (rescued from Slaanesh's imprisonment) He utilizes her for his experiments creating new contagions and diseases to spread into the universe. With her powers of healing, she quickly regenerates from these tests, although Nurgle gleans what information is desired from the temporary effect. Secretly, she whispers the cures to these diseases to the mortal of the universe.

[edit] Nurgle's Daemons

• Nurglings resemble tiny versions of Nurgle himself and often accompany the champions of Nurgle into combat.
• Plague Bearers are of vaguely humanoid appearance, with a single burning eye. They are often referred to as the "Tallymen of Nurgle", for they constantly strive to number the poxes and represent the need of humanity to impose order on a chaotic and uncaring universe.
• Beasts of Nurgle look like giant slugs with lots of tentacles and the outlook of overexcited puppies.
• Great Unclean Ones are massive, bloated disease carriers. They usually carry a blade known as a Plague Sword into battle. These massive, rusted blades are said to be dipped in the foul pus and contagion at the base of Nurgle's throne. In the second Space Wolves novel, they are revealed to have an annoyingly and disgustingly warped sense of humor.

The inspiration for Nurgle comes from the Babylonian god Nergal.

The Major Powers of Chaos
Khorne • Nurgle • Slaanesh • Tzeentch