Are All Chaos Space Marines 10,000 Years Old? Unraveling the Timelines of the Traitor Legions
The short answer is a resounding no. Not all Chaos Space Marines are 10,000 years old, at least not in the way you might initially think. While the Horus Heresy, the cataclysmic event that splintered the Imperium and birthed the Chaos Space Marines, occurred roughly 10,000 years ago, the passage of time for these corrupted warriors is far from linear. The warp, the dimension of pure psychic energy that fuels their dark powers, twists and distorts time, leading to a complex and often confusing reality for the fallen Astartes.
The Warped Reality of the Eye of Terror
The primary reason Chaos Marines aren’t uniformly 10,000 years old is the Eye of Terror, the massive warp storm where the majority of the traitor legions reside. Within this chaotic maelstrom, time flows unevenly. Some may experience decades or even centuries in a mere Earth-standard year, while others might perceive mere weeks or days passing when hundreds of years have elapsed in real space. This warped temporal reality means that many Chaos Marines, though participants in the Horus Heresy, haven’t actually lived through a full 10,000 years in subjective experience.
Time Distortion: A Double-Edged Sword
This time distortion isn’t always a blessing for the Chaos Marines. It can lead to cognitive dissonance and a loss of perspective. Some might find themselves clinging to memories of the Heresy as if it were only yesterday, struggling to adapt to the ever-changing present. Others might find their memories fading, becoming mere legends rather than lived experiences. This variation in perception contributes greatly to the fractured and often unpredictable nature of the Chaos legions.
The Case of the Night Lords
As highlighted in the writings of Aaron Dembski-Bowden, particularly within the Night Lords series, some Chaos Space Marines even openly discuss their varying perceptions of time since the Heresy. They acknowledge that while the Imperium speaks of 10,000 years, for them it might have only been a few centuries or even less. This reinforces the notion that subjective experience, shaped by the warp’s influence, matters more than simple chronological age for many of these fallen warriors.
Biological Immortality vs. Warp-Induced Longevity
It is important to distinguish between the biological immortality granted to all Space Marines via their genetic modification and the warp-induced longevity experienced by Chaos Marines. Space Marines, regardless of their allegiance, are built to resist aging and disease. However, they can be killed in battle, which is the most common end for most Astartes.
Chaos Space Marines, through their close connection to the warp, sometimes extend their lifespans further by embracing the dark powers offered by Chaos. Some may even be granted “gifts” by the Chaos Gods, such as the ability to reincarnate or to exist as a wraith-like spirit. While this can lengthen their existence well beyond the normal life expectancy of an Astartes, this is different to a linear measure of time.
Attrition and the Cycle of War
Even with the warp’s strange time, the constant warfare, betrayals, and violent nature of chaos reduces the numbers of original traitor marines from the heresy. Not all Chaos Space Marines embrace these powers. Many die violently in battle and are replaced by newly corrupted Astartes or recruits. This means that while some few original heretics exist, and others are effectively immortal through warp powers, the majority of chaos marines are not original veterans of the heresy. Many have been recruited in the millennia since, and it’s only a small number of the original traitors who are still alive, even in their warped state.
The Longest-Lived Traitor Astartes
It’s worth noting that some of the most renowned Chaos Space Marines, such as Abaddon the Despoiler, Kharn the Betrayer, and Ahriman, are indeed survivors of the Horus Heresy. However, as emphasized before, the time they’ve experienced could be significantly less than 10,000 years, or more, depending on their personal experiences within the warp. Their survival is a testament to their power, cunning, and blessings bestowed upon them by their dark gods. They might have served since the Great Crusade, but it is impossible to say for sure how long they have actually experienced since that time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do any Space Marines die of old age?
No. Space Marines are engineered to be biologically immortal and will not die of old age. Their end usually comes in battle.
2. How does the warp affect time for Chaos Space Marines?
The warp can distort the passage of time, with some experiencing time faster or slower than those in real space.
3. How old is the oldest Space Marine not in a dreadnought?
The oldest Space Marine not in a dreadnought is Commander Dante of the Blood Angels, who is approximately 1,500 years old.
4. What is the longest lifespan a Space Marine can have?
Theoretically, a Space Marine could live indefinitely, however, only a few reach even thousands of years of service.
5. How are Chaos Space Marines made?
Chaos Space Marines are made either by corrupting loyal Astartes or by recruiting new aspirants through dark rituals.
6. What are the nine traitor legions?
The nine traitor legions are: World Eaters, Emperor’s Children, Iron Warriors, Death Guard, Thousand Sons, Sons of Horus (later Black Legion), Word Bearers, Night Lords, and Alpha Legion.
7. Is there a god that Space Marines worship?
Space Marines generally worship the Emperor of Mankind as a god-like figure, and believe in the Imperium and his will.
8. Who was the first Chaos Marine?
While different traitors fell at different times, Erebus and Kor Phaeron are often credited as the first to embrace chaos openly.
9. How old is Bjorn the Fell-Handed?
Bjorn the Fell-Handed is a Space Wolves Dreadnought over 10,000 years old and is the oldest living Astartes in the Imperium.
10. Do all Chaos Space Marines worship all the Chaos Gods?
No. While many follow Chaos Undivided, some continue to focus their worship on a particular Chaos God such as Khorne, Nurgle, Slaanesh or Tzeentch.
11. Can Space Marines reproduce?
No. Space Marines are made sterile by their genetic modifications.
12. What is the Eye of Terror?
The Eye of Terror is a massive warp storm and the main domain of Chaos. It is a space where reality and time are greatly distorted.
13. What is the oldest Chapter of Space Marines?
The oldest chapter of Space Marines would be one of the First Founding chapters created during the Great Crusade, like the Ultramarines or Imperial Fists.
14. How do Space Marines recruit new members?
Space Marines recruit new members from young individuals who are deemed genetically compatible and who endure the harsh trials of becoming an Astartes.
15. How old can a Space Marine recruit be?
Space Marines are typically recruited in their late teens or early adulthood, typically between the ages of 16 and 18.
In conclusion, while the shadow of the Horus Heresy stretches across the millennia, shaping the destiny of the galaxy, it is crucial to understand that the time experienced by Chaos Space Marines is far more complex than a simple numerical count. The warp’s influence ensures that their history is as distorted and chaotic as their very nature.