Are Skaven Aligned With Chaos? Unraveling the Rodent Conspiracy
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of whether the Skaven are truly aligned with Chaos is a complex one, mired in the dark corners of Warhammer lore. The simple answer is yes, absolutely, the Skaven are fundamentally a Chaos faction, though not in the same way as the dedicated followers of the four Great Powers. They are warped creatures of Chaos, inherently tied to the destructive forces that threaten the Old World, but their unique nature and motivations often lead to misunderstandings regarding their relationship with the Ruinous Powers.
The Skaven: Children of Chaos, But Not Servants
The Skaven are, at their core, creatures born from the corrupting influence of Chaos. Their very existence is a testament to its warping power. They are a race of humanoid rat-creatures, mutated and twisted by the raw energies of Warpstone, which is essentially solidified pure Chaos energy. Their society is a chaotic mess of backstabbing and infighting, driven by a relentless, megalomaniacal desire to dominate and consume. Their nature is inextricably linked to Chaos; they are essentially its rodent spawn.
However, their relationship with the Chaos Gods is not straightforward. They do not universally kneel before Khorne, Nurgle, Tzeentch, or Slaanesh. Instead, they primarily worship their own deity, the Great Horned Rat, a lesser Chaos God who is also fundamentally a part of the Chaos pantheon. This focus on their own god, and their self-serving ambition, distinguishes them from the more traditional Chaos factions who devote themselves to the aforementioned four gods.
The Horned Rat: A Lesser Chaos God
The Horned Rat embodies the Skaven’s nature perfectly: selfish, destructive, and ever-hungry for power. His sacred number is 13, and his symbol, the rough equilateral triangle, is a ubiquitous sight in Skaven society. He is a deity of decay, vermin, and plague, and mirrors the destructive aspects of chaos. While he is a lesser Chaos god compared to the Big Four, he is still an integral part of the Chaos pantheon and has been shown to have designs on ascending fully to the level of the four. In the End Times, this desire finally manifested, further cementing the Skaven’s ties to the warp.
Skaven and Traditional Chaos Factions: A Rocky Relationship
The Skaven are often isolated from other Chaos factions, creating a misconception that they aren’t linked to Chaos. The truth is that they are more likely to fight amongst themselves rather than align with anyone else, and Chaos factions are not immune to their treachery and scheming. Their culture of utter selfishness and backstabbing is antithetical to even the depraved societies of traditional Chaos worshipers. Even the Hordes of Chaos largely avoid alliances with the Skaven.
Their unique nature and their own god, the Horned Rat, also contribute to this isolation. The Skaven focus on their own twisted version of Chaos-driven power makes them a very difficult faction to deal with. They are unreliable, greedy, and will turn on any ally at a moment’s notice.
In-Game Mechanics: A Sign of Chaos Affiliation
In many Warhammer video games, the Skaven are officially classified as a Chaos faction. Their settlements do not suffer from Chaos corruption penalties, and certain game mechanics acknowledge their inherent connection to the forces of chaos. However, they will suffer attrition in heavily corrupted territories. This reinforces that while they may not worship the big four in the traditional sense, they are still deeply linked to the corrupting power of the warp.
The End Times: A Clear Alignment
The End Times of Warhammer Fantasy were a period of profound changes, and during these events, the Skaven’s alliance with chaos became undeniable. As the forces of Chaos surged across the Old World, the Horned Rat became more influential and his goals aligned more explicitly with the overall chaos agenda. He even ascended and joined the four Chaos Gods, cementing their place as a chaos faction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are Skaven immune to Chaos corruption?
While Skaven settlements do not suffer from public order penalties from Chaos corruption, Skaven armies still take attrition damage in high corruption areas. This means they are not immune, but their inherent nature as children of chaos makes them less susceptible to its negative effects within their own settlements.
2. What is Warpstone?
Warpstone is essentially solidified Chaos energy. It is the physical manifestation of the raw power of the warp and is deeply intertwined with the Skaven’s existence.
3. Why are Skaven not in Warhammer 40,000 (40k)?
The Skaven were originally considered for Warhammer 40k, but the technological advancements of the Imperium made it too easy for them to be located and wiped out. This led to their exclusion from the game.
4. Why do people not believe in Skaven?
The Skaven’s existence is often dismissed as myths or misidentified sightings of other creatures like beastmen. The magnitude of the threat they pose is also difficult to accept.
5. Do Skaven have red eyes?
Yes, Skaven have glowing red eyes, a characteristic that enhances their sinister appearance and is attributed to their mutation by warp energy.
6. Are Skaven cannibals?
Yes, the Skaven are notoriously cannibalistic, often eating their own dead and even hunting other Skaven. They will eat almost anything they can get their paws on.
7. What is the most brutal Warhammer faction?
While brutality is rampant in the Warhammer universe, factions like the Tyranids, Chaos Daemons, and Dark Eldar are considered to be among the most morally bankrupt and brutal. Skaven would be close behind.
8. Do Skaven have any allies?
Traditionally, Skaven have no true allies, not even among themselves. Their backstabbing nature makes alliances incredibly difficult, and even other Chaos factions avoid them.
9. Did Skaven destroy the world?
During the End Times, the Skaven contributed to the near-destruction of the Old World by dragging the warpstone moon, Morrslieb, closer. While the world wasn’t completely destroyed, it caused widespread devastation.
10. Can the AI see Skaven Under-Cities?
Skaven Under-Cities are hidden from other players and AI until discovered. The discoverability of these underground settlements increases over time, as their influence grows.
11. Why are there no Skaven in Ulthuan?
Ulthuan, the home of the High Elves, is a floating island. Thus, it has no underground for Skaven to utilize their unique Underway traversal.
12. How intelligent are Skaven?
Skaven intelligence is on par with humans. They have a highly cunning nature despite their chaotic culture. This makes their backstabbing behaviour even more effective.
13. Why do Skaven repeat words?
Skaven speech, known as Queekish, often features rapid, repeated words. This emphasizes their statements and contributes to their unique dialect.
14. What is the Skaven’s relationship with Nurgle?
While their primary god is the Horned Rat, some Skaven see Nurgle as a kindred spirit, worshipping him in secret. However, this is an exception and not the norm.
15. Who is the richest Skaven clan?
Clan Moulder, known for their mutated war-beasts, is one of the wealthiest of all Skaven clans. Their unique creations are highly sought after, bringing them great power and wealth.
Conclusion
The Skaven are a fascinating and complex faction. While their primary allegiance is to the Horned Rat, they are fundamentally creatures of Chaos. Their unique social structure, relentless ambition, and origins intertwined with warp energy clearly identify them as a part of the chaotic forces that threaten the Warhammer world. Despite their lack of traditional alignment with the four Chaos Gods, they remain a powerful and terrifying embodiment of Chaos itself. Understanding their position within the framework of Chaos is crucial to grasping their role within the lore of Warhammer.