Is the Skaven God a Chaos God? Unraveling the Great Horned Rat
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The short answer is yes, the Skaven deity, the Great Horned Rat, is definitively a Chaos God within the Warhammer universe. However, his status is complex and often viewed differently by the other, more established Chaos Gods. While he embodies many aspects of Chaos, his position is often seen as lesser, and he’s sometimes viewed with disdain by the likes of Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, and Slaanesh. He isn’t part of the ‘Big Four’ but rather a powerful entity who rose to godhood through different means, solidifying his place as a significant force in the grand cosmic struggle. The Horned Rat is a potent and volatile god, deeply intertwined with the very essence of Skaven society and their destructive nature.
The Great Horned Rat: A God of Verminous Chaos
The Great Horned Rat embodies the chaotic nature of the Skaven race. He is the god of disease, decay, vermin, ambition, and, above all, destruction. He is usually depicted as a colossal rat with curved horns, a terrifying image that resonates with the Skaven and embodies their own treacherous and opportunistic nature. He’s worshipped with fanatic zealotry by the Skaven, a chaotic and corrupt race that has spread throughout the world in a network of hidden warrens and tunnels.
A Lesser God or an Ascending Power?
While undeniably a Chaos God, the Horned Rat isn’t considered one of the original and most powerful members of this sinister pantheon. He’s often labelled as a “godling” or a lesser Chaos God by the greater powers like Khorne, Nurgle, Tzeentch and Slaanesh. His power stems from the worship of the countless Skaven rather than the psychic resonance of humanity like the other four. However, the lore hints at the Horned Rat’s potential for growth. Notably, during the End Times, he is theorized to have ascended and joined the ranks of the “Big Four,” solidifying his place in the chaos pantheon, at least for a time. This ascent shows that his nature is volatile and has the potential to eclipse the others.
The Realm of Ruin: A Scar on Chaos
The Horned Rat’s domain within the Realm of Chaos, known as the Realm of Ruin, is viewed with contempt by other Chaos Gods. It is seen as a scar on the purity of Chaos, a testament to the raw and base nature of the Skaven he represents. This is because it is more focused on ruin than other aspects of Chaos such as slaughter, change, disease, or hedonism. The existence of the realm itself, is a further sign that the Horned Rat is a proper Chaos god, though viewed differently by the others.
Skaven and Their Chaotic Relationship
The Skaven are, by nature, deeply intertwined with Chaos. They are constantly exposed to the energies of Warpstone, which is essentially solidified pure Chaos energy. This exposure is not only their source of power and mutation, but also makes them prone to chaotic impulses and behavior. However, they are not seen as allies by other Chaos forces.
Unlikely Allies, Hated by All
Skaven are notoriously untrustworthy and self-serving, making them unlikely allies for anyone, including the other Chaos factions. Their armies are seldom seen fighting alongside other Chaos hordes. This is because their nature is primarily self-serving, and they would likely betray any alliance at a moment’s notice. The Skaven prioritize their own goals and survival, viewing others as pawns or enemies. Even within their own society they have no real allies, the constant war between the Skaven clans is proof enough of this.
Nurgle and Skaven: A Twisted Kinship
While they are not aligned with Nurgle, some Skaven secretly worship the god of disease and decay. This can be seen as a perverse respect, as Nurgle embodies many aspects of Skaven existence – filth, decay, and a relentless propagation. This secret worship, however, is not part of the main cult of the Skaven and does little to change their primary devotion to the Horned Rat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the symbol of the Great Horned Rat?
The symbol of the Great Horned Rat is a rough equilateral triangle. This simple symbol is present in Skaven architecture and markings.
2. What is the sacred number of the Skaven and the Horned Rat?
The sacred number of the Skaven and their god is 13. This number is associated with bad luck and chaos. Skaven will make use of the number 13 whenever possible, in anything ranging from war bands to tunnels.
3. How is the Great Horned Rat different from the “Big Four” Chaos Gods?
The Great Horned Rat is often considered a lesser Chaos God, while the Big Four (Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, and Slaanesh) are the most powerful and prominent. His power is largely derived from Skaven worship, and his realm within Chaos is not regarded as being as pure by the other gods. He has only started to be mentioned on their level during the End Times.
4. Do Skaven typically ally with other Chaos factions?
No, Skaven are generally unreliable allies and avoid alliances even amongst themselves, let alone with the other Chaos forces. Their treacherous nature and focus on self-preservation make them poor partners.
5. Is Warpstone related to the Horned Rat?
Yes, Warpstone, the physical manifestation of pure Chaos energy, is intrinsically linked to both the Skaven and the Horned Rat. It powers their magic, fuels their mutations, and is a core element of their society.
6. Are Skaven immune to Chaos corruption?
While Skaven don’t suffer the same public order penalties as other races when exposed to Chaos corruption, their armies still take attrition in highly corrupted areas. This means they cannot ignore the effect of Chaos.
7. What is the nature of Skaven society?
Skaven society is described as wretched, vile, violent, and corrupt. Every skaven is said to be egomaniacal, ambitious, paranoid, and hateful. This nature is a perfect reflection of their chaotic god.
8. Do Skaven reproduce like regular rats?
No. Skaven have females hidden deep within their hives, kept in a drugged stupor and continuously breeding. This is a tragic existence and another sign of the cruelty in the Skaven’s nature.
9. Why do some Skaven worship Nurgle?
Some Skaven see Nurgle, the god of decay, as a kindred spirit and secretly worship him because his domain is similar to their own. This worship, however, is not mainstream and is an exception rather than the norm.
10. Are Skaven always seen in the battlefield in Warhammer?
Skaven are not always seen in the battlefield, but their armies are certainly powerful. However, their primary focus on scheming and political maneuvering often overshadows their prowess in open conflict. Their numbers, however, do give them a strong advantage.
11. Did Skaven destroy the world in Warhammer lore?
During the End Times, Skaven did not fully destroy the world, but they played a major role in its cataclysmic near destruction, and managed to drag Morrslieb, a moon made of warpstone, closer to the planet. The subsequent impact caused wide spread devastation.
12. Why is the Empire of men often ignoring the Skaven?
The Empire ignores the Skaven as a focus on the Under-Empire is a threat to Skavendom enough to unite them. It is far more resource efficient to let them kill themselves than fight them.
13. Do Skaven have red eyes?
Yes, Skaven are described as having glowing red eyes that can be seen in the dark. This is a characteristic feature of their rat-like appearance.
14. Is Sigmar a Chaos God?
While debated, lore suggests that any deity that is born of the Warp is a type of Chaos God. Therefore, Sigmar could technically be described as a Chaos god as he fits that description, but not in the way that is typically understood.
15. What are the other named Chaos gods beside the big four and the Horned Rat?
Other named Chaos Gods include Malal (also known as Malice), which is the god of anarchy and terror. There are also two unnamed Chaos Gods referenced in 40k lore.