Tzeentch

Tzeentch is the Chaos God of change, evolution, mutation, intrigue, ambition, knowledge, sorcery, destiny, lies and trickery.

He embodies mortals' desires for improvement, innovation, and progress as well as their dreams of wealth, prosperity, and a better tomorrow. He works to corrupt the aspirations and ambitions of Humanity and xenos alike, and to leverage these hopes and dreams for his own nefarious ends.

He favours subtle weapons: flattering words, enticing temptations, healthy ambitions stoked to traitorous or immoral ends, and above all, schemes within endless schemes. Many a politician, scholar, military officer, or other mortal leader has begun a promising career, altruistic project, or worthwhile intellectual investigation only to find themselves, perhaps prompted by a seemingly well-intentioned colleague who secretly served the Great Conspirator, making moral compromises, moving up the hierarchy at the expense of others, or taking ethically questionable shortcuts.

He schemes simply to scheme. He is constantly building, even as his devices unravel under their own complexity. At the same time, he is the god of knowledge and comprehension, and his devotees may be those who seek a deeper understanding of an often enigmatic universe.

Tzeentch does not care who calls his name, as long as they are willing to make a Faustian pact, where magical power and/or insight and knowledge is granted in exchange for the will and soul of the bargainer.

Tzeentch's opposite force in the Chaos pantheon is Nurgle, who stands for despair and the acceptance of one's fate. Such a form of existence is anathema to Tzeentch, who derives power from the will to change one's destiny.

Tzeentch's sacred number is nine, his colours are typically seen as blue and gold but an ever-changing rainbow of colour is appropriate as well, thus giving the name to the Lord of Change's Daemonic armies, the Scintillating Legions.

NAMES: The "Weaver of All Fates", who spins a tangled web to achieve his incomprehensible ends. The "Great Conspirator", whispering evil counsel in the ears of monarchs, and nurturing murderous ambition and rebellion among their subjects. He plucks the strings of jealousy and resentment to make evil-minded men and women dance like marionettes at his command. The "Great Sorcerer", tempting scholars with forbidden truths, and inspiring wizards to delve into the darkest aspects of their lore. The "Changer of Ways", who watches in fascination as mortal flesh warps at his touch, and as natural form gives way to his anarchic imagination.

APPEARANCES: Tzeentch can take any form he chooses. He is most commonly depicted as a huge, grossly formed humanoid with gangly limbs. He lacks a head, and his face sits squarely in his chest. Two writhing, flexible "horns" ending in hideous faces adorn his shoulders. As he speaks, these two faces whisper in both agreement and contradiction with his statements, or repeat what he says, but with different inflections or subtle nuances, a word different here and there, or in fact provide running commentary or analysis on what he is saying; making it confusing and maddening to hear.

The black orbs of his eyes are said to sparkle like the endless depths of the Empyrean, and his brow is furrowed as though he is ruminating over an unsolvable puzzle. The Winds of Magic curl around him like a rainbow of serpents. Sometimes he is represented as a mist of shifting colours, or as a huge Daemon with a vulturous beak and multi-hued wings. Tzeentch is often referred to as a "he" with the masculine gender, though in fact it has no gender.

TENETS:

• Change is the only constant in the mortal world. To resist it is to incur the wrath of Tzeentch.
• Magic is the greatest force of change in creation, and a person should study its techniques whenever possible.
• To bring Chaos to a land and its people is to invoke change. Topple the foundations of law and order whenever and wherever possible.
• Reject old ways and embrace the new at all times.