Creation Of Chaos By Tony Kenealy Since the day that the first Ryft Gate was opened, the races of Genayria have unwittingly been drawing the power of Chaos closer to the world. As a Ryft Gate opens, a tunnel through the Warp is created; a tunnel that passes through the Chaos realms beyond the world of Man. To control a Ryft Gate takes tremendous power and concentration, one lapse in concentration and the power of the Warp can tear through the event horizon, and the essence of Chaos can crash through the tunnel walls and corrupt any who pass through. Over the years many a traveler has been lost. Many never return, but are lost in the void as the protection of the tunnel disintegrates, lost to a life of despair and torment as exposure to the Warp corrupts and mutates all it touches. Others emerge from the Ryft Gate, changed, twisted and mutated, from minor deformities to those who are mutated beyond all recognition. In the early days of the Ryft Gates, as wizards perfected the magic for controlling them, occurrences of Ryft Gates collapsing as the tunnels failed to hold back the Warp, although not common, happened and it is these events that paved the way for the Chaos incursions in the future. As the art was perfected, Ryft Gates rarely collapsed, unless the wizard desired it to fulfill his own plans. Whole armies have even been lost in this manner. During a feud between the Dwarves of the Glass Mountains and Becketshire Regency, the Dwarf infantry, under the command of Grist Windhammer entered the Ryft Gate. The plan was to emerge near the Becketshire stronghold of Rothar, to attack the Becketshire Swordsmen stationed there. Tales were later told of the creatures that emerged on the other side. Creatures, the like of which had never been seen before. The Dwarven army, only recognizable by the armour they wore, had mutated into creatures from nightmares. There were extra heads and arms, skin covered in putrid sores that oozed pus and a stench of decay that was overpowering. Those corrupted by Chaos as they pass through the Warp often emerge in a dazed and confused state, and it was this confusion among the Dwarves as well as the legendary skill and determination of the Becketshire Swordsmen that saved Rothar that day. The toll though was great. Many a good Swordsman died that day fighting against horrors that haunted any who saw them until the day they died. As the use of the Ryft gates increased, more and more corruptions occurred, and these creatures felt the pull of the Blighted Wastelands to the south, to the areas where death and decay seemed to fester and grow in the very earth itself. The pockets of Chaos energy found there were the result of Ryft Gates that had been ensnared by the Warp and ripped out of the void. The resulting explosions of energy had shrouded what were to become the Blighted Wastelands with Chaos energy, the very land itself being corrupted and infected, never able to sustain natural life again. All across Genayria, pockets of Chaos energy can be found but nowhere as concentrated as the Blighted Wastelands. Over the centuries many Chaos hordes have roamed the land, vast terrifying armies that brought death and destruction to their enemies. Regardless of their origins, once mutated creatures become part of the Chaos horde, all others were considered their enemies. All manner of creatures accompany these armies, nightmare creatures that originated within the Warp. Managing to break through and find passage to Genayria, via the Ryft Gates, they joined the Chaos hordes and become part of the nightmare. Some such creatures are the Terrors. The Blue and Pink Terrors, with their powerful arms and legs, rush into ranks of opponents, with no thought for their own safety, ripping the enemy limb from limb. Pink Terrors are known for their constant cackling, a noise that can drive any opponent to insanity. The Yellow Terrors, although the smallest, can swarm over an enemy, overpowering them just by sheer weight of numbers. These terrors have less of a grip on the real world and it is not unheard of to see Yellow Terrors being sucked back into the void. The Red Terrors, known as the Blooders by the Regency, although not as common, are just as deadly. These are the only Terrors to wield weapons and their toughened hide gives excellent protection from any enemy. Other creatures such as Infernos can devastate the closed formation ranks of an enemy. Infernos can project short-range flame attacks that can rush through the ranks, burning everything they touch, routing even the most stout hearted. Other races have willingly joined the Chaos hordes. The Dragon Ogres, a once proud and ancient race have, over the centuries, developed a hatred for all the races. Feuds between Dragon Ogres and Men, Elves and Dwarves have resulted in a hatred of these races. For this reason Dragon Ogres can often be seen riding with a Chaos Horde. These huge Ogres, with the lower body of a dragon but the upper torso of an Ogre, are devastating as cavalry as they charge through the enemy ranks, swinging their favoured weapon, an axe, with incredible accuracy. They can often be seen alongside the Chaos Cavalry, whose mutated horses and beasts sweep them forward with wave after wave of lances that will cut any infantry to pieces. One of the strangest weapons used by the Chaos hordes are the Domeheads. These support weapons consist of a large exoskeleton, built to harness and focus the raw rage and power of Chaos energy. These creatures, although their true origin is unknown, wield a great axe and slice their way through the enemy. Due to their heavy armour and the sheer power generated by the exoskeleton, they are almost unstoppable, Chaos energy focused into a giant killing machine. Domehead The Chaos hordes that sweep across Genayria are always led by a Chaos Lord, one of the greatest of which was Xandrokhash. Many an army has been routed by the hordes controlled by this great general. Xandrokhash, his racial origin unknown, rose through the ranks of a Chaos horde that had built a city in the southernmost tip of the Blighted Wastelands, a legendary city known as Khrandahar. As a young Chaos warrior, unrecognizable as Man, Elf or Dwarf, his ambition was great and soon he was climbing through the ranks, disposing of any Chaos Champions who dared to get in his way. As he rose to become a threat to the then Chaos Lord Alkhabash, what ensued was one of the fiercest battles for control ever seen. Xandrokhash, after being ambushed by a group of warriors sent by Alkhabash, went on a rampage of destruction. No one could stand in his way. The legend goes that the battle lasted for days as he cut his way through to the Throne room where Alkhabash sat, surrounded by his elite warriors. Xandrokhash sliced his way through them, in a rage that none could match, blood and a putrid stench filling the Throne room and severed limbs piled up all around. Finally all that stood between him and victory was Alkhabash. The battle between lord and usurper destroyed the throne room as they battled to and fro, smashing through walls, turning the throne room into rubble. But, Xandrokhash's rage was too great and slowly he began to overpower Alkhabash. With one last swing of his sword, Xandrokhash severed Alkhabash's heads from his shoulders. The battle was over and Xandrohash was now Lord of Khrandahar and the Chaos horde was his. Xandrokhash has been seen on many a battlefield, riding a Dark Unicorn that charges its way through the enemy ranks. Few can withstand his might and it is not surprising that Xandrokhash's reign has gone unchallenged for years, but as with the nature of Chaos, a usurper will fight his way through the ranks to challenge him and one day Xandrokhash will be defeated. So as the days turn into years, and the years into centuries, the Ryft Gates continue to be used, but as with anything in the world the balance will be maintained. The good the Ryft Gates can bring will be balanced by the evil they touch and allow entry into the world of Genayria. Chaos Mutation