Joining the Cult of Nurgle

[Shin Mefilas]

So after a long time I'm finialy getting back into Warhammer 40k.

I decided to go with Chaos over my old choice the tyranids, but which Chaos god should I theme my army on?

Khone the Blood God? Nope.

Slaanesh the Prince/Princess of Pleasure? Nope

Tzeentch the Changer of Ways? Nope

I'm going with Grandfather Nurgle the Plague Father.

Of the four Gods of Chaos, Nurgle is said to be the most involved with the plight of mortals. Those afflicted by his contagions often turn to him in order to escape their suffering. The physical likeness of Nurgle is described as gigantic and bloated with corruption, with foul-coloured, leathery and necrotic skin. Nurgle can also be regarded as the Lord of All, because all things, no matter how solid and permanent they seem, are liable to physical corruption.

All the Chaos gods are embodiments of the hopes, fears and other strong emotions and concepts generated by the mortal races. In Nurgle's case, the source of power is the living's fear of inevitable death and disease, and their unconscious response to that fear, which is the "power of life", the motivating power of mankind and other races. Nurgle and his daemons, in contrast to their putrid appearance, are jovial and friendly in demeanor. His daemon servants and mortal followers usually demonstrate a disturbing joviality and joy at the pestilence that he inflicts, seeing the plagues as gifts and the cries of their victims as gratitude rather than agony. This is demonstrated on the Daemon World of Bubonicus, where an endless chain of crazed revellers circle the planet's equator in a never-ending dance. Nurgle is often referred to as Grandfather Nurgle, Father Nurgle or Papa Nurgle by his followers because of his paternal nature. His main enemy is Tzeentch, the Lord of Change, because their power comes from opposing sources. Tzeentch is hope and ambition, while Nurgle is defiance born of despair and hopelessness.

Though they strive to embrace each day of life left to them, to forestall the inevitable, those who serve Nurgle must accept their eventual death. They must also believe in the equal certainty of rebirth. This hope for something new and glorious is the great comfort that the Plaguefather has shared with them. It is a hope born from Nurgle’s own understanding of the workings of the universe. Just as his followers have accepted the teachings of their lord, Nurgle himself long ago accepted that decay brings an end to all things, but that through such decay life begins anew. Decay is the victor in all battles, the opposition to which there is no resistance. This is why Nurgle embraces decay as a weapon, as a tool, and as a means of instructing and guiding his followers. Decay is at the core of Nurgle’s philosophy and methods. Blessed with reshaped forms and renewed purpose, the minions of Nurgle become his instruments in the Great Corruption. As vessels and embodiments of decay, mortals and daemons alike are effectively living fuel, powering the great cycle through their actions and, indeed, their simple rotting, infectious presence in the Realm of Chaos and the mortal plane.

Few who pledge themselves to Nurgle do so in the belief that he offers an easy path to power and glory. He does not promise increased influence, brutal strength, or hedonistic excess like his fellows. Those who turn to him for aid are not seeking to make their dreams become reality, to strike down those who stand in opposition, or to be adored by all who know them. No, most mortals who find their way into Nurgle’s foetid embrace wish only for an end to some sort of suffering. They call to him to protect them from the ravages of disease, to save them from the slow, painful death of unchecked infection, or to otherwise spare them from whatever may ail them. There are even some who do not seek him out but are instead visited by one of his messengers and offered a bargain. No matter if they sought his gifts or if they themselves were found, the exchange is never quite what was expected. These mortals have their doubts and fears cast aside. They find that they are no longer caught in the paralysing grip of despair and misery. Their afflictions, however, linger, and are usually joined by other blights. New sores and pustules appear, the foul liquids they contain becoming home to small worms and maggots. Bellies swell and distend, the flesh straining to contain bleeding entrails that push the abdomen outward. Old wounds rip open again spontaneously and invite fresh infections. Whatever diseases or weakness these mortals once sought to leave behind take up permanent residence within their bodies and minds. All this must be accepted as the first lesson Nurgle teaches—decay is inescapable, but also glorious. This knowledge is illuminating for those who follow Nurgle. If all things decay, each moment is a gift. Why not use these moments to shape what is to come and secure a place in it? Why sit idly by wallowing in pain and sorrow when there is so much to do and so little time in which to do it? As these thoughts race through the minds of the newly converted, it dawns on them—their pain is deadened. Even with so many new afflictions, so much rancid corruption of the flesh, the suffering has abated. Hope arrives. For these newest of Nurgle’s adopted children, it is as if the morning fog has lifted and they see the world clearly with fresh eyes. Why had they complained about their poxes and failing bodies? What selfish desires to change their fates had prevented them from realizing their true purpose? Rot, glorious rot, becomes the constant companion for a servant of the Lord of All, instructing them, guiding their path, and reminding them that they are fortunate beyond measure to have been chosen by Nurgle to receive his gifts. Indeed, many discover that the initial malady from which they suffered, the one that drove them to seek salvation in the first place, was actually bestowed upon them by Nurgle. Rather than anger, it is joy that springs from this knowledge. These mortals believe themselves to have been chosen, destined for greatness as a true champion of Nurgle.

Health Warning - Side effects of worshipping Nurgle include (and are not limited to): Boils, scabs, internal bleeding, external bleeding, bleeding from the gums, eyes and ears, sweating, dehydration, carbuncles, rash, puss-filled sores, nausea, vomiting, bloody vomit, black vomit, black & bloody vomit, sneezing, runny nose, dry nose, coughing, dry cough, wet cough, not-so-dry-but-still-raspy coughing, fever, hay fever, athlete's foot, athlete's arm, swimmer's ear, tennis elbow, vertigo, drowsiness, sleepiness, insomnia, mad cow disease, loose bowels, constipation, smallpox, super small pox, black death, genetic disorders, heart attack, blood clots, spilling guts, frothing mouth, rabies, moderate gas, medium gas, severe gas, oh-my-god-who-died gas, mortality, sudden mortality, immortality, super-mortality, Nurgle polymorphism, blood clotting, AIDS, STD's, zombification, parasitic infection, fungal infection, ebola, reduced sex drive, increased sex drive and mild discomfort of the neck. In most cases side effects are generally in the extreme and permanent. Consult your physician before worshiping Nurgle.

In light of my choice I would just like to wish plague and pox upon you all my brothers and sisters of Japan Legend, may Nurgle bless you with cankers.

Edited May 3, 2016 by Prometheus Guyver

[Sully]

The only problem I've had with Nurgle is that look wise it is hard to get the miniatures to look good while also have them looking like they are rotting and infested / bloated almost undead looking plague people. Getting some colour into them is also hard. BUT in saying that if you can pull it off and make them look good I'll be impressed with your crazy painting skills.

[Shin Mefilas]

14 minutes ago, Sully said:

The only problem I've had with Nurgle is that look wise it is hard to get the miniatures to look good while also have them looking like they are rotting and infested / bloated almost undead looking plague people. Getting some colour into them is also hard. BUT in saying that if you can pull it off and make them look good I'll be impressed with your crazy painting skills.

It will take some practice but I am willing to try.

I am going to try out the Death Guard and The Purge's colour schemes first.

  

Edited May 3, 2016 by Prometheus Guyver

[Sully]

My old school epic 40k remains of my Nurgle army salutes you!

[Shin Mefilas]

I am honoured gaze upon my esteemed and very nicely panted plague brothers.

[Shin Mefilas]

The story behind my chaos lord is that he was once a plan human worshipper of Nurgle but when after space marines attacked his cult and he himself was on the verge of death Nurgle granted him a great boon. As his body died his rancid heart burst from his chest, sprouting insect like features. The heart then attacked a space marine  that was separated from his squad, burrowing into his body and possessing him. Reborn in this new and powerful body and his heart full of love for his god, he took the name Plagueheart and swore to share Nurgle's gifts with all the galaxy.

Edited May 3, 2016 by Prometheus Guyver