Those who live in the Warhammer world do so in constant fear of Chaos. To them it is a two-fold threat - armies of unnatural creatures prowl the borders of the Northlands, while the corrupting influence of Chaos threatens societies from within.

Several times in the history of the Old World the armies of Chaos have swept down through the Northlands and overwhelmed everything in their path and each time they have brought the world to the brink of destruction. Only by paying a bitter price in blood have these foul armies been vanquished and the howling Daemons driven back northwards once again.

These wars have been the most terrible of all the conflicts in the history of the Warhammer world: their destruction is unrivalled by anything else. But each war has been but a test, a sham, a preparation for a greater war that is yet to come. Every battle has been but a touch of the taloned hand of Chaos, probing the human defences. Soon the day will come when the Chaos gods muster their true, horrifying strength, and assault the world. Then all shall be consumed by Chaos and the final darkness will descend, never to leave.

But the monstrosities of Chaos need commanders in the field of battle, generals for their armies. These are the Champions of Chaos, the chosen warriors of the Dark Gods.

Most widely known of the Chaos Champions are the leaders of the armour-clad warriors of Chaos, but many other great leaders follow Chaos as well. Chieftains of the Marauder tribes gather bands of barbarians to pillage the civilised world. Cultist leaders summon their covens to secret meetings in the heartlands of human society. Beastmen Chiefs muster their bestial retinues in the northern wastes and trackless forests of the Empire. And in the Realm of Chaos itself the immensely powerful Greater Daemons and Daemon Princes command the daemonic legions of their masters.

The history of the Champions of Chaos, as recorded by the free people of the Warhammer world, is an account of evil deeds and bitter wars of unrivalled destruction. Fame is fleeting, and most Chaos Champions perish before they can attain their ambition. Even if they are successful, the chances are that the uncaring gods of Chaos will pile mutation upon mutation on their servants until their minds and bodies are destroyed under the strain. These Chaos Spawn, as such mutants are named, become little more than a writhing mass of tentacles with bloated organs that spill onto the ground. No vestige of their former life remains except a vague memory of the humanity they gambled and lost.

Some Champions of Chaos carve their own dark legends. Burning with a blaze of glory, their infamy shines brighter than any star, attempting to capture the attention of their powerful masters. Be it Beastman Chieftains or Chaos Lords, the followers of the Chaos Powers strive to distinguish themselves. Rewards for those who find favour in the eyes of the Dark Gods are great, for there is no wish that the omnipotent Chaos Gods cannot grant. Ultimately, the most successful will be rewarded with the gift of immortality as an unimaginably powerful Daemon Prince.

The road to power begins by offering body and soul to Chaos. There are arcane and unholy rituals to summon the attention of the Chaos Powers, differing according to the god whose favour the supplicant is searching for.

Slaying warriors in combat will attract the watchful gaze of Khorne, the Blood God, eldritch magical rituals please Tzeentch, plague-ridden charnel houses and blasphemous acts of corruption amuse Nurgle, while debauchery and decadence of all kinds win the favour of Slaanesh.

Once a mortal sets foot on the path to Chaos there is no turning back. He must pledge himself to Chaos unconditionally. Whether elevation or damnation awaits, he must accept his fate. From the moment that a Chaos god accepts him there is no escape. He is a slave to darkness for all eternity.

When a Champion is accepted into the service of one of the Dark Gods, he receives a Mark of Chaos and begins to gather followers. Power and decadence always attracts the weak-willed, power-hungry and foolish. This is the reason why the gods of Chaos watch their Champions with such interest.

The more followers the dark glory of their Champion attracts, the greater the following of the patron power becomes, and the more bloated he grows with power. The gods of Chaos direct their Champions by means of dreams, visions, portents and auguries. They expect their commands to be obeyed without question, no matter how bizarre or impossible they seem. Gods of Chaos have many Champions, and they are rarely amused by a single individual for long. Thus the Champion must constantly strive to excel in the service of his master to attract his attention and favour.

The Chaos powers are always eager to recruit free-willed mortals to their service. It is no wonder that so many are lured into the service of Chaos, for the Dark Gods offer a quick and easy way to power and success. If a Champion is favoured by his patron, he can have anything: power, glory, divine beauty, strength, intelligence, and much more. The ultimate reward all Champions of Chaos desire though is immortality! Those that are truly dedicated to their patron will be elevated to the status of Daemonhood thus becoming an immortal Daemon Prince. Then they will leave the mortal world behind and enter the Realm of Chaos to sit at the feet of their master.

Even this is not an end, for there is always room for greater glory If the Daemon Prince serves his master well on the battlefield he will be rewarded. The Daemon Prince may be granted worlds to rule in the Realm of Chaos, armies of Daemons to command or entire nations as his slaves in one of the countless Daemon worlds.

But still the fickle nature of their masters allows the Champions no rest. For there is a hierarchy amongst the Daemons, and they constantly war with each other to attain favour in the eyes of their masters. This internal struggle is encouraged by the Chaos gods who derive endless amusement from the bickering of their servants.