Chaos Warriors

(art by kunka, source)

If the Sith from Star Wars are an important inspiration for chaotic clerics, then Chaos Warriors from Warhammer are similar inspiration for chaotic fighters. As I mentioned in an early post, Warhammer Fantasy (both Roleplay and Battle) have been an influence in how I have imagined the forces of Chaos in the Known World. 

These ferocious foot soldiers of darkness strike fear into the souls of decent folk for their appetites for death and destruction are never fully satisfied, only temporarily sated. Their pact with the forces of Chaos has given them unnatural strength and power, but at the cost of their souls. 

I do not expect all chaotic fighters to be like this - as with chaotic clerics, many will have a more mundane appearance and often pass as ordinary soldiers. However, they also miss out on some distinct advantages. 

Those who become full Chaos Warriors are often from Hule, the chaos-tainted land to the west of the Known World beyond the Great Waste, acting as the commanders and elite troops of the clerics who rule that accursed realm. Outside of Hule, chaos warriors are outnumbered by normal chaotic fighters, but they may be found as warlords or captains of bands of raiders. An entire company of them are found in Derothgar (the Fortress of the Damned). 

It is strongly recommended that becoming a proper Chaos Warrior is restricted to NPCs only as they can be terribly powerful. The main advantages of being a chaos warrior include:

• Reduced XP requirements (-30%) per level so characters gain levels quicker
• Henchmen can be replaced with monstrous followers (of chaotic alignment, and of less HD than the chaos warrior). 
• Access to demonic weapons, armour and other magic items of chaotic nature (to be detailed later)
• Starting at 3rd level, every 3 levels the Chaos Warrior gets a permanent +1 increase to any ability score, to a maximum of 18 in each ability score. 
• Other aspects (hit points per level, rolls to hit, saving throws etc.) as normal fighters. 

In Warhammer, Chaos warriors may dedicate themselves to one of the four Chaos Gods (Tzeentch, Khorne, Slaanesh and Nurgle) who in turn bestow their own particular boons to their follower that are characteristic of each god.  I won't be using these Chaos Gods in Karameikos (though feel free to use them if you want) - the general assumption is that most chaos warriors are dedicated to Chaos in general. However, it is possible that a chaos warrior may be a follower of a Prince of Chaos. This is usually purely cosmetic/storytelling but the DM may decide that being a follower of a particular Chaos Prince may bring specific benefits.