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Hello, I've come here seeking aid, lore-wise, concerning my Chaos Warband. I've purchased quite a few Chaos Space Marine and Nurgle Marine units... With oodles of Cultists and Pox-Walkers for a meager horde vibe. The whole concept was an infantry based army, tons of smaller squads (Cultists and Pox-Walkers) covering large portions of the battlefield, sponging attacks, until I could either drop or manuever my dastardly melee units.

Anyways, my horrible tactics aside, I've been trying to contrive a lore background behind them. I'm aware people usually go the genocidal route with Chaos but seeing how it's Nurgle, I wanted a 'layered' background.
Yes, incredibly snow-flakey/mary-sue/ whatever have you but hear me out before hanging me from the rafters.

My idea's aren't based around moving from one world to another, spreading space-aids and typhoid. There's enough massacres and meat-grinders happening, there's no question about that. So, what happens after these planet sundering wars? The Guard, Xeno, Heretic, whomever moves onto greater conquest; broad but lets go with it.
When the shells have been exhausted and would-be saviors/conquerors have done their job, hundreds of thousands, millions, perhaps even billions are left with virtually nothing. Say an Imperial Industrial world fresh from an invasion. So much industry and man-power has decimated the world is left to fend for themselves. You'll have food shortage, disease, no-mans lands, and decade old mine fields widdling the already depleted populace. Children are born mutated from radiation leeks in ruined Mechanicus temples or worse. What are they to do? Pray for salvation, a miracle, anything to grant but a sliver of respite from their trying lives.

The example I presented isn't an uncommon one. Among the million worlds in the Imperium, situations like that are a dime a dozen.

My Warband would, in essence, answer these prayers. Those who were truly devoted to living, thriving in such a grim reality will inadvertently call for my warband. (Not even sure what I'm calling them yet)
Thoughts, dreams, emotions have their own reflections within the Warp. So, enough desperate individuals wishing and dreaming creates a sort-of lure for my Warband. Nurgle is the god of Pestilence and Decay, yet, on a deeper level, he's the representation of Life and Vitality... Err, along those lines.

The Plague Marines themselves are sentries, similar to Rubric Marines. Their purpose is providing protection for cultists prophets. They'll arriving with cures, provisions, freaking blankets while preaching the gospel of Great Father, Nurgleth, Great Grand Diddy.
By accepting these gifts, they're accepting Nurgleth as their savior. Everything they consume and drink is tainted/blessed by Warp-fethery (Can't say F-Word). Their prayers have been answered, and as more become truly devoted, even indoctrinated followers, their plagues and mutations become irrelevent. Whatever aches and pains plagued them before have vanished by accepting Nurgleth/The Great Grand Diddy into their hearts.

The fear of hostile worlds and contaminated landscapes dissipate entirely. They've been granted a second chance to live without fear or agony.

Personally, I like to think it's a fine idea yet, as it stands, it's a broad idea that needs one too many tweeks.

There are conflicts involving them but I don't want that to be the focus. The substantial conflicts occur during after the Great Rift. Before that basically PDF resistance, Eldar Intervention, Ork Purges, nothing over the top.
I'm committed to making this Warband devoted Nurgle zealots, who are committed to preserving life. So the whole putrid and decaying aspect is saved for later as I'm currently painting them in a more botanical, earthy feel. Take my Pox-Walkers, they're walking insect hives covered in moss and greenery. (Still taking painting class and practicing but I'm hoping the models will be done by the end of next month.)

What I'm looking for here is help better representing Nurgle beyond the scope of what's normally scene. I've always been inspired by his concept and what he represents in 40K. And don't get me wrong, I know Plague Marines are freaking gnarly and this is 40K. Those who won't accept their gospel become... Hmm, lets say fertilizer.

List of things I need help with:
- Any help pointing out lore flaws or how I could better implament Nurgle attributes would be fantastic.

- What means of transport should I use? I'm thinking a bizarre mass of earth and flesh wrapped around a Space Hulk cause GrimDark.

- I like the idea that they exist within the Warp, only breaking into real-space to spread their word BUT! is that even possible? I've read in the Word Bearers Omnibus/Kol Badar and Friends they travelled without geller fields. However, in the Night Lords, doing so lead to a flood of bad-juju devouring a bunch of Red Corsairs. So help on that would save me a lot of trouble.

- My Chaos Marines can produce most the organs (Grow-Op featuring the non-believer) and make new Marines, when it's necessary. (Again, not looking to make overtly uber-awesome Warband) They can't produce Black Carapace, so for my own Nurgly spice, have them apply a sticky sap (Not sure on the name). This sap substitutes the Black Carapce is Warp tainted. After applied, bounds their bodies to their armor. So after the year or so, it's never coming off. They'll continually grow entombed in Power Armor. Sometimes plates will eventually fracture as iron-hard fat/bark outgrow the restrictive armor... I think it's a neat idea but any idea's via Chaos Marine is always welcomed.

- The Hierarchy... That's something I'm not even sure how to go about. Almost always it's the Marines kicking the lowly non-genehanced human. However, in my case, they're... God this sounds weird but passivists. The Marines represent what Nurgle can grant the truly devote and wage war only when necessary. They obviously maintain a constant drilling and training regime but that's where it ends. So, would it be weird to have Pox-Walkers/Cultists represent a priestly class, perhaps even be equals among their Astarte's peers?

- I'm still reading Margret Atwood's 'The Year of the Flood' and it's been quite inspirational. I've been writing up odd religious texts and fiddling with hymns. If anyone could suggest any sites or reads that might inspire or, if any exist, religions similar to Nurgle would be quite the help.

Thanks for reading this far and I look forward to reading your replies.

Also, any and all discussion regarding Nurgle is greatly encouraged!

There is so much great stuff here worth noting. It really meshes well with the Nurgle style.

The idea of them preaching to the refugees of war is a great idea. historically, disease outbreaks happen during this time, so Nurgle fits right in here. It also reminds me of the 'christ-like figure', a prophet who preached to the lepers and the poor. Handing out tainted supplies is good, but I would focus on a more 'verbal' poison. Missionaries could teach the philosophy that pain and misery is good; that it makes you stronger and superior for living in anguish. Like Job from the bible.

I think a flotilla of different ships would fit your theme better. Civilians ships, mass haulers and derelict battleships. Those vessels forgotten or left behind after battle are never too broken for the followers of Nurgle. This warband collects forgotten machines as well as forgotten people.

Existing in the warp is a little far out there, it kills anything that enters it, cultist or not. But perhaps they call on something that can live in the warp. An individual who ascended to the title of demon prince, or a demon they regularly devote themselves to. They move to a new world and open the way for this denizen of the warp.

The hierarchy is a difficult one. There are plenty of normal people who achieved power and favour with chaos, more than some chaos marines. But it's hard to see a human ordering a chaos space marine. Maybe they work in parallel, the prophets do their thing and marines tag along? Maybe both answer to some higher power, like said demon prince. That would put them on equal footing.

As for being pacifist, I can see it working. They're in this for the long run, they just have to wait and they win eventually.

Can't think of anything specific in terms of sources, I'll have to do some digging.

Apologizes for taking so long to finally respond, just... Eh, you're not here for excuses and neither am I. Hehe

That aside, I've mulled your ideas around in my noggin' and come with quite a few. For instance, a flotilla as oppose to a Space Hulk blows my idea out of the water.

My current historical structure might be bizarre as it doesn't paint the Astarte's as the dominant presence but humor me; I've been debating a being between the spectrum of Daemon Prince and mortal. What I had in mind was a powerful psyker aboard a Black Ship was executed after her considerable abilities destabilized the Geller Fields. She was terrified of dying, as some whispered and rumored, and unconsciously began overwhelming the nullifying fields/wards placed on them... Err, however the Black Ships do it.

Nurgle/Daemon of Nurgle heard her resonating song and plucked her soul from the warp tides. Physically dead, she'd continue in spirit as the first among many whom guide the desperate.

The Daemon (Probably more fitting) would become a surrogate father, and later, composer. Her song would first guide vessels in dire straits to an unknown Daemon world. It began as smaller trade ships, twisting and churning the diseased and desperate by pure Chaos alone. However, as centuries become millennia, one psyker soon turned into an entire choir. The Daemon himself, a bulbous humanoid tree of flesh and earth extends its great canopy of arms to compose hundreds, if not thousands to sing lulling and enticing songs.
Your Flotilla idea would ride these calmed tides, plucking what stragglers they find until they arrive at a world the great composer deems fit. While the flotilla itself is made primarily of humans, Astarte elements have found themselves reeled in by the choirs songs. There purpose is purely militant, as I've said earlier. So worlds still suffering from post-war fallout where pirates and warlords compete for supremacy, Plague Marines simply massacre.

Ordering implies a tad too much authority. I wouldn't say ordering, more so asking.

Let me elaborate; say a Nurgle Priest plans to preach to the beleaguered masses. He'd say 'Would you accompany me in today's sermon?'. Nothing more and nothing less. The way I see it, both worship the same deity and seek to share his gifts. I don't think Plague Marines are arrogant or feel as entitled as other Astarte's because there's joy and mirth to them. Military matters obviously fall under Plague Marine rule but that's common sense.

Anyway, that's everything I've pulled from your very inspiring reply to me and, again, apologizes for taking so long. I look forward to your reply and future brain storming.

I really like this.

Excuse my French, but this is f*cking awesome as a lover of truly excellent fluff, and grey-area Chaos*, this is right up my street.

Love the concept of your guys moving in after the bombastic wars and conquering has passed by. So few people delve into that aspect of the 40k universe.

The structure also completely makes sense to me. It's also reminiscent of real-world cults that tend to preach doctrines that all are equal before their Lord (even though that' often turns out to be pretty ironic). It also sets up potential inter-faction conflict with outside Plague Marines being troubled and annoyed by their pacifist-leaning brethren. Especially those who are veterans of the Long War.

*My one and only Plague Marine is a guy who where he treads festering foetid water bubbles from the ground, replete with rotted plants and swimming with microbial life. As he sees it, he's terraforming planets one step at a time.

When writing any kind of lore for homebrew creations, I feel it's best to avoid inflating said creations prowess. Where Chaos is concerned, mass genocide and copious amounts of badass characters hewing down dozens of Space Marines appears far too often. Personally, Chaos Warbands should reflect their deity beyond simple butchery and thin veil of said gods representation.

Empire of Leng
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338246-empire-of-leng-wip/

The Empire of Leng takes a more Lovecraftian approach by introducing an entity that isn't entirely understood. It's left up to interpretation. Planets have fallen to it's sway, and in return there's a huge collective who revel in this stars/gods rays. It's perhaps an overly simplified description that doesn't do it justice but it's a fantastic take on a large scale Warband acting beyond the constraints of the Eye of Terror.

The Violent Gods
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332299-iron-gauntlet-2017-index-traitoris-the-violent-gods/

Slightly more loved than the former, the Violent gods are a faction wrapped in a wonderfully packaged mystery. It plays off a currently existing Chapter with oodles of tid bits suggesting, but never outright stating, here's how and why they became marauding psycho's... If they are. The author (As I feel he deserves the title) continues his winning streak by avoiding logistical details. I've read in the past people butcher Warbands by saying they could never have this, that, and this. He, however, bundled those little specifics and added another layer to his mystery.

I absolutely loved it. I highly suggest you, and anyone else interested in Chaos Warbands read them. They're beautifully down without suggesting they're the greatest at this without equal!

Now that I've gotten that impulse to share out, let get back on track.

Ynneadwraith wrote:

At some point, when I've ironed out the factions base details, I wanted to elaborate on The Long War. As it stands, Plague Marines involved wouldn't initially be involved in the Long War. They're potentially ancient (Several thousands of years old) but most, if not all, are former loyalists from various chapters. Yet, on another vein, could be very involved in the long war in another manner.

As we see it, this war involved copious amounts of mass murder, heroics acts of valor and defiance, that whole shtick. While these Marines don't indulge full blown conflicts, their actions and involvements seed much more sinister fruits. Worlds visited are, population wise, considerably reduced. Devoted sons and daughters, mothers and fathers will join the flotilla and venture to greener pastures, survivors are left considerably worse off.
If you read the second book in the Horus Heresy you'll remember that scene on the Moon of Davan. The contorted swamps fields, blinding mist, that whole thing. Well, think something akin to that for the survivors. Now lets take those swamps and your little terraforming blurb but extend across thousands. Pox-walkers and other infected would be terraforming the planet where ever they might tread.

Now, ten or so years later, when tithes haven't been paid and Creditors/Guardsmen come to collect debts, they find this festering hell-hole. It's still, technically, a productive and habitable world, however, there's a whole new eco-system to contend with. Now take that and ancient, crazed populace and there's quite the sh*t show happening. So more troops must be levied, Astarte's are commissioned, and so on and so forth until the world is, again, declared pacified and safe for colonization.

So, imagine the sheer amount of resources spent in this endeavor? It's hard to quantify as there's so much logistical variables when recolonizing, taming, and pacifying an entire planet. And while it might not include a grandeous, tactically refined conflict, they've bled the Imperium in away far more efficient without risk of lives.

It sounds a little contrived but mull it over in your head and it'll begin to come together.

Again, I'm not aiming to make a Warband who shakes the biggest stick, I want something very fluffy, terrifying, and equally relate able. And God-Emperor do I go on some wild tangents. Hehe

I love this thread, very well thought out and original, especially considering nurgle warband fluff is kinda cookie cutter as "spreaders of pestilence and aids".

I myself am going for some different fluff too with my warband actually. I'm thinking of a deep-sea/ nautical/ cthulu vibe.

That's usually the issue with most peoples perception of Chaos. It's easily assume Nurgle spreads herpies, Khorne lops of your head, and so on and so forth. It's a tragedy more don't educate themselves on Chaos and learn it's neither good nor evil, it's simply energy. Perhaps education thorough a word considering we're discussing a fictional realm but I think it's fitting considering the site.

Chaos is often overblown by overemphasizing key traits even though it doesn't. To elaborate, lets use Khorne: Freedom fighters, who don't stand a sliver of a chance against an Authoritarian government, could draw otherwise non-existent courage, from Khorne. They don't need blood or gargantuan gladiator hero's only that boost in courage, resolve... Nothing more. No daemons, no World Eaters just folks praying for the means to fight for their ideals, and in doing so, are granted the boon of courage.

I could ramble on all day about Chaos, different representations, all that non-sense.

Besides my sudden rant, I appreciate that comment. It's nice to be acknowledged when my first fear was being chased out by a lynching mob. Heh

Nautical... Have you considered using Slaanesh as the Warbands patron and your basing revolving around greed and secrecy? Even for the current factions (Besides Tau and Orks) going under water is an affair in and of itself. Your Warband might have artifacts from distant era's, jealousy guard world shattering secrets and the like... Just idea's!

- Any help pointing out lore flaws or how I could better implament Nurgle attributes would be fantastic.

Nurgle is the god of happiness, fear and despair, among many other things. What you have described is the way nurgle goes about getting recruits. He targets those who are dying or miserable and promises them life and happiness. He takes the weak and makes them strong. The monkey's paw is that they become bloated horrible followers of nurgle. Nurgle does not lie, as the followers will be happy, and have long lives. I love the idea of some death guard going from planet to planet as a sort of relief force. Very awesome idea!

- What means of transport should I use? I'm thinking a bizarre mass of earth and flesh wrapped around a Space Hulk cause GrimDark.

I like it. Maybe look up some names of aid, or relief ships from real life for names?

- I like the idea that they exist within the Warp, only breaking into real-space to spread their word BUT! is that even possible? I've read in the Word Bearers Omnibus/Kol Badar and Friends they travelled without geller fields. However, in the Night Lords, doing so lead to a flood of bad-juju devouring a bunch of Red Corsairs. So help on that would save me a lot of trouble.

The warp and the eye of terror are things I used to get confused. Without serious mary sue, the warp is uninhabitable space. However, the eye of terror is pretty screwy, enough to keep loyalists out and allow chaos to survive. You could say they do not hang out in non tainted space for often. As Nurgle grants them with knowledge of where those who are in need of saving are. So they haul butt from the Eye of Terror, through the warp, and pop out at the planet.

- My Chaos Marines can produce most the organs (Grow-Op featuring the non-believer) and make new Marines, when it's necessary. (Again, not looking to make overtly uber-awesome Warband) They can't produce Black Carapace, so for my own Nurgly spice, have them apply a sticky sap (Not sure on the name). This sap substitutes the Black Carapce is Warp tainted. After applied, bounds their bodies to their armor. So after the year or so, it's never coming off. They'll continually grow entombed in Power Armor. Sometimes plates will eventually fracture as iron-hard fat/bark outgrow the restrictive armor... I think it's a neat idea but any idea's via Chaos Marine is always welcomed.

So when a space marine dies, the apothecary takes the geneseed and moves on. Dude leaves everything else, right? You could take the remains of space marines and place a "plague seed" gifted from the garden of nurgle into the corpse which reanimates it while tainting it.

- The Hierarchy... That's something I'm not even sure how to go about. Almost always it's the Marines kicking the lowly non-genehanced human. However, in my case, they're... God this sounds weird but pacifists. The Marines represent what Nurgle can grant the truly devote and wage war only when necessary. They obviously maintain a constant drilling and training regime but that's where it ends. So, would it be weird to have Pox-Walkers/Cultists represent a priestly class, perhaps even be equals among their Astarte's peers?

I don't think you have to worry about poxwalkers. They could all be stored in shipping containers for all they care. What about a lifestyle similar to SW? All the SW pretty much do whatever they want while on the fang, while mortals assist them with basic duties. The native fenrisian serfs will clean up, assist them in the forge with basic stuff, and help prep meals. Basically servants. SW might train, hunt, fix wargear or do whatever, but they do not have a military hierarchy with blocks of dudes all dropping and giving someone 20 like ultramarines.
Death guard could easily have hobbies. Creating new poxes, tending to a giant garden of nurgle they might house on their ship, I don't know if they eat... but I bet they worship nurgle a bit. Cultists could just run around, clean up the firing range, attempt to assist with the garden, but just end up as food for the plants, help keep the ship running and whatnot. Having non enhanced humans live side by side with marines isn't unheard of, and as nurgle being what he is, I could see cultists getting along with death guard.

- I'm still reading Margret Atwood's 'The Year of the Flood' and it's been quite inspirational. I've been writing up odd religious texts and fiddling with hymns. If anyone could suggest any sites or reads that might inspire or, if any exist, religions similar to Nurgle would be quite the help.

Can't help much there, but as it sounds like you are super into nurgle, see if you can find a copy of Libre Chaotica Nurgle. Really good (and difficult) read that is all about nurgle.

Thanks for reading this far and I look forward to reading your replies.

So much good stuff in this thread will definitely check out those other alternative chaos cult backgrounds.

The whole loyalist (but still chaotic) thing works really nicely for Death Guard because of the method of their corruption. They were never a legion that turned of its own free will. They were caught within the warp and broken. They were largely loyalist when they went in, and came out corrupted.

I can absolutely see many of them still wholeheartedly working for the benefit of mankind, and having been persuaded that nurgle is in their benefit by the insidious whispers of daemons (which, to be honest, it might be. Chaos is after all simply a different way of living).

That sort of works nicely with my other chaos cult idea. It's a chapter of Astartes called the Angels of Ascention (Blood Angels descent). In all their many campaigns, in all their heroic victories, they saw only suffering. Until they came across a Slaaneshi cult. For the first time in all of their travels they saw joy in the eyes of the common man, with the payment of a few sacrifices to the priestesses. From this point on, they have spread the cult throughout their travels, posing as loyal astartes and spreading their faith.

As far as they see it, they are acting completely in the interests of humanity. A few are sacrificed to ensure the joy of many.