Realms of Chaos


3 out of 5

Realms of Chaos is a generic term for a two volume supplement to Warhammer. 'Slaves to Darkness' was published in 1988, 'The Lost and the Dammed' in 1989. Each volume described two of the 4 Chaos Gods of the Warhammer Universe (Khorne and Slaanesh, and Tzeentch and Nurgle), containing detailed rules for Warhammer Fantasy Battle, Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying, as well as horrific black and white illustrations and hideous interspersed texts.

Based on a heavy-metal and demonic ethos the work had to be labelled for mature readers only, and nevertheless attracted criticism for being obsessed with perversion, blood and violence (as well as disease in volume 2). These criticisms were largely true, but the tone of the works clearly suited the dark and adult atmosphere of 1st Edition 40k and the WHFB and WFRP of the period. The essential message of Realms of Chaos is that anyone may succumb to vil forces, mere innocence of good will is no defence, and the only result is damnation, wether as a Choas spawn or as a Demon. This dark message was well supported by the Ian Miller graphics throughout the books.

Those who actually play the game still regard 'Slaves to Darkness' as one of the best supplements ever published by Games Workshop, full of evocative material and interesting rules, but 'The Lost and the Dammed' is commonly regarded as a poor sequel which lets down the series as a whole. Nevertheless GW no longer supports the work and now officially disagrees with the style of gaming and the atmosphere it represents.