Slaanesh

Slaanesh is the Chaos God of Lust, Excess, Pleasure, Perfection and Hedonism in the fictional universes of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000. Slaanesh typically appears in a form which is a woman on the right side and a man on the left with two sets of devilish horns growing from its head. It can however assume any form; male, female, hermaphrodite or asexual, but prefers male bodies. Its sacred number is six. It is known as the Prince of Chaos or Prince of Pleasure.

In Warhammer the name Slaanesh is a corruption of the Chaos term Slaaneth (Slaa meaning "ecstasy" or "pleasure" and Neth meaning "lord" or "prince"; hence, the Prince of Pleasure).

In Warhammer 40,000 Slaanesh was born during the time the Eldar call The Fall, from the decadence of the Eldar in the Warp. The Birthcry of Slaanesh created the Eye of Terror and slew most Eldar (and their gods except for Khaine who was dispursed into many pieces and the Harlequin), except those very far away from the Eldar Worlds.

"Slaanesh is the Lord of Pleasure, the Power of Chaos dedicated to the pursuit of hedonistic pleasures and the overthrow of all codes of decent behaviour. He reigns in a vast and luxurious palace in the void, where favoured followers litter the floors, indulging themselves in all forms of perverse pleasures of the flesh.

Slaanesh takes the form of a bisexual humanoid, male on the left side and female on the right, with an unearthly, unnatural and almost disturbing beauty. Two pairs of horns rise from his flowing golden hair, and he dresses in a mail shirt fringed with velvet. His right hand holds the magical jade sceptre which is his greatest treasure.

The symbol of Slaanesh combines the conventional symbols for male and female, although it is seldom worn openly by his followers. In its place they often wear items of jewellry bearing erotic motifs. Followers dress in robes which are often opened to leave the right side of the chest uncovered, a requirement of many of the rituals involved in his worship. Pastel and electric shades are the chief colours, although white is often used as well. These colours are also sometimes carried over into everyday wear, although they may be modified to fit in with current fashions. Regardless of any considerations, all Slaanesh followers wear garb of sensuously high quality.

Six is regarded as the number of Slaanesh, and this is reflected in many small and large things by his followers.

Slaanesh has a neutral attitude to many of the gods of Chaos, and is generally too caught up in his own pleasures to be interested in alliances and co-operation. Particular enemies are the followers of Khorne, whose belief in pain and death is completely opposed to Slaanesh's principle of a life of unrestricted pleasure. Followers of Nurgle and Tzeentch are subject to Slaanesh's usual neutral attitude." – Realms of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness