Cegorach, the Laughing God, is one of the last surviving deities of the Aeldari Pantheon in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. As the patron god of the Harlequins, he embodies deception, theatricality, and trickery, making him an enigmatic and unpredictable figure.
According to Aeldari legend, it was Cegorach who deceived the Outsider into consuming other C'tan during the War in Heaven, a conflict that took place millions of Terran years ago between the Old Ones and the Necrontyr. It is said that he took Khaine's blade and presided over a dreadful event known as the Wedding of Screams.
Biography[]
The Aeldari Pantheon and the Fall[]
Before the rise of Slaanesh, Cegorach was one of the many gods of the Aeldari, known for his cunning and mischief. While other deities such as Khaine embodied war and Isha represented life, Cegorach was the god of laughter, trickery, and storytelling. He was revered by the Aeldari, especially among those who enjoyed wit, art, and theatrical performances.
When the Aeldari civilization grew decadent and self-indulgent, their unchecked hedonism led to the catastrophic birth of Slaanesh, the Chaos God of Excess. In the psychic cataclysm known as the Fall of the Aeldari, Slaanesh devoured nearly all of the Aeldari gods, including Khaine and Isha. However, Cegorach alone managed to escape destruction, using his trickery to outmaneuver Slaanesh and flee into the Webway, a labyrinthine network of extradimensional tunnels that shielded him from Chaos' reach.
The Harlequins and the Eternal Performance[]
Following the Fall, Cegorach took an active role in preserving Aeldari culture and ensuring the survival of his people, albeit in his own cryptic way. He created the Harlequins, a mysterious sect of Aeldari warriors and performers who act as both his servants and his voice in the mortal realm. The Harlequins are charged with spreading his teachings through their performances, reenacting the tragedies and victories of the Aeldari while simultaneously engaging in deadly battles against the enemies of their race.
Cegorach's Harlequins believe they are part of an eternal performance known as the "Great Dance," where each action, battle, and deception serves as a means to outplay Chaos. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that when the final act of existence arrives, Cegorach will have the last laugh—defeating Slaanesh through trickery rather than brute force.
Role in the 41st Millennium[]
In the grim darkness of the far future, Cegorach continues his cosmic game against Chaos, using the Harlequins to manipulate events from the shadows. While he despises Slaanesh, he does not openly wage war, preferring to undermine Chaos through deception, assassinations, and psychological warfare. His ultimate plan is known only to himself, but many Aeldari speculate that he seeks to orchestrate the rebirth of the Aeldari race in a way that will permanently deny Slaanesh its feast of souls.
Some believe that Cegorach has an alliance with Ynnead, the nascent Aeldari god of the dead, while others suspect that he has ulterior motives that may not align with the survival of all Aeldari. Despite his mischievous nature, he remains one of the few remaining divine protectors of his race, and his influence continues to shape their fate.
Personality[]
Cegorach is a capricious, cunning, and theatrical deity who thrives on chaos and laughter. Unlike the other Aeldari gods who were slain by Slaanesh, Cegorach survived by using his wit and trickery to escape into the Webway. He takes pleasure in outwitting his enemies, particularly the Chaos Gods, and delights in playing the role of both hero and villain in his own cosmic performance. His actions, while sometimes beneficial, are often driven by his own amusement rather than pure altruism.
Powers & Abilities[]
As a god, Cegorach possesses reality-warping abilities, near-omniscience, and immortality. He can manipulate fate, disguise himself in any form, and traverse the Webway freely. His greatest strength lies in his unpredictability—he can be a savior to the Aeldari one moment and a disruptive force the next. His followers, the Harlequins, act as his agents, spreading his will and ensuring that his grand cosmic performance continues.
Villainous Acts[]
While Cegorach is not an outright villain and best described as chaotic neutral, his actions often blur the line between ally and antagonist:
- Manipulating both allies and enemies for his own entertainment.
- Withholding knowledge that could aid the Aeldari, ensuring that they remain dependent on his Harlequins.
- Toying with mortals, sometimes leading them into disaster for the sake of his "grand performance."
- Playing games with fate that can have catastrophic consequences for both the Imperium and the Aeldari.
Gallery[]
