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| “ | A Keeper of Secrets is a Greater Daemon of Slaanesh, a consummate warrior and spellmaster of the Dark Prince’s hosts. Their four powerful limbs move languidly as they slink forwards – only to explode into lethal motion when their prey is in reach. | „ |
| ~ Keeper of Secrets[3] |
| “ | Such delicacies approach. I hunger! I yearn! Let us begin! | „ |
| ~ An Exalted Keeper of Secrets, relishing the moment before battle. |
Keepers of Secrets (Q'tlahsi'issho'akshami[4] in Dark Tongue) are greater daemons of Slaanesh and antagonists in Warhammer Fantasy. They are hedonistic, grotesquely beautiful beings who reap souls with weapons and magic. Of all the Greater Daemons, they alone are the most attractive and beguiling, inspiring the deadliest and darkest passions in mortals with their mere presence. However, this beauty belies cruelty and a dark heart, as Keepers of Secrets are the most depraved of the Greater Daemons and there is no low to which they will not stoop to sate their desires.[5]
They are often simply referred to as Keepers.
General[]
| “ | It granted me all I desired; but took from me all that I valued. I would give anything to look upon its beauty once again. | „ |
| ~ The Liber Malefic on Keepers of Secrets. |
| “ | I am only interested in your soul. I can see it gleaming within your mortal vessel. Fleshy pulp I shall flense away. It is the pit in the fruit I so desire above all. You know I shall feast, it is inevitable, but as an aperitif, a moment of ecstasy for us both...we shall couple. | „ |
| ~ Slephialon, Keeper of Secrets |
Unlike bloody-minded Kharneth, it is not the way of the Prince of Pleasure to resort first to violence. Slaanesh is subtle, as are his creations, but when all other avenues to achieving a desired goal have failed and bloodshed remains the only option, it is these grotesque beasts that the Dark Prince sends to do his bidding. They are so named for their purported ability to hear anything said anywhere, thus making them the Keepers of Secrets. Distinct from the Lesser Daemons of Slaanesh, who only occasionally partake in death-dealing and are much more given to a wide range of artistic expressions and sensation, the Keeper of Secrets is specifically formed and deployed for violence.[7]Inflicting pain is a basic need for these creatures and they stride the battlefield with the aim of causing as much of it as possible.[8]
When they emerge into the material world, it heaves and expulses at their coming. Animals agitate, the earth itself spews forth sweet water from deep beneath the soil, trees creak and wood warps. An unclean trembling takes to the air, affecting everything and everyone. Those given to the creative arts are particularly affected, taken by sudden bursts of skill and inspiration. What they create is far beyond their skill, the mediocre fashioning masterpieces in the midst of the Keeper's aura. However, a Slayer of Slaanesh is a beast of excess just as much as any of his sisters and as he comes closer, artistic mastery becomes outright madness. The painter paints with his own blood, the singer claws at her imperfect throat and chokes on her own melody, emotions run hot and entire communities are consumed by debauchery of the darkest kind. Those who survive the daemon's coming weep, for never again will they come so close to perfection.[9]
Characteristics[]
| “ | The Keeper of Secrets is a titanic monster, a physical manifestation of pure Chaos-- a mockery of mortal beauty. In battle, the Keeper of Secrets is a maelstrom of destruction, tearing apart any who come within reach of it's terrible claws and at the same time unleashing the awesome powers of chaos to subjugate its foes. | „ |
| ~ Description of a Keeper of Secrets[10] |
| “ | See him there! Many-limbed and jeweled eyed. Most beguiling of all immortals. He moves with such grace, his actions so measured and sensual, yet he is deadly indeed! | „ |
| ~ Liber Chaotica Volume 2 on the Keepers of Secrets |
| “ | A Keeper of Secrets is the true corrupting essence of Slaanesh’s given form. Towering above mortals, they closely resemble their smaller Daemonette cousins, though their heads vary from bovine elongated skulls, to beautiful yet terrible mockeries of Human or Aelven visages. | „ |
| ~ Age of Sigmar: Core Rule Book |
Portrait of an Exalted Keeper of Secrets.
Keepers are perhaps the most physically varied of the daemons, each formed from Slaanesh's own hand, their forms reflecting his muse, his mood, and his interest, all things that are very changeable. That said, Keepers of Secrets tend to fall broadly into three categories: bestial, monstrous, and humanoid. Due to Slaanesh's whimsy, no two Keepers look alike and they are rivalled only by Daemon Prince's for physical variety. However, most Keepers of Secrets are many-limbed and their eyes shine like polished jewels. They are beautiful and disgusting in equal measure, transfixing their prey with their impossibly fluid grace and the aura of sheer domination that emanates from their being. A Keeper of Secrets delights in the pain and suffering of others; he is aroused by the doom and the torment he visits or finds in others. They push both their followers and their foes to the absolute highs and lows of physical and emotional sensation, sating both their own and their master's desires for these deadly extremes.[11]
The Marquis of Masochism and Sigvald the Magnificent, a mortal.
They are warm-bodied[12] and soft skinned with the exception of the chitin of their claws and other body parts. Despite being hideously strong, they are among the most delicate of the Greater Daemons. At around thirty feet in height, the Keeper of Secrets is the tallest of the Greater Daemons.[13][14] Some keepers are known to be even larger, towering at nearly fourty feet of height.[15]
Armed with catching claws and a pair of deadly pincers, the Keeper of Secret's lithe form belies the damage it can inflict. With exquisite precision can it slice a man apart. Even a mortal in full plate armor is nothing to this creature, for it's pincers flense through metal as if it were wet paper. Indeed, such is the glamour of the daemon that few mortals have even the will to raise a blade to them in defense. Many simply sit, stupefied, as the Keeper of Secrets toys with them before finally ripping them to pieces. They enjoy the sensation of talon on bone, of organs quivering against their pincers, and the pitch of a dying man's last scream.[16]
The Keeper of Secrets is not only sadistic, but masochistic. They do not fear death or pain and thrill at the prospect of torment, their own or another, for they seek sensation just as any of Slaanesh's children. Any injury one may manage to deliver to these daemons will only elicit moans of pleasure, shudders of delight, and squeals of exhilaration.[17]
Kyriss, a more animalistic Keeper of Secrets.
In addition to their physical weapons, each of these daemons is an accomplished spellcaster. They wield the Lore of Slaanesh or the Lore of Shadows, both designed to confuse and demoralize the enemy. Despite being adept at combat, the Keeper of Secrets is also among the most fragile of the Greater Daemons and will not last in prolonged engagements. Keepers prefer silks and robes; much of their perfect, smooth flesh is exposed with the purpose of tempting targets. Incredibly fast for their size, they typically forgo heavy armor.[18]
It is said that death is a better fate than abandonment by a Keeper of Secrets. Once in the the thrall of one of these daemons, survivors become jaded and numb to the mundane and nothing will sate their overwhelmed senses ever again.[19]
Keepers of Secrets are multi-lingual, fluent in several mortal tongues as well as their own daemonic language.[20] They also have a language that can be spoken by clicking the pincers together.[21]
Notable Individuals[]
- N'Kari is the strongest of Slaanesh's Keepers of Secrets, as well as the most well known. He is particularly hated by the Elves for leading the Rape of Ulthuan, in which he hunted down and slew most of Aenarion's descendants.
- Shalaxi Helbane, also called the Monarch of the Hunt, is a unique Keeper of Secrets formed by Slaanesh with the express purpose of slaying rival greater daemons, Particularly Bloodthirsters. They are one of the rivals of Skarbrand Ragefeaster, whom they have fought to a standstill twice.
- Ssilvox is a pleasure-addled Keeper of Secrets who was present during the End Times. He was sent as a representative for Slaanesh on account of his ineptitude, for the Prince of Chaos did not truly wish for the world to end.
- Luxcious is a Keeper of Secrets who claims Slaanesh's place in Age of Sigmar following the gods disappearance. She calls herself the "Ur-Slaanesh" and is a Pretender of Slaanesh.[22]
- Ghal-Triesh was a Pretender of Slaanesh in Age of Sigmar. Called the Beneficent One, Gal-Triesh was challenged and eventually slain by Y'etresca, their followers taken into their rivals command. They were lithe, their body pale as fresh snow.
- Y'etresca was a Pretender of Slaanesh in Age of Sigmar. Called the Prideful Pefection, they were a dark mirror of the Beneficent One, with dark skin, golden tiger-like stripes, and ice blue eyes. They slew Ghal-Triesh and overtook the Keeper's following.
- Y'ryllas is a Keeper of Secrets, a legendary general of Slaanesh. With Slaanesh's absence, it was charged with repelling a joint invasion by Slaanesh's brother-gods.
- Mendaxia Skinweaver is another legendary general of Slaanesh, assisting its kin repelling invasion by enemy daemons.
- The Pale Stalker was a Keeper of Secrets from 40,000 summoned by Tzeentchian sorcerors to visit terror and havoc on Drukhari forces.
- Manushya-Rakshasi was a young Keeper of Secrets who dueled and was slain by Jaghatai Khan, the Whitescars Primarch.
- Kanathara was a Keeper of Secrets high in a esteem like N'kari or Shalaxi, though not as beloved as those two. It held a grudge towards Fabius Bile.
Quotes[]
| “ | The supreme servants of Slaanesh are his greater daemons. Whether they have served their master for aeons, or have been newly summoned from the Realm of Chaos, such beasts are both hideous and beautiful to behold, such is the depth of their depravity, but also the intensity of their gifts. | „ |
| ~ Book of Pleasure, Greater Servants |
| “ | The greater daemons of Slaanesh are designed to find the ultimate gratification in the art of killing. Moving gracefully across the battlefield, these creatures scream, moan, and writhe in ecstasy as the thrill of battle rakes through their veins. The conduct of these daemons on the battlefield is horrific to witness, often consuming raw flesh, inflicting pain upon themselves to induce a frenzy, addicted to the sensation of destruction. Causing pain has become a basic need for these daemons and they will do anything to intensify the ecstasy of violence, but no amount of slaughter can slake their lust. | „ |
| ~ Book of Pleasure, Greater Servants |
| “ | The Keeper of Secrets is the most beguiling of all of Slaanesh’s creations. It is a creature that has no conventional beauty. It is androgynous, many limbed, and yet measured, sensuous, ethereal, and titillating to any that set eyes upon it. | „ |
| ~ Book of Pleasure, Greater Servants |
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Archaon Book I: Fiends and Betrayers (The End Times)
- ↑ Archaon Book I: Fiends and Betrayers (The End Times)
- ↑ [https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/Keeper-of-Secrets-2019 Games Workshop (Keeper of Secrets)
- ↑ Realms of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness (1988)
- ↑ Liber Chaotica v2: Slaanesh
- ↑ Total War: Warhamer III
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Tome of Corruption
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Book of Pleasure
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Tome of Corruption
- ↑ Games Workshop: Keeper of Secrets (Metal) Description
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Tome of Corruption
- ↑ Total War: Warhammer III (PC Game)
- ↑ Total War: Warhammer III (PC Game)
- ↑ Total War: Warhammer (Art of the Games), pg. 170
- ↑ Age of Sigmar: Hedonites of Slaanesh (2023 Battletome)
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Tome of Corruption
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Daemons of Chaos (8th Edition)
- ↑ Total War: Warhammer III (PC Game)
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Tome of Corruption
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Tome of Corruption
- ↑ The Path of Heaven (Horus Heresy)
- ↑ Slaanesh In The Mortal Realms (Age of Sigmar)