The Word Bearers are one of the most infamous and devoted of the Chaos Space Marine Legions in Warhammer 40,000. Originally formed from the loyal and zealous ranks of the Imperial Heralds, they were led by the fanatical Lorgar Aurelian, a Primarch who held the Emperor of Mankind in almost godlike reverence. However, when Lorgar and his legion’s fervor was rebuked by the Emperor himself, their faith was shattered and ultimately corrupted. Driven by a need to fill the void left by their lost devotion to the Emperor, Lorgar and his followers turned to the dark pantheon of Chaos, pledging themselves to the ruinous powers and initiating the galaxy-spanning treachery of the Horus Heresy. Through dark rituals and sacrifices, they became the first true Chaos Space Marine legion, revering the Chaos Gods with a religious fervor that permeates their every action.
The Word Bearers are known for their mastery of dark rituals, summoning daemons and drawing on the raw power of the Warp in battle. They often march alongside twisted and horrific daemonic allies, summoning these entities through powerful, blood-soaked rites. Unlike other Chaos Legions, who might favor a single Chaos God, the Word Bearers are devoted to Chaos Undivided, worshipping all four Gods in a unified, though fractured, pantheon. This allegiance makes them exceptionally dangerous, as they wield a diverse arsenal of dark blessings and powers in their unending crusade to spread the taint of Chaos. Ever since the Heresy, the Word Bearers have pursued their dark purpose with a fanatical zeal, spreading corruption, heresy, and death across the Imperium in a holy war that shows no mercy and accepts no compromise.