On the Nature and Origins of Chaos (Warhammer 40k & Horus Heresy Lore) 

Now we know why the Lord Regent of the Imperium said, "No!"

Ohh, so THAT’S what guilliman was yelling about.

*Sigh* We're going to need to mindwipe our Chronicler. Again.

Emperor have mercy on your soul, Historitor. It is a brave thing you do.

“The most merciful thing in the world is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance amidst Black Seas of infinite, and it was not meant we should voyage far...”

You have captured the horror, in scale & depth, of 40k. Not just 40k, of the genre founded by Lovecraft. Bravo sir!

The level of information this Remembrancer is privy to is nothing short of astronomical. In lore, He is probably one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the galaxy. The Black Library would like a word with you....

The existential terror aspect of 40k gives so much more meaning to the words, "The Emperor Protects."

Ooh hoo hoo hoo! Time for lore fun! Edit: Bloody hell, that was a performance and a half.

And the Oscar goes to: Oculus Imperia! Holy emperor that ending was terrifying. Hearing his mind slipping away as he raves about the things he now knows, things no mortal could ever hope to grasp while maintaining their sanity. You've perfectly demonstrated the cosmic horror side of 40k and I love it. I'm gonna need some cute cat videos now...

Somebody get this guy a mug of hot cocoa and a hug

Another great video! I really like that you've been steering toward emphasizing the perspective and humanity of The Chronicalor. It really breathes fresh life into the lore if it's being explored by someone who is in-universe. The fact that you are an good voice actor and an even better writer makes these videos a real treat.

*distant inquisitor twitching*

I just realized he just called the cabal idiots that awsome also good video

Even though my brain will be invaded by some daemon soon or fried by a Inquisitor, good video. Does anyone else have a sudden thirst for blood and skulls?

To quote "DO YOU HEAR THE VOICES TOO?!" Lovely performance Chronicler, I look forward to the next log. Mayhaps the partial lobotomy and mind-scrubbing will permit a short convalescent period.

Comparing your voice-acting in 2022 to that of 2019, I struggle to find a great difference in the quality you instill. You were as excellent then as you are today. If anything, the smoothness of your writing is improved. Even though that is to be expected of any writer, I am appreciative of your growth and it makes me happy that you have continued to grow as creator since you first started as the Oculus of our Lord Commander. :)

The existence of Enslavers suggests that the Warp pretty much sucked BEFORE we filled it with pure evil too.

We are reaching levels of heresy that shouldn’t even be possible

That was more creepy than most self proclaimed art depicting "horror", by a long shot. Masterful writing as ever

Yes Inquisitor, this video right here.

Chaos is the embodiment of the phrase "if you stare at the abyss long enough, the abyss will stare right back"

When are Gdubs and black library gonna pull their finger out and employ this guy for audiobook narration??? Can i get a "AVE IMPERATOR" from all you guys that agree with me please. Hes just the best hands down no contest,nobody comes close

Holy shit, I can feel the tension, the madness in every word. The uncertainty, the fear. I think this touches on why I like 40k so much. It is battle against nature, against unimaginable madness not of hivemind really, or space elves, but of merely humans themselves. Humans and consequences of what their terrible, terrible emotions. Emotions can so often feel like ghosts, stalking and feeding on you.

We haven’t even INVENTED heresy detectors yet, and I can still somehow hear every one that will ever be manufactured going off. I assume this is the part where I paint aquillas over every inch of my body that I can reach, go to bed with every light in the house turned on, and cry myself to sleep like a child afraid of the monster in their closet? Because that’s what I’m doing right now.

AIGHT BOYS I WAS WRONG! CALL THE INQUISITION!

Geeeeez! The ending! I had literal goose-bumps out from terror @_@

I seldom consider my role in the Emperor's great work. An abomination, called to be a weapon, is all I will ever be. I have gazed into the void and seen nothing, as the void gazed at me and found emptiness. I am blessed in my cursed existence, for while all the hurts and sorrow of mortal life are mine, the warp touches me not.

Where I am it is currently 111F (44C) and I still literally felt a chill at the end of this record.

'A mind expanded by new ideas, never shrinks to it's former size.' Brilliant performance. - The Emperor Protects -

You're treading a fine line. We in the Holy Ordos will watch your career with great interest.

This was awsome. It was like listening to a condenced version of Liber Chaotica, delivered by someone who can trully project what the contents of books like that contain. Sublime.

*Sucks in enough air to fill a Space Hulk through my teeth* Maybe the Lord Regent was right. Also fantastic work, another extremely quality video I've never seen someone so accurately sum up chaos before. Its a crime you are not more well known among 40K youtubers.

I heard this performance almost 20 times and let me said you this. You have NO RIGHT to be so talented. Keep the good work

This should be required listening for all who are interested in the lore.

The ending of this video is a shining example of why this channel produces the highest quality WH40K lore content.

If ever there where a teacher who could actually, finally, make me realise what the eternal enemy - is - /a sentient storm and nightmare, as omnipotent as any a nightmare when you sleep/ it is you Historicus. And you did. And you taught me what differs us from the rest of the universe, because His hope carries. These words are sacred because they are true: The Emperor protects.

This is why father would exterminate planets. Humans cannot comprend this knowledge and thus many worlds fell into damnation during Old Night.

I remember when the Sisters sanctified my quarters... Phew!

Be strong in mind & Faith in our Beloved Emperor histotitor! As you were too distraught to properly end this record, it is my great honor and privilege to do it for you: "AVE IMPERATOR, GLORIA IN EXCELSIS TERRA"

H.P Lovecraft would be proud.

I finally realized a part of what makes this particular entry so unnerving: the lack of the heavenly choir. It's so ingrained to hear your voice and the gentle wordless hymns in the background that one without the other is inherently unnatural, and that choice alone does wonders for the atmosphere.

VERY well done, sir! Now I know why the Commissar had earplugs in while standing behind you. Going to be a fun ride to see you dig your way out this imatyrric hole.

Oh boy, you lucky Lord Regent has your back

I... have no words. That was incredible.

"Chaos has no vanity." *Laughs in Slaanesh*

The Shivers man... every video is so amazing, no other channel gives the immersion and depth of FEEL you do. Every time i am glued to the screen, any game is paused all other screens shut off, lest i miss a single word....Keep it up!

Besides, humans themselves have destroyed environments they depended on. If these entities are humanity's and other species' flaws magnified, then them destroying their food source is entirely understandable.

CHRONICLER, listen and hope... For how many years did faith and determination hold back the madness? longer than man existed the Aeldari lived with their vices and emotions they stood proud for millions of years safe behind walls of belief... it was their surrender to the rot that doomed them. They fashioned they're gods as much as their gods fashioned them as exemplars of virtues and personifications of their nature and this faith stood for millions of years. Sheer illogical belief, arrogant unyielding determination is salvation... knowledge says we are doomed... it said the same thing to the Eldar but Ynnead now exists. To know is to suffer, but in knowing you now understand the reasons for the power of faith. To the Deamon which do you think is more lethal to their worldly form the cannon or the faith of its crew in that cannon, a thousand times they have seen foes rendered to offal before its terrible bark and then they level it on the never-born, yes Deamons have apparently survived such assaults but they are concepts given life, just like the cannon. A guardsman's lasgun will burn stronger into Deamon flesh if he has hope, a cannon will thunder with more lethality into the nightmare horde if the crew believe. This is why faith is so essential, it saw humanity spread to the stars and manifest their destiny after thousands of years of logical thought said it could not be done, the energy requirements to vast the distances impossible to traverse, yet here we are now spread across the galaxy because we had faith that one day the stars would be ours. Faith for millions of years has held the horrors at bay, faith held Cadia for millennia, it holds the guardsman as his doom rushes towards him, it holds the ships as they traverse the warp, it holds his Imperium together against every foe. Faith holds you chronicler and long may you cherish that embrace

You play with fire, sir. Chaos is memetic, and the more you look at it, the more your brain gets scrambled. Best of luck.

22:18 excellent reference of Lovecraft

Love this! Yes, the struggle against chaos is hopeless, but we will fight it to the end and spit in its face out of spite non the less!

The Horror of Chaos itself is something not easily understood, Historator. Even in the Great Calculation of we Iron Hands has the true nature of Chaos been barely comprehended. All we can truly do is stand against the darkness. To form our lines and fire, fire until, as our Primarch once said, “until nothing breathes which stands before us.” But then, do the neverborn truly breathe? Only by arms may we put the test to that assertion.

*My mind is not a fortress* *It is an open field ravaged with war and chicken*

Chaos has no vanity....what a line

I just gotta say ,that this is without a doubt one of your best works so far! I now have two absolute favorite videos of 40k lore, one is Luetin explaining orks, the other is you explaining chaos. Both are just absolute marvels of novel writing and great narration. I applaud and stand in awe of your feat to explain thoroughly, an aspect of a universe so wast and so dear to so many in such a poignant manner,! Love it :)

Yeah, I'm gonna need you to do an audiobook. That ending was great!

THAT ENDING!!!! So fucking beautifully well done!! You my friend did amazing with this video and script!

So Oculus just went from a Dark Heresy character to a Black Crusade Character then, or is he just starting on that path?

Surely it can't just be me who finds the concept of cognito-hazards and info-hazards to be the most exciting and most terrifying idea to come out of science horror in a very long time.

BEST. VIDEO. EVER. I've listened to and watched many 40k lore videos from many different channels. This is the only one that has ever given me chills. Absolutely amazing.

Purging the stains in the Warp is impossible. There are far more dead thoughts in the warp than living ones in the materium to affect them.

Actual goosebumps my god I never had visceral reactions to most media but wow you did it

This is SO GOOOOOOOOD!! Congratulations on such a work of art!!

That's was fantastic! I watch a few warhammer lore channels but this is hands down, the best characterisation of the pulling of Chaos on a persons mind, that I've ever heard. Well done and keep up the great work ;-)

Nearly 2 years since I last listened to this. Brilliant still. Keep it going, Oculus.

The Emperor sought to protect mankind from the most horrifying truth of the nature of the galaxy with the Imperial Truth. Do not seek to undo his most holy work.

As much as I would love to see your character turn to chaos, It would probably overshadow the lore. So I guess keep on keeping on

Holy warp that what amazing. The escalation of worry to fear and outright terror in the end with desperate prayers to close it out was expertly performed.

What a performace! And that last line, holy fuck... The Emperor protects, the Emperor protects, He must! Oh, the Emperor protects...

Of few things I would agree on with the Lord Regent, but his warning is one of them. VERY well done, BRAVO on this outstanding performance!

That was effing incredible

ONOES! Somebody get our Chronicler some hugs from a Sister of Battle!

Just fantastic! Great character development. Makes Chaos sound even more terrifying.

the recent Q&A reminded me of how great this video is, i guess a 4rth watch wont hurt

By the Emperor this was...Chilling to listen to, truly this one's passion for his path is admirable though..Emperor be with you Chronicalor, you will need him from this path on for now they will come. The Emperor Protects.

I so need a audio series with you narrating. Great story telling of lore and engrossment of the character. Great work 👍

2:06 possibly the best depiction of the warp I've seen

Ohhh dear lord emperor!! The oculus went down the rabbit hole!!!

Prayers to the Emperor to safeguard your sanity and soul. Stay in His light historitor.

I don't know how many times I've came back to rewatch this, but there will be many more to come.

Beautiful display of madness! Very inspiring to write!

Comfortable Imperial lies. *laughs in eldritch horror*

I truly love your videos! The performance you‘re offering to us is just amazing, I‘ve never heard something brilliant like that! I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful and brilliant entertainment you‘re offering to us! Thank you sir you’re doing a amazing job!

Hoo boy you went Full Lovecraft there at the end.

This is one of my favorite lore channels on youtube. Keep it up, dude. Your videos are fantastic.

I know this is late (I came across this channel only recently) but I cannot help but wonder if there is an opposite of the Warp or Chaos. In a completely different game, Warcraft, there is a plane of existence called the Void. If you read about the Void, it's characteristics are remarkably similar to Chaos. It is a place of dark energy with malevolent beings that occupy the space. It can (and is) used by mortal beings, but at high risk that you could lose your soul. It is a plane of darkness and death. To counter it is the plane of the Light. It is occupied by beings of light who are more benevolent. They support life. These beings rarely interfere with the world as they do not seek domination like the Void. If there was an opposite realm, that would explain some of the saints, for example. Or beings that can banish a demon from the Warp without using Chaos powers.

holy shit someone get the inquisition. the man has gone mad.

As always, a pleasure to listen to & the research/delivery & production value is top shelf. Thank you sir.

Got some goosebumps listening to the end of this video.. damn man, you really turned it on. Am glad it's over 😅

'MY MIND IS NO FORTRESS! IT IS AN OPEN PASTURE RAVAGED BY INTERCENINE CONFLICT!-and chicken.'

Great art and atmosphere

The ending was amazing. Your choice of words is an art unto itself.

Seriously one of the best 40k productions to be made

I'm gonna need two bolters for this heresy.

Repeat after me. Imperator Protegit.

FUCK this was good. The sheer quality of this is astounding. Found a new favorite lore channel

Spectacular voice acting. I come back to this video so often.

I love how you open up all these records Also it’s awesome how your videos get posted to r/40klore in case I ever forget Dude your voice acting has really improved btw, many props

GW GIVE THIS MAN A JOB