Editing Apriori Public Service Announcements (section)

==The Threat Beyond: Chaos, Daemons, Cults and You==

Humanity owes much to the [[Warp]]: communications and vessels travel through it far faster than they ever could in the material realm.  However, it is a dangerous, alien thing that is best left to those equipped to handle it – [[Librarian]]s, [[Astropath]]s, and other Imperially-trained and accredited psykers.  Those who seek to tamper with the Warp are a danger to themselves and to everyone around them, like an untrained child playing with a [[lasgun]], but the dangers of the Warp are more subtle and potentially more devastating than any material weapon.

There are creatures that dwell within the Warp, the [[daemon]]s of [[Chaos]], and their goal is nothing less than the destruction of reality as we know it.  Many millennia ago, the [[God-Emperor of Mankind]] sacrificed His material existence and ascended into the Warp so that He could guide all of humanity and protect them from these creatures, but there are humans who would cooperate with them and undermine His efforts.  Daemons promise power to those who cooperate with them, in exchange for performing rituals that weaken the boundary between our world and theirs.

The resulting exposure to the Warp can cause physical injury and mutation, both in those exposed and in their descendents.  While cult leaders and other individuals who deliberately and directly traffic with the Warp can fairly be blamed for whatever fate befalls them, innocent bystanders cannot.  The vast majority of [[mutant]]s are no more to blame for their conditions than a Space Marine candidate is to blame for his [[gene-seed]] compatibility, and treating them as if their physical condition indicates moral inferiority will only drive them into the service of Chaos.  By the grace of the God-Emperor and His servants in the Medicae and [[Adeptus Mechanicus]], treatment and recovery is possible.

The other danger of the Warp is to the mind.  Cults will dominate and manipulate the minds of would-be “recruits” to swell their numbers.  In general, if members of a cult are unwilling to describe their rituals to outsiders, or are expected to cut all ties from society, or return to society with drastic personality changes, you should be suspicious and report them to Internal Security; we will investigate, and determine if they are a threat.  Again, with counseling, support from friends and family, and faith in the God-Emperor, it is possible for the enthralled to be treated.

If you should find yourself confronted by the forces of Chaos, do not panic.  Instead, try to discern their goal.  If their goal is violent, such as using you for a sacrifice, attempt to disengage; running to a populated, well-lit area will most likely suffice.  As Chaos cults prefer to stay under the radar until they can build a critical mass, they will typically not pursue.  If you can get away, inform the authorities immediately, as a Chaos cult will only seek sacrifices when they are on the brink of taking action.

A more likely reason for an encounter with Chaos is that they are seeking new followers.  If this is the case, gently but firmly refuse them – this may be made difficult by warp-magics, but always be aware that, however tempting their offer may be, the Ruinous Powers do not care about you, and their followers will betray you at the drop of a hat should they feel it advantageous to do so; only the Imperium and the God-Emperor have humanity's best interests at heart.  Once the situation is defused, report your encounter to a trusted authority, and consider getting a medical examination, as close contact with Chaos can result in minor corruption.