Liber Xenologis
"The Imperium is beset by horrors.
Xenospecies too numerous to mention are bent on our destruction. Only by naming and studying these predators does humanity stand any chance of survival. And by circumstance, or perhaps by divine will, it has fallen to me, Captain Janus Draik, Rogue Trader and first son of House Draik, to codify the myriad threats aligned against us.
In the westernmost reaches of the galaxy I have braved the nightmarish pits of the Blackstone Fortress and the lawless dens of its orbital platform, Precipice. Through exploration of these treacherous environs, I have unearthed truths hidden from even the most learned Terran scholars. Here, in the galaxy's first truly comprehensive work of xenology, I have determined the terrifying face of our foe."
- – Synopsis of the book.
A newer and more modernised version of the old Xenology books. The Liber Xenologis is a large, hard cover book that was written from an in-universe perspective by the Rogue Trader Janus Draik during his merry days of trading and blamming the various Xenos he encountered or researched in his journeys. This book alongside the Xenology books is considered as prime learning material for any aspiring Ordo Xenos Inquisitor.
Good luck finding a copy though, since it was released as a limited edition with almost no warning and went out of stock almost immediately. Thanks GW.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Like Xenology, the Liber Xenologis is a comprehensive encyclopedia of various Xenos species that Janus Draik had encountered. Moreover, just like Xenology, whilst Liber Xenologis does not list every single Xenos out there as such a task is nearly impossible to condense into a portable tome, it does list some useful info on the xenos that was studied.
The biggest difference between the two books however, is that whilst Xenology only looks in the anatomy and biological structure of the sample Xenos like a medical journal, Liber Xenologis is far more anthropological and sociological. The book goes into good detail on the society, history and culture of the various Xenos listed. Granted, it is slightly biased in regards to portraying Janus Draik's escapades, but for an Ordo Xenos underling, it provides useful info in regards to how one should typically conduct oneself when dealing with these various aliens in a condensed format.
It should be noted that it is not just a book based on how a Xenos would behave. There is an entire section of the book dedicated to Abhumans as well, alongside several stories written by a Xenos (Specifically Grek the Kroot) detailing their culture and stories. It is also the first book we know off that actively tries to differentiate the different Eldar factions and how to deal with them diplomatically. So the book is shockingly quite liberal in regards to how diverse it is.
Because it is newer, the information provided is considered far more accurate than the old Xenology which is plagued with contradictions and outdated fluff. Although Xenology still provides some useful info when it comes to studying what these guys are made off.