Xenos of the Hektor Heresy

This page details people, events, and organisations from the /tg/ Heresy, a fan re-working of the Warhammer 40,000 Universe.

Orks

Orks are the most numerous and savage species in the galaxy and, unlike many of the other struggling races that inhabit the vast cosmos, thrive in its harsh conditions. The Orks are a hardy, green-skinned species who love combat more than anything else, having been engineered long ago to that purpose, organizing into in enormous quasi-religious genocidal campaigns called WAAAGHs at the behest of powerful Warbosses. Your average Ork is a foot taller than a human, and the largest of their number are as big as a Space Marine Dreadnaught. The species grows bigger and stronger through constant combat, and some are naturally equipped with knowledge on various subjects such as how machines or bodies work. Orks are spread throughout nearly every corner of the Galaxy, were it not for their natural disorganization they could have overtaken the other species long ago.

WAAAGH! Sarkus

The Ork Warboss known as Sarkus had small beginnings, starting out as a Feral Ork sometime in M27. By about 436.M29, however, he had become the effective ruler of the small Age of Strife civilization that inhabited his planet, the primitive local humans cowering in fear before the Orks and their newest technological acquisitions. It is possible that at least some of this knowledge was "looted" from an earlier, unsuccessful human attempt to reunite the scattered civilizations of the galaxy, and it is clear that whatever the case, the area now known as Segmentum Tempestus was due for a reckoning. Some time after Sarkus first campaigned off-world, an as-yet unidentified Eldar Craftworld passed through the area, only to come into conflict with the swelling power of Sarkus' WAAAGH. Sarkus had laid utter waste to fifty worlds and conquered some two hundred and fourty more, including two human and some five minor Xenos civilizations. Some thirty of these worlds had been set aside for the express purpose of producing untold numbers of Squiggoths, and pieces of "looted" war materiel included a number of sonic and pressure-based weapons, likely made by the minor xenos trampled beneath the Orkish heel. The Eldar, however, knew one thing Sarkus did not - that the Emperor's Great Crusade would arrive in but a few centuries. The path was long, and the method of guidance tiring, but the results were clear - on the dead world of Meteon, a WAAAGH that utterly dwarfed the Scale Bearers Legion had just finished picking through a number of ancient Xenos ruins when they noted Imperial craft in the skies above. Tiran Osoros had arrived, and the stage was set for a rivalry the likes of which neither had known before.

Kaptain Blackjawzz

A wealthy freeboota with as many boyz as he has teef, beginning his career hopping from one WAAAGH to the next, collecting Kroozers and Escorts in haphazard and chaotic formations. The prize of this fleet, picked from a particularly nasty battle with Imperial Navy, is the Nemesis Class Battleship Hyena's Maw, pillaged by Blakkjawz himself and taken as his flagship. Hangar bays modified into gun and torpedo emplacements, all boasting Orkish, Imperium, and Xenos tech, the newly named Teef a Gork is a force to be reckoned with in and of itself, to say nothing of the massive amount of orks within.

The interior of the vessel has undergone some renovation. The halls are widened enough so Mega Armored Nobs are able to walk side by side, and above them ramshackle pathways lined with cover and guns fit only for Snotlings and Gretchin offer a nasty surprise for would be boarders. One might also notice Ogryn among the orks, whom were picked form an undiscovered world by Blakkjawz himself. As loyal to him as their Imperial counterparts are to the Emperor, the "Pink Boyz" don green facepaint and massive, crude clubs. Few orks survive test their toughness against them, much to the entertainment of the others.

Blakkjawz himself is a sight to behold. A good measure bigger than most warbosses, his leg is totally cybernetic and has a built in weapon, as well as several replacements. Most notable of all though, is his Iron Gob. Painted black and straight, it boasts several torches that give Blakkjawz a hellish appearance.

Notable crew:

Bluddgob, painboss and sadistic. Enjoys drinking the blood of non-orks, and files his teef down to be razor sharp. Often experiments on his patients, scaled up from experiments he runs on grots and gretchin, and very unlucky humans.

Klawbakk, Big Mek, has done more than a few modifications on himself, as will as the Kaptain. Desires to build a gargant he can drop from orbit without killing everyone onboard.

Durzob, the biggest ogryn Blakkjawz could find. Exceedingly dumb and loyal, he keeps the other ogryn in line, typically via shattering their jaws. Lost his hand to a gretchin's jaws, never recovered it. Power Klaw was installed as a replacement, though phantom pains make him grumpy.

Eldar

Early in M30, the once great and powerful Eldar Empire was swallowed in an instant by the birth-screams of the dark god of excess they had created, Slaanesh. Though the largest portion of the Eldar civilization was sucked into what is now known as the Eye of Terror, some survive and even thrive in the post-Fall galaxy. Those who had first seen the decline of their empire, many of whom were somber traditionalists or even zealous reactionaries, fled long before the fall to live simply and tend the land, these became known as Exodite Eldar. Others fled later on planet-sized ships called Craftworlds, though many were caught in the backlash of the shock-wave of Slaanesh's birth scream. The most ruthless or wayward of the Eldar survived as well, hidden deep within the webway, still practicing the old ways that led to the fall. Many more Eldar survived alone and adrift in the void, some carving out small bits of power for themselves as Corsair bands while others grew to carve out even more powerful stations for themselves.

Harakien Eldar Empire

The Harakien Empire is an expansionist faction led by Ku'Motsk, the Void King. Based both within the webway and in Segmentum Pacificus, these nationalistic eldar consider warfare to be the ultimate art form and seek to regain the glory of the past through conquest. The harakiens shun the noble system, considering all eldar blood to be royal by its very nature, instead favoring one based on experience and ability.

Craftworld Thuyelsa

A Craftworld of scholars and historians dedicated to the preservation of Eldar culture and treasures, Thuyelsa is constantly on the lookout for new treasures. A number of ancient Eldar relics lie within the many museums of the immense glass city, Shintia, which is the main hub of Thuyelsa. The Craftworld is the original home of the Crystal Serpents Aspect Shrine and its Phoenix Lord, Qet'Zelt the Rainbow Serpent.

Xenos Compact of Free Galactic Interchange

Of all the Xenos in the path of the Emperor's Great Crusade, the Compact is one of the most unorthodox. A Trade Alliance of five races, the Compact of Free Galactic Interchange is a well established force in the Segmentum Ultima that, as their name suggests, has come to power through bartering and sales rather than conquest. Having learned of Humanity and it's waves of conquest, this frugal faction is torn between hindering or avoiding them; such an important decision could very well spell life or death for these Xenos.

Podnikat

These creatures are on average about 7 feet, have grotesque faces with large teeth that usually clench down on fat e-sticks, and sickly, frog-like skin. Though they may not be as strong as an Ork Nob of their size, their strength is mighty due to their sheer size; fighting one up close would be as effective as trying to move a brick wall. Fortunately, this dilemma is not a common one; these frugal aliens prefer to get what they want through diplomacy than conquest.

Due to the nature of their culture, their reach can be felt all across the Segmentum Ultima, although they themselves are often never encountered by the Imperium. High-End Podnikaten weaponry and equipment can be seen by the more wealthy Xenos groups in the Segmentum, causing harsher opposition than normal in the Imperial expansions. Ventures of Podnikat - groups of six to sixteen that oversee trade encounters in an area - have been known to orchestrate several Xenos alliances to defend against the Imperium as they press forward into their arm of Space, arming them and coordinating them to keep Man from exterminating their clients and - more importantly - discovering the Podniks.

Although most Podnikat live in Ventures that compete with one another for wealth and bragging rights, there are several hidden worlds that are dedicated to production of goods and research. Dubbed the Podniks, all of the intellectuals and production-minded Podnikat inhabit these massive research labs and forge-worlds, producing ever greater products to sell for ever greater profit - each with the Official Podnikat Seal of Approval, shipped off to make someone's day great, and some poor sap chosen for target practice's day a living hell. The Podnikat here heavily use indentured servants, debtors, slaves, and android servants to fulfill most of the menial tasks while they oversee it all. These Podniks, however, are low in number, and have only recently been boosted by recent Podnikat breakthroughs into pocket dimensions, allowing them to even further expand the size of these massive planets through usage of primitive pocket dimension generators.

A highly capitalist society, the Podnikat are usually either freelance brokers, scientists and engineers, or corporate production overseers. Devoting themselves entirely to making a profit, they usually do not have time or the patience to consider things such as religion. Worship of any kind is allowed, but is generally frowned upon for interfering with one's schedule and work, and the highly religious might find themselves ostracized if they go too public about it. They also generally believe that corporate infrastructure should be used for production, payment, research and product improvement, and nothing else. All other things are managed by Ventures of varying sizes that complete freelance jobs for these Podnik Corporations. It was by the work of these Ventures that the assets that would unite with the Podnikatel to form the Compact of Free Galactic Interchange were brought into an alliance.

As mentioned in their physiology, the Podnikat are mighty in melee, but they generally avoid it; instead, they prefer to use powerful shielding devices - similar to incredibly small-scale void shields that cover the front of the body for several precious seconds before overheating- along with powerful Podnikat Revolving Arc Guns. Roughly the size of a Hotshot, these weapons are designed to be able to be held with one hand, as the shielding device requires one hand to manage without destabilizing. Resting the butt of the gun against their pudgy arm, the PRG features a miniature Podnikat Revolving Engine, which fires off a devastating arc of electricity after several seconds of charge, during which they usually attempt to shield themselves. In addition to these weapons, they carry plasma pistols of good quality, and no armor, instead relying on their shields to block damage. This makes them highly vulnerable when they are attacked by surprise, outflanked, or when their shields are overheated.

Slann

After the gradual decline of the Slann Empire, a large group of Slann worlds had joined together to "enlighten" the younger races of the secrets of creation. Upon encountering the Podnik-Pect Concordat, they viewed it as an effective method of spreading their cosmic insight and warnings of the perils of the Warp across the Galaxy. Proposing the contribution of a large amount of resources the small alliance gravely needed as well as the contracting of advisers and councilors, they made themselves an important role in the budding Compact of Free Galactic Interchange. They are the main advocate of avoiding the Imperium of Man, for they worry that the race would soon fall into the depravities of the Warp, dragging all those around them down with it.

Kroot

As we all know, the Kroot are gifted mercenaries, and their entire culture is based around mercenary work to improve one's self. I would suggest that the Ventures of the Podnikatel work as contractors for the Kroot, while the Kroot themselves work as the muscle that defends the Compact and is contracted to help budding Xenos warlords across the Segmentum Ultima. They and the Podnikatel were the members of the Podnik-Pect Concordat, the entity that would become the Compact of Free Intergalactic Interchange.

Slaugth

Prior to the existence of the Compact of Free Galactic Interchange, the Slaugth had already been a profitable organization. Participating in the ancient act of investment, these enigmatic Xenos had accumulated a great fortune through backing the right warlords. Watching closely the rise of the Compact of Free Galactic Interchange as potential rivals, the Slaugth began to view the alliance as a possible means of accumulating even more wealth. Coming to them as financial supporters and information brokers, they quickly assimilated into the now powerful Compact, elevating its status to a force to be reckoned with in the Segmentum Ultima. As for their stance on the threat of Man, the Worms-That-Walk opted to avoid them; however, with the dawn of the Hektor Heresy, they have begun to support the idea of opposing them, hoping to capitalize on the turmoil Humanity consumed itself with.

Jokaero

A race of great craftsmen, these orangutan-like creatures were, in fact, not creations of the Slann. Highly intelligent creatures, the Jokaero are master craftsmen, creating incredibly intricate, compact, and advanced weaponry and equipment the likes of which other races would clamor to retrieve. Seeing the benefits of such a race, the Compact quickly inducted the Jokaero, in which they took the role of product design, technological development, and high-quality manufacturing. Initially supporting the shadow-war of the Podnikatel against the Imperium, they quickly changed their stance once the Hektor Heresy began, believing they would destroy themselves.

Other greeblies

Add your homebrews or big-up your favourite minor Xenos here.

Amatteir

A race of humanoid slavers based in the Galactic South-East. Though they have substantial genetic dissimilarities to humans, some have theorised that the Amatteir are the result of substantial genetic tinkering on human stock. Their society is divided into two castes; the more numerous and brutish soldiers, and an epicurean leadership whose search of pleasure often dulls their intellect.

Anatik

Anatik

The Anatik are a race of arachnidoid Xenos hailing from a deathworld near the Eastern Periphery of the Imperium of Man. Originally hailing from the polar region of their ancient world, their industrial society unintentionally resulted in a massive release of greenhouse gases, resulting in a global warming effect. Larger, cold bloodied predators multiplied considerably, forcing the Anatik to retreat further into the dust belts of the planet's equatorial region. Favoring a colder temperature, the Anatik wear form fitting Hostile Encounter suit with which they yield cyrogenic and endothermic weapons developed from their own environmental control systems. Their extremely nimble and numerous mouth appendages combined with keen eye sight make them masters of miniaturization and detail, making them apt producers of circuitry and other minuscule components.

The Anatik are a democratic society with a meritocratic hierarchy. Once an Anatik reaches adulthood, it becomes a member of the local hive's forum. The hierarchy system is based on whether or not an individual is producing what the forum is decided is needed by the Hive at large. For example, if the local infestation needs more young, the most fertile gain the most prominence (i.e. more time to speak/chitter/wave arms around). If the hive needs more allies and contacts, the ones that produce the most social and commercial relationships gain prominence. Normally the journeymen would go about doing whatever it is they specialize in and would still have a vote like a pure Greek democracy, but "rank" would be established by who ever more successfully carries out the consensus of the Forum.

Anatiks also normally have at least six larval Anatiks that serve and attend to the Anatik's needs and wishes as well as assisting them in their trade. Anatiks can be found in many Xeno Trade Cabal starports, providing efficient star ship repair and advanced circuitry manufacturing services. Their advanced cryo-genic weapons are in high demand, and on the battlefield Anatiks are a greatly feared foe.

The following is a reported transcriptum by Rogue Trader Byllnum Mura of the proceedings of an Anatik Forum:

"Two votes for the Breeding class this term," danced Senator Xyvlortix "And three for the workers, they will both be essential in the new expansion."

"But what of the hive-tenders?" came the shaking of Senator Oiyxxxytl's thorax.

"Ah, two for them as well," Xyvlortix pogoed, "Shall we call it to a vote?"

The Strixoros

The Strixoros were once simple yet intelligent carnivores, content with being the apex predator of their nameless forested homeworld. But the sudden appearance of a nearby supernova, now ever present in the night sky piqued their collective interest. Their interest grew to a great all consuming curiosity, the search for answers resulting in their creation of a Strixoros civilization. They soon grasped that the universe was a far larger place than their homeworld, and with that knowledge came the desire to see all the beauty that it held. This drove them to build their magnum opus, a gigantic telescope built in orbit around their homeworld. The first target of the vast optical assembly was naturally the supernova. As the vast focusing arrays and crystalline lenses aligned, Strixoros eyes stared in anticipation. Staring back was the twisting, thriving form of the Warp, and from from the Warp, Tzeentch welcomed them with enlightenment. The Strixoros saw how the beauty of places they had never seen were defiled by the Imperium and the Orks: Glittering ice covered mountains shattered by orbital bombardment, rolling savannahs replaced by industrial complexes, and rich jungles burned and trampled under the feet of the WAAGH. They also saw that the desolating Imperium had sent a fleet to eradicate them and their home. The whole race mourned, and in unison boarded their own telescope, pleading for Tzeentch to liberate them; Tzeentch agreed. For he saw how the seeds he planted through the supernova had grown beautifully, its thorns destined to grow into the sides of the Imperium. The telescope was plunged into the Warp, safe from Imperial predation. Now the Strixoros help Tzeentch's chosen ones in battle, seeing the weak spots where Tzeentch can strike.

They might be allied with the Brothers Itinerant, due to the Itinerants already having owl iconography and following Tzeentch; However, the Strixoros view this alliance as an alliance of convenience rather than true alliance.

In battle, the Strixoros usually support their allies via spells that enhance vision, or slither into the melee with myriad tiny blades made of warp-energy. Due to their size they are easy to hit, and their warp-magics can only protect them from small-arms fire; But do not underestimate their speed and strength, for they were the apex predator of their homeworld before Tzeentch mutated them further in the Warp.

tl;dr either supporting librarian-type units, or melee glass cannons. Feel free to stat them up accordingly.