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. See the /tg/ Heresy Timeline and Galaxy pages for more information on the Alternate 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.

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.

Craftworld Eldar

Many of the immense world-ships of the Eldar race known as craftworlds were destroyed by the birth screams of the dark god Slaanesh at the fall of their once great empire, but some survived far from the disaster and have challenged their fate. Each craftworld is a distinct culture, but they have certain important elements that link them. These Eldar each follow a rigorous philosophy of self-discipline known as The Path, which seeks to control their naturally more extreme mental states through the Eldar's total commitment to one study over many years. The mighty sorcerers of their Seer path, fearsome Aspect Warriors of the many Khainite Disciplines, and the ingenious Autarchs which oversee them in battle as well as a myriad of advanced technology prove the bane of those who challenge the former masters of the galaxy. The Eldar of the craftworlds have been known to the Imperium of Man since the dawn of the Great Crusade, and they have often proven to be a duplicitous and enigmatic foe.

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. Many of their kind have turned to the outright worship of the god Khaine as time has gone on, and it is rumored the Khainie Priesthood of the Incubi have several avatars under their command. The Harakien Empire will deal with any member of the Eldar race fairly, and have earned the respect of craftworlds, exodites, and kabals alike in their long history.

Webway Lords and Dark Eldar

Early in the 30th Millennium, the Eldar Empire was torn asunder by the birth of the Pleasure God, and while many died, in the webway, those escaped by hiding, in a million hidden paths over a thousand independent realms ruled by those who wish to carry out deeds seemed irredeemable by many of their brethren. To these shadowy satellite cities and pleasure palaces lie the Old houses of the Eldar, each owning their own pocket of the Webway, while vying to increase their own power and eliminate their enemies. Amidst the constant scheming and backstabbing, one thing is constant; no matter what, the Dark kin will find a way to endure, and stave off She Who Thirsts.

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.

Other Dangerous Aliens

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. They would come into conflict with the Imperium during the Pacification of the Chwiorydd Hardd.

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.

The Yaotl

The Yaotl are a particularly disturbing species, their evolution has totally run rampant in a way unique to this species. Primarily inhabiting the Halo Zone, these creatures wage war against the warp as readily as their foes in the Imperium of Man.

Morkai

Reclusive and ominous xenos from the Eastern Fringe, whose hosts of fearless and grotesque bio-warriors ride between stars in massive spire-vessels, falling from the skies like shooting stars to reach the planetary surface. What little is known about them at this point, is both their brutality and willingness to sacrifice much matches the Imperium's own in respect to other species, and that their armor menaces with jagged surfaces of ebony.

Arakan

A feudal empire of insectoid hive-minds in Segmentum Pacificus. The Markian Corps all but exterminated them after they attempted to seize Imperial territory.