Mutant
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"If the laws of Humanity will not protect us, then why should we be bound by them?"
Mutants are creatures bearing some form of severe genetic deviance from the normal members of their species. Some are born mutants, while others have suffered more spontaneous mutation through the influence of the Warp, whether by worshiping it or being exposed to its energies. Persecuted and hunted by Imperial society, Mutants often make up the forces of Chaos.[1b]
Contents
Mutation Among Humanity
Humanity has suffered greatly since the 20th Century from the effects of mutation due to exposure to chemical and nuclear contamination. Nuclear war was widespread during both the Dark Age of Technology and the following Age of Strife, which has left many worlds badly exposed to the radioactive aftermath and has led to a significantly increased rate of mutation. Genetically healthy parents may have in some cases a 5% chance of rearing mutant offspring while mutant parents may give birth to mutant children around 90% of the time. Therefore, some human worlds may have an overwhelmingly mutant population.[5][16]
Human mutants are often terribly misshapen creatures, abominably deviating from the normal human form. On the other hand, not all mutants are degenerated beasts; many only bear a few extraordinary traits setting them apart from the rest of humanity.[5] A more subtle mutation can be detected through genetic testing.[13]
There are many mutants amongst Humanity. Most pose a great threat, and very few are tolerated. The most important mutants are psykers, who are both the most useful and the most dangerous. Only by the righteous persecution of the Inquisition and the careful testing of the Coven Masters of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica can these dangerous mutants be cleansed from the Imperium or pressed to serve it.[7]
The position of mutants within the Imperium varies from world to world. On primitive worlds they are often slain at birth. On more advanced worlds they may be allowed to live, but rarely enjoy the benefits of other humans and are usually segregated from the normal population.[5] Other worlds might not allow mutants to leave their home planet, even as slaves.[15] In general terms, mutants form a huge downtrodden portion of the Imperium's population. Their dissatisfaction sometimes erupts into rebellion, sometimes allowing the mutants to take temporary control of an entire world. Retaliation, however, is usually swift and effective.[5]
The laws of Imperial worlds normally forbid such creatures from possessing armaments; those weapons that mutants do possess are usually limited to crude shotguns or blunderbusses, heavy duty revolver-stubguns, chains, whips and clubs which can be easily made and concealed.[1d]
Imperial Sanctioned-Mutation Work Passes can be given to Mutants, which will prevent them from being killed due to their genetic deviances. However, while the documents will work on the world they are issued on, other Imperial worlds may not accept the passes.[3] On some worlds where mutants are permitted to live and work, the mutant population is largely focused on licensed shanty towns around the mainhives. While mutants are not permitted in all spaces in the Imperium, normal humans aren’t necessarily permitted in mutant spaces either. For example, a mutant nightclub might not allow normal humans to enter.[11] The Adeptus Mechanicus will also trade with mutant clans deep below hive cities for any rare archeotech they might find.[14a]
Some mutants take great pride in calling themselves by the Imperium’s glibbest slang as a badge of honour. Among mutants, the word "mutant" can be regarded as dirty or offensive. "Twist", a slur meaning mutant, is an acceptable slang term used among mutants.[11] Some mutant communities are thoroughly devout followers of the Imperial Creed, as such, their religion's hatred of the mutant is turned inwards. One's shame for their own mutations being one of their highest virtues.[14b]
Dissemblers are a type of Mutant.[6] Navigators are also considered Mutants, but were actually intentionally created in the distant past. They are a vital part of the interstellar travel in the Imperium, and are a tolerated form of mutant.[12]
Mutant Abominations
Mutant Abominations are Mutants, who have been remade by the influence of the Warp. As a result, their bodies have become the clay for an insane macabre sculptor, while the Abominations' minds and souls have become tainted beyond salvation.[8]
Mutant Monstrosities
Mutants that are often created from dabbling in forbidden sciences are known as Mutant Monstrosities. They are affronts to nature who have short existences that are filled with constant pain and resentment and can also be left dim-witted. This will cause them to willingly or unwillingly exhibit brief periods of extreme violence and those who create the Monstrosities many not be able to control the creatures. Several species are known to be able to create the Monstrosities, such as the experiments of Ork Painboys or the Tyranids' bizarre Human/Tyranid hybrids. The Lost and the Damned are also known to use Monstrosities that are hybrids of large Mutants and Chaos Spawn. The Ordo Hereticus's Witch Hunters make use of them as well as the Astra Militarum, which can have ogryn or other abhuman bodyguards made into a Mutant Monstrosity they can field in battle.[4]
Examples of Mutations
Mutants have been observed to display a wide range of tangible aberrations, such as:
- Extra large/small or additional/missing limbs or other body parts[5]
- Bestial features such as horns, beaks, fangs, cloven feet, tentacles, fur, tails[5]
- Invisibility[5]
- Noxious stench or acid excretion[5]
- Superlative strength or speed[5]
- Ability to skip ahead in time[5]
- Rearranged facial features[5]
- Extreme thinness or obesity[5]
- Grotesque appearance, caused by warts or scaly skin etc[5]
Known Mutant Groups
- The Anointed of Aq'si[1a]
- The Gellerpox Infected[9]
- Pale Throng[10]
- Scarred Tongues[14a]
- The Stigmatus Covenant[1a][2]
- The Shyis'slaa[1a]
- The Unsanctified[1a]
- The Muties of Gorkamorka
- Shadowkith
- The mutants aboard the Almagest
Named Mutants
Mutation among other species
Chaos and mutation also affects other alien species, but mutation is especially prevalent among mankind. The Kroot have the ability to evolve through controlled mutation by consumption of their enemies.[18]
Images
A mutant rabble unleashed (3rd Edition)[1b]
The Nightmare Hulks, three Gellerpox Infected Mutants[9]
Mutant Monstrosity, known as the Mutant Thing[4]
Big Mutant miniature[1c]
Mutants[5]
Mutants[5]
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See also
- Abhuman
- Accursed Cultist Mutants
- Beastmen
- Chaos Beast
- Genestealer
- Mutant Gang
- Sorcerer
- Traitor Guard
Sources
- 1: Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition):
- 2: Codex: Chaos Knights (8th Edition), pg. 32 - A Saga of Destruction - Call of Despoiler
- 3: Messiah Complex (Short Story) - Deathwatch: The Long Vigil (Anthology)
- 4: White Dwarf 310 (UK), pg. 66 - Chapter Approved: Kill-Team Nemesis - Mutant Thing miniature created by the Games Workshop employee Andy Hoare
- 5: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, pgs. 52-57
- 6: The Inquisition (Background Book), pg. 27 - Dissembler
- 7: Codex Imperialis (Background Book), pg. 24
- 8: Dark Heresy Core Rulebook, pg. 342
- 9: Codex: Gellerpox Infected
[Help] - 10: Dark Heresy: Disciples of the Dark Gods, pgs. 52-59
- 11: Malleus (Novel), Chapter Nine
- 12: Rogue Trader: Core Rulebook, pg. 155
- 13: Relentless (Novel), Fifteen
- 14: Wrath & Glory: Darktide Extraction:
- 15: Soul Drinker (Novel), Chapter 1
- 16: Deathwatch Core Rulebook, pg. 290
- 17: Wrath & Glory Core Rulebook, pg. 33
- 18: Xenology (Background Book), pgs. 47-48
Uncited
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