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*[[Gravalax]]
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==Genestealer Cults in the Imperium==
Even before Genestealers were revealed as being a part of the Tyranid race, their infiltration of human worlds was a dire threat. A single genestealer Genestealer or infected human on a planet can easily lead to the corruption of the planet's entire human population. Once a cult achieves numerical advantage, the planet becomes doomed. At a certain point the only sensible option would be to sterilize the planet through [[exterminatus]].
At first genestealers Genestealers and their methods of reproduction were poorly understood, and the menace they presented terribly underestimated. With the investigation of the reproductive cycle and the aggressive propagation resulting from it, this changed. As deeper knowledge of genestealer Genestealer cults was gained by the Imperium and the [[Inquisition]], subtle hints could uncover the existence of genestealer Genestealer cults within human societies. Infiltrated planets could be recognized and cleansed of genestealers Genestealers and infected humans by [[Space Marine]] troops or even by [[Exterminatus]].
A cult is often not recognized as a threat to the planet - its activity in achieving power at first being purely through subvert, non-violent means. If it is recognized for what it is, the cult takes overt military action to survive.
*[[Darvon VI]]<sup>3</sup>
*[[Graia]]<sup>4</sup>
*[[Gravalax]]
*[[Ichar IV]]<sup>4</sup>
*[[Lamarno]]<sup>4</sup>
*[[Stalinvast]]
*[[Thranx]]
==Genestealer Cults in Alien Societiesalien societies==Genestealers are not limited to infecting humans; virtually any race or species can be infested, including [[Orks]]. However, broods within a society such as Orks are seldom big or long-lasting on account of the special life cycle and the extremely intolerant structure of society of the orkoid Orkoid species. In fact Orks seem to be rather unpopular hosts, and serve mostly only as a kind of interim solution, until more worthwhile victims are available<sup>2</sup>. Genestealer infections can only thrive in large, and relatively open societies such as those of humanity.
==Genestealer Cults in Warhammer 40,000==
Genestealers were creatures from the beginning of Warhammer 40,000. At the time, though genestealers Genestealers could infect and reproduce with any type of creature, ''purestrain'' Genestealers could originate only from the infection of a creature known as a [[Csith]]. There was no Genestealer cult, as a host died with the "birth" of the hybrid-genestealer.<sup>6</sup>
With the appearance of the board game ''[[Space Hulk (Game)|Space Hulk]]'' and extensive articles in [[White Dwarf]] ''114'', ''115'' and ''116'' the Genestealers and their offspring were newly conceived as cult-like communities of Genestealers, hybrids and fully human Brood Brothers, with a strict hierarchy, and a complicated and unique generation cycle. They represented a terribly insidious threat to the Imperium, infecting it from within and spreading like a virus. These Genestealer Clans could also become "Genestealer Cults" by worshipping Chaos. Such Chaos cults included [[beastman|Beastmen]], [[mutant]]s and [[daemon]]s in the army.
Nevertheless, Genestealer cults never disappeared from the official background, so it's possible that they will appear in the rules again.
==Related Articlesarticles==
*[[Cult of the Children]]
