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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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'''Xenos''' is a general an Imperial term for synonymous with "alien" (from the human perspective), and refers to all non-human and extraterrestrial sentient species. ''"Xeno'' " is properly only used as a prefix. A xeno-artifact or xeno-technology for instance respectively refers to an alien artifact or alien technology.
Etymologically, ''"xenos'' " is a Greek word which can mean meaning "stranger" or "alien".
The major alien races (those featured as actual armies) are the [[Ork]]s, [[Eldar]], [[Dark Eldar]], [[Tyranid]]s, [[Necron]]s, and the [[Tau]]. All these races pose a considerable threat to the survival and continued dominance of mankind; others . There are countless other races but all are relatively trivialby comparison.
The major alien races are the [[OrkImperium]]s, considers humanity the [[Eldar]] and their sadistic kin the [[Dark Eldar]], the [[Tyranid]]s, the [[Necron]]s, and rightful rulers of the [[Tau]]whole galaxy. The [[Imperium]] is highly xenophobic and not given to ideas Part of ''live and let live''. After the [[Dark Age of TechnologyImperial Creed]] - a time when non-aggression pacts were signed with many alien races, even though they could have simply been wiped out - mankind has abandoned concepts of peaceful co-existence in favour of simple survival. Part of Imperial Creed is that all aliens judged to pose a threat to mankind's survival must be contained or destroyed. Aliens - along with mutants, heretics and deviants - are all considered enemies of mankind - for they threaten the very survival of the human race.
Many new alien races and civilizations are discovered by Imperial [[Explorator]]s every year. For the most part these aliens are ignored, contained, or if they present a threat to mankind or the Imperium, eradicated. Throughout its history the Imperium has fought many long wars with dangerous alien species. In most cases the Imperium has eventually won, but in some, the threat has only been managed to be contained.<sup>4</sup>
Unlawful friendlier contact on a larger scale can happen, as some Imperial governors simply ignore Imperial law if the potential rewards are great enough and will trade with some xeno-races. Many items of xeno-origin are smuggled into and within the Imperium. Exotic weapons, tomes of knowledge, poisons, certain xeno-devices to dispose of one's rivals, etc., seem to be craved by certain members of the jaded elite and commonly used in some quarters. A known example is the '''Jokaero death spider''' which uses zarthax, one of the deadliest poisons in the galaxy<sup>1</sup>. Certain Imperial factions use xeno-weaponry on occasion.
Some governors have even hired xeno-alien mercenaries to maintain their grip on power.
The '''[[Tau]]''' deliberately foster such developments, trading with nearby Imperial systems and preaching the ideals of the [[Greater Good]]. As a result a very small number of Imperial governors on the frontiers of the [[Ultima Segmentum]] have recently seceded from the Imperium, pledging their allegiance and the loyalty of their respective worlds and star-systems to the Tau empire.
