46,539
edits
Changes
From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
no edit summary
{{otheruses|USE=Imperial term for alien races|OTHERUSE=Novel by Dan Abnett|OTHERPAGE=Xenos (Novel)}}
{{GalaxyPortal}}
[[Image:Xenos6.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Various races of Xenos{{Fn|96}}]]
'''Xenos''' is an [[Imperium|Imperial]] term 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-artefact or xeno-technology for instance respectively refers to an alien artefact or alien technology.
The [[Imperium]] considers humanity the rightful rulers of the whole [[galaxy]]. 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 civilisations 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>{{Fn|2}}
Although friendly dealings with aliens is almost unthinkable, [[Rogue Trader]]s are allowed to barter and trade with aliens.
==Trade, smuggling, mercenaries and treason==
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>{{Fn|1</sup>}}. Certain Imperial factions use xeno-weaponry on occasion.
Some governors have even hired alien mercenaries to maintain their grip on power.
==Xenos and Chaos==
The relationship between particular alien races and [[Chaos]] varies from case to case. Some are by their nature completely immune, such as the Necrons. Others such as the Tau appear to be largely immune to Chaos corruption, although much of this immunity is of social nature. Others have been completely corrupted. Races influenced and corrupted by Chaos include the [[Bale Childer]]{{Fn|53}}, [[Yu'vath]]{{Fn|53}}, [[Saruthi]]{{Fn|64}}, and [[Xenarch]]{{Fn|75}}
==List of all known species==
==Sources==
*<sup>{{Endn|1</sup>}}: [[Wolfblade (Novel)]] page , {{Cite This}}, pg. 71*<sup>{{Endn|2</sup>[[The Flight of the Eisenstein (Novel)|The Flight of the Eisenstein]] by [[James Swallow]] page 260*<sup>3</sup>[[Kill Team (Novel)|Kill Team]] by [[Gav Thorpe]]*<sup>4</sup>}}: [[Codex Imperialis]], by [[Rick Priestley]], ppg. 90*{{Endn|53}}: [http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/dark-heresy/pdf/timeline.pdf Dark Heresy Timeline]*{{Endn|64}}: [[Eisenhorn Trilogy|Eisenhorn: Xenos(Novel)]] , Chapter 20Twenty*{{Endn|75}}: [[Xenology]] , pg.87*{{Endn|86}}: [[Deathwatch: Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook]], pg.199===Uncited===*[[The Achilus AssaultFlight of the Eisenstein (Novel)]] by [[James Swallow]]{{Cite This}}, ppg. 76-77260*[[Kill Team (Novel)]] by [[Gav Thorpe]], {{Endn|9Cite This}}:*[[Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition RulebookDeathwatch: The Achilus Assault]] pg, pgs.19976-77
*[[Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition)]]
*[[Codex: Tau Empire (4th Edition)]]
