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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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Rak’Gol typically possess eight limbs; while not in pursuit, a Rak’Gol will walk upright on four limbs, using the other four for various functions. While chasing prey the Rak’Gol can easily alter its body position so that it can use all eight limbs for locomotion. A Rak’Gol’s upper four limbs are adaptable and can change their musculature to use as hands with opposable digits or as grasping feet. A Rak’Gol’s limbs are strong enough that an adult can climb and run upside down. {{Fn|1b}}.
Rak’Gol are large creatures that easily dwarf [[human]]s; , standing at least 2.6 metres tall and weighing 175 kilograms. Rak’Gol are reptilian in appearance with thick stony hides, two eyes deeply set into the skull , and tympanic-like membranes for hearing. Other common features include keen senses of smell and sight, and a prehensile tail to assist in balance. {{Fn|1b}}.
==Society==
Little is known about Rak’Gol society, ; most information about the species has been collected through encounters and various anecdotal tales of their attacks on colonies. Rak’Gol are savage and brutal creatures likened by some to beasts instead of an advanced xeno race, but they are extremely capable of both language and tool use. Within their society there is nothing more important that than hunting, and much of it revolves around the kill.{{Fn|1b}} Young Rak’Gol are taught to work together in a pack to support each other’s strengths and weakness’ weaknesses to accomplish a goal, where a singular Rak’Gol would fail. As Rak’Gol mature they are taught tactics and hunting strategies and set out with a Clutchmaster clutchmaster to be “blooded”, "blooded"; if the Rak’Gol succeeds , the Clutchmaster clutchmaster will present the individual with non-Imperial [[Imperial bionics|bionics]] and (cybernetics, as ). As the Rak’Gol ages, it gains more and more bionics until it is mostly machine.{{Fn|1c}}
Rak’Gol have an indecipherable language composed of screeching and rasping noises, and they most show no interest in communicating with other races further other than slaughtering them.{{Fn|1b}} Currently the home planet or system of the Rak’Gol is unknown , but are is thought to originated originate from far beyond the known borders of the Expanse.{{Fn|1b}}.
Despite their savagery, some Rak'Gol are capable of interacting with other species in a relatively peaceful fashion, with pirates being observed bartering with xenos such as [[Zygo]], exchanging spoils from their raids in return for weapons and bionics.{{Fn|5}}
===Castes===
There are several “castes” of Rak’Gol have with varying levels of command and assigned tasks within a pack.[[Imagefile:Surprise!.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Rak'Gol Marauder vessel ambushing another ship]]
*[[Marauder (Rak'Gol)|Marauders]] – are the most common Rak’Gol encountered and can be considered the average foot troop. All Marauders have at least one cybernetic enhancement and each Rak’Gol Marauder has its own unique combination of equipment and weapons. Marauders are formed from packs of between 10 and 20 Rak’Gol who have survived being blooded. In battle they tend to try and overwhelm their opponents with speed and ferocity though they show the ability to use cunning in a situation {{Fn|1c}}
*[[Clutchmaster]]s – the “lieutenants” of a Rak’Gol force and take directions from the Broodmasters above them. They are often the captains of smaller Rak’Gol vessels. {{Fn|1c}}
*[[Techno-Shaman]]s – the relatively rare example of Rak'Gol [[psyker]]s. Their powers allow them to psychically manipulate and fuse themselves with technology. Rare sight outside Rak'Gol vessels, but they can often be found leading other Rak'Gol whenever they are hunting for [[Yu'Vath]] technology or lore.{{Fn|4}}
*[[Broodmaster]]s – the Rak’Gol commanders and that lead the attack raids against the other races of the [[Koronus Expanse]]. They are distinguished from the lesser Rak’Goh marauders by the large amount of cybernetic enhancements to their body, often resulting in them being more machine than flesh. They use their leadership status to rouse the Marauders into a bloodthirsty mob when preparing to attack. Broodmasters are also capable of utilizing highly bestial tactics in space combat involving attacking a ship and leaving crewman alive to call for help, when help arrives the Rak’Gol pounce on their ships as well. {{Fn|1c}}
*[[Abomination (Rak'Gol)|Abominations]] – the leader-caste of the Rak’Gol and also the rarest encountered. Each Abomination is heavily modified with cybernetics and bionics, even more so than the Broodmasters. Abominations also appear to be a sort of spiritual leader to the Rak’Gol, planning there raids positioning all of the warriors across the Expanse. {{Fn|1c}}
