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The so-called ‘beastmen’ are known to have first appeared during the [[Age of Strife]].{{Fn|8}} Most common among the mutant and abhuman strains that arose during those times, these human kine have stable beastlike mutations and are prized for their perceived prowess at war. Many consider such creatures subhuman, but often these warriors have proven themselves the equal of any unafflicted human in both intelligence and loyalty during the horrors of the [[Horus Heresy]] onward.{{Fn|20}}
At some point in their ancestry they attained their characteristic traits that some Imperials describe as ‘having merged with animal strains’. In general, their key characteristics consist of cloven hooves, digitigrade legs, goat-like horns, and bestial faces that resemble animals. Their arms and hands are usually similar to a standard humans, allowing them to use human weapons and tools.{{Fn|6}} They possess muscular and robust bodies that give them brutish strength and speed, and are such agile and dexterous climbers that they can traverse terrain impassable to ordinary Humans. These creatures are as bestial in form as they are in mind, with sharp horns, vicious fangs, cloven hooves and an unpredictable and violent temperament.{{Fn|19e}} Beastmen are severely persecuted throughout the Imperium. On many worlds they are hunted down and slaughtered as unclean mutants. In the regions where their existence is tolerated, Beastmen are indoctrinated into self-loathing. They are told that they must atone for their miscreation through unquestioning service to Humanity. Treated little better than servitors or beasts of burden, Beastmen are put to work in the most dangerous environments. When called to battle, they are armed with simple weapons and herded into war zones as shock troops or cannon fodder.{{Fn|19e}}
They were formerly freely recruited in number for the [[Imperial Guard]], where they were valued mainly for their bloodlust; they fought for the Emperor in order to atone for their sin of being born mutants. They were led by Beastmen called '''Packmasters'''.{{Fn|7}} In present day, beastmen regiments can be found in the [[Militarum Auxilla]].{{Fn|17}}
**{{Endn|19c}}: pg. 32
**{{Endn|19d}}: pg. 81
**{{Endn|19e}}: pg. 25
*{{Endn|20}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/downloads/warhammer-the-horus-heresy/ Horus Heresy, Legacies of Darkness: The Imperialis Militia], pg. 5
