108,119
edits
Changes
From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
Cleaning up the mess left for me - Part 24
The limited specimens that have been made available for study are found to have brains composed of a front and rear hemisphere. It appears that the larger, frontal hemisphere controls the functions of logic, reasoning and memory while the rear, less developed hemisphere is more attuned to imagination and creativity. If this is indeed the case, it would go some way to explaining the pragmatic approach to life of the Kroot and their current technological stagnation.{{Fn|1}}
The Kroot head is crowned with a great mass of tough, flexible quills that appear to be a part of the Kroot's sensory apparatus. These quills contain what seem to be ganglia running from the frontal lobes of the alien's brain and, in this position, would be extremely efficient at receiving and interpreting information on the surrounding environment.{{Fn|13a}} The olfactory cavity within the Kroot skull is also enlarged, with multiple sense organs within both it and the mouth.{{Fn|4b}} Their eyes are without pupils and generally a milky white. It is likely that they are able to see further into the infrared end of the spectrum and can sense the body heat generated by their prey.{{CMEFn|4b}} All of these combine to make the Kroot formidable trackers and pack hunters extremely difficult to sneak up on.{{Fn|18a}}
The Kroot generate little in the way of waste, excreting it in the form of a pungent, oily sweat that has a variety of properties, depending on what the Kroot has consumed. The most apparent benefits are that this sweat appears to be heat-retardant to a degree, has antibiotic properties, serves as insulation, and can cause a poorly-aimed blow to slide clear.{{Fn|18a}} It is suspected that the Kroot can alter the properties of this secretion in order to leave pheromone trails, mark territories, leave warnings and even communicate with one another.{{Fn|18a}} This may also be some form of control that extends to lower life forms such as birds and animals, as there is evidence to suggest that the Kroot employ empathic pheromones to prevent such creatures from being startled by them and giving away their position in battle.{{Fn|9b}} Combined with this method of communication, the Kroot can learn new languages at an astounding rate, matching posture and tone to the sound of foreign words in order to discern their meaning.{{CMEFn|4d}} Their own verbal communication is a mixture of clicks and whistles, possibly reinforced by these pheromone exudations.{{Fn|4d}}
They favour primitive garb: harnesses worked from the hides of animals and adorned with bones, handcrafted amulets and circlets.{{Fn|9d}}
The process is not an exact science and there are many examples where it has gone awry, leaving some trapped in evolutionary cul-de-sacs, the [[Krootox]] and [[Kroot Hound]]s being the most visible evidence of this. At some point in their evolutionary history, both sub‑species of Kroot fed upon creatures that were possessed of traits they wished to take on, but in doing so, atrophied their intelligence. The Krootox are now much larger and stronger but became lumbering creatures, more akin to forest-dwelling herbivores than their smaller, more intelligent kin. The Kroot Hounds became faster and leaner but, like the Krootox, their intelligence was reduced, becoming little more than vicious predators.{{Fn|4f}} The Kroot use these variants of themselves as labourers, pack animals, mounts, and even as weapons, especially the gargantuan [[Knarloc]].{{Fn|13c}}{{Fn|13d}}
There are other variations, such as the smaller, flying [[Kroothawk]] (which is revered by Kroot as a possible evolutionary ancestor){{Fn|13b}} and the serpentine [[Krootworm]], as well as other, more terrifying creatures. Deep within the forests of Pech, there exist beasts that were once Kroot but have since descended hideous evolutionary paths to become monsters that feed on their own kind. Such places have become cursed and only the bravest or most foolhardy Kroot ever venture within their haunted depths.{{CMEFn|10a}}
The consumption of certain creatures is forbidden by Shapers. These include:
Outwardly, the Kroot seem to be a simple pre-industrial society, seemingly incapable of achieving powered flight, much less travelling through space.{{Fn|4c}}{{Fn|4d}} In fact, after their first encounter with the Orks, the Kroot built cities and industry, but following their defeat and annexation into the T'au Empire, [[Anghkor Prok]] advocated the Kroot return to their traditional ways and technologies, keeping only the [[warp]]-capable [[Warsphere]]s.{{Fn|22c}}
The primary weapon deployed by the Kroot is a [[Kroot Rifle|rifle]] whose design is derived from the fighting staffs used by their ancestors. This weapon is fitted with blades on the stock and the end of the barrel, which the Kroot make deadly use of in close combat.{{Fn|16a}} Originally a slug-thrower, the weapon was modified by the T'au to fire a charged particle similar to their own [[Pulse Rifle]]s. This modification quickly became standard for all Kroot.{{CME}}
The Kroot Rifle is not the only weapon the Kroot make use of. There is the large [[Kroot gun]], which is tied onto the backs of [[Krootox]]. Next, there is the Kroot hunting rifle. Longer then the Kroot gun, the [[Kroot hunting rifle]] has a potentially longer range, but the Kroot must remove the attached blades.{{CMEFn|34}}
Besides these primary weapons, Kroot make use of a variety of more exotic firearms such as the [[Accelerator Bow]],{{Fn|22a}} [[Dart-bow]],{{Fn|24}} [[Krootbow]],{{Fn|25}} [[Kroot Long Gun]],{{Fn|23}} [[Kroot Scattergun]],{{Fn|22b}} [[Tanglebomb Launcher]],{{Fn|24}} and [[Kroot Bolt Thrower]].{{Fn|26}} Moreover, Kroot mercenaries often bring back weapons from previous employers, further diversifying their armoury.{{Fn|6b}}{{Fn|15}}
*{{Endn|32}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War]] '''Definitive Edition - Dark Crusade''' [[T'au Empire]] Commander Honor Guard '''Kroot Alpha Pack''' Unit
*{{Endn|33}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War]] '''Definitive Edition - Soulstorm''' [[T'au Empire]] Commander Honor Guard '''Kroot Alpha Pack''' Unit
*{{Endn|34}}: [[Chapter Approved 2004]] "Kroot Mercenaries" by [[Andy Hoare]]
{{Kroot Forces}}
{{Tau}}
