Kin

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Targetdrone.gif This article is about the current iteration of the Squat species; for the original Squat iteration, see Squats (Rogue Trader).

Kin (spelled as Kyn in the Kin Lexicon)[11c], also known by the Imperial pejorative of Squats or Homo Sapien Rotundus[2], are an abhuman[12][13] species predominately found in the galactic core. They exist in a variety of civilizations, most notably the Leagues of Votann[1a], but also including the Ironhead Prospectors of Necromunda.[3]

History

A Kin of the Leagues of Votann[1g]
Main article: Leagues of Votann

Kin (as they refer to themselves) share a common origin with that of humanity, having almost certainly originated from pre-Imperial Terra in the ancient past. It is said that during this time, mining explorers and settlers known as the First Ancestors set out for the Galactic Core in Generation Ships in an event known as the Long March. Seeking its great wealth, these fleets left with highly advanced Artificial Intelligences known as Votann Ancestor Cores in order to provide them with all the wisdom and aid they would require in their mission.[1a]

Thanks to their advanced cloneskein technology, the kin were rapidly able to adapt to the conditions of the galactic core, creating a race physically stronger and more robust than that of a standard human, as well as more resistant to the mutating powers of the Warp. As the fleets settled within the Core Holds soon sprang up and the burgeoning civilization reaped the immense wealth of their new home. Soon enough, a mercantile confederation dubbed the Leagues of Votann formed, and it spent the long millennia settling the immense sprawl of the core and exploiting its boundless riches.[1a]

A Kin of the Necromunda Ironhead Prospectors[6a]

During their long history, the Kin have been content to remain largely within the bounds of the galactic core, but have nonetheless had interactions with various civilizations and races over the millennia. Seeking not only new opportunities for wealth but also information to share with their Votann Ancestor Core, Prospector Fleets were sent out into the wider Galaxy. The Kin of these fleets have since fought in mercenaries in the wars of other species, returning only when they have gathered knowledge and experience fit to offer their Ancestor Core. This has led to much confusion for other races of the Galaxy, who often do not understand the scale of origin of Kin civilization. Many Prospect fleets have been dismissed as a minor alien civilization in and of themselves. The Kin have been misidentified in this way as the Demiurg to the Tau, Heliosi Ancients to the Eldar, the Gnostari, and Kreg.[1a] On the Imperial world of Necromunda, Kin have formed the Ironhead Prospector civilisation.[3]

Since the formation of the Great Rift, large amounts of Kin have been forced to leave their ancestral homes in the galactic core in order to find safety and stability.[1a]

Biology

Various Kin[1b]
Main article: Cloneskein
Main article: Crucible (Leagues of Votann)

As the Imperial pejorative "Squat" suggests, Kin are short and stout humanoids who nonetheless are strong, sturdy, and resilient. This is thanks to genetic templates dubbed Cloneskeins, which have granted the Kin a variety of physical and spiritual abilities. Being in essence a genetically engineered cloned species, Kin have higher red and white blood cell counts, and formidable strength and resilience. Other cloneskeins impart enhanced reaction times, infrared vision, or limited resistance to extreme temperatures, gravity, and radiation. Many cloneskeins manifest physically, whether it be unusually coloured eyes or skin, craggy subdermal layers, chemical body odours, or various other giveaways.[1b]

New Kin are spawned in cloning vats dubbed Crucibles, already emerging grown and mentally developed with their base level of knowledge for their genetically inclined tasks ahead.[4] Immediately welcomed into their Kindred after a crucible fluid-cleaning ritual by the Cloners Guilds, there is only a short adjustment period immediately after birth before they assume full duties within Kin society. Sometimes during this adjustment period neurobiological deviations are noted, though these are usually welcomed by the Kindred as an expression of the will of their Ancestor Core.[11b]

The Kin are stated to be abhuman.[12][13a] Their physiology bears closeness to humanity such that the medical knowledge and skills used to treat heavy battlefield injuries and complex trauma for humans and abhumans (such as Ogryns or Ratlings) are able to be used on Kin. Beyond providing mere first aid, one skilled in healing a human would be able to stop profuse bleeding, treat burns, exposure to poisons, and otherwise stabilize a Kin as with other abhumans.[13a] In comparison, such medical training would not be adequate to treating the injuries of true xenos such as Aeldari[13b] or the Tau[15], who although humanoid possess physiology is very different from humans/abhumans, and would require specialist xenos medical training.[13b] Indeed, unlike the Kin, human medicine might not work at all on true xenos.[15]

Kin souls shine dimly within the Warp, giving them a natural advantage in resisting the powers of Chaos. While there are true psykers within kin society based on psychoactive cloneskeins, they have developed Barrier-Tech in order to utilize their relatively limited warp-based abilities.[1b]

For millennia, Kin lifespans were generally consistent. However, they have become subject to extremes over the last millennium. Some Kin are now living natural lives many times the former lifespan. Amongst those most afflicted by this longevity are the Grimnyr. Conversely, there are those whose lives are ending naturally far shorter than previous generations. There seems no way to predict this pattern, with lifespans even within the same generation of Crucible spawnings differing wildly. The Kin themselves are solemnly accepted such fates, chalking it up to the will of the Votann. If there are dissatisfactions, they only share it privately. For to express any disagreements with the will of the Ancestors is considered grossly taboo.[11c]

When a Kin does die, their physical remains usually are sent to rejoin their Ancestor Core, which absorbs their accumulated neural information gathered over their lifetime. These are viewed as highly sacred offerings, and all Kin hope to one day have their absorbed knowledge prove useful to their Votann. This is a major motivation for Kin to journey out beyond the Core, in order to discover new things that one day can be assimilated by their Ancestor Core.[1c] After the Kin's mind is absorbed into the Ancestor Core, their body was normally broken down for nutrients and raw materials, though in recent millennia this has been replaced by more ornate funeral customs. One of the greatest acts of punishment against a Kin for a particularly heinous crime is to deny them the chance of rejoining their Votann upon death by forcing them into exile, dooming them to die unremembered and forever isolated from their ancestors.[11c]

Culture and Society

Main article: League (Leagues of Votann)
Main article: Kindred (Leagues of Votann)
Main article: Kin Lexicon

All Kin - barring only rare outcasts - belong to extended familial and biological groupings dubbed Kindred. Kindreds dwell within their Holds, which in turn are ruled by Hearthspake councils while Kâhls serve as their military commanders. Nearly all Kindred are in turn pledged to a wider mercantile-military conglomerate dubbed a League, which at the core of each is a precious Ancestor Core. There are other sub-units of Kin society, such as professional groupings dubbed Guilds.[1c]

Culturally, Kin are known for their stubbornness, conservative outlook, and desire to accumulate wealth. The concept of risk vs. reward and the desire for profit are the underpinnings of Kin society and determine almost every facet of it.[11a] However they also are extremely loyal and known to put familial duties and obligations above all else.[1c] Ancestors are highly revered within Kin society, to the point of being revered as their equivalent of a religion. Some Leagues, like the Trans-Hyperian Alliance, pursue their duties with an almost religious fanaticism.[1d] Kin are renowned for their ability to hold a grudge, even forming military units dubbed Grudgebands in order to settle scores with those who have crossed them.[1a]

So conservative are the Kin that certain truisms and idioms have found universal acceptance. These are dubbed Truths, and are treated as articles of sincere good sense that are loaded with more nuance and meaning than is immediately apparent. The most common of these is the frequent Kin saying "The Ancestors are Watching", which often doubles as a battle-cry. One interpretation of this Truth is that all generations who have gone before are judging the deeds of the living, who must strive their hardest to live up to their ancestors. Yet equally, this Truth can remind the Kin that their Ancestors live on in every new generation and they are never truly alone. There are many other Truths, from describing useless objects or foolish schemes as a "prize for an Ork", to encompassing the depth's of their race's space-faring prowess as "The void is in our veins".[1a]

While a cloning-based society that is larger in number to the Tau or Eldar, the Kin as a race still pale in comparison to the masses of Humanity. However their numbers are augmented by artificial beings dubbed Ironkin, who sport advanced Artificial Intelligence and are fully integrated members of Kin society.[1c]

A Kin mercenary[7]

For naming conventions, each Kin has a first given name and a second chosen name. The given name is determined by their Crucible of birth and is given moments before their emergence. This name cannot be changed, for it is seen as the will of the Ancestors. Only Ironkin are permitted to choose their own given names. Meanwhile, a chosen name is something a Kin may choose for themselves and are free to change at will. It may incorporate some component of the names of their Kindred, Hold, or Votann. Others choose their names based on their institutions, reputation, or their family names.[1e]

Technology

Main article: Leagues of Votann Armoury
Main article: Ironkin

Kin technology shares a common origin with that of humanity, being broadly derived from the same STC patterns as those used by the modern Imperium. Just like the Imperium, the Kin utilize Bolters[5], Autoguns[6b], Laser Weapons, Plasma Guns[5], Power Armour[1f], Warp Drives[4], and Gellar Fields.[4] However, Kin designs are of superior build and effectiveness to their Imperial counterparts and they possess a greater understanding of their own technology compared to that of baseline humanity.[5]

Just like the Imperium, the Kin are fully capable of FTL travel through the Warp. However unlike the Imperium, which utilizes psychic Navigators, the Kin chart a path through the empyrean with Ironkin dubbed Wayfinders. This allows for faster and less hazardous warp journeys compared to their Imperial counterparts.[1b] In place of Astropaths seen in the Imperium, the Kin utilize near-instantaneous communication relays on their Fanes.[8]

The Kin do not have the same taboo regarding robotics and artificial intelligence as their Imperial cousins, leading to the development of advanced sapient artificial beings such as Ironkin and COGs.[1a]

Notable Kin

Sources

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