Tarellian

The Tarellian Bounty Hunter known as The Enforcer, and her Barghesi hound, Plunder.^[10]

Tarellians, also called Tarellian Dog-Soldiers or simply Dog Soldiers, are a minor reptilian species of alien found throughout much of the galaxy.^[1][2][4]

Overview

Tarellian Dog-soldier's head^[2]

Tarellians are called dog soldiers because of their long canine-like faces. They are narrow-waisted, broad shouldered, have clawed fingers, and are a bit shorter than most humans.^[4]

The Tarellians have an honour-based culture featuring many long rituals of oath and respect. If these ceremonies are interrupted or disrespected, they will quickly become violent.^[7] Their language is called Tarellian and is described as snarling, growling and barking. They are also known to snap their jaws and show their teeth when threatening others.^[4]

History

According to legend, the Imperium virus-bombed some Tarellian worlds during the Emperor's Great Crusade.^[4] This has given the Tarellians a deep hatred of the Imperium, even 10 millennia later.^[7]

Known locations and encounters

• Thanks to the T'au Empire's skilled Water Caste diplomats, some Tarellians have embraced the Greater Good and have become valued partners in furthering its cause.^[8] Tarellians served the T'au Empire on Cao Quo alongside human auxiliaries.^[11]
• They are known to have been present on Epsion Octarius.^[4]
• They once held the Mostar System, until their forces were defeated by the Brotherhood of a Thousand Chapter, in late M41.^[3]
• A Tarellian civilization was recently devoured by Hive Fleet Moloch during their advances from the galactic north and the Kiltor Sector.^[1]
• Tarellian Dog-Soldiers also fought as part of the xenos mercenaries of the Alpha Legion's Sons of the Hydra in their campaign to eradicate the Ultramarines' successor chapters guarding the rimward edge of the Maelstrom in late M41.^[5a] They took part in the successful ground assault against the Marines Mordant's fortress-monastery the Bas-Silica on Vitrea Mundi.^[5a] Here they fought alongside the Morralians, Galgs, Fra'al, Sslyth, and Eldar Outcasts, and were united with them by a shared seething hatred of humanity.^[5a] The use of different species was chosen to provide maximum strategic flexibility, and their extremely varied combat styles made them very difficult for even marine veterans to defend against.^[5a][5b]
• Genestealers are known to have started colonies among the Tarellians, though they have not proven to be an ideal host.^[6]
• A group of Tarellians attempted to join the Red Corsairs and were in the middle of pledging their oaths to Huron Blackheart when the Chaos Lord had more pressing matters. After telling them to stop the time-consuming ritual, the Tarellians became enraged and attacked the Chaos Space Marines but were promptly slaughtered.^[7]
• A Tarellian hunter known as The Enforcer is part of Red Corsairs Master Huron Blackheart's inner circle.^[10]
• The Legio Fureans of Incaladion is known to have fought against Tarellians before the Great Crusade.^[9]

Notable Tarellians

• The Enforcer - A bounty hunter allied with the Red Corsairs.^[10]

Trivia

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

• The species first appeared in the 3rd edition rulebook (1998), where they are referred to as "Tarellian Dog-soldiers", as an example of "Other Dangerous Aliens".^[2]
• The Enforcer miniature is featured as part of the Huron Blackheart and the Masters of the Maelstrom set (2026) and represents the species' first appearance in the tabletop game.^[10]

See also

• List of sentient species

Sources

• 1: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition), pg. 29
• 2: Warhammer 40,000 3rd Edition Rulebook, pg. 116
• 3: Storm of Damocles (Novel), Chapter 7, pg. 43
• 4: Kill Team (Novel), Chapter 6, pgs. 175-178
• 5: Sons of the Hydra (Novel):
  • 5a: Part I, Chapter δ: The Viper's Nest
  • 5b: Part I, Chapter γ: Turning Tail
• 6: Codex: Genestealer Cults (8th Edition), pg. 14
• 7: Huron Blackheart: Master of the Maelstrom (Novel), Chapter 6
• 8: Warhammer 40,000 10th Edition Rulebook, pg. 191
• 9: The Horus Heresy Book Three - Extermination, pg. 155
• 10: Warhammer Community: The New Year Preview – Prepare to be boarded by the new Red Corsairs (archived from the original, last accessed 16 January 2026)
• 11: Elemental Council (Novel), Chapter 15