Xenos

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Targetdrone.gif This article is about the Imperial term for alien races; for the Novel by Dan Abnett, see Xenos (Novel).

Xenos is an Imperial term synonymous with "alien" (from the human perspective), and refers to all non-human and extraterrestrial sentient species.[6]

Overview

Various races of Xenos[7]

The major non-Human alien races of the galaxy are the Orks, Eldar, Dark Eldar, Tyranids, Necrons, Leagues of Votann[11], and the T'au. All these races pose a considerable threat to the survival and continued dominance of mankind. However, there are countless other non-human civilizations within the galaxy, some of the most infamous of which are the Hrud, Barghesi, Enslavers, Jokaero, Zoats, Kroot, Sslyth, Uluméathic, Dracolith, Reek and Slaugth.[10][13] None know the true extent of non-Imperial life across the massive expanse of the galaxy.[10]

The Imperium considers humanity the rightful rulers of the whole galaxy. Part of the Imperial Creed is that all aliens judged to pose a threat to mankind's survival must be contained or destroyed. Aliens, along with mutants, heretics and deviants, are all considered enemies of mankind, for they threaten the very survival of the human race. Nearly all xenos tend to be feared and hated by most Imperials. This results in a xenos' disadvantage when engaging most Imperials in a social or diplomatic context.[9]

Many new alien races and civilisations are discovered by Imperial Explorators every year. For the most part, these aliens are ignored, contained, or if they present a threat to mankind or the Imperium, eradicated. Throughout its history the Imperium has fought many long wars with dangerous alien species. In most cases the Imperium has eventually won, but in some, the threat has only managed to be contained.[2]

Interactions with Xenos

Although friendly dealings with aliens is almost unthinkable, Rogue Traders are allowed to barter and trade with aliens.[12] Some xenos civilizations even exist within Imperial space with the expressed permission of authorities, such as the Squat Ironhead Prospectors of Necromunda (though officially these are classified as a type of Abhuman).[14] However overall the Imperium strictly prohibits any dealings with Xenos, and the charge of consorting with aliens (dubbed xenophilia) will result in one being branded a Heretic and exterminated.[15]

Military Alliances

Despite all the fear and hatred, on certain occasions, short-termed military alliances have been established with the likes of the Eldar, Leagues of Votann, and Tau. These temporary alliances are somewhat uncommon but not unheard of, but can be made against a common enemy like the forces of Chaos, Tyranids or Orks. The Imperial Navy, units of the Imperial Guard, and even detachments of Space Marines have, on certain occasions, fought beside these allied forces.[16][17][18][22c]

Several examples of Imperial-Xenos alliances are:

Secret pacts

Some human organisations, including some factions of the Inquisition, individual Navigator families, the Illuminati brotherhood, etc., even have certain secret dealings and alliances xenos such as the Eldar. All these agreements are carefully guarded secrets, as they would be considered treason by other more conservative factions of the Imperium. One such pact is the Coven of Isha.[23]

Individual cases

Certain individuals, like Captain Gabriel Angelos of the Blood Ravens have had friendlier contact with certain Eldar. The Blood Ravens Chapter in particular has had unclear contacts with the Eldar throughout its history. This is, for obvious reasons, kept secret by all parties involved. Ironically, the secrecy surrounding the Blood Ravens' actions with the Eldar could possibly be one contributing factor to the Chapter being largely unaware of its history.[24]

Trade, smuggling, mercenaries and treason

Unlawful friendlier contact on a larger scale can happen, as some Imperial governors simply ignore Imperial law if the potential rewards are great enough and will trade with some xeno-races. Many items of xeno-origin are smuggled into and within the Imperium. Exotic weapons, tomes of knowledge, poisons, certain xeno-devices to dispose of one's rivals, etc., seem to be craved by certain members of the jaded elite and commonly used in some quarters. A known example is the Jokaero death spider, which uses zarthax, one of the deadliest poisons in the galaxy.[1]

Certain Imperial factions use xeno weaponry, ships, and equipment on occasions[12], and aliens such as Kroot[22] and Kin[22c] have been used as mercenaries by Rogue Traders[28], Inquisitors, and others.[27] Some governors have even hired alien mercenaries to maintain their grip on power, as was the case with Herman von Strab during the Third War for Armageddon.[25]

The T'au deliberately foster such developments, trading with nearby Imperial systems and preaching the ideals of the Greater Good. As a result, a very small number of Imperial governors on the frontiers of the Ultima Segmentum have recently seceded from the Imperium, pledging their allegiance and the loyalty of their respective worlds and star-systems to the T'au Empire. These are incorporated into the Empire as Gue'vesa.[29]

Xenos and Chaos

The relationship between particular alien races and Chaos varies from case to case. Some are by their nature completely immune, such as the Necrons. Others, such as the T'au, appear to be largely immune to Chaos corruption, although much of this immunity is of social nature. Others have been completely corrupted. Races influenced and corrupted by Chaos include the Bale Childer,[3] Yu'vath,[3] Saruthi,[4], Grell[8], and Xenarch.[5]

Images

Various races of Xenos[6]

Trivia

TriviaScrollTrans.png

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.

  • Etymologically, "ξένος (xénos)" is a Greek word meaning "stranger" or "alien".

See also

Sources

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