40K Lore: From Zero to Hero
Loremasters, today we go over some of the semi-mythical denizens of the Grimdark that you will be facing in the days ahead.
I know, I know. All the galaxy’s battlefields are a constant stream of Tzeentch Horrors, Marine super character units and Magnus – but no more. Get ready for some mysterious denizens of the grimdark you have have never seen before. Here’s a quick guide so you don’t get embarrassed in front of your troops:
Not seen since Rogue Trader…
Rough Riders
Rough Riders are fast moving troops of the Imperial Guard, mounted on a horse/animal/beast/grox/bike or other mount.
They are deployed on the battlefield as scouts, patrol units and for quick hit-and-run attacks; living mounts allow Rough Riders to function far from Imperial supply lines, in terrain unsuitable for mechanised warfare, and avoid detection. Though armoured no better than the average Guardsman, their speed and manoeuvrability is their true asset on the battlefield, able to charge into the enemy’s flanks for devastating effect.
Rough Riders are primarily trained for close combat, not ranged assault, they are often armed simply with a hunting lance and laspistol or other close-combat weapon, as well as frag and krak grenades; some squads will arm themselves with special weapons such as a flamer, grenade launcher, meltagun or plasma gun. Squads are generally composed of four to nine riders in addition to a Sergeant, who sometimes carries melta bombs in addition to a power weapon or plasma pistol.
The Blood Angels are said to be very excited…
Predator
The Predator is a battle tank employed by the Space Marines. It is a more heavily armed and armoured version of the Rhino personnel carrier. There are two major patterns of Predator, the Destructor and the Annihilator, primarily distinguished by their specific weaponry. The Blood Angels and their Successor Chapters employ the assault-oriented Baal Predator.
Construction of Predators remains restricted to a Chapter’s Armoury or allied Forge World, with most Chapters fielding between twenty to thirty of all types.
Rogue Traders report these xenos and “floating polar bears” are recent T’au allies. Not likely…
Vespids
The Vespid, known as Stingwings by the Imperial Guard or Mal’Kor by the Tau) are an insectoid race allied with the Tau Empire.
Hailing from the world of Vespid, the race was already fairly technology adept when they were approached by the Tau Empire‘s Water Caste diplomats. It seemed unlikely that the Vespid would ever submit for the Greater Good, as their mindset was so freakishly different to anything the Tau could understand that their emissaries made little headway. However after the Ethereals provided the Vespids with a custom-made communication headset, the Vespids suddenly became completely complient, calmly accepting total annexation by the Tau Empire. Rumors have circulated every since as to what true purpose these headsets serve.
Ad Mech Arch-magos belive this image is simply a group of Obliterators attending a Chaos costume party.
Mutilators
Mutilators are mutated Chaos Space Marine heavy infantry who specialize in close combat. Closely resembling Obliterators, they are originally believed to be Chaos Space Marine Terminators who specialized in close quarters fighting, but as with all who harbour an obsession within the Warp, they grew to become the incarnation of the murderous desires in their heart. Mutilators are fed up with the fickle nature of mankind and prefer the simple purity of killing with the blade. This led to their gradual fall to the forces of Chaos.
Now mutated by the powers of Chaos, they have since bound themselves to the bloodthristy spirits of ancient weapons and dedicated themselves to the art of close slaughter. These spirits have psychic reflections in the Warp which make even the smallest scalpel a hungry killing machine capable of growing stronger with each foe it kills. An ancient or relic weapon may even have a limited sentience with a lust for battle that surpasses that of the wielder. Mutilators seek not only to commune with such war-spirits in their weapons but also absorb them, assimilating the Warp-spawned power into their own souls.
Never seen outside their box. Physical existance unlikely.
Mandrakes
A Mandrake is a type of Dark Eldar native to the Commorragh region of Aelindrach whose physique has adapted to make him/her camouflaged almost anywhere. They have evolved the so-called shadow-skin, which makes them nigh-invisible out of direct light. They also exist within a different reality itself and are capable of entering into reality straight out of another person’s shadow. No-one knows how this dramatic change has occurred, not even their Dark Eldar kin. While the shadowskin could be just the result of warp exposure, other theories exist. Some consider them to be the very shadows brought to life, while others suggest that Mandrakes are a union of Eldar and Daemon.
One thing that is known about the Mandrakes is their lethality. Even the brutal denizens of Commorragh fear these creatures. Younger Dark Eldar call Mandrakes “creepers”, whispering that they can slink from one shadow and to another. They strike from the shadows, surprising and rending their enemies apart, with strength more often associated with Orks, rather than the Eldar.
Like the Terran buffalo, these once roamed the Hivefleets in endless herds… Now rarely seen outside a museum.
Carnifex
Carnifexes are hulking, powerful Tyranid creatures used as living battering rams. They are often armed with the most powerful Tyranid Bio-weapons, and are used in shock assaults, spaceship boarding actions, massed battles, and for battering through fortified positions and tank formations.
Carnifexes excel at thunderous charges, where their immense bulk is used to crush or smash through any opponent or obstacle. They are not as swift as other Tyranid creatures but their brute force more than makes up for this. A Carnifex’s stampede takes time to build force as their incredible alien musculature strains to propel it forward. As it builds momentum and reaches top speed, the ground shakes with each stride of the monster and foes are scattered or trampled before it, and only fortress walls or Super Heavy Tanks have any chance of surviving the ferocious impact.Most Carnifex kills registered come from high energy attacks – lascannon, plasma and melta weapon strikes to critical locations. Carnifexes can shrug off other small arms fire and even boltgun hits with minimal loss of function.
Come on – nothing this silly looking could be real. Plant people – who loot anything!? I’m calling the Arbites to deal with your lies!
“Orks“
Orks are a warlike, crude, and highly aggressive green-skinned Xenos race. Orks are the dominant subspecies of the Orkoids, which includes the smaller Gretchin and Snotlings. Although their society is entirely primitive and brutal, the Orkoid race is also the most successful species in the whole Galaxy, outnumbering possibly every other race. However, due to their aggressive and warlike nature, this massive race is split into hundreds of tiny empires, warring as much between themselves as against other races. In the purely theoretical event all the Orks were to unite, they would undoubtedly crush all opposition.
~It’s a stranger universe than you thought. Now get out there soldier and kick some butt for the Emperor!
