Abhuman
From Lexicanum
Abhumans are human subspecies - descendants of humans who have physically evolved after long periods of isolation on worlds with various extreme environmental conditions.
In an Imperium where genetic mutation and spiritual corruption are often interrelated, abhumans are a focus of much controversy. In more liberal times under the Emperor, even markedly divergent abhumans such as the Beastmen could serve in the Imperial Guard. Since the Emperor's stasis however, only the lesser deviants, such as Ogryns and Ratlings, are considered Imperial citizens. However, they are still distrusted by the more puritan members of the Inquisition.
In White Dwarf issue 303, an official article was published featuring Doctrines to allow Imperial Guard armies to take units of Abhumans, expanding on the Ratling Snipers and Ogryns of the rulebook. The article featured Beastmen (or Homo Sapiens Variatus), Mutant Slave Levies (ordinary mutant slaves rounded up for cannon fodder), Feral Ogryns (even nastier and more primitive than regular Ogryns), Nightsiders (originating from worlds of perpetual or near-perpetual darkness, little to no ability to see but perfect warriors for Night Fighting missions), Afriel Strain Soldiers (genetically engineered from DNA taken from great heroes of the Imperium, very unlucky and unpopular), Subs (relatively genetically stable but still hideously deformed mutant sub-breeds) and Gland Warriors (Imperial Guardsmen implanted with special organs and glands that secrete combat-useful chemicals, such as stimms and pain-killers).
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Afriel Strain
Afriel Strain soldiers were created during an experimental process, of which little is known about. It was an attempt to capitalize on the characteristics of the heroes of the Imperium's genetic material, using all the best traits which made them great. It was an attempt to create the perfect soldier, which failed. Afriel Strain warriors, for some reason, have the worst luck. Afriels are normally Albino, with pale alabaster skin, pale hair and colourless eyes.
Beastmen
Beastmen are horned, hoofed, hairy abhumans. They were formerly recruited for the Imperial Guard, where they used their bloodlust to fight for the Emperor and atone for the sin of being born mutants. They were led by Beastmen called packmasters. Beastmen are no longer seen in Imperial service; no doubt elements of the Inquisition convinced the Administratum that they couldn't be so radically altered from normal humans without being tainted by Chaos.
Gland War veterans
Gland War Veterans were created to fight on the planet Dantis III, which was heavily polluted. The Techpriests modified several companies of the Lostok 23rd to fight in the hellish conditions. They had organs and drug-secreting glands implanted in their bodies so that they could survive unprotected. Their combat abilities and aggressiveness were increased.
Ogryns
Ogryns evolved on high-gravity, low-temperature prison planets. They are huge and stupid but extremely loyal once introduced to the Imperial Cult. It's even said that those who fought as rebels in the Horus Heresy only did so because their superior officers lied to them about which side they were on. Ogryns are used as shock troops, wielding heavy automatic shotguns called Ripper Guns, which can be used as clubs. They tend to be claustrophobic and thus are difficult to transport in Chimera APCs. They are led by "Bone 'eads," who have undergone Biochemical Ogryn Neural Enhancement so they're not quite so stupid.
Ratlings
Ratlings are the smallest type of abhumans, serving as snipers in the Imperial Guard, although this role is becoming less popular now that pure human special weapon and light infantry squads are fielding marksmen as well. Ratlings also serve as cooks, a skill they no doubt learned in order to feed their own stomachs. They also tend towards kleptomania.
Squats
Squats originated on high-gravity worlds towards the galactic core, making them short and tough. They seceded from the Imperium during the Age of Apostasy. They are said to have been mostly been wiped out by the Tyranids. The race is an equivalent of the fantasy dwarf.
Nightsiders
Nightsiders live out their lives in near or complete darkness. They may have larger eyes than a normal human, almost bulbous; others may have vestigial eyes with other senses to compensate for the near blindness.
References
- The Imperial Guard. White Dwarf 109
- Priestley, Rick (1995). Codex: Imperial Guard. Games Workshop Ltd. ISBN 1872372929
- Weeds, Ivan; and Davis, Graeme. Ogryns. White Dwarf 110
- Chapter Approved, Abhumans. White Dwarf 303
