From Lexicanum

The Demiurg are a race of short semi-humanoids, first introduced to the Warhammer 40,000 universe in additional material to the Battlefleet Gothic game.

Contents 1 Inspiration and Etymology 2 History 3 Society 4 Technology 5 Sources

Inspiration and Etymology

The Demiurg have notable traits shared with the typical Dwarf stereotype, although they are not explicitly described as being like dwarves. For example they are avid miners, expert traders, in advance of humans (technologically at least) and apparently bear a particular hatred for goblinoids (which are represented by Orkoids in the 40k universe).

The term 'Demiurg' is derived from the ancient Greek word meaning 'artisan' or 'craftsman' and is given in some belief systems (most notably Gnosticism) to a deity that created the physical universe. It is therefore befitting that such a race be expert creators. The name also sounds a little like it could mean 'half-man', resonating with the Demiurgs' short stature.

It is frequently suggested (and often assumed) that the Demiurg are the attempt to reintroduce the Squat race that was removed from the game for reasons of the company, but it would be better understood as an attempt to reintroduce the 'space dwarf' image that has not been present in the game since the removal.

There are also clear similarities between the Demiurg and the Bentusi from the Homeworld series of computer games; both races are almost entirely spacebound, with no home planets, and both the Bentusi and Demiurg sell other races Ion Cannon technology. Furthermore, in the Tau language, the Demiurg are known as "Bentu'sin", which translates as 'wise-gifted ones'. This connection may not be surprising, as Homeworld was developed by Relic Entertainment, the developers behind Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War.

History

Particularly for the Demiurg it is noted that they reside on the far Eastern Fringe of the Galaxy and also found less often deep into areas such as the Ultima Segmentum. They are still an uncommon sight, despite the number of sightings has increased over recent centuries, being almost purely space-borne in their massive and majestic commerce vessels. Their history is unconfirmed, as are their origins, intentions and current threat to others and all is at most shakily based on speculation.

The Demiurg are known to have an 'allied' relationship with the Tau, being noted as economic relations of the Tau Empire, and were initially introduced to the Tau via their mutual relations with the Kroot. From the Demiurg, the Tau acquired their knowledge of Ion Cannon technology, which is now heavily used by the Tau in their armies and fleets. Two brotherhoods of Demiurg, the Srry'Tok and Thurm, are known to have joined the Tau Empire.

Society

The Demiurg are known to be organized into "Brotherhoods", though any further information on for instance the numbers, political structure, economic and military weight of a brotherhood is currently unknown, beyond the rumour that one Brotherhood is typically present upon a Bastion class ship and two to three on a Stronghold class.

Technology

The Demiurg appear to have no homeworld, or at least have abandoned it in favour of spacecraft, and as such have a high level of technology invested in their vessels as they are required to perform a number of tasks; Stronghold Class Vessels, for instance are used as factories and processing units, where as Bastion Class Vessels are more often configured for use in asteroid mining. A possible reason for this exodus is the opportunities for commerce generated by producing on location, although this is entirely speculative.

Larger Demiurg vessels are largely automated and use electro-magnetic fields to scoop up interstellar hydrogen, which is then compressed inside the vessel and ejected towards the rear, creating a form of ram-jet engine. The engines are relatively slow in comparison to Imperial technology, however the complex shielding the system requires and the beneficial side-effects of its use are as of yet still unfathomed by the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Aside from the development of ionic weapons, the Demiurg appear to remodel a lot of their weaponry from technology already developed for use in resource gathering and manufacturing. Two examples of this on board their spacecraft are the Cutting Beam, which appears to have been adapted from high powered lasers used to mine asteroids, and automated mining machines, which, once reconfigured, are launched as attack craft against enemy ships.

Sources

• New Threat Alert, by Andy Chambers, from Battlefleet Gothic Magazine. Available here. URL Accessed on 20 February 2006.
• To Unite the Stars: Tau Vessels, by Andy Chambers, Pete Haines and Matt Keafe, from the Battlefleet Gothic Rulebook. Available here. URL accessed on 20 February 2006.
• Post on Specialist Games Epic forum, by Jervis Johnson (6th post down). Available here. URL accessed on 20 February 2006.