Welcome to Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum! Log in and join the community.

Slaugth

From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
Revision as of 22:34, 8 September 2011 by C'tan (talk | contribs) (Overview)
Jump to: navigation, search
A Slaugth xeno consuming a human victim.

The Slaugth are a race of vague humanoid shape covered in hundred of half-melded maggot like worms covered in viscous mucus, they are impervious to most but, extreme injury. 1

History

This species of xeno are believed to be an impossibly ancient race of beings who are likely natives of the Calixis Sector long before the arrival of Mankind. Much of their known activity is known to take place around the region of the Hazeroth Abyss that consists of cursed space and dead stars. Their true homeworld is, however, unknown and may not be located within the Abyss.5-p207 Their origins are largely unknown to the Imperium though Rogue Traders and xeno-savants believe that any empire that they hold lies far out the Trailing Halo Stars. The first contact between mankind and Slaugth is unknown though some sources claim that they have been encountered on the edge of Imperial space as far back as the Age of Strife.1-p78 The large abundance of Humans has led to them becoming the favoured prey of the Slaugth. Despite this being the case, they seemed content to use infiltration and Human agents to bring about their incomprehensible plans.5-p207

Many of the encounters with these xenos follow the same pattern with black tenebrous vessels that enter into Imperial space where they wreak havoc on isolated outposts or shipping lines attacked by vastly superior and horrific foe. These events lead to mutilated bodies being left behind or even missing whilst in other encounters the Slaugth give their vile technologies to renegade humans in return for slaves.1-p78 Those Imperial worlds that border the Hazeroth Abyss often tell the stories relating to the xeno Slaugth as the "worms that walk". They are equated to being a nightmare that emerges from the depths of the Abyss who kill the living and feast on the dead. Ultimately, they are dismissed as being little more than a myth by those in power within the Imperium.5-p207

However, the Inquisition knows the truth of the existence of these aliens and the legends that speak of them being carrion eaters.5-p207 Sealed Inquisitorial archives claim that several frontier worlds in the Segmentum Obscurus have, over millennia, been intentionally thrown into civil war in order to allow the xeno Slaugth to invade and feed on the inhabitants.1-p78 The mysterious and inscrutable plan remains as a complete mystery to those within the Holy Ordos that are aware of the Slaugth. All that is known is that this strategy seems to one that all the Slaugth seem to abide.5-p207 In truth, the real reason behind the fact that the Slaugth avoid engagements with the Imperium is due to the fact that Mankind greatly outnumbers them. Whilst individual Humans are no match for a Slaugth, their greater numbers would mean that their kind would suffer a rapid defeat if the Imperium was provoked into open warfare. Despite this being the case, they are known to be preparing for the day when they will attack the Calixis Sector more openly.5-p209

The Storm Wardens Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes is known to had engaged Slaugth and their warrior constructs on Vigil during the events known as the Cleansing of Vigil. This conflict consisted of a series of bloody, close-range figrefighters due to the confined conditions and heavy armour was impossible to use. Whilst the Storm Wardens advanced cautiously and methodically, the Slaugth proved to be adept at provoking the Astartes out of such careful tactics. Casualties grew high as the battle raged on and the Storm Wardens mroale was sorely tested but, ultimately, they succeeded in cleansing Vigil of the Slaugth threat though it was a costly victory to them.4-p53

In order to feed their constant hunger, the Slaugth have begun to turn their attention to the Calixis Sector and have moved to the task of destabilizing the region by bringing about civil war as well as anarchy so that they can feed on the masses of humans unopposed. To achieve this goal, they begin to infiltrate the Amaranthine Syndicate when it was a fledgling trade cartel and slowly moved in to control it completely. Now, they take the patient approach which may take generation of human lives till it sees fruitrition but have embarked on a simplistic plan using their knowledge of human nature namely greed as well as desire.1-p77 Thus, they seek to provide humans with their technology, wealth, trinkets and other such items whereupon they intend to see mankind tear itself apart for such gifts. At the same time, they intend to further infiltrate the criminal as well as economic institutions with the Ecclesiarchy and Adeptus Administratum being likely targets. When the appointed time approaches, the Slaugth intend to see the sector collapse in on itself whereupon they will sweep through the region and have their way.1-p78

Many regard these xenos as being a nightmarish myth perpetrated as a void-born tale by mad Rogue Traders. However, the Inquisition knows them to be a real threat though suppresses all knowledge of them which has been the case for millennia.1-p78 However, the Holy Ordos remain unaware of the fact that the Amarantine Syndicate is now under the command of the Slaugth.1-p78 Slaugth activity within the Calixis Sector has also dramatically increased who have spread a network of their agents throughout the region with the Imperium being struck blindsided by this subtle invasion of their territory.1-p79 There is, however, some dissension amongst their ranks with a splinter faction formed by a Slaugth known as Intendant Recusant who has become consumed by his addictive hunger. This entity is known to had broken free from his dark masters where he leads Slaugth infiltrators, a cadre of constructs and a faction of Humans from the Amaranthine Syndicate as he seeks his own goals.5-p207

Overview

The Slaugth are a terrible and monstrous race of beings who are known as "maggot men", "dream eaters" and as the "carrion lords" who's bodies as well as their minds are completely alien to humanity.1-p78 Their roughly humanoid shaped form stands roughly as large as 3 meters in height with the capacity to manipulate their forms.5-p207 This vaguely human-like creature has hundreds of writhing maggot-like worms covered in a vicious necrotic mucus. These traits allow them to stretch and reform their bodies at will whilst allowing them to move with on obscene boneless fluidity along with the capacity to regenerate at startling speed. Slaugth are impervious to age, disease, poison and are vulnerable to the most extreme of injuries. Their alien minds are coldly savage and are psychic voids filled with a monstrous hunger for the dead. They are able to produce necrotic fluids from their body tissues with this bile consisting of flesh-eating bacteria and molecular acids able to liquefy flesh or even burn through metal. The strange technology of the Slaugth combined with their unusual appearance has led many to mistakenly believe them to be daemonic beings.1-p80 They are one of the xenos that conceal their true selves and walk amongst Mankind as if they were Humans themselves through which they are able to achieve their feats of deception.3-p207

They are known to be an ageless and patient race with a psyche that is incomprehensible to the human mind though they do share one characteristic that others can understand namely an addictive hunger. This motivation to feed their hunger and thus much of their goals are based on achieving this single minded mission.1-p77 This hunger comes in the form of being genuine carrion eaters who crave the flesh of dead intelligent beings above all others with a particular focus for consuming cranial matter which gives them a narcotic as well as addictive experience.1-p78 Some say that this act allows them to even consume the memories and knowledge of their victims.1-p78 This is in fact based on truth and by devouring the cranial matter of a sentient being; they are able to absorb their memories, knowledge and experiences.1-p80 For this purpose, the fresher brain is able to achieve this goal of gaining particular information. However, they tend to prefer consume rotting brain matter which gives them a narcotic effect to them though they do forgo this pleasure if this is a more expedient act. The memories gained from such a process fade within weeks unless reinforced, repeatedily used or externally recorded.1-p81

One of the hallmarks of the race are the fact that they hold a vast, cold and completely alien intellect. Furthermore, restraint is not considered a virtue within the racial hubris of the Slaugth and this trait is one of the reasons why individual members of the xenos will never admit that their intellects had become tainted by an obsession with their hungers. They are known to be extremely intelligent, highly resilient and completely evil beings.5-p207

Among the known Slaugth are the Principals who serve as Overseers of the Amarantine Syndicate though whether they are a leadership caste or particular cabal was unknown.1-p80 Destructors are capable of taking a human guise and have dedicated themselves to the art of destruction above all other pursuits who are able to revert to their true nature allowing them to become nightmarish semi-humanoid mass of writing white forms.2-p62 Another known rank includes the Intendents who also serve as leaders in Slaugth field operations.5-p209

Technology

The Slaugth are a frighteningly advanced race who possess a mastery of biomechanical technology as well as a greater understanding of elemental physics which exceeds that of mankind and perhaps even the Eldar. Among their more mysterious capabilities is the capacity to travel interstellar distances without making use of the Warp. Much of their devices are actually grown or augmented pseudo-living machines which blend both flesh and metal.1-p78 Their science and technology is nightmarishly powerful that blends the organic with the inorganic in a symbiotic functional form. They are able to manufacture strange techno-organic constructs with bewildering creatures to conduct their masters goals. Their weapons and artefacts are strangely advanced to make them appear as products of warp craft to the uninitiated.1-p80 The keen and terrible grasp of the biosciences has proven to be the greatest strength of their kind which allows them to grow entire armies instead of training them. Their array of constructs can be adapted to serve as guards, spies and even as labourers.5-p209

When they desire to pass unseen and conceal their terrifying form, the Slaugth make use multi-layered robes and mantles known as Shroud Cloaks which absorb as well as refract light. These cloaks seem to write and move as if having a life of their own yet allow their masters to pass, at a distance, as a misshapen human.1-p78 Shroud Armour is another form of ragged cloak that allows their wearer to disappear from sight by projecting a strange affect that clouds the perceptions of outsiders thus making them invisible.5-p209 A known weapon also includes a corroded appearing device known as a Necrotic Sceptre that pulsed with sickly light and unleashed arcs of eerie moaning energy when fired. Though a potent long ranged device, it is equally capable of being used as a melee weapon.1-p78 Amongst their other weapons include the little undestood Necrotic Beams used on shock-constructs that can turn their targets into dust. A weapon of rank is also present in the form of the Necrotic Lance used by Intendents with these long-bladed spears made of swirling strands of bilious energy. With a simple command, they are able to project devastating bolts of energy that can destroy battle tanks. This qualifies it as being both a melee weapon and a long ranged one.5-p209

They make use of a range of constructs that are created by their biomechanical technology. This includes the Vassal Construct which are the most common type who are used to tend devices, serve as menial labourers, observers, spies and as guards. Similar to most examples of their technology, these Constructs bring revulsion to humans though widely differ in appearance though most are asymmetrical floating columns of mottled, fungal looking flesh. Pulsing veins and lattices of metal threadwork as well as crystalline studs cover their form. Their heads are clusters of waving frond-like sensory growths with skeletal pincer-limbs forming from the body mass when needed.1-p81 Another weapon used by this xenos species are the Harvest Constructs which appear as a vehicle-sized amorphous mass of rippling wet flesh that silently floats above the ground. Their mission is to search for sentient matter to consume for their masters and it does its duty with a near mindless persistence with it never tiring or relenting in its goal. Upon finding a target, these constructs pursue them and use their metallic tendrils tipped with pincers to usher their prey into the lamprey-like mouth of the Harvest Construct. This act decapitates their prey with the head being preserved in a semi-transparent sack located at the construct's back which are stored safely for future Slaugth feeding.2-p66

Warrior Vassal Constructs are more militant versions of their biomechnical creations. These pale oval masses of fungal flesh are filled with purple veins along with metal lattices. Movement is provided through three skeletal spider-like legs with their upper torso consisting of thick stumpy tube that is filled with a mass of tendrils which surround radial fang-filled maw. Each tendril is surprisingly strong and able to stretch into sharp bone blades. These warrior constructs are not limited to their tendrils alone but are also equipped with a beam weapon that is embedded within their body. This device fires a necrotising beam that is capable of disintegrating a man in seconds.5-p209

Known Slaugth

Sources