Beastman
Beastmen (Homo sapiens variatus) are bestial abhumans combining the forms of animal and human. They are considered to be fairly genetically stable compared to those afflicted by more random, unpredictable mutations.[11]
Overview
Beastmen are known to have first appeared during the Age of Strife.[8] At some point in their ancestry they merged with animal strains. In general they have cloven hooves, digitigrade legs (legs that appear to be backwards jointed, like the hind legs of a goat) and faces that resemble animals. Their arms and hands are usually similar to a standard humans, allowing them to use human weapons and tools.[6]
They were formerly freely recruited in number for the Imperial Guard, where they were valued mainly for their bloodlust; they fought for the Emperor in order to atone for their sin of being born mutants. They were led by Beastmen called Packmasters[7] and included in the Militarum Auxilla.[17] However, Beastmen are seen less in Imperial service than they were before. They are now subject to severe Imperial persecution and have been placed on the Register of Proscribed Citizens (Class A-G worlds) by the Adeptus Arbites. As such, they are effectively precluded from settlement on, or transportation to or from, more than three hundred thousand worlds of the Imperium and are forbidden from being conscripted as an Imperial Tithe obligation.[4] These restrictions are a sure sign that Beastmen will soon lose their abhuman status completely and be reclassified as Xenos Horrificus and marked for eradication.[6]
Despite this, and partly due to the exigencies of the Great Rift and the difficulties faced by the Imperials in Imperium Nihilus, while beastmen face further discrimination in the Imperial Guard faithful Abhumans are still recruited into the Frateris Militia as of the Era Indomitus. Lead by a Confessor-Sergeant, they are often given autoguns by the Ecclesiarchy, as they are deemed "unworthy" of wielding lasguns. They gladly lay down their lives for their beloved "Goat-Emperor" (possibly an unfortunate dialect and pronunciation issue) [12]
"They are an effective force in their way, and I do not doubt the Emperor's Wisdom in allowing tainted abhuman filth to serve him. But my men shall not be exposed to the corruption of these beasts.'"
- Space Marine Commander Carab Culln of the Red Scorpions[1c]
Many Beastmen worship the Chaos Gods and frequent the armies of the Lost and the Damned.[2] Of these corrupted Beastmen warriors, those that worship Khorne are known as Bloodgors, those that worship Tzeentch are known as Tzaangors, those that worship Slaanesh are known as Slaangors[5], and those that worship Nurgle are known as Pestigors.[3a]
There is also an unusually large and aggressive strain of giant Beastman known as a Minotaur. It is comparable in strength to an Ogryn.[1a] Trolls are another large strain of Beastmen.[10]
Some beastmen feel they have risen to be a cut above their herd-fellows in the eyes of their Dark Patrons. The Fellgor Ravagers are one such Chaos-worshipping beastmen herd.[15]
Notable Beastmen
- Gor Half-Horn
- Brutus - A minotaur servant of Fabius Bile[18]
Trivia
 |
Given that Frateris Militia bands fight in support of armies of the Adepta Sororitas, the feasibility exists that one may indeed find Sisters of Battle fighting side by side with Beastmen Frateris Militia.[13] It is not unimaginable they do so with great reluctance or even scorn, given one of the key tenets of the Imperial Cult is to "beware the mutant".[14]
Images
Beastmen
Beastmen miniatures[1d]
Tzaangor miniatures (7th Edition)
Beastman miniature (Blackstone Fortress)
Chaos worshiping Beastmen (Fellgor Ravagers)
Epic Scale Beastmen
Imperial Guard Beastman miniature[9]
Beastmen Frateris Militia (Zealots) lead by a Confessor Sargeant[12]
Chaos Beastmen battle Hearthkyn Salvagers.
Fellgor Ravager Fluxbray[16]
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000: Compendium:
- 2: Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks - Part Two, pg. 135
- 3: Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned, pg. 174
- 3a: pg. 261
- 4: Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook, pg. 279 - Appendix Abhumans
- 5: White Dwarf 124 (UK), pg. 69
- 6: Liber Xenologis, pgs. 30-31 - Abhumans: Beastmen
- 7: Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook, pg. 404
- 8: Warhammer 40,000 10th Edition Rulebook pg. 47 - Ages of Mankind
- 9: White Dwarf 303 (UK), pg. 44
- 10: Firepower Issue 1, pg. 82 - Daemonic Legions by Gav Thorpe
- 11: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
- 12: White Dwarf 476 pg. 34
- 13: Codex: Sisters of Battle (2nd Edition) pg. 59
- 14: Dark Heresy: Blood of Martyrs pgs. 18-19
- 15: Games Workshop Storepage - Kill Team: Fellgor Ravagers page save to archive 10 January 2025, original link: https://www.warhammer.com/en-US/shop/kill-team-fellgor-ravagers-2024 (last accessed 10 January 2025)
- 16: Kill Team: Gallowfall rule book[Needs Citation]
- 17: Warhammer-Community: Beastmen are Back! The Fellgor Ravagers Return to the 41st Millennium at their Braying Best saved to archive 10 January 2025, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/35TlRgiD/beastmen-are-back-the-fellgor-ravagers-return-to-the-41st-millennium-at-their-braying-best/ (last accessed 10 January 2025)
- 18: Genefather (Novel), Chapter 2
Uncited
 |
