Xenology (Background Book)
Xenology is a Warhammer 40,000 background book written by Simon Spurrier. It details all the main alien races of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, and some less well known ones. It features artwork including detailed dissections of the subjects investigated. It also includes some details of the Ordo Xenos. Xenology was published in 2006 and is now out of print.
Plot
Inquisitor Maturin Ralei, a radical member of the Ordo Xenos, captured alien species to study them. After his death, the Inquisition's Conclave Conservati sends Inquisitor Brehm Sasham to investigate and destroy any potentially dangerous research and expose Relei as a heretic.
After going to the planet Biegel and discovering Relei's research, Inquisitor Sasham seeks to destroy the research lab but is petitioned by Ralei's research assistant, Magos Darvus, to not destroy the place until the last specimens can be dissected and examined.
There are 10 different species dissected, with various notes added to their biology, habits, and other "important" information to understanding the different species. The various species include the Tyranids, the Tau, the Kroot, the Thyrrus (new), and the Q'orl (new).
Structure of the Book
The book is part art book, part "research" book, and all background fluff. A "story" can be pieced together through loose notes and other documentation of the events that happened. There are also many diagrams resembling medical text and "research" on the different aspects of the species dissected from Ralei's notes and other excerpts from various texts in Ralei's collection.
Characters
- Inquisitor Ralei - Radical who started the Xeno research, later found out to be a Necron Lord
- Inquisitor Brehm Sasham - Sent to investigate the research after Ralei's death
- Magos Biologis Darvus - Ralei's main researcher
Information
- Biegel - Planet Xenology takes place on
- Dissection Reports
- Histrio tragoedus, Thyrrus Warrior and a Unknown Item
- Tau Tau, Tau Ethereal
- Designation Unknown, Exodite? Eldar and a Spirit stone
- Designation Unknown, "Umbra" specimen
- Krootis (nux) aviana, Kroot
- Bestiola Superior, Q'orl and a Q'orl weapon
- Vermis (tyrannus) furii, Adult Genestealer
- Tyrannus Dissimulus(partial), Tyranid Lictor
- Tyrannus tyrannus, Tyranid Warrior
- Tyrannus scinderus, Adult Ripper
- Troglydium hrudii, Hrud, a weapon and a unknown crystalline prism
Additional Information
Spurrier, Simon (2005). Xenology. Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-282-6.
