Editing Abhuman (section)

==Probably Artificial==

These abhumans are adapted for a wide variety of worlds, and, critically, were found on multiple, distinct worlds; as evolution has an astronomically poor chance of producing results like this, odds are far better that the native population, in order to deal with problems brought about by the [[Age of Strife]], genetically tampered with themselves to survive, explaining why populations on similar but distant worlds would arrive at identical (or very similar) solutions.

===[[Caryatid]]s===
''Homo sapiens caeruleum''

Bizarre looking [[Wat|flying blue babies]] that may or may not be the original inspiration for the [[Cherubim]]. Often viewed by [[Necromunda|Necromundans]] in the same way as rabbit's feet. While classified under the genus and species of Homo sapiens, we aren't too sure whether it is an Abhuman or a Xenos.

===[[Longshank]]s===
''Homo sapiens longatus''

Longshanks are adapted for very low or zero gravity, such as would be expected on a damaged [[Imperial Navy|voidship]]. In appearance, the Longshanks are [[Indrick Boreale|bald]] with very pronounced eyes and have unnaturally long legs, when compared with baseline humans. May be an entire race of gingers if their name is any indication. Recently reappeared in the canon to be taken captive by Orks and then summarily executed by their [[Black Templar]] rescuers after assuming they were mutants. Later being chastised by their commanding officer over the incident and forbidden from harming any more of the prisoners. Its unknown if the offending marines faced any punishment.

===[[Nightsider]]s===
''Homo sapiens tenebris''

Nightsiders are abhumans adapted to live in the dark; not much else is known about them. They may have any of the adaptations one might expect in a low-light environment, such as [[Anime|overly large eyes]] to gather as much light as possible or vestigial eyes that have given up on sight altogether, and/or enhanced alternative senses to cope, such as sonar. As almost all dark environments are also cold, odds are very good they have some solution for this as well although this could be anything from thick, [[Nurgle|insulating fat]] and/or hair to having natural access to the Psyker discipline of Pyromancy, similar to how Navigators are stable psykers.

===[[Ogryn]]===
''Homo sapiens gigantus'' [[File:40k_ogryn.jpg|144px|thumb|right|Ogryn]]

Ogryn are transparently based on the archetypal fantasy [[ogre]]: big, strong, and dumb. They are useful as [[Imperial Guard]] shock troops because they are big enough to wreck the enemy and dumb enough to charge on command. They are resolutely loyal to their immediate superior officer, but this also makes it extremely easy to turn them to serving Chaos, as they will perform any command given to them if their commanders are persuasive enough, though their childlike faith in the God-Emperor makes outright corrupting them harder.

Ogryn hail from high gravity worlds, where their large size is a major limiting factor (smaller creatures are much, much better at lifting more weight relative to their own, and everything is heavier on a high-gravity planet, including an organism's own body). As even a relatively small amount of time to genetically drift would realistically cause them to [[Ratling|shrink]] due to extreme selection for minimizing height, as well as get smarter (due to the same pressures that made stock humans get smarter in a hurry), the implication is that someone or [[Games Workshop|something]] (such as the Guard population or planetary AI) has been inducing their large size and low intelligence [[grimdark|to help keep them contained]]. Their adaptations make them naturally suitable for cold, low-gravity worlds, although their low intelligence makes them unlikely to thrive in any environment where they are responsible for feeding, sheltering, and/or clothing themselves.

===[[Pelager]]s===
''Homo sapiens oceanus''

Abhumans adapted for Ocean Worlds; possibly an attempt to bring back the [[Saharduin]], like the Demiurg are an attempt to bring back the [[Squats]]. Are described as basically being Aquatic Ogryn.

===[[Ratling]]s===
''Homo sapiens minimus''

Ratlings used to be space [[halfling]]s, but the latest edition miniatures give them hairy bare feet, making them look more like space [[Hobbits]] (though both archetypes have a fair amount of overlap). They are also noted kleptomaniacs, so they've got some space [[Kender]] in them, too. Their good eyesight and small size make them useful as snipers, but they are otherwise useless in a fight and their personal characteristics make them less than endearing to [[Imperial Guard]] leadership, though the Guardsmen themselves usually don't mind. Many Guardsmen are perfectly fine with trading with Ratlings for some [[Dakka|special equipment]] or extra rations, and they're well-known as the sorts of field cooks that can make three old rats, a handful of sawdust, and a stolen muddy boot taste downright '''edible'''. Also, they tend to [[Slaanesh|shag like bunnies]].

Taken together, their adaptations make them excellent at surviving on hot, high-gravity worlds with scarce access to food, particularly a damaged [[Imperial Navy|voidship]], where they would also be adapted to tight living quarters.