Faouns

The **Faouns** (*Homo Sapiens Capra)* are Abhumans hailing from the World of Vidia. Faouns can be easily identified by their hairy legs with hooves that are shaped like the ones from goats. On their heads, directly over their foreheads, grow two small horns out of their skulls. Archeological surveys and years of work by Imperial Historians proved that they were genetically modified in M16, making them one of the oldest Abhuman species in existence. Their original name was rediscovered: *Faun* coming from a mythical creature from an ancient human culture, on Holy Terra, which may have been inspired from another ancient culture.

## History

The Faouns were genetically engineered in M16 to look like an ancient mythical creature from Holy Terra. Archeological findings proved that they were already fanned out in the Segmentum, at the end of the Dark Age of Technology, although still concentrated in the modern Leman Sector and some Worlds in the neighbouring sectors .Imperial records show that they were discovered relatively early, during the Great Crusade, but were defacto quarentined in the local systems, for the most part. Only shortly before the start of the Horus Heresy, they were official sanctioned Abhumans and recruited for support tasks and for logistic.

## Biology

A Faoun is looks very similar to a normal human although shorter, having two small horns directly over their forehead and hairy goat-like legs with hooves instead of feet. Male Faouns grow to a height of 5 feet while females reach a height of 4.9 feet. Strong fibers and buffer made of muscles and fat allow for highly agile leg movements and they can absorb impacts from jumps several meters high. This combined with strong lungs that can store more air than the average human, makes them fast, perseverant athletes and good light troops for rough terrain, high altitudes and fast foot-based maneuvers. The shape of the ears range from normal human ears to more pointed shapes. Hair colour are different shades of brown, typically one main shade and a secondary. Faouns have a lightly tanned skin colour.

## Behaviour and Culture

Faouns are known for their art of brewing and confectionary skills. Often they are described as people who do not rest and as foodies. It is common to see their ears to start wildly twitching without reason - which is unnecessary because the ear twitches are a natural and unconscious reflex. Cultural seen are they for an old Abhuman species relatively blank. Faouns have songs telling old stories from their ancestors and populations in Subsectors. They have developed unique smaller rituals and beliefs but, generally speaking, the Faouns are devoid of their own culture, allowing them a fast integration in different cultures in the Imperium.

## Homeworld

The Faouns originate from the world of Vidin, an Agri-World in the Leman Sector. Vidin's surface is marked by wide plains with many rocks, suddenly appearing altitude differences and some lone-standing high mountains that harbour the Hive Cities. Giant fields and rough plains extend across Vidin's surface with a few small oceans with distinctive coastlines.

## Military Service and Warriors

Faouns can join the Astra Militarum since shortly before the Horus Heresy but served only in Support and Logistic units, although it was already known that their species had already developed certain types of warriors, according to their abilities. Only since M38 were they recruited in special light infantry Regiments called Vidin Hussars.

### Types of Warriors

* **Faoun Rangers:** Faoun Rangers are armed with a long-range Lasgun with high firing rate. They are responsible for recon and skirmishes, weakening the enemy before they meet the main force. Rangers also use a short-chainsword for melee combat. They also do rearguard operations.
* **Faoun Field Warden:** Field Warden are the main force of each Vidin Hussar Regiment and take the bulk of every fight. Their Lasguns have a higher firing rate and next to a bayonet they us a mace for melee combat. They are also a mobile force.
* **Faoun Stormer:** Faoun Stormers are light and mobile shock troops using shotguns and grenade launchers to attack and suppress enemies in hit-and-run tactics. Often they use camouflage to suprise their enemies in ambushes.