Kuets

A rare recording of a Kuet Reptroid

"*Like a cloud of darkness they appeared, no mercy or remorse as they struck worlds upon worlds. Every death they cause they reap upon the souls of their kills to make them even stronger. Pray to the Emperor that he may give us all of his strength and courage if humanity is to have any hope against this foe.*"
—An Inquisitor upon witnessing a Kuets' invasion
When the Necrons and their Star God Masters began winning the War in Heaven, followed by the coming of the Enslavers, many of the surviving Old Ones fled to the one place they would not be followed, the Halo Zone, the Unknown Region that exists outside the Astronomicon. From there a new race was born, the **Kuets**, the true successors of the Old Ones and the embodiment of all their power, technology and lust for revenge. The creatures made of the perfect unison between flesh and machine, combined with their psychic prowess, have lashed out into the Milky Way Galaxy, stealing the DNA of those they have conquered to add to their own strength following their belief known as the "Forward Eternal".

## History

The origins of the Kuets begins with the fall of the Old Ones. As the Necrons and the Star Gods continued the ever growing victory against their hated foes and their creations, the Old Ones' end came at the hands of the other-dimensional psychic entities known as Enslavers. Attacking their final stronghold, many Old Ones were enthralled and killed by them, along with their guardians and their servants. The surviving Old Ones were scattered, fled the known galaxy, while a large number retreated to the Halo Zone, having been abandoned by the Necrons during the beginning of the War.

What exactly happen there in the centuries later is unknown. But, what is clear is that the Old Ones changed. Driven by their desire for vengeance they either changed their forms or created new servants, one born in their image that was a perfect unison of metal and flesh with great psychic powers. Their leaders had even ascended into powerful psychic entities of unparalleled power that could even be a match for the C'tan and Chaos Gods. They even managed to capture several Enslavers, sadistically experimenting on them to learn their secrets. When the time came, the Kuets launched several Floatillas back into the known Galaxy, to take back all that was stolen from them, declaring themselves the true successors and new evolution of the Old Ones.

Their first major spotting was during the early years of the Great Crusade, when one of their Floatillas was spotted by Expeditionary Forces under the Emperor of Mankind himself. The clash went on for five years until most of the Floatilla was destroyed, the rest forced to retreat back to the Halo Stars. However, the encounter left the Emperor disturbed by their powerful psychic abilities and technology. The second meeting between the Imperium and Kuets was when another Floatilla was encountered by the Alpha Legion and their newly discovered Primarch, Alpharius Omegon. The conflict was brief but left a lasting memory on the Primarch, who recognized the Kuets as a serious threat to the galaxy.

## Biology

The Kuets have been described as appearing reptilian in nature with humanoid forms. This includes scale-like skin and reptilian yellow eyes. They appear as a perfect fusion between flesh and metal, unlike the Tech-Priests of Mars, technorganic made with advance technology that exceeds that of races such as the Eldar and Necrons. Their entire body is made completely into semi to fully sentient techno active colonies combining the best parts of machinery, organic/inorganic, consciousness and engineered minutia, living tissue filled with femtomite technology. From both their skin, bones, blood to their very tissue, the metal is described as pure silver and blue-green in color, streamlined with no pieces out of place nor physical deformations. It is also extremely hard, serving as an exoskeleton against weapon fire and thanks to the bio-mechanical machines flowing through where their blood would be serve as a healing factor for the Kuets.

Their mechanical parts enable them to survive without food, water or rest. In addition, they possess strong shapeshifting and adaptability, capable of overcoming harsh conditions on the various worlds they invade, as well as man-made weapons created by their enemies (i.e. chemical warfare). This also extends to longevity, with some having lived before even the rise of the Imperium or the birth of Slaanesh. In addition, many of the Kuets possess strong psychic abilities, an inheritance from the Old Ones, on par with the Eldars. And unlike humans and other races, they are immune to the corrupting influence of the Chaos Gods and interestingly, the anti-psychic abilities of the Necrons. Their psychic abilities is also what grants them the trait to consume the DNA and powers of their victims.

## Kuet Hierarchy

### Voice of the Void

The entity called the **Voice of the Void** also called the **Void God**, **The Voice**, or **Rharsex** by the Kuets, is the supposed creator and absolute ruler of the Kuets. Believed to have been an ancient and powerful Old One, the entity ascended to levels of godhood few have truly known. Little information is known about it, but when in contact with Kuets forces, some psykers are able to get a glimpse of it. They describe it as "A nothingness where no life, emotions or anything can survive, a darkness meant to blanket the universe in eternal silence." This also suggests that the Voice has a link with the Kuets in a similar manner as the Tyranid Hive Mind does. However, unlike the Hive Mind, the Kuets are capable of independent thought and will not turn feral if their link is severed, letting them act on their own. The Voice is also probably responsible for allowing the Kuets to be able to Void Travel.

### Ascendants

Those who are known simply as the Ascendants are Kuets who lead the many Floatillas of their race, and have achieved a level of godhood through countless evolution and assimilation of species for millions of years, or have consumed very powerful beings in a short amount of time. Doing so they achieve apotheosis from the blessings from the Voice of the Void, in the same manner as Chaos Gods give to those who become Daemon Princes. It is believed that the oldest of the Ascendants are in fact Old Ones. In either case, the Kuets worship the Ascendants as gods, just below the Voice of the Void, as they are both the embodiment of what the Kuets desire and at the same time the chosen ones of the Void God. The Ascendants possess powers beyond mortal understanding, and their mere presence is capable of causing various effects in both the Materium and the Immaterium. All possess different appearances, but all hold powerful psychic abilities, combined with martial prowess gained from centuries or millennium from battle and due to containing essence of countless conquered species, has granted each Ascendant unique abilities. The Ascendants are capable of quickly adapting to the battlefield, whether in terms of the environment, tactics or the enemy abilities, they can counter so quickly that few have been defeated in battle. Many of these beings have even clashed and vanquished powerful and ancient Daemon Princes and Greater Daemons and C'Tan Shards.

### Ultras

Serving in capacity as a Space Marine Captain would to their Chapter Master, or a Necron Lord for their Overlord, Kuet Ultras are commanding officers beneath their respective Ascendant. Each Ultra commands a single ship of a Floatilla and like their master, they have unique forms from absorbing the essences of countless races. Each form is unique and different, as are their abilities, which is matched by their masterful battle tactics, leadership, and martial prowess. They can win a battle before it has even begun, centuries and perhaps millennia of warfare allowing them such an understanding of war that they can match with some of the Imperium's greatest commanders. A single Ultra is capable of combating against an entire Space Marine Company with their forces, and can match the prowess and powers of Greater Daemons and Chaos Champions. And when a Ultra is nearing the point of their evolution when they become an Ascendant, they will usually split off from their Floatilla to form their own.

### Primes

Alphas of their respective Core Species, Primes serve as officers of the many Kuet Floatillas, thus they answer directly to their Ascendants and Ultras. Having lived for centuries, maybe even millennia, and consume essence of many species, thus having unique features that stand out from their kind. Primes tend to be larger, stronger and more intelligent then other members of their species, thus being capable of carrying out their roles as leaders. Depending on their species, the Primes oversee and carry out various roles that, while different, are still pivotal for their respective Floatillas' survival and functionality.

### Core Species

The term Core Species refers to the Kuet sub-species that possess intelligence. The Core Species all have humanoid shape bodies, but their reptilian traits set them off from actual humans. Each species has a specific role, and their organic and mechanical symbiosis physiology are capable of adapting by consuming the essence of various lifeforms, either sentient or not. These beings serve at the very bottom of the race's hierarchy, answering to those who stand above them, such as their Primes, Ultras, and Ascendants.

* **Lazards**: The most common of the Core species, the Lazards form the backbone of the Kuets' forces. In terms of height they are equaled to the armored Adeptus Astartes, possessing equal if not greater strength. Their strength, speed, durability are matched by their intelligence, allowing the Lazards to have most capabilities of adapting to various situations. Lazards are capable of carrying other tasks that require higher intelligence besides fighting, such as serving as crews for the Floatillas' space vessels.
* **Krocks**: The Krocks serve as the Kuet Floatillas' main heavy infantry. Matching the height of Terminator Armour and even Ork Nobz, the Krocks possesses bulkier builds than the Lazards, matched by enhanced durability, allowing them to shrug off most damage and capable of matching and even overpowering strong enemies. Unlike the Lazards, who are capable of performing other tasks, the Krocks are more geared towards warfare, making them a more warrior-like sub-species.
* **Chalmos**: Chalmos are smaller than the Lazards, just around the height of Scout Marines, and do not possess the strength and durability as most other Core Species. Instead, their physiology and psychic powers are fit for those of stealth. The Chalmos have the innate ability of camouflage, bordering on invisibility, allowing them to blend in nearly any environment. Combined with their psychic powers, the Cha;mos can bypass any fortification, carrying out assassinations on enemy leaders and destabilizing the enemy's defenses. Some Floatillas also modify their Chalmos Packs to be able to transfer recordings of what they see to the Ultras and Primes.
* **Gedaks**: The smallest and weakest of the Core Species, Gedaks normally reach the waist of an average size human, though seem smaller due to being hunched over most of the time. The Gedaks function as a labor force, overseeing the welfare of the Floatillas' war beasts, their vessels, and providing support such as maintenance to the other sub-species. Gedaks have low durability and strength, but are quite nimble, and when force into battle, will mostly perform swarming tactics, using their numbers against the enemy.
* **Skilds**: Standing at the height of a grown human, Skilds are master builders, overseeing the construction of all of the Kuet's machines. From both small and big, everything the Kuets use has been build by the Skilds through their mastery of technology. They will lead the Gedaks in construction of massive war machines, and the salvaging of their foes' technology after a battle. Despite that, Skilds are capable of fighting just like any other Core Species, using their agility and claws to overwhelm their foes.
* **Targors**: A Core Species around the same height as the Krocks, the Targors differ from them in that they possess a shell-like feature on their backs, and similar ones one other parts of their bodies, giving the impression of armor. The Targors have been recorded of providing melee and close support for the other Core Species, utilizing their strong defense against barrage of attacks, thus giving protection to their allies while delivering death to the foe at the same time.
* **Tesuons**: Cousins of the Targors, the Tesuons are smaller and more nimble than them, while at the same time possessing enhanced durability in the form of shell-like plates. What further sets them apart is that Tesuons possess the ability to not only breathe in water, but can also survive in those possessing harmful properties. This not only includes the acidic liquid that is made as a by product by Tyranids, but even those of warp origins too.
* **Seraks**: Possessing serpent-like bodies, Seraks act as infiltrators and saboteurs. Using their unique physiology, the Seraks will slither around, infiltrating bases and will either kill enemy leaders, destroy their vehicles, armouries, communications and so forth. In addition, they use their psychic powers to subjugate their foes with powerful illusions, misdirecting armies, projecting their victim's worse fears, or turn their enemies against each other through subtle manipulations. Seraks can also cover their fangs and claws with poison, using them in combat. The poison is capable of harming even Space Marines despite their modifications, and even Tyranids too.
* **Narags**: Perhaps the ones closes to the Kuets' goal of the Eternal Forward, Narags are powerful shapeshifters. Their unique physiology allows them to take the appearance of nearly any other race. They combine that with their special psychic techniques that enables them to immediately imitate the actions, thoughts and emotions of the races they disguise themselves as, making them the perfect spies. Their true form is described as tall and thin, with long arms and legs and narrow heads, with their scales being of a pale bluish color.
* **Dromtors**: Survivors have shown that these sub-species serve as a demolition force for the Kuets. Large and armoured, these hulking beings known as Dromtors have shown incredible resistance to most armaments, even few surviving blasts from Warlord Class Titans. Equipped with what can only be launchers, they fire globs of energy that explode violently upon impact, capable of destroying multiple targets at once. Platoons of soldiers have wiped out with a single shot, with even the legendary Baneblade Tanks being reduced to scrap with just a few shots. What's more, the Dromgors possess an unknown organ capable of conjuring volatile fire that they can release from their mouths.
* **Ichtrix**: Perhaps a variant of the Lazards, Ichtrix focus mainly on range combat. Armed with weapons that can fire a fair distance, the Ichtrix will shoot down targets with ease, or gunning down enemies when in a group, and thus carry the additional roles of snipers and marksmen. Their thin bodies, around the same size as T'au Fire Warrior, make them unsuited for close combat and will primarily fight from a distance while supporting larger and well durable units.
* **Plesaris**: Heavy Range Infantry
* **Ceratrogs**: Shock Troopers
* **Petrans**: Aerial Infantry
* **Amptsers**: Heavy Aerial Infantry
* **Orixs**: Melee Infantry
* **Thyrexs**: Armored Infantry
* **Saurons**: Artillery Support
* **Pychex**: Infiltrators
* **Ingims**: Assassins
* **Raxors**: Hunters
* **Tregoras**: Heavy Melee Infantry
* **Kovarm**: The Kovarm are around the same size as Primaris Space Marines, with muscular builds, tails that are strong enough to crush Power Armour, and claws that can tear through Tyranids. The Kovarms carry out the duties as highly trained infantry units, targeting high valued targets and infrastructure to ensure that their Floatillas achieve victory. In addition to their impressive physical strength and speed, the Kovarm possess strong psychic abilities, and they have also serve as protectors of important structures and even bodyguards for their Ascendants, with Primes of this sub-species even acting as the second-in-command of a Floatilla.
* **Dranords**: A higher rank among the Core Species, the Dranords have the appearance of humanoids mixed of the mythical dragons, possessing large wings for flight and tails and horns that can be used to kill their foes. The Dranords perform the roles of commandos, carrying out tasks that have them target the most important assets of the enemy, whether it be leaders, structures, vehicles, and other targets, the Dranords will carry out their mission without fail. Along with their natural weaponry and other tools, all the Dranords are powerful psykers, capable of matching those the Aeldari Warlocks and the Chaos Sorcerers, coupled with their innate skill of combat. In addition, the Dranords will sometimes serve directly under their Floatilla's Ascendant, acting as officers below the Primes, with their own being prominent officers that have command over the others.
* **Reptroids**: Mystics and Scientists

## Halo Beasts

Though their exact designation is unknown, the creatures known simply as Halo Beasts are various creatures who are not part of the Core Species, but are still noticeable for their perfect amalgamation of flesh and machine just like the Kuets. It is not known if these creatures were naturally born in the Halo Zone, assimilated by the Kuets, or artificially made by them. Whatever the case, these beasts serve as living war machines as they come in various sizes, with the largest being around the same size as an Imperial battleship. Through the technology of the Kuets, they carry out various roles, such as mounts, transports, siege engines, tanks, walkers, aerial fighters, and even space crafts.

### Land

* **Eutyrannus**: The largest of the Kuets' war beasts, the Titan-size Eutyrannus is unleashed only to clash with similar large sized opponents. Possessing a Centaur-like body with a long tail that possesses a bludgeon-like end, the Eutraynnus stampedes across the battlefield, crushing and swatting all in its path. With its incredible thick metallic skin and healing factor, very few can hope to kill an Eutyrannus. In addition, it possess a versatile number of melee and ranged weapons, all quite devastating combined with its natural instincts in combat. Entire armies have been known to be destroyed by these monsters.

## Trivia

* The Kuets are slightly based off the Lovecraft Mythology and elements of the Lizardmen from Warhammer Fantasy
* Kuet is short for kuetspallin, the Nahuatl word for 'lizard'