RED ELF
1. Kroot

The Kroot are the Tau's most numerous alien allies. Natives of the jungle world of Pech. which lies within the Tau Empire, the Kroot commonly serve alongside the Tau Hunter Cadres. The details of this arrangement are unknown, but seem to stem from a time when Tau forces liberated several Kroot enclaves from Ork domination. The Kroot have been happy to serve the Tau as mercenaries ever since.

Physiologically, the Kroot have many notable features. They seem to have evolved from an avian genus, and still retain the vestiges of a beak and have a light skeletal structure. An average Kroot stands 2.3m tall with a lean wiry build, which conceals an immense strength. As tree dwellers they are naturally adept climbers and jumpers, able to cover great distances swiftly. Kroof have no ears or nose but instead have evolved spine sensors, from which they get much of their sensory data. These spine grow from the back of their head and pass information directly to the brain. Their sensitive spines make it difficult to hide from a Kroot, also making them excellent sentries.

Kroot communicate in their own language, consisting of a series of hoots, whislles and high-pitched shneks. They also seem to rely heavily on smell to communicate. Kroot excrete pungeni pheromones, all foul smelling to human senses, but fhese smells seem to have deeper meanings to other Kroot and their related animals.

On Pech, Kroot live in jagga trees, in tree houses constructed of regurgitated dead wood. Their nest-hives are clustered together in family groups, called kindreds. Each kindred is led by a family elder, called a Shaper.

All Kroot are voracious carnivores. They have evolved to absorb a meals DNA into their own body, hence a Kroot can. over time, lake on the characteristics of its meals. This is the Shaper's main role within the kindred: to direct their evolutionary development by selective feeding.

Kroot seem to be impervious to climate changes, operating effectively in sub-zero ice worlds, to humid jungles to parched deserts. Extremes of climate do not seem to bother the Kroot. In fact their diet-based evolution has allowed them to adapt quickly. One kindred has been identified that have adapted themselves to breathe normally in a toxic chlorine atmosphere. They also have the ability to enter hibernation, slowing their body functions to enter a deep sleep, which conserves energy. On Pech kindreds hibernate together through many months of the year.

2. Kroot Long Rifle

The Kroot's main weapon is the Kroot long rifle. This is an essentially primitive rifle, using a chemical propellant to fire a projectile, but until encountering the Tau it was the peak of the Kroot's technological achievement. It seems that the Tau have taken it upon themselves to assist their allies by altering these weapons to fire a charged pulse round, which they supply in vast quantities to Kroot kindreds in service with Tau forces. The Kroot rifle is a single shot breech-loading weapon. It must be reloaded after each shot, making its rate of fire slow.

Blades are mounted on the stock and muzzle of the rifle, and the length of the rifle allows it to be wielded as a staff in hand-to-hand combat. This is a throwback to the Kroot tradition of stave fighting. Kroot naturally excel in close combat Tall strong, agile and skilled with their preferred weapon, they are fearsome opponents, and it is these qualities that the Tau prize.

This Kroot also carries a large Kroot knife as a secondary weapon, but it is more often used as an eating utensil or tool than as a weapon.

3. Equipment

This Kroot carries a variety of equipment whilst on campaign. Pouches and sacks carry stores of food for the nder and mount, probably taken from previous victims. One pouch contains extra ammunition for the Kroot rifle. Note he does not cany a waterskin, vital for humans in Taros' climate. Other sacks will contain items looted from the battlefield.

The Kroot do not utilise armour, although this Kroot wears a plasteel shoulder pad taken from an Imperial Guardsman. As in many primitive cultures, trophy taking is an important part of the Kroot's warrior code. Items from vanquished foes are displayed with pnde. Here the warrior also wears a necklace of Kroot Hound claws, perhaps displaying hounds he has raised and trained.

4. Knarloc

The planet Pech is abundant with life. Much of it originates from the same genetic root as the Kroot, but has developed along a slightly different evolutionary path. Some of these creatures adapt and thrive, others die out. Most seem to develop as far as they can and become trapped in an evolutionary cul-de-sac, like the Kroot Hound and Krootox.

As the name suggests, Knarlocs are close relatives of the Great Knarloc. They are smaller, more sociable pack hunters. As would be expected the Knarloc has much in common with its larger relative. They hunt in a similar way, spring ambushes or use their stamina in long pursuits. The main difference is they live and hunt in packs. They are voracious hunters, who work together to attack and kill just about any sized prey. Through cooperation they have developed a cunning intelligence. The Kroot seem to respect Knarlocs, revering them as successful hunters. Kroot only hunt and trap Knarloc young to tame and train. Amongst Kroot kindreds, Knarlocs are highly prized as cavalry mounts. It is thought to be a symbol of status to ride a Knarloc.


This is an unknown Kroot warrior mounted upon a Knarloc,
as encountered during the 17th Tallarn regiment's advance into Phyyra Heights.