Does 40k Have Skaven? The Rat-Shaped Hole in the Grim Darkness of the Far Future
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The short, and definitive, answer is no, Warhammer 40,000 does not have Skaven. While the universe of Warhammer 40k is teeming with diverse life, from towering gods and monstrous daemons to courageous heroes and grotesque mutants, the rat-like hordes of the Skaven are conspicuously absent. Despite their prominent role in the fantasy setting of Warhammer Fantasy, these chaotic vermin have not been integrated into the grim, science-fiction world of the 41st millennium.
Understanding the Skaven
In Warhammer Fantasy, the Skaven are a race of humanoid rat-men who worship the Horned Rat, a deity of chaos and pestilence. They inhabit a vast Under-Empire, a network of tunnels, sewers, and hidden cities beneath the surface of the world. They are known for their cunning, their overwhelming numbers, their propensity for backstabbing, and their reliance on unreliable technology. Their society is fractured, dominated by a hierarchy based on size, strength, and cunning. Their main goal is to expand their Under-Empire, eradicate all surface dwellers, and eventually, cover the entire world in Skaven.
Why Not 40k?
The absence of Skaven in Warhammer 40k isn’t due to oversight. It’s a deliberate choice by Games Workshop. The settings of Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40,000 are fundamentally distinct. They are separate universes, even though they share some themes and even certain Chaos Gods like Slaanesh, although the interpretation of those gods varies between the settings. There is no direct connection between these two worlds.
Moreover, the lore of 40k has addressed the potential inclusion of rat-men. It’s explained that while rat-like creatures exist on countless planets throughout the galaxy – often as vermin or even mutated horrors – the technological advancements of the Imperium during the Dark Age of Technology made it trivially easy to locate and exterminate such infestations. This explanation provides an in-universe rationale for why a vast, organized, chaos-worshipping society of rat-men would not be present in the 41st millennium.
The 40k Rat Equivalent: Vapour Rats
While not Skaven, Warhammer 40k does feature a particularly disturbing rat-like creature: the Vapour Rat. These mutated vermin are a far cry from the Skaven’s organized society. Vapour Rats are described as almost skinless, with exposed wet flesh that blends unnaturally with their surroundings. They are solitary scavengers and carrion eaters, driven to a feeding frenzy by the taste of blood. Their feral nature and cannibalistic tendencies make them a disturbing threat, but they lack the complex society, technology, and sheer numbers that define the Skaven.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions regarding the relationship between Skaven and Warhammer 40,000:
1. Is Age of Sigmar (AoS) related to 40k?
No, Age of Sigmar is a continuation of the Warhammer Fantasy universe after its apocalyptic end. While they share similar elements and themes, both Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar are completely separate universes with no connections.
2. Is Sigmar the Emperor from 40k?
No. Despite some fan theories and parallels, Sigmar and the Emperor of Mankind are completely different characters from separate universes. The Emperor’s origins are in the ancient past of Terra, while Sigmar is a warrior-king of the Old World in Warhammer Fantasy. Some speculate that Sigmar may appear in the Emperor’s dreams, while he is comatose on the Golden Throne.
3. Do cats exist in 40k?
Yes. Cats, as well as other commensal animals, are widely found throughout the galaxy. They were intentionally spread by human colonists during the Dark Age of Technology, often for their usefulness in controlling vermin like rats and mice.
4. What is a rat king?
A rat king is a phenomenon where a group of rats become physically bound together, usually by their tails, due to gum, tree sap, or other sticky substances. While rare, the phenomenon is real, with even squirrel kings having been documented.
5. What is the most powerful faction in 40k?
The Tyranids are considered one of the most powerful factions in Warhammer 40k. They pose an existential threat to all life in the galaxy due to their sheer biomass and insatiable hunger.
6. Are Orks a fungus?
Yes, Orks are a fungal species. They reproduce via spores, and their biology and lifecycle are based on fungal processes.
7. Which is more popular: Warhammer Fantasy or 40k?
Warhammer 40k is significantly more popular than Warhammer Fantasy, though the later has been resurrected in a form as Age of Sigmar. The vast amount of lore and gameplay options for 40k account for this.
8. Why were Skaven excluded from 40k?
As mentioned earlier, in-universe lore suggests that the technology of the Imperium in its past was far too advanced to allow for a threat like the Skaven to survive. This in turn, is a way for Games Workshop to keep the worlds separate.
9. Are Skaven evil?
Yes, Skaven are depicted as inherently evil, driven by self-interest, ambition, and the chaotic whims of their deity, the Horned Rat. They are treacherous, cowardly, and utterly ruthless.
10. Do Skaven have red eyes?
Yes, Skaven have glowing red eyes. Their fur color also denotes their societal standing, with lighter hues of white fur holding more importance.
11. Are rat kings real?
Yes, despite some initial scepticism, rat kings are a real, if rare, phenomenon. Squirrel kings have also been documented.
12. Do dogs exist in 40k?
Yes, dogs are present throughout the Imperium. They are commonly used as domestic pets and sometimes, in the case of the Iron Snakes Space Marine Chapter, as military assets.
13. What are the most well-known characters from 40k?
There are numerous iconic characters in 40k, but the Emperor of Mankind, the Primarchs, and members of the Adeptus Astartes are some of the most prominent. Kitten from “If the Emperor Had a Text-to-Speech Device” has become very well known as well.
14. Can Khorne be killed?
Khorne, as a Chaos God, cannot be truly killed. However, his avatars, manifestations of his power, can be defeated in the material realm. This temporarily weakens his influence but does not eradicate him.
15. Who killed the Emperor?
The Emperor of Mankind is not dead. He was gravely wounded by Horus during the Horus Heresy and was interred within the Golden Throne. The Emperor sacrificed his immortal life, in his view, for the good of mankind.
Conclusion
The absence of Skaven in Warhammer 40,000 is a deliberate choice, preserving the unique identity of each setting. While both universes may delve into dark, war-torn themes, their distinct lore, factions, and overall atmosphere distinguish them from one another. Instead of Skaven, 40k provides its own grim horrors, from Vapour Rats to the Tyranid hive fleets, and countless other terrifying threats, making the grim darkness of the far future just as compelling as the Old World of Warhammer Fantasy. The deliberate distinction allows fans of both systems to enjoy their favorite settings without the two becoming muddled, which is a benefit to both.