Squat

Squats are a mutant subspecies of Humans. They are characterised by being shorter and broader than baseline humans. They are weight-for-weight stronger than pure-strain humans and have better low light vision.

They their height Squats held almost 3000 planets mostly found near the centre of the galaxy. Most of the worlds had higher than earth gravity and were mineral rich although they were often barren. Most of Squat food production was via hydroponics. Most squat worlds were reliant on technology to support life and they retained a better tech level than most imperial worlds.

The Squats ancestors were cut off from the rest of humanity during the dark age of technology due to warp storms and were rediscovered during the great crusade of the 31st Millennium. Although there was no central squat government most of their worlds were allied and had substantial military forces due to this and the Squats high level of technology they were offered an unique position in the Imperium as an allied semi-independent state in the Imperium itself.

The majority of Squats were killed 300 years ago when a Tyranid Hive Fleet attacked their worlds. The war lasted for over 20 years and ended with the near annihilation of the Squats. Limited support was provided by the Imperium during the war: some claim this was deliberate but the Imperium may have been to busy dealing with other Aliens at that time including 2 major Ork Waarghs. It was only during the last few years of the war that the Imperium managed to gather a large enough fleet to deal with the Tyranid threat.

Many of the surviving Squats fled to Imperial worlds and many human planets in the area have a significant Squat population. The few remaining Squat worlds have been absorbed into the Imperium.