Squigs

Squigs (short for "Squiggly Beasts") are the simplest known form of Orkoid life. There are many types of Squig, each generally filling some functional or utilitarian role in the Ork ecosystem. They currently serve as the Orks' primary food source, much like herd animals are for humans. There are many types of Squigs, but each can be generalized into a single variety, such as edible, musical, hair, medical, parasite-hunting, face-eaters, pet, buzzing and paint Squigs. Some, like the face-eater types, are little more than snapping, fanged mouths on legs. Squigs naturally grow and breed within the cesspits of Ork settlements, subsisting on Ork refuse. Tending the Squigs is the duty of the low-caste Orkoids known as Snotlings.

All Squigs are edible, but some Squigs are specifically bred as a food source. Gretchin are responsible for cooking the Squigs, though Orks will eat raw Squig if a cook cannot be found. The rarest form of these are referred to as Juicy Squigs and require a special type of Gretchin cook. Orks reserve the eating of Face-Eating Squigs for special contests and other celebratory occasions.

The savants of the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos once held that Squigs were bred by the lost Ork caste the Greenskins refer to as the Brain Boyz, who were actually most likely the Old Ones, the ancient reptilian intelligent species that dominated the Milky Way Galaxy millions of years ago and may have created the Orks' ancestors, the Krorks, to serve as a "biological weapon" to defeat their enemies the C'tan. However, Squigs were originally introduced as a Tyranid unit said to have been derived by the Tyranids from Ork DNA. It is now a generally accepted fact that the Squigs were the result of the Tyranids' manipulation of Orkoid genetic material. The Orks discovered the first Squigs aboard a Tyranid bio-ship and subconsciously recognised them as being "Orky", subsequently taking the little creatures home with them. Squigs then spread throughout Ork space. This reality explains how Squigs have appeared in both the Ork and Tyranid armies. Since then, Tyranid Squigs have been recognised as the Tyranid sub-species that are now known to the Imperium as Rippers. Regardless of their origins, Squigs are a truly vital part of Ork culture.

Squig Eatin'
All Squigs are edible, but some Squigs are specifically bred as a food source by the Orks. Gretchin are responsible for cooking the Squigs, though Orks will eat raw Squig if a cook cannot be found. The rarest form of these Squigs are referred to as Juicy Squigs and require a special Gretchin cook to be prepared properly. Orks reserve the eating of Face-Eater Squigs for special contests.

Squig Variants
Squigs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and all are extensively used by the Orks. The following is an extensive list of known Squig variants:
 * Attack (Cave) Squigs - Attack Squigs are one of the most common types of Squig. An Attack Squig is a bouncing ball of claws and razor-sharp teeth, with immense variations in morphology between individuals, with some having horns and a devil-like tail, to single eyed or single-nosed creatures. Gretchin use them as both a food source (if the Squig doesn't eat them first!) or as a weapon of war, pushing herds of them into the enemy. Orks like to keep them as pets, and sometimes even as weapons as well.
 * Bomb Squigs - Bomb squigs are little more than common squigs with explosives strapped to their sides or gripped firmly in their teeth. When properly goaded, they run headlong at their master's desired target, detonating their explosive payload when in close proximity. Bomb Squigs are used by Ork Tankbustas. A Bomb Squig is an ordinary Attack Squig covered in dynamite, Stikkbombz and other explosives. A Bomb Squig will charge towards an enemy vehicle and explode in a ball of fire and debris.
 * Burna' Squig - The Burna' Squig can burst into flames after being thrown.
 * Buzzer Squig - Buzzer Squigs are an insect-like like variation of the Squig typically used by Orks in a Squig Katapult, as they are very vicious and a swarm can strip the flesh off a man-sized creature within seconds. Buzzer Squigs are found among Ork fungus groves and are trapped in pots by Gretchin. The special pots are made from sun-baked mud, drilled with tiny holes to allow the Squigs inside to breath. The top of the vessel is corked shut and sealed with more mud once a good number of Squigs has been put inside. Normally the Squigs feed by burrowing into other larger Squigs or small animals such as rats, so when they are captured they soon begin to get very hungry. They can be kept without food in the pot for many weeks, getting angrier and more savage all the time. Gretchin can tell which pots contain the angriest Squigs from the high pitch of the droning and the vibrations of the pot as the Squigs try to burrow out (the walls of the pot must be made thick and hard). These pots, each containing a small swarm of enraged Buzzer Squigs, are the missiles fired by the Squig Katapult. The pot cracks open on impact, releasing the swarm of enraged Buzzer Squigs, who attack anyone nearby.
 * Buzzing Squig -
 * Colossal Squig - Colossal Squigs are the largest variants of squigs known to exist. These cyclopean monsters boast an insatiable appetite, and are in essence no more than an impossibly vast fleshy maw studded with row upon row of scimitar-bladed teeth.
 * Eating Squig - An Eating Squig is a limbless blob used as the primary Ork food source. It resembles an elongated, squarish slug with two eyes and a small pug mouth between its two eyes.
 * Face-Eater Squigs (Gnashers) - The Face-Eater Squig is a toothed variety of Squig used both as a weapon and in the infamous Ork face-eating contests. The Ork and the Squig both open their mouths and bite, in a parody of a kiss. If the Ork eats the Squig, he wins. If he keels over backwards, he loses and usually the Squig eats him!
 * Flesheater Squig -
 * Gas Squig - The Gas Squig produces a toxic gas that Orks with gas masks throw as a chemical weapon.
 * Gob Squig -
 * Hair Squigs - Hair Squigs are a parisitic variety of Squig which possess small bodies, no legs, no eyes, and a pair of pincers in place of a mouth. They have long hair running from their tiny bodies that Orks like to customize and dye, though this customization has no effect on the Squig's health.
 * Herd Squig - Herd Squigs have been specially bred and developed by Runtherds for the purpose of herding and controlling the herds of Runtz. They are related to the many varieties of pet squigs, but have been selectively bred for their speed, intelligence, ferocity and endurance. Their long, sensitive snouts and keen ears enable them to track down errant Snotlings and Gretchin wherever they might hide. Herd squigs are excellent tracking beasts, and can follow trails which are days old.
 * Horned Squig - The Horned Squig that Orks jam into barricades.
 * Juicy Squig - A very rare and delicious type of Eating Squig that may perhaps be the only known Ork delicacy.
 * Oily Squig - The Oily Squig is a variety of Squig bred by Ork Meks to create fuel for the Orks' ramshackle vehicles. They create the fuel, an organically-synthesized version of Promethium, in their rotund bellies, and it can be squeezed out of their anteater-like trunks. These Squigs have no mouths, other than their trunk, and are not combat oriented like their far more aggressive counterparts. There exist two varieties of Oily Squigs, one with arms and a distinct head, and one that resembles an Attack Squig with a trunk for dispensing their fuel oil.
 * Paint Squig -
 * Parasite-Hunting Squig -
 * Orkeosaurus - The Orkeosaurus is the largest breed of Squiggoth that is used by the Orks. The Orkeosaurus is larger than all other Squiggoths, including the Gargantuan Squiggoth. The Orkeosaurus is usually found amongst Feral Ork tribes and is rarely, if ever, seen in use by the more technologically advanced Ork clans.
 * Spiky Squig - This type of squig is covered with spines which it can shoot out at any threatening creature rather like a porcupine. These spines inflict a poisonous sting on anyone struck by them. Squigs of this kind are used in some bionik arms fitted with cages and a quick release system, so they can be used as a close combat weapon.
 * 'Sploding Squig - An unusual subspecies of squig, 'sploding squigs possess multiple stomachs, each containing a thick broth of unstable digestive chemicals. When agitated, usually though violent shaking, the 'sploding squig's digestive juices combine into a combustible liquid, causing the squig to explode in a shower of meat, teeth, and bone fragments. While typically thrown in combat, 'sploding squigs are also often buried and used as mines. Orks are known to force-feed 'sploding squigs a meal of scrap metal before battle in an effort to enhance their lethality.
 * Squigeon - Squigeons are the squig counterparts of the Terran pigeon, often utilised for sending messages during battle amongst Ork tribes that lack more advanced methods of communication.
 * Squighawk -
 * Squighounds ("Growler Squigs") are a variation of the Attack Squig, used by Ork Slaverz to help them keep the Gretchins in line, some have four legs, although two-legged varieties certainly exist.
 * Squigpipe -
 * Squigshark -
 * Squiggoths - Squiggoths are the largest type of Squig, huge quadruped monsters used by the Orks. Since they're so large and tough, some Orks like to lash armour plating and gunz onto the larger Squiggoths, which can rival tanks and buildings in size.
 * Swab Squig - The Swab Squig is a type of Hair Squig, but unlike the long trailing hair of its cousins, its round body is covered with short, fluffy fur. Orks use Swab Squigs to mop up during operations, and they come in handy for emergency handkerchiefs too.
 * Syringe Squig - Syringe Squigs are primarily used for medicinal purposes. This medical squig has natural properties which Painboyz find used in their craft of patching together battle-damaged Orks. Syring squigs exude a soporific venom which makes a fine anaesthetic.
 * Vampire Squig -
 * Wyrdsquig -

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