Auspex‑Anklebiters
Overview
CODEX: IMPERIUM — SCRAP-UNIT DESIGNATION MINIMUS-ERROR-404
Auspex-Anklebiters
Status: Non-Standard STC Pattern — Abominable Variant
Classification: Ratling Skitarii (Unapproved)
Origin: Forge World ███████
Current Location: Necromunda Underhive
Threat Level: Low-Altitude, High-Annoyance
Origination Protocols
Archmagos Vexilus Cogfumble the Unwise initiated Project MINIMUS-ERROR-404 after asking the forbidden question:
“What if Skitarii… but smaller?”
Cogfumble believed shorter soldiers would reduce sacred machine-oil consumption by 0.0000003%. This theory was not peer-reviewed. It was not allowed to be peer-reviewed. It was immediately sealed under Tech-Heresy Category: “Please Stop.”
Bio-Augmentation Summary
Ratling “volunteers” (bribed with snacks) received:
- servo-legs shorter than their original legs
- auspex arrays calibrated only for ankle-height targets
- recoil-dampened carbines after early prototypes were launched backwards
- cogitators that misidentified shins as “high-value weak points”
- cranial ports labelled “TEMPORARY” (they were not temporary)
The resulting units were declared:
“Operational, if one lowers expectations significantly.”
Demonstration Failure Report
During the unveiling ceremony, the cohort:
- swarmed the audience
- chewed through three sacred power conduits
- disabled the lights
- stole all available snacks
- declared themselves “Skitarii-Prime, but fun-sized”
The Forge World Tribunal ruled the project:
- heretical
- embarrassing
- extremely bitey
Cogfumble was ordered to decommission the prototypes. He instead loaded them into a cargo hauler labelled “Definitely Not Abominations” and launched them into space.
Necromunda Impact Event
The hauler crashed into the Underhive, where the ratling Skitarii emerged:
- sparking
- confused
- hungry
- and already forming a union
They established themselves as a scrap-unit, repairing each other with:
- bent rivets
- scavenged servo-bits
- stolen tools
Now they operate as a bounty hunter crew, earning creds to:
- upgrade their junk-augmetics
- buy snacks
- avoid Mechanicus retrieval servitors
Tactical Analysis
Strengths:
- vent infiltration
- ankle-height ambush capability
- uncanny snack detection
- fearless against anything taller than 1.2 metres
Weaknesses:
- everything above 1.2 metres
- ladders
- standard-height control panels
- being noticed
Imperial Warning
“If encountered, do not engage. They will bite your ankles. They will steal your tools. They will fix each other with your tools.”
— Skitarii Marshal ███████, last recorded transmission
Skills
| Fighter | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Venator Hunt Leader | Shooting, Cunning, Leadership | Savant, Ferocity |
| Venator Hunt Champion | Shooting, Cunning, Savant | Ferocity, Leadership |
| Venator Hunt Specialist | Shooting, Cunning | Savant, Ferocity |
Gang Tactics
| Name | Restriction | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Reconnaissance | Anyone | Hive Secundus Pack |
| Blazing Fury | Anyone | Escher Pack |
| Crossfire | Anyone | Escher Pack |
| Duck and Cover | Anyone | Cawdor Pack |
| Emergency Defences | Anyone | Hive Secundus Pack |
| Irradiated Ammunition | Anyone | Hive Secundus Pack |
|
Last Gasp |
Anyone | Underhive Box |
| Last Survivor | Anyone | Hive Secundus Pack |
| Quick Time | Anyone | Cawdor Pack |
| Reaction Fire | Anyone | Escher Pack |
| Seize the Initiative | Anyone | Van Saar Pack |
| 'Til the Bitter End | Anyone | Hive Secundus Pack |
0.1‑Alpha‑Scrapline “Low‑Command Protocol”
Issues orders from atop a sacred toolbox to achieve “leadership height.”
1.6‑Beta‑Rivet‑Fragment “Under‑Reach Operative”
Auspex calibrated to detect threats no taller than a servo‑skull.
2.4‑Gamma‑Tin‑Shard “Sub‑Height Forager”
Only engages targets within ankle‑to‑shin range.
3.2‑Delta‑Clamp‑Minus “Short‑Cycle Rangerlet”
Standard‑issue Can Cannon shortened by 40% for ergonomic reasons.
4.9‑Epsilon‑Scrap‑Pip “Half‑Span Vanguard”
Leg augmetics replaced with “budget‑grade” servo‑stilts.
5.5‑Zeta‑Rust‑Fleck “Compact‑Pattern Skitarii”
Height logged as a “known manufacturing variance.”
6.3‑Eta‑Wrench‑Subform “Low‑Orbit Technician”
Performs maintenance exclusively in crawlspaces and ducting.
20.0‑Phi‑Scrap‑Hawker “Ventside Deal‑Goblin”
“Guaranteed genuine! Unless it isn’t. No refunds.”
Flow‑Liturge Prynn Kelt
"You know true devotion when you can chant the Litany of Flow while ankle‑deep in something that definitely wasn’t water five minutes ago.”
High‑Sluicemaster Tervan Hydd
“I’ve read flow‑ledgers stained with fluids no man should ever bleed. Down here, even the machinery dies afraid.”
Nutrient‑Tech 09‑Δ “Short‑Stack Skiv Vantello”
"Vertical deficiency compensated by horizontal abundance.”
Sump‑Dredger Kroll Vant
“Down in the sump, you don’t fear death. You fear stepping in something that makes death look like a promotion.”