Raveners (Latin: Tyrannicus ophidius subterra) are a type of biological Tyranid construct which feature in Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe. Theorised to be a sub-type of the Warrior genus, they specialise in lightning-fast surprise assaults from below ground.
Description[]
In common with the majority of Tyranid organisms, Raveners are somewhat insect-like in appearance with a tough, chitinous carapace and six limbs. Unlike most of their cousins however, they do not use their limbs for locomotion, instead relying on their long, sinuous tails to propel them forward in a manner similar to terrestrial snakes. Instead, Raveners use their powerful front set of bladed talons as tools for burrowing beneath the ground as well as for combat, whilst their clawed middle set are employed as secondary weapons. The hind limbs are occasionally equipped with some form of short-ranged biomorphic projectile-organism, but are otherwise mostly useless.
It should be noted that, while thought to be a member of the Warrior genus, Raveners do not possess the synapse properties engineered into their parent species.
Behaviour[]
Raveners are most commonly employed quietly tunnelling beneath enemy fortifications; once they reach a point beneath their prey, which they will sense through vibrations in the surrounding soil, they will erupt from beneath the ground and take them by surprise, the toughened blades of bone designed for chewing through bedrock making short work of almost any opponent.