Within the thick tree canopies of the Yanthian jungle, something not native to the world has survived and even thrived for countless years. Moving from tree to tree, blending in with the vegetation, a group of survivors have made this harsh climate their home. These tenacious survivors are the alien Kroot, and have existed on Yanth for many years.
Kroot are avian humanoids found on a variety of planets across the galaxy. They have vestigial beaks, and their bones are very light, almost hollow. This allows them to move quickly through the trees and jump distances not possible for most humans. Their skin is dry and rough, ranging in colouration from browns and greens to bright oranges. Their heads are topped with a tight mass of quills, which serve as part of their advanced sensory system. Kroot physiology allows them to absorb traits and abilities from creatures that they eat, providing an interesting evolutionary adaptation. This has allowed the Kroot to thrive on many different worlds.
The Kroot species is thought to have originated on Pech, a world located in the Eastern Fringe of the galaxy. They spread to a number of nearby worlds over time and eventually came in contact with an emergent civilisation known as the Tau Empire. The Kroot allied themselves with the Tau to help combat a growing Ork menace in their area of space, and have been a valuable part of the growing Empire ever since. How these wayward aliens came to Yanth is unknown, but speculation is that one of their gigantic Warspheres may have crashed on the planet long ago. No signs of this wreckage have ever been found, but since Yanth claims all that touches its surface, this is not surprising.
The Kroot of Yanth make their lairs in the canopies of Deondel trees, one of the few non-carnivorous plants on the planet. The leaves of these trees are very dense, providing adequate cover from both the climate and predators. The Kroot are highly vigilant and always in motion, scouring all areas of their camps for any signs of intrusion. Many areas of their new home are decorated with grisly trophies of their time on the Death World, including heads of most of the deadliest predators that stalk the planet. To the Kroot, these displays prove that they are superior and deserving of their place in the ecosystem.
A wizened Shaper, known to his people as Ennuk, leads the Kroot tribe. Once part of a larger council of Shapers, Ennuk is the only surviving member. His strategies have kept the small band alive for decades, all the time using the local fauna as the basis for further genetic development for his flock. Ennuk realised long ago that Yanth could provide a never-ending source of new evolutionary growth, and sees no point in leaving the death world any time soon. He has met with various Imperial and alien agents, many of whom eagerly seek out Kroot guides for exploring Yanth, or even as mercenaries to fight elsewhere in Askellon. All of Ennuk’s followers return back to him eventually, though, sharing any newly-gained genetic enhancements with their Shaper to continue the development of their people.