Even among all the crazy species of Warhammer 40,000, the Jokaero stand out significantly: a race of ape-like beings that seemingly create technology without any form of communication that surpasses almost everything else. How can this be?
Although the Imperium of Man has earnestly tried to eliminate nearly all alien life during its expansion, there are still Xenos species that manage to assert themselves. And I’m not just talking about “Big Players” like Orks or Tyranids.
Many smaller races still exist, some of which remain undiscovered, others untouched, and in rare cases even in something resembling peace with the Imperium – in moderation, of course, and usually through a special permission from the Free Traders.
Jokaero are one such exception: They pose no threat, do not expand, and tend to live in seclusion. Moreover, they are extremely useful, and if the Imperium excels at anything, it is exploiting others for its own advantage.
The Jokaero – A race as advanced as few others
In appearance, Jokaero most closely resemble orangutans, but with a significantly deeper understanding of technology. This is particularly unusual because they seem to have no mastery of any form of language.
At least within the world of Warhammer 40,000, almost everyone – but certainly human researchers – agree that Jokaero neither communicate linguistically nor have a culture.
Nevertheless, they can showcase great achievements that are sometimes utilized within the Imperium, but are usually never replicated, such as:
- digital weapons that can be incorporated into jewelry or implants but have the firepower of pistols
- shields that function similarly to the Gellar fields of humans and can protect against demonic influences, but are tailored for personal use
- “spy flies” that are exactly what they sound like
- spaceships that utilize a force unknown to (presumably) all other species to move and are not reliant on the dangerous Warp
Ironically, Jokaero do not use any bionic implants. Although they theoretically have access to all kinds of enhancements, they have no use for them as they are already perfect by definition.
Jokaero and Orks: What do monkeys and fungi have in common?
Although the origins of the Jokaero, like most things in Warhammer, are not 100% clear, they were likely created by the Old Ones. The Old Ones are an (as the name suggests) ancient species, something like the gods of the universe.
The Old Ones created various races to fulfill specific tasks, such as the Aeldari or the fungal beings most know as Orks, to wage war against the Necrontyr who had become machines.
Jokaero are a similar creation with the sole purpose of developing things. Accordingly, like the Orks, they have an “instilled” knowledge of the technologies of the Old Ones. They do not need to learn; everything operates on an instinctive basis.
Subconscious Innovation versus Conscious Suppression of the New
However, this makes the issue with inventions … complicated. Yes, Jokaero can explore new technologies, invent weapons or items. However, they do not do this purposefully or through research, but chaotically and simply because it is in their nature.
Specifically, this means that Jokaero cannot purposefully invent something new. If you give them something to hold, they will likely make something new out of it. Only what that is, no one can really say in advance.
This contradicts quite clearly the extreme creed of the keepers of knowledge in the Imperium: the Adeptus Mechanicus. Here, any innovation is considered heresy and dangerous. “New” technologies are not possible, even forbidden. Instead, they rely on finding and reproducing old templates (“STCs”).
As a small thought experiment: It is often debated whether the Jokaero could repair the Golden Throne of the Emperor, as it is based on Xenos technology – specifically, on Aeldari and thereby on the technology of the Old Ones. They could probably do it, but the likelihood is high that they would simply dismantle it and create something new from the parts.
Did you already know about the Jokaero? Which species in Warhammer 40,000 do you find the coolest or which would you like to learn more about? Leave us a comment!
The Old Ones created the Jokaero to serve them, but what actually happened to these divine beings? A war, of course; what else can one expect from Warhammer? The victorious are still part of the world today, but… limited: A race in Warhammer 40,000 could simply eliminate one of the biggest threats in the world, but it has been sleeping for 60 million years
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