Gretchin

In the game world of "Warhammer 40,000", Gretchin (also known as Grotz in the "Warhammer 40,000" universe) are Goblinoids (Orkoids), smaller and more cowardly than Orks. They are the sci-fi equivalent of Goblins in the "Warhammer Fantasy "setting.

Gretchin are often used as living shields, to clear mine fields, as stepping stones to get through difficult terrain, and sometimes even as emergency rations. They are quite low in Goblinoid society (the lowest being Snotlings) and are given the dirtiest jobs, like scavenging and being used as footballs when the Orks get bored.

While they are not as aggressive as Orks, Gretchin enjoy fighting weaker opponents and are less likely to flee if they comfortably outnumber their opponents. In "Warhammer 40,000", all Gretchin work as slaves for Orks (although the "Warhammer 40,000" spin-off "Gorkamorka" featured a faction of revolutionary Rebel Grots). As they are a bit more organized than Orks, Gretchin are often used to maintain war machines and artillery. Such work is considered by Orks to be undesirable, because it prevents them from being in the heart of the battle. Gretchin also serve as attendants or "ammo runts" to Ork warlords, as assistants to Ork mechanics, and as orderlies to Ork doctors.

Because of the mutability of Orks, there is, to an outsider, little difference between a large grot and a small Ork. The practical definition is a subjective one; to an Ork, anything bigger than him is a boss and anything smaller is a Grot. Gretchin and Orks are, however, two different sub-species within the Orkoid species. Gretchin do not develop into Orks, but instead emerge from their Orkoid Cocoons sooner than Orks. Even the smallest Orks (Yoofs) are larger than the largest Gretchin. Additional support for this is also said to come from the book "Digganob", where Rebel Grots are said to kill young Orks soon after they appear from the spawning grounds, while nurturing newly emerged grots that they find.cite book | last = Johnson| first = Jervis| coauthors = | title = , |edition=2nd edition| publisher = Games Workshop | date = 1993| location=Nottingham|pages = pp. 64 | isbn = 1-872372-95-3 ] cite book | last = Chambers| first = Andy | coauthors = | title = , |edition=3rd edition| publisher = Games Workshop | date = 2001 | location=Nottingham|pages = pp. 64 | isbn = 1-869893-38-7 ]

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