Asdrubael Vect
Asdrubael Vect is the leader of the Kabal of the Black Heart, the most powerful Dark Eldar Kabal in existence, thus he is therefore de-facto ruler of the city of Commorragh and the rest of the Dark Eldar race as a whole.
Vect claims to have witnessed the Fall of the Eldar personally; if this is true, he is quite possibly one of the oldest living (mortal) beings in the Galaxy at well over 10,000 years of age. As a consequence of this, surviving for that length of time as the ruler of Commorragh would also make him one of the deadliest individuals in the galaxy. One of his ways of ensuring his security is the Geldling, a mysterious doppelgänger which he uses from time to time as his substitute.[3]
History
Vect was born a lowly slave in Commorragh. Carving a bloody path through the city using a combination of deception and his own wits, Vect climbed the ladder of Commorragh and founded the Kabal of the Black Heart. By the time the arrogant nobility of Commorragh led by Xelian, Kraillach, and Yllithian acknowledged that the low-born Vect could pose a legitimate threat it was too late and Vect had forcibly united the disparate sub-realms of the Dark City into his fold.[2a] Vect then captured the Salamanders Space Marine Strike Cruiser Forgehammer, which provoked an Imperial invasion of Commorragh itself. In the ensuing battle, the Lords of Commorragh were killed by the vengeful Space Marine forces and Vect emerged as the undisputed ruler of the Dark City.[2b]
In M41, Vect faced a major threat to his power when El'Uriaq, the tyrant of Shaa-Dom, was resurrected by rival Kabals.[4] Later during the closing years of the Millennium, Vect was forced to retreat to the outskirts of Commorragh after the birth of Yvraine caused a massive Dysjunction that threatens to destroy the Dark City. Vect maintains an uneasy alliance with his remaining Kabals, desperately seeking Yvraine for his own ends.[5]
Following the birth of the prophet of Ynnead Yvraine around the time of the Thirteenth Black Crusade, Commorragh was devastated and flooed by Daemons. Vect only appeared in the later stages of the battle after all seemed lost, calling in old debts and rallying the Incubi sect to launch a massive counterattack that saved the heart of Commorragh. However shortly after, Vect is cut down by Mandrakes serving an unknown master.[6]
Following the death of Vect, a funeral by the Harlequins of the Masque of the Veiled Path was organized and attended by many Archons, both friend and foe of Vect. However at the cressendo of the service the Archons are massacred by the Harlequins in a bloody spectacle. Their blood is used to resurrect Vect, who becomes reborn with a perfect body imbued with a new dark power. After the massacre the Prophets of Flesh resurrect much of the dead, however although all who reamined faithful to Vect were ressurected in full health, some of his enemies were reborn as mere slaves to Vect's will - becoming grotescue abominations and twisted monstrosities for Vect's amusing and eternal mocking of them. Vect declares himself a living Dark Muse, his position now unassailable. His only remaining threat is from Yvraine herself, and Vect now makes plans to end the Reborn prophet.[6]
Wargear
When Vect deigns to enter battle personally, he usually does so upon his Dais of Destruction, a modified Ravager equipped with a unique force field that protects its riders from harm. When on foot, Vect fights protected by a Shadowfield, slaying his enemies with extremely advanced soul-tech orbs known as Obsidian Orbs. These spheres are able to heal Vect from the terror of others.[2a]
In melee, he fights with the Sceptre of the Dark City, an ornate mark of office containing sophisticated pain-inducers.[2a]
Video Game Appearance
In the video game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm, Asdrubael Vect leads the Kabal of the Black Heart in the Kaurava Campaign. His underling, Archon Tahril, is the playable commander for the Dark Eldar campaign, but Vect and his Dais of Destruction are enemy characters if any other faction assaults the Dark Eldar fortress.[1]
Asdrubael Vect is one of only three canon characters to appear in the Dawn of War game series, along with Captain Gabriel Angelos and Abaddon the Despoiler.[Needs Citation]
Images
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Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm
- 2: Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition)
- 3: Path of the Archon (Novel), Chapter 1, The Geldling
- 4: Path of the Renegade (Novel), [Needs Citation]
- 5: Gathering Storm: Fracture of Biel-Tan, [Needs Citation]
- 6: Codex: Drukhari (8th Edition), pgs. 46-47
Uncited
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| Dark Eldar Forces | |
|---|---|
| Command | Archon • Haemonculus • Haemonculus Ancient • Succubus • Dracon • Sybarite |
| Elites | Grotesques • Hekatrix Bloodbrides • Incubi • Kabalite Trueborn • Mandrakes • Wracks |
| Troops | Kabalite Warriors • Wyches • (Wracks) |
| Fast Attack | Beastmasters • Hellions • Reavers • Scourge Beasts: Clawed Fiend • Khymera • Razorwing |
| Heavy Support | Cronos Parasite Engine • Ravager • Razorwing Jetfighter • Talos Pain Engine • Voidraven Bomber |
| Transports | Raider • Venom |
| Special Characters | Asdrubael Vect • Drazhar, Master of Blades • Kheradruakh, the Decapitator • Lelith Hesperax • Lady Malys • Baron Sathonyx • Urien Rakarth • Duke Sliscus |
