Kheradruakh, better known as the Decapitator, is the ancient Mandrake king of the shadow realm Aelindrach. He’s one of the Drukhari’s creepiest figures, a legendary assassin who’s been collecting skulls since before the Fall, and he still rules a corner of Commorragh that bleeds into the material world.
Who is the Decapitator?
Kheradruakh is the ruler of Aelindrach, a shadow dimension that overlaps with Commorragh. His name means ‘He Who Hunts Heads,’ and he’s feared even by other Mandrakes, who see him as a dark legend and a patron of murder.
He’s been around since at least the Horus Heresy, and some believe he was the first Mandrake, possibly an Eldar who transformed. For eight millennia he’s killed seemingly at random, sometimes joining realspace raids or hiring out as an assassin for a steep price in souls.
- Title: The Decapitator, He Who Hunts Heads
- Home: Aelindrach, a shadow realm within Commorragh
- Species: Aeldari (Mandrake), affiliated with the Drukhari
- Active: Pre-Fall of the Eldar to present
His skull collection and lair
Kheradruakh’s lair is a hemispherical chamber lined with a thousand niches, each holding a skull stripped to the bone. He hunts his prey for decades across worlds, waiting weeks for the perfect strike, then takes the head back to his collection.
Only the most worthy skulls earn a place. The rest are smashed. Each skull still holds an echo of the victim’s soul, and they all stare at a point above the central dais.
The Decapitator in the game
On the tabletop, Kheradruakh has never had an official model, and his rules have been criticised as weak for his points cost. In older editions he was a special character with high Weapon Skill and Attacks, but Toughness 3 and only a 5+ invulnerable save made him fragile.
His signature sword, also called the Decapitator, was a power sword that inflicted Instant Death on a 6, but against common 2+ armour saves it rarely mattered. His special rules, like Shade Stalker and Hunter of Heads, didn’t fix his survivability.
| Edition | Status |
|---|---|
| 5th ed. Dark Eldar | Special character, no model |
| 7th ed. Dark Eldar | Special character, no model |
| Current | No official rules or model |
Why he matters in the lore
Kheradruakh isn’t just a scary assassin. He’s tied to major events like the Dysjunction, when he killed the Mandrake brother-kings Azoruakh and Xhakoruakh for bringing outside conflicts into Aelindrach. That act stabilised reality in the region, though he sensed something stirring beyond.
He also claimed seven worthy skulls in just six cycles during the Long Midnight in 891.M41, an unprecedented feat. His connection to the awakening of Ynnead and the growing instability of Aelindrach makes him a wild card in Drukhari politics.
Key facts
- Kheradruakh, the Decapitator, is the Mandrake king of Aelindrach.
- He’s been active since before the Fall of the Eldar.
- His lair contains a thousand skulls, each holding a soul echo.
- He killed the Mandrake brother-kings Azoruakh and Xhakoruakh during a Dysjunction.
- He has never had an official tabletop model.
FAQ
Is the Decapitator a Mandrake?
Yes, Kheradruakh is a Mandrake, and he’s considered their great king. Some sources suggest he might have been an Eldar before becoming the first and greatest Mandrake.
Does the Decapitator have a model?
No. Despite appearing in multiple Dark Eldar codexes, Games Workshop has never produced an official miniature for Kheradruakh.
What is Aelindrach?
Aelindrach is a shadow realm that overlaps with Commorragh, home to the Mandrakes. Kheradruakh rules it and it’s slowly expanding into the rest of the Dark City.