The Incubi are the Drukhari’s deadliest melee specialists, mercenary killers who sell their blades to the highest bidder in Commorragh. They’re the closest thing the Dark Eldar have to an honourable warrior, which in their society is saying something.
What are the Incubi?
Incubi are elite Dark Eldar warriors who fight as mercenaries rather than swearing to any Kabal or Wych Cult. An Archon usually keeps a squad of them close as a personal retinue, and outside of battle they double as bodyguards who never leave their employer’s side.
That arrangement exists for a very Drukhari reason. In Commorragh, promotion usually means murdering whoever’s above you, so an Archon can’t trust a bodyguard from his own Kabal. Incubi sit outside that hierarchy entirely. They follow their contract and their Klaivex leader, and that neutrality makes them worth the price.
Where they come from
Nobody’s certain how the Incubi order began. One legend credits Arhra, the fallen Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions, and some whisper that Drazhar, the Master of Blades, is Arhra himself. Treat that as rumour, not confirmed history.
Incubi don’t belong to a Kabal. They’re trained in obsidian shrines, each overseen by a Hierarch, where aspirants come to study the murderous arts. Shrines range from a handful of warriors to sprawling bastions filled with howling marble statues.
How they fight
Incubi live rigorously disciplined lives and train in multiple forms of melee combat. Despite their skill, they have no interest in a fair fight. They kill as efficiently as possible and move on.
Their signature weapon is the klaive, a ritual blade tied to their identity. The leader of a shrine is called a Klaivex, chosen for unmatched mastery of that weapon. Each shrine has its own ritual for picking one, and they tend to be brutal. In the Shrine of Naked Hatred, a challenger has to disable the current Klaivex in single combat, then flay him in exactly four strokes. Fail, and you get skinned with your own klaive.
Why they matter
Incubi are the best warriors Drukhari society produces, and they’re used as shock troops, duellists, and enforcers throughout Commorragh. When a rival needs a message, a host of Incubi can tear through a pleasure den or smuggler’s spire to deliver it.
Their reputation for keeping their word is unusual enough that other Drukhari whisper about it. That reliability, plus their lethality, is exactly why the powerful keep hiring them. It’s also a reminder that in Commorragh, even the finest blade can cut both ways.
Key facts
- Incubi are elite Drukhari mercenaries who serve as bodyguards and enforcers, not Kabal members.
- Their leaders are called Klaivexes, named for their mastery of the klaive.
- They train in obsidian shrines overseen by Hierarchs.
- One legend says Arhra, the fallen Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions, founded the order.
- They avoid fair fights and kill as efficiently as possible.
FAQ
Are Incubi loyal to a Kabal?
No. They stay neutral in Kabal politics and work on contract, which is precisely why Archons trust them as bodyguards.
What’s a Klaivex?
A Klaivex leads an Incubi shrine, chosen through a ritual that proves total mastery of the klaive. Each shrine’s ritual is different.
Is Drazhar actually Arhra?
It’s a rumour in the lore, not a confirmed fact. Some sources suggest the Master of Blades might be the fallen Phoenix Lord who supposedly founded the Incubi.