The Wahammer Kabals are the ruling syndicates of the Dark Eldar city of Commorragh. They’re part gang, part army, part business, and they run on ambition, cruelty, and the constant threat of betrayal.
What a kabal actually is
A kabal is a self-governing paramilitary outfit. It’s how Dark Eldar society organises itself, alongside Haemonculi covens, Incubi shrines, and Wych cults.
They raid through Webway portals to grab slaves, beasts, and whatever else they need. Some kabals are only a few hundred strong. The biggest field millions of trained killers.
- Leaders are called Archons, and they answer to nobody.
- There’s no real law beyond the ‘eye for an eye’ code the Dark Eldar share.
- Kabals cooperate as often as they go to war, sometimes for no obvious reason.
How they took over Commorragh
Before the Fall, Dark Eldar society ran on noble houses. Those aristocrats lived for excess, and that excess helped bring about the Fall.
In M32, a slave named Asdrubael Vect founded a cult called the Black Heart. His agents set the stage for him to topple the old houses, and kabals replaced the aristocracy as the ruling power.
The new system meant power was taken, not inherited. Plenty of surviving noble families remade themselves as kabals, but they haven’t forgiven Vect for stealing their place.
Rank inside a kabal
The chain of command is rigid. Overstep your position and everyone assumes you’re trying to usurp your superior, which usually ends badly for you.
Even the lowest Kabalite gets some protection from belonging to a bigger kabal. Kill one, and you’ve made an enemy of the whole organisation.
| Rank | Role |
|---|---|
| Archon | Absolute leader of the kabal |
| Hierarch | Senior advisor and enforcer |
| Dracon | Commander of a faction within the kabal |
| Kabalite Trueborn | Elite warriors born from vat-grown stock |
| Sybarite | Squad leader |
| Kabalite Warrior | Standard soldier |
The major kabals
By M41, a handful of kabals dominate Commorragh. The Black Heart sits at the top, since it’s Vect’s own creation.
Others like the Flayed Skull, Obsidian Rose, Poisoned Tongue, and Last Hatred are major players too. Dozens of smaller kabals jostle beneath them, and the list of named kabals runs into the hundreds.
Key facts
- Kabals are the ruling socio-economic and military organisations of the Dark Eldar.
- They were installed as the dominant power by Asdrubael Vect in M32, replacing the old noble houses.
- An Archon leads each kabal with no legal restraints on their authority.
- Kabals range from a few hundred members to millions of soldiers.
- The Black Heart, Flayed Skull, Obsidian Rose, Poisoned Tongue, and Last Hatred are among the greatest kabals as of M41.
FAQ
Who leads the kabals?
Each kabal is led by an Archon, who holds absolute authority. Archons answer to no one, and their word is law within their own organisation.
What’s the difference between a kabal and a Wych cult?
Kabals are the main political and military power in Commorragh. Wych cults are separate organisations that focus on gladiatorial combat and often fight alongside kabals.
Can kabals work together?
Yes, but it’s always temporary. Kabals will ally to hit a shared target, then turn on each other the moment it’s convenient.