Wyches are the gladiatorial warriors of the Drukhari, the Dark Eldar of Commorragh. They fight in the arenas of the Wych Cults, and their whole existence revolves around close-quarters killing for sport, sustenance and status.
What wyches actually are
Wyches, also called Hekatarii, are Drukhari who belong to one of the Wych Cults of Commorragh. They duel each other, captured aliens and beasts in arenas, and few survive their first fight. Those who do learn fast.
Almost all of them are female. The lore says women more often reach the poise and grace the craft demands, though male wyches exist and are valued, mostly for keeping the cult supplied with strong offspring. They rarely rise high. Every Succubus who rules a cult is female.
The cult hierarchy
Each cult is a thousands-strong organisation of gladiators. A Succubus leads it, and below her are squad leaders called Hekatrixes. Elite wyches sometimes band together as bloodbrides, a title open to any gender, under a syren who answers only to the cult’s leaders.
Bloodbrides are the best of the bunch, so they’re more likely to carry special weapons. They’re also famous for feuding with each other, though they pull together on raids.
- Succubus: rules the entire Wych Cult
- Syren: commands the bloodbrides
- Hekatrix: leads a wych squad
- Bloodbride: elite wych, often better armed
Why the arenas matter
The nightly displays of violence aren’t just entertainment. They feed the Drukhari’s need for murderous sensation, and the audiences leave feeling like well-fed predators. That keeps the wealthier parts of Commorragh from tipping into open anarchy.
Almost every cult has a powerful Archon as a patron. It’s a trade that suits both sides: the Archon gets glory and deadly allies, and the cult never runs short of slaves or exotic combat stimulants.
Gear, drugs and patrons
Wyches train for close-quarters combat their entire lives, and they often use combat-enhancing drug cocktails to push their performance further. The cults’ patron Dark Muses are Qa’leh, the Mistress of Blades, and Hekatii, the Red Crone, and wyches commonly make sacrifices to both before a battle.
Key facts
- Wyches are Drukhari gladiators, also known as Hekatarii, organised into the Wych Cults of Commorragh.
- They fight in arenas against each other, captured aliens and beasts, and few survive their first duel.
- A Succubus leads each cult, with Syrens over the bloodbrides and Hekatrixes leading squads.
- Most wyches are female; male wyches are valued but rarely reach high rank.
- They use combat-enhancing drug cocktails and sacrifice to the Dark Muses Qa’leh and Hekatii before battle.
- Most cults have a powerful Archon as patron, trading glory for slaves and exotic combat stimulants.
FAQ
Are wyches male or female?
Most are female, because the lore says women more often reach the pinnacle of grace and poise their craft needs. Male wyches exist and are valued, but they rarely reach high rank, and every Succubus is female.
What’s the difference between a Succubus, a Syren and a Hekatrix?
A Succubus rules the whole Wych Cult. A Syren commands the elite bloodbrides, and a Hekatrix leads a regular wych squad.
Why do the Drukhari have Wych Cults at all?
The arenas feed the Drukhari’s hunger for murderous sensation and keep the richer districts of Commorragh from descending into anarchy. They also give Archons a ready supply of deadly allies.