[[Image:HaemonculusArt.jpg|thumb|right|280px|A Haemonculus]]The '''Haemonculi''' are [[Dark Eldar]] masters of pain, agonysurgeon-alchemists, adept at torture and biological manipulation.{{Fn|1}}

Haemonculi proclaim that the infliction of pain is one of the highest arts, if not ''the'' highest, and gleefully create choruses of screams and wails of agony whilst taking delight in every aspect of the discomfort of anyone unfortunate enough to fall under their blades. Haemonculi are also known as master manipulators of flesh, able to create horrific monstrosities and regenerate Dark Eldar slain in battle, provided enough of the body remains. Because of this, dark eldar Dark Eldar of status will often make pacts with haemonculiHaemonculi, promising them fresh captives for their cruel art in exchange for medical treatment, biological enhancements, and even being brought back from the dead. Haemonculi ensure the near-immortality of Dark Eldar who can afford their services, and it is said they can be grown back to life from a single severed hand.{{Fn|1}}  Like most Dark Eldar groups they form into factions, known as [[Haemonculi Covens]] that base themselves across the Dark City. The Haemonculi and their covens are all secretly feared by the denizens of [[Commorragh]] despite their service, for one knows what horrors await if one crosses one of their order. Every Haemonculus considers himself akin to a god, and hence surrounds himself with a retinue of freakish acolytes that obey his every whim without hesitation. Many do not care to debase themselves by touching the ground, let alone sully themselves with physical labour. To this end, they are assisted at all times by exotic technologies and an entourage of abominations such as [[Wracks]] and [[Grotesque]]s. Notorious megalomaniacs, their egos require the constant obeisance of subservient beings, most of whom they have fashioned themselves. These servants ensure the Coven’s captives are hauled about, flayed or dissected according to their master’s orders.{{Fn|4a}}

Like most Dark Eldar groups they form into factionsAs masters of fleshcrafting, known as [[Haemonculi Covens]] that base themselves across the Dark City. The Haemonculi and heavily modify their covens are all secretly feared by the denizens of [[Commorragh]] despite own bodies as their serviceneeds or whims dictate. Organs may be moved about as desired, for one knows what horrors await if one crosses one of with some keeping their order. Every Haemonculus considers himself akin to heart and lungs in a godhump on their back, hollowing out their torsos and hence surrounds himself with giving the Haemonculi a retinue of freakish acolytes that obey his every whim without hesitationgaunt and stretched appearance. Many do not care to debase themselves by touching the groundSecondary and tertiary limbs are common, let alone sully themselves with physical labor. To this end, they are assisted at all times by exotic technologies and an entourage of abominations such as [[Wracks]] and [[Grotesque]]is replacing one'sblood with acid or other dangerous ichors. Notorious megalomaniacs, Some extend their egos require the constant obeisance of subservient beingsspines into bony tails, most of whom they have fashioned themselves. These servants ensure the Coven’s captives are hauled about, flayed or dissected according to grow antlers and horns from their master’s ordersbacks.{{Fn|54a}}

As masters of fleshcrafting, Haemonculi heavily modify themselvesare virtually immortal. Some keep their blood, lungs The skills and heart technology that allow them to regenerate other Drukhari allow them to resurrect in a muscledhunk of meat that sprouts from their shoulders, a rich repositoryfor stimulants and elixirs that often boasts secondary limbs labs despite complete destruction of itsown. Others replace their blood so that searing ichor or even acidflows through their modified veinsbodies. Their spines are elongatedThe only way to permanently end a Haemonculus' existence is to destroy them in body and extended and their vertebrae meld intowhipping prehensile bone-tails that can curl around the throats oftheir preysoul. From the upper backs sprout protrusions ofbony matter Anything less than that often frame the Haemonculus’ head, hung withpeculiar syringes merely ensures a methodical and drug dispensers that channel directly intotheir spinal sump. Because of their skills Haemonculi are functionally immortal, and always look inventive revenge upon death with a vengeful glee for they know they shall soon return to exact their retributionwould-be killer.{{Fn|22e}}{{Fn|54a}}

The Haemonculi are always seeking new ways to inflict horror upon the denizens of the [[Materium]]. Certain Covens, such as the [[Children of Bone]], specialize specialise in developing thin Grotesques to aid them upon the battlefield, while the [[Ebon Sting|Coven of the Ebon Sting]] are famed for their especially venomous Engines of Pain. It is these hideous horrors and monstrous constructs that do the majority of the killing when the Coven mounts a raid. Having lived for thousands of years, the Haemonculi look upon the planet-wrecking wars of lesser races with a snickering amusement.{{Fn|22c}}

As every Haemonculus is old, perverse, and cunning, they carry some "dirty tricks" in their tainted sleeves. Having access to arcane wargear of the [[Dark Eldar]], they might possess some truly dreadful array of technology such as:{{Fn|44b}} ;'''Weapons'''{{Fn|4b}}*[[Agonizer]]*[[Destructor (weapon)|Destructor]]*[[Electrocorrosive Whip]]*[[Flesh Gauntlet]]*[[Flensing Blade]]*[[Haemonculus Tools]]*[[Hexrifle]]*[[Husk Blade]]*[[Ichor Injector]]*[[Khaïdesi Haemovore]]s{{Fn|2d}}*[[Liquifier Gun]]*[[Mindphase Gauntlet]]*[[Ossefactor]]*[[Poisoner's Ampule]]*[[Scissorhand]]*[[Stinger Pistol]]*[[Venom Blade]]

*'''Weapons'''{{Fn|4}}**[[Agonizer]]**[[Destructor (weapon)|Destructor]]**[[Electrocorrosive Whip]]**[[Flesh Gauntlet]]**[[Flensing Blade]]**[[Haemonculus Tools]]**[[Hexrifle]]**[[Husk Blade]]**[[Ichor Injector]]**[[Khaidesi Haemovore]]s{{Fn|2d}}**[[Liquifier Gun]]**[[Ossefactor]]**[[Mindphase Gauntlet]]**[[Poisoner's Ampule]]**[[Scissorhand]]**[[Stinger Pistol]]**[[Venom Blade]]*;'''Wargear'''**[[Animus Vitae]]{{Fn|2d}}**[[Archangel of Pain]]**[[Casket of Flensing]]**[[Crucible of Malediction]]**[[Dark Gate]]**[[Gnarlskin]]{{Fn|2d}}**[[Nightmare Doll]]{{Fn|2d}}**[[Panacea Perverted]]{{Fn|2d}}**[[Shattershard]]**[[Soul-Trap]]**[[Vexator mask]]**[[Webway Portal]]

Perhaps most dangerously, the Haemonculi of the Dark City are able to transcend death entirely. By means of their twisted soul-science, they often leave a small part of their essence in rune-carved caskets and extradimensional pockets, so that even should their corporeal form be vaporised, they can inhabit new flesh. For a Haemonculus to be truly extinguished they must be utterly destroyed, both corporeally and spiritually.{{Fn|22e}}

*{{Mainmain|Haemonculi Covens}} Haemonculi form themselves into factions of like-minded individuals known as [[Haemonculi Covens. There are ten Covens known by name at the momentCoven]]s. Perhaps the most notable Haemonculi Coven is [[The Prophets of Flesh]] which was recently sighted in the [[Tau Empire]] during the [[War of Dark Revelations]].{{Fn|4c}}

Viewing themselves as artists and master craftsmen, Haemonculi have developed many disciplines and specialties specialities to their twisted work. These include:{{Fn|2a}}*'''Nemesines''': These Haemonculi seek the best ways to kill every creature in the material world and beyond. The 'Ever-Nemesines' (or ''Ilynneadhs'' in [[Eldar Language|Eldar]]) take this art a step further, seeking to kill off ephemeral concepts such as hope and joy across entire [[sector]]s, erase knowledge or enlightenment from the [[galaxyGalaxy]], or slay great visionaries and leaders.{{Fn|2a}}

*'''Phoenex''': A hidden offshoot of the [[Ever-Nemesines]]. They seek to forge the Eldar race anew by the means of exterminating their own kind, be they [[Commorragh]], [[Craftworld]]ers, [[Harlequin]]s, or [[Exodite]]s. They believe that should the Eldar become extinct, [[Ynnead]] will be awakaned and the spiritual malaise of the Eldar lifted forever. They are the most secret of all brotherhoods, for their eagerness to see their brethren slain could see them undone. It is rumored rumoured that their philosophy is not limited to Commorragh, and that the Harlequins and even Craftworld leaders may share their goal.{{Fn|2a}}*'''Scarlet Epicureans''': Perhaps the closest spiritual descendants of the old [[Eldar Empire]] that led to the birth of [[Slaanesh]]. They revel in ever every iota of sensation. Some of these maniacal orgiasts attack the military forces of realspace in order to invite unusual varieties of death, savouring the sublime moment when their lives are snuffed out. After drinking in their own last moments like a vintage draught, they will be regrown in the depths of Commorragh.{{Fn|2a}}

*[[GruemenealGruemenael]] — A Haemonculus of associated with the [[Kabal of the Black Heart]].{{Fn|9}}*[[Iridivyst]]— A gourmet who wishes to experience being killed in new and interesting ways.{{Fn|2f}}

*[[Yukor]] — Trained [[Lelith Hesperax]] and [[Morghana Nathrax]].{{Fn|10}}*[[Zykleiades]] — A Patriarch Noctis in the Coven of [[The Black Descent]].{{Fn|7a7}}

<gallery heights="200px" widths="250px" mode="packed" caption="Modelsnolines">ImageFile:HaemonculusUrienRakarth.jpg|3rd Edition HaemonculusImage:[[Urien Rakarth.jpg|3rd Edition Urien RakarthImage:DEHaemonculus.jpg|5th Edition Haemonculus]]File:UrienRakarthMiniature.jpg|5th Edition Urien RakarthImage:Haemonculus7thEVakillar.jpg|7th Edition Haemonculus[[Vakillar U'riss]]

 ===Miniatures===<gallery heights="200px" widths="250px" mode="packed" caption="Artnolines">Image:Haemonculus Art.jpg|[[Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm|Dawn of War3rd Edition]] HaemonculusFileImage:UrienRakarthDEHaemonculus.jpg|Urien Rakarth[[5th Edition]] HaemonculusFileImage:VakillarHaemonculus7thE.jpg|Vakillar U'riss[[7th Edition]] Haemonculus

{{cite}}*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition)]], pgs. 3837-40*{{Endn|2}}: [[Haemonculus Covens - A Codex: Dark Eldar Supplement]] - ''To Kill a Monster''':

**{{Endn|2e}}: ''The Theatre of Horrors''**{{Endn|2f}}: ''A Hideous Beauty''*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex Supplement: White Scars (8th Edition)]], pg. 28 - — ''Huntsmen of the Stars''*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Drukhari (8th Edition)]] :**{{Endn|4a}}: pg. 68**{{Endn|4b}}: pg.87**{{Endn|54c}}: [[Codex: Drukhari (9th Edition)]], pgpgs. 6834-35

*{{Endn|7}}: [[Path of the Archon (Novel)]], Chapters 6 & 14*{{Endn|8}}: [[White Dwarf 483]], pg. 53 — ''Heroes and Villains''*{{Endn|9}}: [[Dawn of War: Soulstorm]] Dark Eldar Campaign — Gruemenael, Honour Guard unit info*{{Endn|7a10}}: Chapters 6[[Lelith Hesperax: Queen of Knives (Novel)]], 14Chapter 2