60,322
edits
Changes
From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
Wych
,no edit summary
'''Wyches''', also known as '''Hekatarii'''{{Fn|3}} are gladiatorial warriors of the [[Dark Eldar]]. They each belong to one of the various [[Wych Cult]]s of [[Commoragh]]. Wyches fight in arenas in duels with one another and with various captured aliens and beasts; few survive their first duel but those who live learn quickly. Ruled over by their [[Succubus|Succubi]], who share their power with [[Syren]] and in turn the squad-leading [[Hekatrix]],{{Fn|2}} the Wyches are highly proficient at close-quarters combat, practising their skills for their entire lives. Wyches often use a cocktail of combat-enhancing [[combat drugs|drugs]] to improve their performance on the battlefield.{{Fn|2}}
The patron [[Dark Muse]]s of the Wych Cult's Cults are [[Qa'leh]], the Mistress of Blades and [[Hekatii]], the Red Crone. Wyches will frequently make sacrifices to both before battle.{{Fn|1c}}
==Wych Cults==
[[Image:Wych art.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Wych{{Fn|15}}]]
{{Main|Wych Cults}}
Because of [[Dark Eldar]]'s their unending need to bathe in murderous sensations, the Dark Eldar have evolved the Hekatarii, known in common parlance as the [[Wych Cult]]s. Each Wych Cult is a thousands-strong organisation of gladiators that put on nightly displays of the most incredible violence; not only for the edification of the masses, but also for their literal sustenance. Such is the scale of the carnage staged by these armies of warrior-athletes that their audiences leave the arena with the glow of well-fed predators. In this way the populace is kept from full-scale anarchy – at least, those portions of [[Commorragh]] wealthy enough to attend the Wych Cults’ nightly performances.{{Fn|3}}
Born from [[Haemonculi]] vats from promising gene-stock and trained in brutal life-or-death training regimen{{Fn|14}} most of the Hekatarii are female, for they are more often able to attain the pinnacle of poise and grace their craft demands. Male Wyches ensure that their Wych Cult is never wanting for strong offspring, yet though they are valued they rarely attain high rank. Certainly the [[Succubi]] who rule over the Wych Cults are universally female.{{Fn|3}}
While most Wyches master their skills with knife and splinter pistol some choose more destructive and elaborate weapons:
*'''[[Agoniser]]''' - Agonisers are a whip-like weapon favoured by Wyches{{Fn|4b}}.
*'''[[Razorflail]]s''' - Wyches using razorflails are known as '''''Lacerai'''''. These weapons are a kind of retracting sword which can be wielded either as a solid blade or as a flexible whip-like series of segmented blades. Razorflails are usually wielded in pairs an are a difficult weapon to counter, as they are almost impossible to block or parry.{{Fn|1a}}
*'''[[Shardnet]] and [[Impaler]]''' - '''''Yraqnae''''' are Wyches who use a [[shardnet]] and an [[impaler]]. These weapons are a lethal combination - the impaler being a long, wickedly sharp close combat weapon, whilst the electrified shardnet leaves opponents unable to strike back at the wielder. Being caught by a shardnet is an extremely painful way to die as the net constricts around its victim, cutting through flesh, muscles and bone leaving a pile of shredded gore.{{Fn|1a}}
*'''[[Hydra Gauntlet]]''' - '''''Hydrae''''' are Wyches who master the skill of using [[Hydra Gauntlet]]s. These gauntlets are esoteric weapons of unknown origin that can grow multiple deadly crystalline blades in combat. Even though a Wych cannot control the amount of blades grown on gauntlets, they are still very lethal as they can cause many times more damage than conventional weapons.{{Fn|1a}}
*[[Power Sword]]s{{Fn|4b}}
The Wyches also employ a variety of distilled [[combat drug]]s, galvanizing them to even greater heights in battle and making their displays more entertaining to onlookers.{{Fn|1a}} For protection, Wyches wear a flexible bodyglove known as a '''[[Wychsuit]]'''.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|1b}}
==Notable Wyches==
==Images==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"250 widths=250>DEWyches.jpg|'''5th edition''' Wych Squad([[5th Edition]])Wych Group 1.jpg|'''Wyches ([[3rd edition''' WychesEdition]])
</gallery>
**{{Endn|4a}}: pg. 14
**{{Endn|4b}}: pg.93
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Rise of the Ynnari: Wild Rider (Novel)]] — , Chapters 1, 2, 5–12, 17, 20–23, 26*{{Endn|6}}: [[Isha's Lament (Novella)]] — , Chapters 3–7
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Rogue Trader: The Soul Reaver]]
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Haemonculus Covens - A Codex: Dark Eldar Supplement]] — ''A Hideous Beauty''
*{{Endn|10}}: [http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=261&enmi=Warhammer%2040,000:%20Conquest Warhammer 40,000: Conquest] - [http://www.cardgamedb.com/index.php/wh40kconquest/conquest.html/_/core/syren-zythlex-r126 Syren Zythlex], card description
*{{Endn|11}}:[[Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook]], pg. 145
*{{Endn|12}}: [[White Dwarf 375 (UK)]], pgpgs. 41-45*{{Endn|13}}: [[Da Big Dakka (Novel)]] - , Chapter 14*{{Endn|14}}: [[Lelith Hesperax: Queen of Knives (Novel)]] - , Chapter 1
*{{Endn|15}}: [[Wrath & Glory - Aeldari - Inheritance of Embers]], pg. 37
