The Drukhari
To live in the wretched hive of cutthroats and excessive debauchery known as Commorragh was to constantly be on a blade's edge. Riches, pleasure, and fame were all within one's grasp, but so too were the dire consequences of failure in striving for these very things. The home of the Drukhari, known to some as the 'Dark Eldar', was unforgiving to even the highest echelons of its society and betrayal was always lurking around the corner for the depraved members of its citizenry.
Within Commorragh few were known as harsher than the Kabal of the Obsidian Rose as led by Archon Aestra Khromys. The slightest failure was not to be tolerated, any perceived imperfection to be met with punishment that would see the victim wish for the release of death, and it was by this measure that it possessed the finest craftsmen in all of the dark city. Obsessing over every minute detail and aspect of their weapons and armor had allowed the Obsidian Rose to gain a fierce grip upon the Drukhari arms trade, and their weapon shops could be found throughout Commorragh.
It was the curse of the Drukhari race that they each must perpetually stave off the damnation and consumption of their soul by the Chaos God Slaanesh, known amongst the Eldar as "She Who Thirsts" and other such epithets. To do this they had to leech off the suffering and souls of others, and while required for their survival this cruelty was relished by many Drukhari rather than seen as a necessary evil. Many Drukhari would seek out ever greater ways to torture and kill, reveling in acts of slaughter and other such vile acts that would disgust even some servants of the Ruinous Powers.
Less beholden to this affliction were the Trueborn, Drukhari who had been born of their mother naturally rather than grown in vats like most. The treacherous nature of Commorragh meant the many years of pregnancy possessed by the Eldar race were a liability that one's enemies would exploit like any other. To propagate their race they thus would have Drukhari born rapidly in vats rather than more typical means, while Trueborn were often born to those with the wealth and resources to survive such a handicap or so poor as to be beneath notice.
Trueborn thus could be considered a status symbol for the elite who so wished to possess them, though in return those children born were protected and coveted like a valuable possession might be. Mentored by either parents or professionals, guided towards success, and typically possessing greater wealth than their Halfborn counterparts they were a common fixture in the upper ranks of many Kabals throughout Commorragh. Their lesser affliction meant that Trueborn were not so beholden to the cruelty cherished by other members of their race, allowing them to better pursue exploits beyond the constant need to siphon the souls and suffering of others. This made them particularly valuable for the Obsidian Rose as their superior discipline, training, and a lesser need for debauchery meant that they were reliable in their craft. Those who would thrive in this merciless environment were those less prone to making mistakes, though those Trueborn who earned the ire of their Archon still would meet grisly fates like any other.
"You are late."
It was hardly the first time, but it was still a gripe that Skadus would voice just about every time he was to meet with his personal guard Rotto. His fellow Drukhari possessed the skills expected of a Klaivex of the Incubi Shrines, but his personality did not quite befit the often solemn and grim ways the Incubi were known to carry out their tasks.
Rotto bowed before Skadus in the latter's arms dealership, the Incubus warsuit he wore having been honed in this very workshop by his lifetime companion, "Some urgent business arose beforehand. My apologies, my Lord."
Skadus grimaced at the title and the wry voice it was delivered with, quite used to the teasing of his loyal servant but still remembering when they were once equals, "Spare me your games, Rotto. You may not have a drop of it on you, but I can tell you were surrounded by blood."
If his Incubi guard was engaged in combat it would explain his late arrival, but it seemed as if the man was incapable of not finding some kind of trouble when left to his own devices. He had always been this way, but it had grown worse over the years, and there was only so much risk one could take before inviting one's own demise.
Rotto shrugged as he watched his friend work, not considering it something to be concerned over, "There are only so many ways to skin a cat as the Humans say."
Skadus paused his work to look over at the Incubi more warily, not even flinching at the Human expression used thanks to having met his fellow Drukhari's enslaved Human caretaker when they were children, "How many 'cats' are we speaking of?"
"Fifty, give or take. Someone said something or another about eliminating a certain charge of mine so as to acquire the exquisite skyboards and hellglaives he crafts free of charge. Others spoke poorly of his other realms of craftsmanship, while one even mentioned unkind stories of his poor father and mother...so I started with my drinking glass in his eye and worked my way from there," Rotto commented nonchalantly, as if he was describing an everyday occurrence that was completely trivial.
The reason Skadus gave his friend, a rare commodity within their realm, the benefit of the doubt in such instances was that he almost always did have a reason for his actions...sometimes they just happened to be juvenile such as 'it amused me', while others were like this where he was carrying out his duties as a guard.
After the passing of his father and the death of the elderly Human tasked with looking after him Rotto had been taken in by Skadus' own family thanks to their close familial ties. What might have simply been a few slain for daring to suggest assassinating Skadus had instead ended in a massacre because those slain dared insult the very beings to whom Rotto owed his survival after the fall of his family.
Drukhari were not above such emotions and concepts as love, loyalty, and friendship, they just had their own perverse versions of them that made the concepts in their purest form feel alien to them. Whereas their Craftworld kin had to repress their emotions to avoid being lost in them, the Drukhari indulged themselves constantly to escape She Who Thirsts.
Then again, neither Skadus or Rotto were particularly 'normal' Drukhari in the first place: Skadus' parents had seen to that when they had the boys' souls bound to Eldar Spirit Stones to better protect them from Slaanesh. While difficult to arrange and dangerous to carry out it had freed them of the constant soul withering other Drukhari suffered through, provided their eternal souls protection should they perish some day, and afforded the boys more time to hone their crafts rather than need to spend time indulging in the depravities of others. Others thought they wore the Spirit Stones as trophies, but the truth was far more complex.
Patient as he was Skadus still had to fight from letting his daily exasperation slip into his voice as he furrowed his brow and massaged his temple, "Survivors?"
"I was thorough. None of those Hellion ruffians slain will be missed dearly from what I can tell."
Thorough Rotto was: the Incubi were among the deadliest of the Drukhari civilization, something demonstrated by the lack of a single trace of blood upon his warsuit despite having just engaged in a slaughter. It was telling of his experience in taking life and his general disposition that Rotto appeared wholly calm after it all, not seeming to care if he lived or died and instead focusing on those around him. It made him a lethally effective bodyguard, but it also meant he needed someone else to look out for him, something growing increasingly difficult for Skadus to do as he slowly rose in notoriety within the Obsidian Rose and his duties expanded.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, I ask that you be less reckless in the future. If not for your own safety then for mine: we never know what alliances others hold behind closed doors, and killing the wrong target might spark conflict we have no way of surviving."
Rotto leaned against the counter used for selling their weapons and armor, mirth evident in his voice as he brought a hand to touch his Spirit Stone, "I could swear upon my soul, but we both know I would be lying."
"Lying can be a useful tool. You ought try it one of these days," Skadus shot back, possessing little hope that his friend would change but holding out hope regardless that the day would come when he did.
After all, Skadus aspired to one day become an Archon himself like his father before him, and when he did having one of Commorragh's most skilled swordsmen at his side would be quite beneficial. Rotto possessed the mind required to lead others, but seemed to lack any long-term aspirations of his own, preferring short-term gratification to keep him going until the next day.
"Lies are a poison, and poison is a woman's tool," Rotto stated in jest, earning a dry and blunt response in return from Skadus.
"I create and sell poisoned weapons."
"And yet you and I use Darklight ones. Why resort to poison when you can remove your foe from existence entirely?"
"One of these days I will have to teach you the fine art of subtlety. Our guest appears to know it well, so you may ask him for suggestions."
Commorragh existed in a hidden pocket outside of Realspace and was difficult to infiltrate by outsiders, but that did not keep Asier from finding his ways into and through the wretched hive to meet with the two Drukhari. As if coming to life from the shadows he emerged and greeted the others present, catching neither of them by surprise but then again that had not been his intention: Asier had taken precaution after precaution to ensure that none would be any the wiser about his presence in Commorragh, and that included not entering a public facing business through the front door.
"I have brought what you asked for, Skadus Zufrieren," Asier stated as he retrieved a bag from his side, its form seeming small beside his suit of modified Power Armor and previously hidden thanks to his cameleoline cloak.
Rotto appeared calm and uncaring about the sudden arrival of Asier, but despite his seeming laxity he was poised to strike at the slightest hint of danger. This was not their first time dealing with this particular Human, but trust was not something to be extended without reason in Commorragh and so Asier was treated with the suspicion any outsider might be.
While being far more cautious than his companion, Skadus had intuited that it would be pointless for this Human to cross them here or now, and while this did not convey unflinching trust it did allow him to retrieve the bag offered without fear. He did not pretend to understand the mentality of a Human, especially not one as divergent from standard Humanity as this. Even so, Skadus had an eye for people that had allowed him to survive until now in Commorragh and it told him that, as secretive as this client and broker was, Asier was actually quite forthright.
Opening the bag, he was proven correct: within his hands Skadus now possessed a collection of pure Aeldari Spirit Stones. It would be difficult to properly employ them in their intended purpose, but it was a necessary step all the same to cultivating a group of loyal Trueborn like Skadus envisioned. One that answered to him and would do as they were bid so that when the day came that Archon Khromys meant to dispose of them they might stand united and survive what otherwise would be their execution.
Power was never stable within Commorragh and its balance was ever shifting in their deadly games of intrigue, and while Skadus had no personal intentions of overthrowing the Lady Archon of his Kabal that did not mean he would remain unprepared for when she would one day act against him for some perceived failure.
The sight of the Spirit Stones gave Skadus some pause not from doubt or suspicion, but rather of memories of what felt like a lifetime ago: of his childhood when a slave captured by his parents had shown her Spirit Stone to him, of how it inspired his parents to set him on the path he now tread. Years had passed by with Nasterea as his personal servant and companion, helping him learn the secrets of Craftworld technology and use it to further his own studies into the art of crafting weapons.
If not for the downfall of his family and his releasing of Nasterea to prevent her from being taken perhaps she would still be here at his side, uptight and reserved as her Craftworld kin tended to be but far more useful for working on weapons than the times Rotto could be convinced to assist his friend.
Inyon lama-quanon, to make another person one's prized property or subservient, was about as close to the Human concept of 'love' as the Drukhari were capable of conceiving but it did describe how Skadus felt. He had only grown surrounded by his family, their servants and allies, and Rotto, thus making the absence of them all except Rotto particularly heavy upon his mind. While Rotto lived on in his serendipitous manner thriving on what moments and opportunities lay directly before him one moment to another there was no trace of what became of Nasterea, and the thought that someone had taken what was once his irked him to no end.
Once he had been meant to inherit an entire Kabal of his own, and now he was a lowly shopkeeper for those far more influential than him. If that was to change he would need to continue climbing their social hierarchy without making any missteps, and to do that he would need any help he could get: even that of a mysterious Human who had in fact first sought him out rather than the other way around.
Skadus put away the Spirit Stones in a secure location and returned with the monetary compensation he had arranged to give in return despite the hefty sum commanded for such rare items, "The payment promised."
Asier took it and inspected the payment granted to him briefly before handing it back with a Human dataslate now added to it all.
"Invest it in your operations. Included now is the location of a former Aeldari outpost you can use as you wish. While it lays in Imperial territory it remains secure, for they are oblivious to its existence and will remain so."
Returning the payment and adding something to it crossed the suspicions of the Drukhari present instantly, for such a magnanimous act was nigh unheard of among their kind and what his intentions were for such a thing were unknown.
Rather than have Rotto cut down the man with his Klaives for such a seeming insult Skadus held his temper and instead sought to investigate this oddity, leering carefully at the hulking form of the Human before him.
"You would support us to what end?"
Asier chose his words carefully, sensing their apprehension and adjusting accordingly with his typical logical rather than emotional outlook, "The very existence of life across the known universe forms a game board with a quintillion pieces upon it, each moving of its own accord and in games of their own which influence not only those around them but countless other pieces well beyond their vision."
His words resonated with the Drukhari given that the art of manipulation and controlling outcomes was the bread and butter of their society, and while it made it sound as if he was pulling their strings he had given them no command or orders: he seemed content with the path they were on and wanted to see it to fruition, and so rather than deprive them of resources he was contributing towards them.
"If I can advance the position of specific pieces that will benefit my goals then I shall...be they Aeldari, Human, or otherwise. What matters in our lives is what we have accomplished, for anything else is to become a page in another's history book and allow events to run their course unimpeded," Asier finished, his voice having grown solemn as if reminiscing over his own past.
Skadus accepted this as an explanation for it both preserved his pride and helped him understand this peculiar benefactor, "A wise outlook."
Asier nodded once, his tone shifting to one of warmth preserved for speaking of one's closest companions while still possessing a tinge of bittersweet loss, "The words of a brother of mine, one forged by our choices rather than by circumstance of birth."
Without saying as much it was evident to both Skadus and Rotto that Asier had just alluded to them, two Drukhari not bound by blood but unquestioningly loyal to the other regardless. They were two pieces of a greater whole and that was what allowed them to function seamlessly together, and the indication that Asier possessed such a deep friendship with another helped color their opinion of him in a positive fashion even if neither said as much.
"Should we ever cross paths I would know the name of this individual that I ought not carve apart," Rotto spoke up, typically content allowing Skadus to do the business talk but in this instance he sought a method by which to avoid a future schism.
"If you encounter the Iron Warriors of the Warsmith Trahaearn Jarn it would be to your benefit that you withhold your fire."
Having heard of the Iron Warriors yet knowing little of them it struck Skadus as odd that Asier was so specific given how many must exist, "And only those under his command?"
Asier confirmed his inquiry, "Should you encounter others they are to be dealt with as any other foe. Do as you please, for they are no kin or ally of mine. Those who serve the Ruinous Powers ought be removed whenever possible."
The chances they would cross paths with this group were quite low given that neither Skadus nor Rotto tended to enter Realspace, but it was good to know just in case for killing members of your benefactor's faction was a good way to lose their favor.
"As you wish," Skadus affirmed softly, his nature as reserved as Asier's own.
The next words spoken by Asier would put that very calm to the test however.
"Before I depart, I would inform you that your Craftworld companion Nasterea still lives among the Biel-Tan. A meeting could be arranged."
Having never spoken nor mentioned his former servant to Asier it came as a shock that Asier knew of her at all, but he maintained his composure regardless so as to not appear weak. The news that one of two living beings he cared at all for was in fact alive was a pleasant shock, but despite himself Skadus had no intention of pursuing this lead at the present moment. Even if he somehow managed to bring Nasterea back to Commorragh there was no way he could properly keep her from the influence of those above him, and so he kept his emotions in check and instead gave a rare bow of his head to Asier.
"That knowledge alone is enough."
Someday things could be different, but not now: now was the time for other more important and necessary actions to be taken, and so Skadus would bide his time just as he had for many years already.
Even so he refused to come out of this conversation as the only one to have received something, and so he went to a special vault he kept for a weapon not intended for any but him. Removing the heavily customized Dark Lance from its casing Skadus handed it over to Asier, offering it as a sign of gratitude even if there was no expectation for him to hand it over. He had sold Asier Dark Lances and Blasters in the past, but this tool put even those skillfully crafted arms to shame with the effort placed into it.
Asier accepted the weapon into his hands and began to look it over, noting signs of Craftworld technology woven into its construction.
Skadus explained the Dark Lance he had not decided upon a name for yet to his guest, believing that this man perhaps could use it better than a glorified shopkeeper, "It is a weapon I constructed with the knowledge I gained from Nasterea combined with the technologies found here in Commorragh. Power enough to rip apart a vehicle, the precision required to eliminate a specific target among many, and the option to change to rapid-fire for larger crowds, it should serve you well."
It would prove useful Skadus felt towards ensuring the continued survival of this benefactor, and that was something that would be to their mutual profit if their current and past meetings were any indication.
"I will not be taken as ungrateful, so I hope that you will take this," he continued.
While it took a moment of consideration Asier eventually gave another nod and hid the large weapon behind his cloak like it was a typical firearm, "Very well."
Their business concluded, Asier departed and returned to the shadows of Commorragh, leaving Skadus alone with Rotto in their store.
There was work to be done, endless days toiling as a thrall of Khromys, but even so Skadus found himself wearing a rare smile as he opened his shop up for business once again. So enthused was he that flickers of blue flame flicked around him that despite their size would still send chills down the spine of other Drukhari, the traces of his family's ancient Mandrake heritage evident for the briefest moment. That very bloodline that he carried saw to his relative isolation in many Trueborn circles, but there were those with more open minds that could be convinced to one day stand as allies.
A talent for creating weapons, armor, and other such wargear was not enough to rise in this society, and despite being able to call forth frigid flames at will Skadus had little else to his name. In looking at the information passed along by Asier perhaps that could change, as none would expect him to be able to horde the excesses of his craftsmanship in such a location so long as he properly hid the creation of his finest work. He would have to be careful not to craft and sell anything perceived as subpar by the Obsidian Rose's standards, but biding his time across decades and keeping his head down and beneath suspicion could certainly pay off come any future conflict.
Skadus hid away the dataslate and its image of a blue moon as he opened the doors to his workshop once again, politely greeting the upper-class clientele he had established in his years as a merchant and rekindling old bonds with fellow Trueborn acquaintances from his youth by offering them the tools and weapons they would need to eliminate their rivals or survive such attempts themselves. Few others sold the warsuits of Incubi disguised as typical Kabalite armor, but such was the benefit of having a wholly loyal and lackadaisical Klaivex at their side who stood as the sole survivor of their shrine with no others to overlook their actions.
Such was the way of life in Commorragh, and any advantage possessed ought be leveraged lest one fall prey to those more willing to cross the line.
A/N: While I work on the next update I managed to come up with this more supplementary one to flesh out the world a bit more in a different realm, focusing on an arms dealer whose business partners include a familiar face. Next update will continue the story of Tristan and his first real battle as an Iron Warrior, and I hope you all will enjoy that as well! In the meantime please share your thoughts in the reviews below, and thank you for reading!
