40K Lore: Asdrubael Vect, Leader of the Kabal of the Black Heart
While he might not be featured on the tabletop, Asdrubael Vect is still active in the Warhammer universe. In the new Codex: Drukhari he not only fakes his own death, but he eliminates many usurpers to his throne. And he still has a bone to pick with Yvraine.
Asdrubael Vect is the leader of the Kabal of the Black Heart, the most powerful Dark Eldar Kabal in existence, thus he is therefore de-facto ruler of the city of Commorragh and the rest of the Dark Eldar race as a whole.
Kabal of the Black Heart sigil
Vect claims to have witnessed the Fall of the Eldar personally; if this is true, he is quite possibly one of the oldest living (mortal) beings in the Galaxy at well over 10,000 years of age. As a consequence of this, surviving for that length of time as the ruler of Commorragh would also make him one of the deadliest individuals in the galaxy. One of his ways of ensuring his security is the Geldling, a mysterious doppelgänger which he uses from time to time as his substitute.
History
Vect was born a lowly slave in Commorragh. Carving a bloody path through the city using a combination of deception and his own wits, Vect climbed the ladder of Commorragh and founded the Kabal of the Black Heart. By the time the arrogant nobility of Commorragh led by Xelian, Kraillach, and Yllithian acknowledged that the low-born Vect could pose a legitimate threat it was too late and Vect had forcibly united the disparate sub-realms of the Dark City into his fold. Vect then captured the Salamanders Space Marine Strike Cruiser Forgehammer, which provoked an Imperial invasion of Commorragh itself. In the ensuing battle, the Lords of Commorragh were killed by the vengeful Space Marine forces and Vect emerged as the undisputed ruler of the Dark City.
In M41, Vect faced a major threat to his power when El’Uriaq, the tyrant of Shaa-Dom, was resurrected by rival Kabals.
Wargear
When Vect deigns to enter battle personally, he usually does so upon his Dais of Destruction, a modified Ravager equipped with a unique force field that protects its riders from harm. When on foot, Vect fights protected by a Shadowfield, slaying his enemies with extremely advanced soul-tech orbs known as Obsidian Orbs. These spheres are able to heal Vect from the terror of others.
In melee, he fights with the Sceptre of the Dark City, an ornate mark of office containing sophisticated pain-inducers.
Learn More of the Kaballite Eldar via The Lexicanum
