The Glasswalkers Initial concept by Dan Hatfield
Hmm…what with this article and the From Idea to Reality series, the Jungle is beginning to crawl with Dark Eldar. While one can have too much of a good thing, one can never have too many good “bad guys”—and Dark Eldar are definitely the baddest of them all. 

Background
The Glasswalkers are exiles from Commorragh, though their exile is voluntary, going so far as to remove the title “Kabal” from the name of their group. They have rejected most—but not all—of the violent excesses of Dark Eldar society: even on the battlefield, they kill their opponents quickly and cleanly. Though they have given up torture and wanton bloodshed, this does not mean that the Glasswalkers are compassionate or have any sense of human morality. Rather, they are preoccupied with other matters.

The Glasswalkers are addicted to Quicksilver, a powerful narcotic that leaves the user in a blissful stupor for days at a time. The Haemonculi that accompany the Glasswalkers are the only ones who know the formula, but ingredients include certain human hormones. The Glasswalkers usually attack only when their supplies of Quicksilver are running low: prisoners are quickly subdued with tranquilizers and taken back to the Glasswalkers’ ship to be “processed.”

The Glasswalkers travel throughout the galaxy aboard a large starship, careful to avoid other Dark Eldar.

Philosophy
Existence is painful and the political machinations of Commorragh’s citizens are ultimately pointless. Best to find some solace from She Who Thirsts, even for a little while, by Quicksilver. Do what must be done to secure the drug, and then retreat back to the comfort it provides.

HQ
The Glasswalkers are nominally led by a Dracon, but in reality, the 12 Haemonculi who have accompanied them into self-imposed exile are in control. The Haemonculi manufacture, but do not partake of, Quicksilver—as only they know the formula, any “request” they make of the current Dracon is sure to be granted. 

To ensure their continued hold on the Glasswalkers, the Haemonculi see to it that the figurehead leader does not become too powerful (hence, a Glasswalker Dark Eldar Lord cannot be an Archon). Glasswalker Lords may have no more than 5 Incubi in a retinue and tend not to rule long, suffering “accidents” on the battlefield or lethal “overdoses” of Quicksilver. 

Elites
Grotesques only. A few of these twisted monsters are former rulers of the Glasswalkers whom the Haemonculi found more useful as bodyguards….

Troops
As per Codex: Dark Eldar. Many Raider Squads are accompanied by a Haemonculi, who selects the “choicest ingredients.”

Fast Attack/Heavy Support
As per Codex: Dark Eldar.

Modeling and Painting
Chaos Black armor; Enchanted Blue chest plates and shoulder pads with Mithril Silver or Boltgun Metal highlights. Silver and blue speckled gauntlet and gloves. Blazing Orange eyes.

One side effect from long-term use of Quicksilver is that it creates silvery-gray blotches on the skin. Codex Grey with Mithril Silver highlights would work well.

General Tactics
The Glasswalkers are a “shooty” army, preferring to overwhelm the foe with firepower. Warriors lay down suppressing fire while Raiders swoop in and nab prisoners.
 

Related Pages
Other Dark Eldar Themed Army Ideas
From Idea to Reality: Creating a Dark Eldar Army
 

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© Copyright Kenton Kilgore, February 2001. 
 

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