Iochtar

Iochtar is a fictional character from the *Warhammer 40,000* universe, specifically within the lore of the *Dark Eldar* (also known as Harlequins). She is one of the most prominent and enigmatic figures in Dark Eldar mythology, often referred to as the "Mother of Machines" or the "First Mechanicus." Her origins and exact nature remain shrouded in mystery, but she is deeply tied to the Dark Eldar’s obsession with technology, suffering, and the manipulation of fate.

According to Dark Eldar legend, Iochtar was a primordial entity who emerged from the void before the birth of the Warp itself. She is said to have been the architect of the first machines, crafting them from the suffering of the early Eldar and the raw energy of the Warp. Her creations, including the infamous *Sadist* and *Screamer* machines, became central to the Dark Eldar’s culture, allowing them to inflict and endure pain on an industrial scale. Unlike the more organized and philosophical *Mechanicus* of the Imperium of Man, Iochtar’s machines are driven by raw emotion, particularly the desire to prolong agony and extract suffering for its own sake.

Iochtar is often depicted as a towering, skeletal figure wreathed in machinery and shadows, her form shifting between that of a woman and a grotesque amalgamation of metal and flesh. She is worshipped by some Dark Eldar as a goddess of suffering, while others see her as a cruel trickster who manipulates mortals and Eldar alike. Her influence extends beyond mere technology; she is believed to have shaped the very fabric of the Dark Eldar’s society, reinforcing their hedonistic and violent nature.

In *Warhammer 40,000* lore, Iochtar is occasionally referenced in texts and artifacts, though she is rarely seen directly. Her legacy persists in the form of the *Sadist* machines, which continue to be used by the Dark Eldar to torment their enemies and themselves. Some scholars speculate that she may have been a precursor to the *Mechanicus* of the Imperium, though the Dark Eldar’s version of her is far more chaotic and morally ambiguous. Her exact fate remains unknown, but her myth endures as a cornerstone of Dark Eldar identity.