Welcome to another post in our multi-part series delving into the rich lore of Warhammer 40,000. Today, we’re going to examine the extraordinary phenomena of Exar warriors and Phoenix Lords within the Eldar race. So, buckle up, and let’s dive right into the mystical universe of the Eldar craftworlds.
The Eldar race is known for its unique warrior class, the Aspect Warriors, who are the embodiment of supernatural strength and agility. Among these warriors, one who ascends to the status of an Exar is no less than a living legend, an embodiment of the heroic ideal of their aspect.
Now, consider for a moment the Phoenix Lords – the founders of the Aspect Shrines. They have perfected this mysterious form of immortality to the highest degree. Post their demise, they don’t simply perish but lie dormant within their Battle Suits, awaiting the next worthy Exar to don the armor and continue the legacy. Yes, you heard it right, they become the Phoenix Lord reborn from the ashes to lead the armies of the Eldar race.
Various aspects exist among the Eldar race, with some like the slicing orbs of Xandros, unique to certain artificial worlds, while others are more widespread. The most celebrated and authoritative include the Dire Avengers, Howling Banshees, Striking Scorpions, Fire Dragons, Swooping Hawks, and Dark Reapers. Lesser-known or rare aspects include the Shining Spears, Warp Spiders, Crimson Hunters, and Ebon Talons. Their creators were never among the Assani, but their legacy still echoes through the ages.
In the heat of battle, each squad within the Eldar forces plays a crucial role, combining their talents with other squads from the same Shrine. They are not concerned with the trivial differences like the color of face PL and stripes on their jetpack wings. What matters is their allegiance to the Aspect Shrine and its traditions in heraldry and equipment – some dating back to the founding of the first communities.
The Phoenix Lords are the ancient Exarchs who founded the Assani warrior shrines. They are the embodiment of a certain aspect of the war god Cain. In some ways, they are considered immortal. When one of them dies, another Eldar dons his battle gear, fully absorbing his consciousness. Thus, the Phoenix Lord is reborn, reminiscent of the Eldar’s reincarnation before the fall.
Within each armor lies a spirit stone, containing a shard of the essence of all who have ever worn them. But no matter how many bearers these ancient armors have had, the essence of the Phoenix Lord remains unchanged. The dominant personality of the first and greatest incarnation of that particular aspect governs the mind of the current bearer.
There’s an exciting version of the Eldar mythic cycle that tells of how they fled from the destruction of the Azure Shrine when one of them, known as the Fallen Phoenix, turned against the others. The Eldar race’s intriguing local legend speaks of the so-called Leidi, a wraith spider that appears to be an unorthodox reinterpretation of the concept of Assuria in Korian folklore. It’s concluded that Lyosi was none other than the Fallen Phoenix.
In the ever-expanding universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Eldar race, their Exar warriors, and the Phoenix Lords are just a fragment of the rich lore waiting to be explored. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the mysteries of this fascinating world.
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