History Characters / Warhammer40000Asuryani

* ActionBomb: The 9th Edition update gives the Avatar the "Burning Demise" rule that activates when it is destroyed; on a die roll of 6 the Avatar explodes and deals D3 mortal wounds to every unit with D6 inches of it.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/yriel_5.png]]

* SuperSpeed: While the specifics vary by edition, Jain Zar is virtually always one of if not the fastest moving foot model in the setting, the cadence of her footfalls coming so fast as to sound like raindrops hitting the ground.

'''[[Characters/Warhammer40000ForcesOfChaos Forces of Chaos]]:''' [[Characters/Warhammer40000ChaosGods Chaos Gods]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000ChaosPrimarchs Chaos Primarchs]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000ChaosMarines Heretic Astartes]]\\

* SeriesMascot: For the Craftworlders, as the the distinct red and white color scheme of Saim-Hann is used [[https://www.warhammer.com/en-US/shop/warhammer-40000/xenos-armies/aeldari for most of the non-Aspect Warrior, non-Harlequin models on box-art and webpages]].

'''[[Characters/Warhammer40000XenoRaces Xeno Races]]:''' [[Characters/Warhammer40000Aeldari Aeldari]] ('''Asuryani''', [[Characters/Warhammer40000Drukhari Drukhari]]) | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Necrons Necrons]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000LeaguesOfVotann Leagues of Votann]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Orks Orks]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000OrksCharacters Characters]]) | [[Characters/Warhammer40000TauEmpire T'au Empire]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Tyranids Tyranids]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000GenestealerCults Genestealer Cults]])]]-]]]

'''[[Characters/Warhammer40000Imperium Imperium of Man]]:''' [[Characters/Warhammer40000ImperialFounders Founders]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000Astartes Adeptus Astartes]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000AstartesChaptersFirstFounding First Founding Chapters]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000AstartesChapters Other Chapters]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000AstartesCharacters Characters]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000PrimarisSpaceMarines Primaris Marines]]), [[Characters/Warhammer40000ImperialGuard Astra Militarum]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000Sororitas Adepta Sororitas]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000Inquisition Inquisition]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000Mechanicus Mechanicus]], [[Characters/Warhammer40000CurrentImperialFactions Other factions]]\\

'''[[Characters/Warhammer40000XenoRaces Xeno Races]]:''' [[Characters/Warhammer40000Eldar Aeldari]] ('''Asuryani''', [[Characters/Warhammer40000DarkEldar Drukhari]]) | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Necrons Necrons]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000LeaguesOfVotann Leagues of Votann]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Orks Orks]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000OrksCharacters Characters]]) | [[Characters/Warhammer40000TauEmpire T'au Empire]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Tyranids Tyranids]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000GenestealerCults Genestealer Cults]])]]-]]]

-->-- '''Astropath D'Reyx''', psychic reading of Eldar artifact

The Asuryani are guided by prescient [[{{Seers}} Farseers]], who read the skein of fate and manipulate galactic events to their craftworld's advantage. The craftworlds are also thought to hold and sustain the majority of the Aeldari population, as well as the remnants of their pre-Fall culture and industry. As such, these Aeldari are among those most commonly encountered by other races. On many occasions Craftworlders have unexpectedly fought alongside the Imperium of Man against common enemies such as [[Characters/Warhammer40000Orks Orks]], the [[Characters/Warhammer40000Necrons Necrons]], or [[Characters/Warhammer40000ForcesOfChaos Chaos]]. However, these alliances of convenience should not be interpreted as benevolence -- the Eldar consider themselves far above the lowly "[[FantasticSlur mon'keigh]]", and have just as often waged war against humans, or used them as expendable pawns in schemes that trade billions of human lives to save a handful of Eldar.\\

The primary Eldar[[note]]the pre-8th Edition name for the Aeldari[[/note]] force for many editions, some early ''Codex: Eldar'' books included rules for many of the non-Dark Eldar sub-factions, such as Harlequins and Exodites, alongside the Craftworld units. In 2015, ''Codex: Craftworlds'' was released for the 7th Edition rules, with the Harlequins receiving their own Codex. The 8th Edition of the game renamed the Craftworld Eldar as Craftworlders with the faction name of Asuryani. Their rules can be found in ''Codex: Craftworlds'', released in October 2017 with additional rules released in the October 2019 supplement ''Psychic Awakening: Phoenix Rising''.

%%* BecomingTheMask: Every Craftworlder chooses a particular Path, adopting a vocation and mentality to go along with it. After they feel that they have learned all they can from that Path, they choose a new one, changing vocation and assuming a new mentality. In this way, not only do they learn about particular trades, but also teach themselves various traits to develop their character and establish control over their own passions. However, occasionally an Eldar may become "lost" along a particular Path, no longer able or necessarily willing to adopt a new one, becoming locked into that Path for the remainder of their lives. %%See Discussion page
%%** In the case of those on the Path of the Warrior, these Eldar become Exarchs, who will have their souls absorbed into the spirit stones of the Exarch Armor rather than their own, so that their knowledge and guidance can pass onto a new generation, literally becoming the mask.

* PowerFist: During 1st and 2nd Editions, when there was a greater amount of standard equipment used by multiple factions, the Craftworlder[[note]]known as Eldar at the time[[/note]] characters, Guardians and Dreadnoughts[[note]]now known as Wraithlords[[/note]] could wield power fists that were just as powerful as those used by other races but with a sleeker, more organic design.

* TookALevelInJerkass: While they were [[DownplayedTrope never intended to be a totally benevolent race]], popular fan opinion during 2nd Edition was that the Eldar[[note]]as the Aeldari in general, and the Craftworlders in particular, were known as at the time[[/note]] were the "good guys" of the setting due to their sympathetic backstory and opposition to the forces of Chaos. When the game advanced to 3rd Edition, however, the game designers took the opportunity to enhance their callous and manipulative nature, a characterisation that they have retained, [[ZigzaggedTrope to some extent]], ever since.

* TheNecrocracy: Downplayed. After Hive Fleet Kraken wiped out nearly all of Iyanden's population, the survivors had to raise large numbers of their dead as wraithbone constructs (something that the Craftworlders consider akin to necromancy and, thus, only resort to in the most desperate of times) in order to defend themselves from subsequent attacks. While most normal Craftworlds return the spirit stones of wraithbone constructs back to the infinity circuits after battle, the Iyanden Eldar discovered, to their horror, that they were largely unable to do so. The wraithbone constructs now freely roam the halls of the ship, treated with a mix of respect, sorrow, and fear by their living kin, and entire wings of Iyanden have been taken over by them. They are now included on war councils by the Farseers and seem to hold councils of their own, with none of the living in attendance.

* TheMagocracy: While most Eldar Craftworlds are led by an Autarch, a civic leader who has experienced multiple life paths and professions, Ulthwé is largely led by its Seer Council, a gathering of its most powerful and experienced psykers who use their ability to predict the future to steer the Craftworld's course and inform its policy and decisions. In their case, they maintain stability thanks partly to the Eldar having stabler and more developed powers than human psykers and partly to centuries of training and iron discipline.

* CameBackWrong: Altansar failed to escape the Eye of Terror during the Fall of the Eldar. It was thought long lost until recently in the setting's past, when it emerged from the swirling Eye. However, its people did not escape this sojourn unchanged -- they never remove their helmets and speak only in whispers, causing other Eldar to wonder just what happened to them in the Eye.

The dying and scattered Eldar race has nevertheless banded around a few particularly impressive individuals:

* BigGood: In early editions of the game, Eldrad was the most influential leader of the Aeldari[[note]]or Eldar as they were known at the time[[/note]] in their fight for survival, and their war against Chaos. Since the his actions Battle of Port Demesnus[[note]]detailed in the ''Warhammer 40,000: Death Masque'' box set[[/note]] and the events of the ''Gathering Storm'' series of {{sourcebook}}s, however, Eldrad lost the trust of many Asuryani and his ally Yvraine of the Ynnari has taken his place as the primary leader combating She Who Thirsts in the eyes of many Aeldari.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: His decision to strip Iyanden of its defences to deal with Argan Kallorax, a Chaos Lord carrying out pirate attacks in the star systems around the craftworld, ended up costing thousands of Eldar lives when [[TakingYouWithMe a defeated Kallorax]] fired [[EarthShatteringKaboom cyclonic torpedoes]] at Iyanden as [[EvilIsPetty a last gesture of spite]].

** The spirits of deceased Seers and Warlocks who reside within the wraithbone cores of the rare Warlock Battle Titans are able to foresee potential danger that could damage the might Wraith-Construct, allowing it to dodge and weave through enemy attacks with the fluid grace that Aeldari Titans are renowned for. Early editions of the Epic scale game system represented this with the Witch Sight Psychic Power that made the Titan harder to hit with both shooting and close combat attacks.

* CassandraTruth: Prior to the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, Eldrad attempted to worn Fulgrim, [[SuperPrototype Primarch]] of the Emperor's Children, of the corruption spreading within the ranks of the [[SuperSoldier Legiones Astartes]] but he refused to believe the words of a xenos witch. The disbelief was {{justified|Trope}}, however, as Fulgrim's corruption had already begun by the time he met Eldrad.

[[folder:Seers]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/farseerupgrade.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:A Farseer wielding a singing spear.]]
%%
->''The mind of the Farseer is utterly inhuman in its depth and complexity. Without mercy or moral feeling, his consciousness stands upon the edge of spiritual destruction. That he does not fall must be a result of constraints and balances that only an Eldar could understand. To a mere Human it is yet another reminder that we are but children in comparison to that ancient and powerful race.''
-->'''Inquisitor Czevak''', ''Codex: Eldar'' (4th Edition)

While all Asuryani possess impressive psychic ability, those who walk the Path of the Seer -- sometimes called the Witch Path -- develop theirs to degrees considered formidable even among their kin. Like many of the more complex Paths, there are many ways to walk the Path of the Seer but all of them are highly respected by their fellow Craftworlders. The seers that other races are most likely encounter are those that accompany a craftworld’s warhosts to war, such as Warlocks, former Aspect Warriors who use their abilities to assist Asuryani squads in battle, or the Spiritseers, who create, oversee, and direct units of wraith constructs. Those that get trapped upon the Path of the Seer are known as Farseers, and they are the most powerful psykers of their race. Farseers develop their psychic abilities to their fullest potential, often serving as military and cultural leaders and using their visions of the future to guide and direct the decisions of their people.

* AmplifierArtifact: The Ghosthelm of Alishazier (an Ulthwé relic) contains the psyche of an ancient Farseer who adds her psychic abilities to those of the wearer. In 9th Edition, it grants them an additional Runes of Fortune power. In 8th Edition, it boosts their ability to cast the basic Smite psychic power.
* {{BFS}}: The witchblades use by Warlocks come in a variety of sizes, with the largest being as large as the wielder is tall. Due to their wraithbone construction, however, these large blades are just as easy to wield as their smaller counterparts, with the in-game stats being the same regardless of size.
* BodyToJewel: Farseers very slowly turn to crystal due to their long time channelling the threads of fate. Eventually they retire to a special area of the Craftworld where their spirit joins the Craftworld as their body continues to fuse into the wraithbone.
* TheChessmaster: Farseers use their precognitive powers to guide their craftworlds through the myriad possible futures to produce the most advantageous outcome. Due to the scarcity of manpower, however, many attempt to do this by manipulating and misdirecting other races through actions such as the assassination of officers who could potentially prove a future threat or by using hit and run raids to redirect enemy forces towards a target other than their own craftworld.
* TheFaceless: Mirroring the Wraith-constructs they lead, the helmets of Spiritseers are featureless, mirrored blanks lacking the facial features normally etched into Aeldari helms.
* MagicKnight: Warlocks are Aeldari walking the Path of the Seer who have formerly followed the Path of the Warrior. Combining their previous warrior training with their psychic abilities, Warlocks fight on the front line with [[EnhancedArchaicWeapon psychically enhanced weaponry]] while unleashing {{psychic power}}s geared towards destruction, boosting the abilities of their allies, and reducing the abilities of the enemy.
* TheMagocracy: Due to the highly psychic nature of their race, the most powerful seers of each craftworld, known as Farseers, will usually have at least an advisory role in its governance of the PlanetSpaceship. There are some craftworlds, such as Ulthwé, where a council of Farseers acts as the ''de facto'' government, however, using their ability to perceive and manipulate the many strands of fate to guide their people through a hostile galaxy.
* MagicStaff: Rather than a singing spear or witchblade, the necromantic psykers known as Spiritseers wield witch staffs. These highly ornate wraithbone staffs allow the Spiritseer to channel their psychic abilities into their opponent to burn their very soul, typically giving them in-game special rules that make it easier for them to wound enemies in close combat.
* MultipleChoiceFuture: Seers are often depicted in the background material and novels as seeing the future as myriad strands leading to different futures with each action spawning multiple new strands. It is the seer's mission to sort through these countless possible futures to find the most advantageous and steer the course of events towards this future.
* {{Necromancer}}: While their psychic abilities are technically SoulPower, Spiritseers are explicitly compared in-universe to necromancers, using their abilities to commune with the spirits in their craftworld's [[ArtificialAfterlife infinity circuit]], and to implant departed souls into war-constructs such as Wraithguard or Wraithlords so that they can continue to fight after death. The Aeldari still regard the practice as abhorrent, but a NecessaryEvil given the desperate times they live in.
* RobeAndWizardHat: Those walking the Path of the Seer are easily distinguished on the battlefield by their elaborate and flowing robes that incorporates their lightweight rune armour and invokes the traditional image of a mystic or magic user. [[DownplayedTrope On the other hand]], they do not wear the conical hats of traditional wizards, preferring [[CoolHelmet tall and elaborately decorated helms]] that protect them from the attentions of predatory warp denizens.
* RunicMagic: Seers use runes caved onto coin-sized shards of wraithbone to [[AmplifierArtifact enhance their psychic abilities]], focusing and channelling the power of the warp through the rune's shape. In addition to this, the most powerful psykers are able to use their runes to disrupt enemy psychic abilities and predict the future in a similar manner.
* {{Seers}}: Farseers learn to combine their powers with wraithbone runes to divine and manipulate the infinite strands of the future to ensure the best possible outcome for their people, acting as a council of advisers and rulers for many craftworlds. Farseers can also use these precognitive abilities on the battlefield by foreseeing the tactics of their enemies or by altering the course of fate so that a blade that should have missed strikes true, or that a bullet that would have taken the life of an Aeldari warrior never strikes its target.
* TakenForGranite: As their mind becomes increasingly intertwined with the wraithbone core of their craftworld, the physical body of a Farseer slowly begins to crystallize. Once the crystallization progresses past a certain point, the Farseer will retreat to the Dome of Crystal Seers where the crystal bodies will take root, while their minds link directly with the craftworld's infinity circuit.
* WindsOfDestinyChange: As part of their ability to perceive the strands of fate, Farseers and some Warlocks can perceive and manipulate the fates of enemies and allies through psychic powers such as Protect/Jinx, Guide and Doom. How this is represented in-game tends to vary depending on the power and edition, but usually involves giving units bonuses, penalties or re-rolls to various characteristics or rolls.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Aspect Warriors]]
Those Asuryani called to the Path of the Warrior join one of their craftworld's shrines to Kaela Mensha Khaine where they receive intensive training in a particular form of warfare and become elite Aspect Warriors. The method of warfare differs from shrine to shrine, each focusing on a different aspect of the WarGod from shock assault to aerial superiority. While some craftworlds can field entire warhosts consisting primarily of Aspect Warriors, such as famous Swordwind of Biel-Tan, the majority of craftworlds lack the numbers to form such forces, instead deploying their Aspect Hosts as an the elite core of a warhost, supported by civilian guardian militias and towering wraithbone constructs.\\
\\
As one of the most dangerous and seductive Paths, many Aeldari walking the Path of the Warrior for too long may find themselves unable to leave it, becoming Exarchs, the priests and teachers of the aspect shrines who guide their fellows in prayer and in battle.

* BareHandedBladeBlock: The Turn Aside Blow Exarch Warrior Power, from the 2nd Edition rules, allows an Exarch to block enemy attacks with [[DownplayedTrope specially designed armoured gloves]], giving them the ability to parry[[note]]force an enemy to re-roll attack dice[[/note]] enemy blows multiple times, even if they aren't equipped with a weapon capable of using the parry rules.
* CripplingOverspecialization: Each Aspect Shrine is trained and equipped for a specific style of fighting or to exterminate a specific type of foe. While this specialisation makes them some of the deadliest warriors in the galaxy within their preferred form of combat, many Aspect Warriors struggle when out of their element -- Dark Reapers, for example, are excellent at providing long-ranged fire support but their lack of speed and short ranged weapons make them helpless in melee, while Howling Banshees can carve through heavily armoured infantry with ease but will suffer should they get stuck in prolonged combat against hordes.
* HeroicSafeMode: One of the major purposes of the Path of the Warriors is to create a Heroic Safe Mode, known as a war mask, as a means of controlling and focusing an individual's anger so that it doesn't interfere with their daily lives. Through training and ritual, an Asuryani who has walked the Path of the Warrior is able to control the extremes of their violent emotions, only unleashing them after donning their armour when called to war.
* HotBlooded: Due to the extremes of their emotions, many Aeldari of the craftworlds will, at some time in their life, find themselves consumed by a fire and passion that can only be quenched through ritual training and battle. Whether it is through the cold fury of the Dark Reapers, or the aggressive annihilation of the Fire Dragons, all the Aspect shrines attempt to direct and control the destructive passions of these Aeldari.
* MindHive: To protect the sanctity of the [[ArtificialAfterlife infinity circuit]], the soul stones of dead Exarchs remain within their armour. Due to this, when a new Aeldari warrior first dons the armour of a former Exarch, their mind becomes linked to the souls of all those who have worn the armour before them, allowing them to receive guidance from his predecessors, and draw upon their skill sin battle. The longer an Aeldari serves as an Exarch, the closer this connection becomes until their personality eventually fully merges with those that came before him.
* WarriorMonk: While they typically [[DownplayedTrope emphasise the martial ability than the religious calling]], Exarchs are the priests of Khaine, as well as teachers and war leaders for those under their care, maintaining the Aspect Shrine, seeing to the spiritual needs of those walking the Path of the Warrior and, when necessary, becoming a willing [[HumanSacrifice sacrifice]] to awaken the physical embodiment of their god. To a lesser extent, many of the Aeldari who join the Aspect temples do so to fulfil a spiritual need, to learn to confront and control the more destructive urges in their souls, making them lay-members of the temple.
* WarriorPoet: The Aeldari of the Craftworld will often use skills and influences from former Paths to the one they are currently walking, enriching their new role. This can sometimes apply to those walking the Path of the Warrior as well, with those that once walked more cultural Paths, such as the Path of the Poet, Sculpture or Dancer, applying their experiences to the battlefield to produce tableaux of blood and gore or seemingly choreographed duels.
* WeaponSpecialization: Every Aspect Shrine has their own ritual weaponry and wargear that is used by its warriors. These can range from the more basic pistols and close combat weapons, to more esoteric things such as fighter jets.

!!Crimson Hunters
Aspect Warriors specialising in air superiority, the Crimson Hunters represent the blades of blood that Khaine used to blind the White Wyrm Oghanothir, leaving the powerful beast vulnerable to a killing blow. The ritual wargear of the shrine is the Nightshade Interceptor, a sleek one-man aircraft specifically designed to take on the any flying threat they may face. Although rare, the number of Crimson Hunter shrines has started to expand as the Rhana Dandra approaches. The primary colour of the shrine is red, often with creamy white and black accents, and their Phoenix Lord is unknown.

* AcePilot: Although Crimson Hunters are [[DownplayedTrope skilled above and beyond the pilots of other races]], their Exarchs are true masters of aerial combat amongst the Aeldari. Piloting their Nightshade Interceptors with the ease that a Dire Avenger handles their shuriken catapult or a Striking Scorpion wields their chainsword, Crimson Hunter Exarchs are capable of bringing down the aircraft of any lesser race with peerless accuracy while evading return fire with their near-incomprehensible speed and agility.

!!Dark Reapers
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dark_reaper_new.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:''"Fight, run, hide; it matters not. We are death, and death is inevitable."'']]

Representing Khaine in his aspect as the Destroyer, the sinister and ruthless Dark Reapers provide deadly long-ranged fire support with efficient elegance. Armed with sacred reaper launchers equipped with sophisticated targeters and stabilisers, the Dark Reapers can unleash either a storm of small starswarm missiles or a single powerful starshot missile with pinpoint accuracy. Warriors of the shrine wear the colours of death, midnight black highlighted with bone, and their Phoenix Lord is the Harvester of Souls, Maugan Ra.

* ColdSniper: The war mask developed by Dark Reapers is that of obsessive, impassive and humourless marksmen who use their elegant missile launchers to pick off enemies with peerless skill.
* InTheHood: A Dark Reaper Exarch can wear a hood over their helmet, thus enhancing their grim reaper image.
* MacrossMissileMassacre: Some Dark Reaper Exarchs carry a tempest launcher. A precursor to the modern reaper launcher used by regular Dark Reapers, the tempest launcher unleashes a veritable hail of small but weak missiles in an arcing trajectory, allowing the Exarch to bombard his enemies, even if they are out of sight.
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: The Web of Skulls[[note]]a Dark Reaper weapon from early editions of the game[[/note]] is a bolas-like weapon consisting of three entwined lengths of chain, each ending in a crystal skull. A skilled wielder, such as a Dark Reaper Exarch, is able to cast the Web of Skulls so that it strikes up to three enemy models before returning unerringly to their hand.
* SkullForAHead: Whether it is the entire helm or just their faceplate, the helmet of a Dark Reaper's aspect armour is almost always fashioned into the image of a morbid skull as part of their GrimReaper motif.

!!Dire Avengers
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/direavenger.png]]

The most widespread of all Aspect Shrines, the Dire Avengers embody Khaine's desire for vengeance. Highly skilled in both offensive and defensive warfare, Dire Avengers are the most tactically flexible Aspect Warriors, and they often form the core of a craftworld's warhosts. Their ritual weapon is the avenger shuriken catapult, a more powerful version of the weapons used by Aeldari Guardians that allows the warriors of the Shrine to scythe down their foes with artful grace. Their main colour of the Shrine is the blue of Asuryan, often with red and white as secondary colours, and they were founded by Asurmen, the Hand of Asuryan, the oldest of the Phoenix Lords.

* DeathOfAThousandCuts: A favoured tactic of Dire Avenger squads is to use the high rate-of-fire of their avenger shuriken catapults to recreate the Death of a Thousand Blades that Khaine used to punish those unworthy of a clean death, unleashing a silent storm of monomolecular discs to shred their foes. How this is represented in-game depends on the edition with 5th Edition making it a special attack that allows them to fire extra shots, while the late 8th Edition {{sourcebook}} ''Psychic Awakening: Phoenix Rising'' introduced an Exarch power that gives a unit the chance of causing additional automatic hits. Whatever the actual effect of this rule, it is usually named Bladestorm.
* EmpathicWeapon: The direswords wielded by some Dire Avenger Exarchs have [[SoulJar spirit stones]] embedded in their hilts. Upon striking an enemy, the vengeful soul held within such a spirit stone will attempt to shatter the enemy's mind.
* GunsAkimbo: In imitation of their Phoenix Lord, some Dire Avenger Exarchs mount an Avenger shuriken catapult [[ArmCannon on the back of each of their vambraces]], increasing their firepower considerably.
* JackOfAllTrades: [[DownplayedTrope While they lack long-ranged abilities]], at mid-to-close range Dire Avengers are far more tactically flexible than the warriors of other Aspect shrines, able to perform equally well in offence or defence. Squads of Dire Avengers can even hold their own in close combat, their Exarchs capable of wielding a number of efficient melee weapons.

!!Fire Dragons
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/firedragon_7.png]]

Specialising in the total destruction of the enemy at close range, the Fire Dragons represent the dragon of Aeldari myth. The ritual weapon of the Fire Dragons is the fusion gun, a weapon that can reduce even the most heavily armoured enemy to molten slag in seconds. Warriors of the Shrine wear the colours of fire, red, orange and yellow, and their Phoenix Lord is the mighty Fuegan, the Burning Lance.

* AntiStructure: As part of their philosophy of absolute destruction, the Fire Dragons are trained in the most efficient ways to destroy buildings while causing the maximum amount of damage to their occupants, and the powerful anti-vehicle weaponry utilised by warriors of the Shrine are just as deadly when turned upon enemy fortifications.
* AntiVehicle: Since the Fire Dragons' primary battlefield role is to hunt down enemy armoured vehicles, their weapons and abilities all increase their chances of reducing vehicles to molten slag (specifics depend on the edition).
* BattleAura: The lore states that, when immersed in the heat of battle, Fire Dragon Exarchs often have a halo of fiery energy surrounding their heads as a manifestation of their murder-lust and their deep connection to the fire of the mythological dragon.
* FireBreathingWeapon: From their signature fusion blasters, to the more specialised firepikes and dragon's breath flamers wielded by their Exarchs, the Fire Dragons specialise in the use of fire and heat-based weapons that burn, melt and vaporise their opponents.
* MythicalMotifs: Styling themselves after the Dragon, a figure from the Aeldari mythic cycle that tried to set the whole galaxy aflame, the Fire Dragons seek to emulate the great creature's powers of fiery destruction by wearing the colours of flame and using [[FireBreathingWeapon heat-based weaponry]] to totally annihilate their enemies.

!!Howling Banshees
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/howling_banshee.png]]

Taking on the Aspect of the children of Khaine by the Crone Goddess Morai-Heg, the Howling Banshees are close combat specialists who use speed and agility to strike down their foes. The most recognisable of the Shrine's ritual wargear is the banshee masks, a psychosonic amplifier that causes damage to an enemy's nervous system, paralysing them long enough for the wearer to strike them down with sword or pistol. The traditional colour of the Howling Banshees is the colour of bone, often with the addition of red to honour the Bloody Handed God. Second in size only to the Dire Avengers, the Phoenix Lord of the Howling Banshees is the far-travelled Jain Zar, the Storm of Silence.

* AmazonBrigade: {{Downplayed|Trope}} as, while the banshee is a female spirit in Aeldari mythology, [[GenderIsNoObject males can join]] Howling Banshee shrines. These male Banshees wear the same female-formed armour as the rest of the shrine's Aspect Warriors and develop a female persona while they wear their "war mask".
* BrownNote: A Banshee’s mask amplifies its wearer's screams into a mind-numbing psychic shriek that causes [[TheParalyzer temporary paralysis]] in listeners as their central nervous system shuts down.
* DualWielding: Howling Banshee Exarchs sometimes replace their traditional shuriken pistol and power sword with a pair of shimmering Mirrorswords, using their speed and dexterity to unleash a storm of blows upon their opponents, resulting in a re-roll for failed hit rolls in 8th Edition.
* FragileSpeedster: Howling Banshees rely on their speed, agility, and athletic ability more than their strength and toughness. Their high Move characteristic and/or abilities to increase speed allow them to cross the battlefield as quickly as possible to get into close combat, but they're no more durable than the rank-and-file Dire Avenger.
* MythicalMotifs: Howling Banshees take on the image of the banshees from Aeldari myth, who were said to be the heralds of death and ill-fortune. The warriors of the Shrine replicate the piercing screams of their mythological counterparts with their own psychically amplified war cries that foretell the death of their enemies.
* TheParalyzer: The [[BrownNote enhanced warcries]] created by a Howling Banshee's mask can briefly paralyse an enemy as their nervous system is assaulted by psychosonic energy. The in-game effect varies depending on the edition and can include things such as allowing the Banshees to strike first when they charge or preventing the enemy from firing Overwatch[[note]]a defensive ranged attack used against charging enemies[[/note]].
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: The triskele is a large, three-bladed throwing weapon used by some Howling Banshee Exarchs from 3rd Edition onward. When cast, the triskele flies through the enemy's ranks, cutting throats and opening arteries, before returning to the Exarch's hand so that she can continue to use it is close combat.
%%* ScreamingWarrior: {{Exploited|Trope}} by the Howling Banshees, who are trained to do this as their charge. While this is a vocalization, it's the killing-urge that drives the scream which [[WeaponizedHeadgear their masks channel into a psychic attack]], paralyzing foes as their muscles convulse and twitch under the psychosonic assault.%%Please see Discussion
* WeaponizedHeadgear: The helmets worn by the the Howling Banshees incorporate psychosonic amplifiers that allow the Aspect Warriors to [[TheParalyzer stun]] their opponents with a [[BrownNote mind-melting battle cry]].

!!Shadow Spectres
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shadow_spectre.png]]
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Thought lost until the rediscovery of Craftworld Mymeara the Shadow Spectres use stealth and mobility to bring death to enemy armoured vehicles with their ritual prism rifles. Representing Khaine as the Eternal Warrior, who demands that even the dead shall never see the end of war, warriors of the Shrine consider themselves to be the living counterparts to the Wraithguard and those that fall in battle always have their spirit stones used to animate one of these undead warriors. The ritual colours of the Shadow Spectres are white, pale grey and silver, and their Phoenix Lord is Irillyth, the Shade of Twilight.

* AntiVehicle:
** Using the same technology as the tank-killing prism cannon, the [[EnergyWeapon prism rifles]] wielded by the Shadow Spectres are designed to cut through the hulls of armoured targets, with their in-game rules typically giving them high strength and/or special rules that make them particularly effective against enemy vehicles.
** The haywire launchers used by some Shadow Spectre Exarchs fire advanced {{EMP}} grenades that do considerable damage to the internal systems of any vehicle hit, making damage more likely or doing extra damage depending on the edition.
* CombinationAttack: The background material for the Shadow Spectres mentions that the Shrine utilises a unique targeting system called the Ghostlight, which allows multiple Aspect Warriors to combine their prism rifles' beams into a single combined shot. In some editions[[note]]the ability was removed for 8th Edition[[/note]], this was represented by multiple models combining their hits into a single attack with higher Strength and Armour Penetration characteristics than they would have individually.
* JumpJetPack: Sophisticated jet packs are part of the ritual equipment used by the Shadow Spectre Shrine. With these jet packs, warriors of the Shrine float across the battlefield like ghostly shadows, gaining considerable aerial mobility that allows them to bypass rough terrain and appear as if from nowhere to overwhelm their target with precise firepower.

!!Shining Spears
[[quoteright:327:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shiningspear2.png]]
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Embodying the mighty spear of Khaine that could slay anything with a single, perfect blow. Fighting from the back of sleek jetbikes, the Shining Spears use their ritual laser lances to perform hit-and-run attacks and lightning-fast strikes that are calculated to inflicting the greatest possible damage. The colour scheme of the Shining Spears is primarily white offset with blue. The lost Drastanta, Tempest of Starlight, is the Shrine’s Phoenix Lord.

* ImprobablePilotingSkills: The Shining Spears are said to be the most skilled jetbike riders of the Craftworlds, capable of performing highly complex manoeuvres at speed with only the slightest touch of the controls. The control that the Shining Spears have over their machines is so great that they can even fly untouched through enemy fire, their 8th Edition Aerobatic Grace ability giving them a [[DodgeTheBullet special save against ranged attacks]].
* JoustingLance: Their traditional weapon of the Shining Spears is the [[EnhancedArchaicWeapon laser lance]]. This powerful energy weapon fires a devastating laser blast, usually unleashed just before the Aspect Warrior engages the enemy, that is then followed by a second piercing blast as the lance strikes. In most editions of the game, these weapons can be used at range and in combat, with the 8th Edition rules [[DashAttack giving them a bonus on the turn that the Shining Spear charges to represent its increased effectiveness]].

!!Striking Scorpions
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/striking_scorpion_10th_edition.png]]
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->''Attack swiftly, and without warning. This is the mantra of the Striking Scorpions -- it is the way of all our kind.''
-->--'''Aulirel Doomhand, Striking Scorpion Exarch'''

Representing the iron scorpion Khaine sent to sting the Aeldari hero Ulthanesh, the Striking Scorpions specialise in the sudden and unexpected kill, moving stealthily and unnoticed until the time comes to deliver strike against an unsuspecting foe. One of the more heavily armoured Aspects, the Shrine’s warriors use stealth to close with their prey, wrapping themselves in darkness until they can deliver a mortal blow with their ritual mandiblasters and chainswords. Green is the colour most associated with the Striking Scorpion, with black and yellow being prominent secondary colours. The founding Phoenix Lord of the Shrine was Arha, the Father of Scorpions, but after his fall to Chaos his disciple Karandras, the Shadow Hunter, took his place.

* AnimalMotif: Striking Scorpions style themselves after their deadly namesake, wearing segmented armour that resembles a scorpion's chitinous exoskeleton and mounting their trademark mandiblasters on their helmets in imitation their mandibles, while many of their Exarchs wield a scorpion's claw, a sophisticated style of PowerPincers. In battle, warriors of the Shrine also emulate the scorpion's ability to deliver a fatal strike from hiding.
* ChainsawGood: One of the ritual weapons of the Striking Scorpions is the chainsword and the warriors of the Shrine use these diamond-toothed weapons to rip their opponents apart in close combat. The chainswords used by the Shrine come in a number of forms from the basic scorpion chainsword, that boost the wielder's Strength characteristic slightly, to the deadly biting blades that come in {{BFS}} and BladeBelowTheShoulder[[note]]in 2nd Edition[[/note]] form.
* LightningBruiser: Despite wearing the heaviest armour of any close combat orientated Aspect Shrine (giving them a Save characteristic equal to that of Imperial [[PoweredArmor power armour]]) Striking Scorpions retain the superior speed and agility all Aeldari show in close combat.
* MixAndMatchWeapon: The powerful Exarch weapon known as a scorpion's claw is a lightweight, [[PowerPincers power claw]] that incorporates a shuriken catapult into it's design. Modelled after the claw worn by the Phoenix Lord Karandras, a scorpion's claw allows an Exarch to deal death at range, while [[DualWielding striking with both]] the armour-piercing claw and flesh-shredding [[ChainsawGood scorpion chainsword]] when they reach melee.
* PowerPincers: Striking Scorpion Exarchs sometimes use a pincer-shaped weapon called the scorpion's claw. These claws enhance the strength of the wielder in the same manner as Imperial {{Power Fist}}s but are much lighter and easier to use [[note]]in-game, the scorpion’s claw doesn't inflict the to hit roll or Initiative characteristic penalties that a power fist does in various editions [[/note]]. The weapon also [[MixAndMatchWeapon mounts a shuriken catapult]] for ranged combat.
* StealthExpert: Striking Scorpions are taught to wrap themselves in shadows, quickly becoming the stealthiest of all the close combat orientated Aspect Warriors. Specialising in sneak attacks and ambushes, Warriors of the shrine are able to move through all but the thickest of terrain without a sound and are willing to lie in wait for days until the perfect opportunity to strike presents itself. In-game, most editions represent these abilities by giving Striking Scorpion units special rules for deployment and/or moving through terrain.
* WeaponizedHeadgear: The signature mandiblasters used by Striking Scorpions are a pair of small pods fitted to their helmets designed to resemble a scorpion's mandibles. These pods fire small metallic needles that are then converted into plasma by the weapon's laser projector.

!!Swooping Hawks
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/swooping_hawk_0.png]]

Embodying the myth that the spirits of murdered Aeldari would possess the body of a great bird of prey to hover over their killer, Swooping Hawks are winged deliverers of retribution. Using their signature anti-gravity wings to soar swiftly through the skies, Swooping Hawks deliver death from above with grenades and rapid fire lasblasters. Warriors of the Shrine typically wear turquoise and sky-blue aspect armour, often with their wings picked out in bright colours. The Phoenix Lord of the shrine is the youthful Baharroth, the Cry of the Wind.

* AnimalMotif: With anti-gravity wings designed to resemble the wings of great avian predators and helmets with beak-like faceplates, Swooping Hawks are styled after birds in general, and hawks in particular. In battle these predators of the sky are also described as swooping down from the sky with the grace and legality of a bird of prey.
* BlindedByTheLight: In some editions, Swooping Hawk Exarchs can take sunrifles, powerful [[EnergyWeapon lasblasters]] that unleash bright beams of laser energy that blinds those it doesn't kill, reducing their effectiveness on the battlefield.
* DeathFromAbove: The Swooping Hark grenade packs that warriors of the Shrine are equipped with are designed to drop multiple explosives on their opponents as they fly over the battlefield. How this is handled during a game depends on the edition with many versions of their rules allowing Swooping Hawks to make a special attack outside of the usual turn sequence as they deploy onto the battlefield and/or fly over enemy units.
* FragileSpeedster: Their winged anti-gravity equipment makes Swooping Hawks some of the swiftest and most mobile of all Aeldari infantry units, with a Move characteristic equal to that of bikes from other armies and, in some editions, special rules that allow them to redeploy during a battle. On the downside, the necessity for lightweight wargear makes them quite vulnerable and they have typically have a Save characteristic equal to (or lower than depending on the edition) the average for Aspect Warriors.
* JumpJetPack: Although a Swooping Hawk's wings grant them full flight in the background material, [[GameplayAndStorySegregation most editions of their in-game rules]] treat them the same, or similar, to the Jump Jet Pack equipped tropes of other races, moving in great leaps across the battlefield to avoid terrain and [[DeathFromAbove drop grenades on opponents]].
* SwordAndGun: Despite primarily being an Aspect that focuses on mid-range firepower, many Swooping Hawk Exarchs wield a power sword alongside their lasblaster or hawk’s talon in imitation of their honoured Phoenix Lord.
* ThrowDownTheBomblet: Grenades are one of the two ritual weapons of the Swooping Harks Shrine, and they usually carry a mixture of AntiInfantry and AntiVehicle explosives. Released from special grenade packs fitted to their legs, Swooping Harks typically [[DeathFromAbove bombard enemy troops as they fly over them]] but some editions do allow them to throw their grenades as well.
* WingedHumanoid: The warriors of the Swooping Hawks have of the more recognisable silhouettes of any Aspect Shrine, their lightweight armour fitted with graceful wings that incorporate anti-gravity devises crafted to resemble feathers that, [[GameplayAndStorySegregation in the lore]], grant them full flight but tend to be treated as {{Jump Jet Pack}}s in most editions of the game's rules.

!!Warp Spiders
[[quoteright:270:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/warp_spider_9.png]]
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Taking inspiration from the creatures that defend a craftworld's infinity circuit, the Warp Spiders use hit and run tactics to fulfil their role as an aggressive defence unit. Warriors of the Shrine are equipped with sophisticated warp jump generators that allow them to strike at their opponents without warning, before teleporting to safety before their foes can retaliate. Due to the danger to their lives and souls such tactics expose them too, many Asuryani consider the Warp Spiders to be the most courageous of all Aspect Warriors. The traditional colours of the Warp Spiders are red, black and white. The founding Phoenix Lord of the Shrine is unknown.

* AnimalMotif: The armour and equipment of the Warp Spiders Shrine is designed to imitate the look of their arachnid namesake, with their jump generator backpack in particular resembling a spider's dorsal carapace. In addition to this, the ritual armament of the Shrine, the RazorFloss spewing death spinner, represents a spider's ability to create silt, while Exarchs of the Shrine often mount these weapons on [[MultiArmedAndDangerous additional artificial limbs]].
* BladeBelowTheShoulder: Warp Spider Exarchs often go into battle with a [[DualWielding pair]] of powerblades strapped to the backs of their gauntlets. Equipped with these short, but sharp, blades an Exarch can slice his opponents to pieces while maintaining a remorseless torrent of RazorFloss with his death spinners.
* MultiArmedAndDangerous: The armour of Warp Spider Exarchs often incorporate a pair of artificial limbs tipped with death spinners, leaving their main arms free to wield close combat weapons.
* ProjectileWebbing: As part of their [[AnimalMotif spider motif]], Warp Spiders {{Invoke|dTrope}} the image of web-firing arachnids with their ritual weapons, the death spinner and, in some editions, the spinneret rifle. Instead of silk, these deadly weapons project a cloud or strand [[RazorFloss monofilament wire]] at their target that can turn flesh to pulp in an instant.
* {{Teleportation}}: The Warp Spiders make use of unique short-range teleporter backpacks known as warp jump generators to imitate the natural abilities of their namesake. These jump generators work by briefly moving their wearer through the warp, allowing them to disappear from the battlefield and then, [[TeleporterAccident if they are lucky]], reappear a short distance away. How this is represented on the tabletop depends on the edition, but usually involves additional and/or special types of movement.
* TeleporterAccident: As with the majority of teleportation technology in the setting, the jump generators used by Warp Spiders work by shunting them briefly into the warp; if something goes wrong, they will never return to the material plane and their souls will be torn apart by daemons. Warp Spiders try to mitigate this by making the shortest warp jumps possible, limiting their exposure to the immaterium. How this danger is represented in-game varies with the edition, but usually involves the possibility of squad members being instantly killed if they make moves over a certain distance.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Wraith Constructs]]
Not so much people as they are living war machines, the various Wraith Constructs of the Craftworlds allow the dead the ability to continue serving and aiding their Craftworld. Through a Spiritseer guiding a soul out of the Infinity Circuit, they can be inserted into a Wraith Construct to animate and empower it, from the comparatively humble Wraithguard to the mighty and massive Wraithknights.

* CavalryOfTheDead: Wraith constructs are artificial constructs carrying the spirits of dead Aeldari so that they can continue to fight in defence of the living. As the creation of these ghost warriors is considered an abomination, most Craftworlds only use them in the gravest of emergencies, most famously during [[HordeOfAlienLocusts Hive Fleet Kraken]]'s invasion of Iyanden where the Craftworlders had suffered so many casualties that, by the time the Tyranids had been driven off, there were more Ghost Warriors walking the domes of the craftworld than living Aeldari.
* TheFaceless: The heads of Wraith-constructs lack any features or lenses to see with as they rely on [[AuraVision witch-sight]] to perceive the world around them.
* GodzillaThreshold: They are this for any Craftworld, barring Iyanden, who had to replace most of their fighting forces with Wraith Constructs after a Tyranid Hive Fleet ate through a sizable portion of their population. The Asuryani wish to leave the dead to rest whenever possible, but sometimes they are forced into an engagement with the enemy that their living forces cannot sustain. When this happens, the Spiritseers are called out and the Wraith Constructs march for their Craftworld.
* HauntedTechnology: In the strictest sense of the term, yes. Wraith Constructs can only be animated by spirits, and the most readily available spirits are those of the dead in the Infinity Circuit.
* LightningBruiser: Compared to the war machines of other factions, wraith constructs are quite fast and can hit quite hard at both range and in close combat.
* HeartDrive: In order to create the these warrior-constructs, Spiritseers insert a [[SoulJar spirit stone]] containing the soul of a dead Aeldari into an artificial body. In battle, these artificial warriors are incredibly durable as their bodies can be repaired and regrown by Bonesingers and the only way to permanently destroy such a construct is to destroy the spirit stone itself.
* ShoulderCannon: Many of the larger humanoid constructs of the Asuryani mount weapons on their shoulders so that they can increase their firepower, or to leave their hands free to wield close combat weapons. Wraithlords and Wraithknights will often sport heavy weapons more commonly seen on Guardian grav-platforms, while the larger Titan-class constructs will often have powerful missile launchers and other weapon systems built into their [[EvaFins holo-field projector fins]].
* {{Synchronization}}: Larger Wraith Constructs like Wraithknights and Phantom Titans require a secondary, living pilot to control many of the machine's functions and to relieve the load from the soul bound within the construct. Many Wraithknight pilots are selected from the siblings or family members of the dead stored within, as their close emotional and psychic ties allow them to function better together.
* VerticalMechaFins: Wraith-constructs and Titans typically sport one or two curved fins protruding from the back behind the shoulders. These fins frequently have a wing-like look to them and, on some walkers, often house sophisticated [[HolographicDisguise holo-field]] generators. Some infantry armour worn by warriors of the craftworlds also shares this aesthetic, with their power packs' vanes designed to look like small fins.

!!Wraithguard & Wraithblades
[[quoteright:351:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wraithsoldiers.png]]
[[caption-width-right:351:Top: Saim-Hann Wraithguard\\
Bottom: Iyanden Wraithblade]]

The most common type of Wraith Construct fielded, Wraithguard and Wraithblades are stalwart defenders of their Craftworlds and proof that not even death will stop the Asuryani from forestalling their decline.

* CloseRangeCombatant: Wraithblades are dedicated to close combat. Possessed by the spirits of dead Aeldari that have become totally consumed by rage, Wraithblades are equipped with either a [[DualWielding pair of ghostswords]] or a ghostaxe and forceshield before being unleashed against the foe to vent their fury in brutal close combat.
* DualWielding: Some Wraithblades choose to forgo the defense offered by a Force Shield and instead wield a pair of Ghostswords into battle.
* ImplacableMan: Wraithguard are often described in the background material as advancing silently on their enemies, incoming fire impacting harmlessly on their artificial bodies as they unleash their arcane weaponry.
* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Wraithblades that wield Ghost Axes also go into battle with a Force Shield mounted on their off-arm, giving them a decent invulnerable saving throw.
* MightyGlacier: In contrast to the GlassCannon and WeakButSkilled nature of the Craftworld army, Wraithguard and Wraithblades are quite durable, with a degree of toughness that will let them shrug off most army's anti-infantry weapons and return in kind with hard hitting, armor shredding weaponry. However, they move quite slowly, meaning you are liable to lose a few before you get them into their effective range.
* MoreDakka: The D-Scythes that Wraithguard are equipped with throw out D3 shots per model in the unit, and each unit can have up to fifteen models, equaling quite a lot of energy flying into your opponents.

!!Wraithlord
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wraithlordtransparent.png]]

When an Aspect Warrior Exarch passes on, occasionally it will be the wish of his Shrine or his Craftworld that his genius and fury be saved for future use. When needed, a specialist Farseer will locate their soul in the Infinity Circuit bound to their armor and will place them inside of a massive Wraith Construct, bristling with the most terrifying weaponry the Aeldari can offer, and turn him into a Wraithlord.

* {{BFS}}: The Ghostglaives they wield are twice as tall as an Aeldari, and stand up to the 10-foot tall constructs chest when planted on the ground.
* ElitesAreMoreGlamorous: Especially when they're bedecked in a giant wraithbone machine covered in weaponry that can liquify an Astartes.
* LightningBruiser: Wraithlords look like they should be {{Mighty Glacier}}s like their smaller Wraithguard kin, but the stronger soul of the Exarch possessing the construct means that they often have a movement speed and reaction time depending on the rules while being far more durable. [[DownplayedTrope However, Wraithlords are relatively slower when compared to living Aeldari and many of their war machines]].
* RunAndGun: In 9th Edition, a Wraithlord can now move and fire its Heavy weapons without penalty. Given that a Wraithlord can be a melee monster, no longer having to sacrifice their ranged arsenal in order to close into charging range is a massive boon for them.
* ShoulderCannon: They can have additional weaponry mounted onto their shoulders, such as Shuriken Cannons and Starcannons.

!!Wraithseers
[[quoteright:204:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wraithseer.png]]

An exceptionally rare sight even among the rarely-used Wraith Constructs, a Wraithseer is what happens when a Seer or Warlock, or more likely a Farseer or Spiritseer, dies and arranges for their soul stone to be placed into a Wraithlord construct. Being potent psykers on top of their skill in the arts of war, Wraithseers are a true force to be reckoned with for the enemies of the Craftworld.

* LostTechnology: The comparative rarity of Wraithseers comes from the fact that no one knows the exact process for creating them anymore, and they become fewer still as the enemies of the Aeldari grind away at the Craftworlds.
* MagicKnight: Wraithseers are Wraithlord constructs animated by the spirit of a fallen Warlock battle psyker. A Wraithseer possesses all the strength and durability of a regular Wraithlord and also retains many of the psychic abilities it possessed in life.
* ShoulderCannon: Like their Wraithlord Cousins, they can mount weaponry on their shoulder such as D-Cannons.

!!Wraithknights
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wraithknight.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Wraithknight]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Skathach Wraithknight]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/skathach_wraithknight.png[[/labelnote]]]]

The mightiest and largest Wraith Constructs of most Craftworlds, Wraithknights stride across the battlefield with a grace and serene elegance that belies their sheer, deadly efficiency with which they defend their Craftworlds.

* {{BFG}}: Their twinned Wraithcannons or the singular Suncannon that they can be equipped with are massive weapons mounted to their forearms, with barrels about as long as a Space Marine Rhino. Skathach Wraithknights are universally armed with the similarly sized Deathshroud Cannons or Inferno Lances.
* {{BFS}}: Their Ghostglaives are a scaled up version of the variety that Wraithlords get. Wraithlords are 10-foot tall war machines with a sword to match. You do the math on that one.
* HumongousMecha: Wraithknights are easily one of, if not the tallest model able to be fielded in a standard match, topping 9" tall on the tabletop when modeled at their full height. In the lore, Wraithknights actually ''dwarf'' Imperial Knights, and it typically takes Titans to make them lose out on the height race.
* SquareCubeLaw: Utterly [[DefiedTrope defied]]; Wraithknights are building sized war machines that can move with a level of grace, speed, and fluidity that should be utterly impossible for a machine that size. The pilots of these machines use this advantage to outmaneuver enemies like Imperial Knights that can't possibly hope to keep up with them.
* {{Teleportation}}: Skathach Wraithknights are an exceptionally rare variety of Wraithknight that patrol the Webway to annihilate any interlopers dwelling within. To make navigating the Webway easier for them, they are fitted with a portable Webway shunt generator that can instantly teleport the building-sized war machine into the Webway and back out when it wishes. They can abuse this ''heavily'' in combat, taking their already considerable grace and speed and using the generator to run rings around enemies of similar size to them.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Protectors of the Craftworlds]]
The dying and scattered Eldar race has nevertheless banded around a few particularly impressive individuals:

!!The Avatar of Khaine, Incarnation of the Bloody-Handed God
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/avatartransparent.png]]

->''Blood Runs,\\
Anger Rises,\\
Death Wakes,\\
War Calls!''
-->-- Battle chant to Khaine the Bloody-Handed God

Aeldari tradition holds that, at the climax of the Fall, Kaela Mensha Khaine, the god of war, battled the new-born She Who Thirsts, only to be defeated and broken into fragments. These divine shards came to rest at the heart of each craftworld, where they grew into the iron statues known as Avatars. Sealed within a shrine to the Bloody-Handed God, the Avatar waits silently until war nears, the growing battle-lust of the Aeldari pulsing through the world-ship’s infinity circuit kindling the burning blood of the deity's iron body. With arcane rituals and the sacrifice of a worthy Aspect Warrior, the divine spark of life is returned to the physical embodiment of Khaine and it strides purposefully out of its shrine to lead the Asuryani to war. The Avatar’s fiery form inspires the Aeldari warhost, filling its warriors with visions of bloodshed as it brings flaming ruination to their foes.

* ActionBomb: The 9th Edition update gives the Avatar the "Burning Demise" rule that activates when it is destroyed; on a die roll of 6 the Avatar explodes and deals D3 mortal wounds to every unit with D6 inches of it.
* BurningWithAnger: Said to be the physical embodiment of the anger of the entire Aeldari race, the Avatar constantly smoulders with Khaine's rage and BloodLust, its eyes burning like hot coals while molten iron runs through its veins and tendrils of smoke circle its head like a crown.
* FlamingSword: Whether it takes the form of a sword, spear, or axe, the Wailing Doom is typically depicted with a blade that is wreathed in the flames of Khaine's rage, and with fiery runes that burn with the same heat as the Avatar itself.
* GameplayAndStorySegregation: In lore, the Wailing Doom can take the form of a sword, a spear or an axe; however, up to 8th Edition, the Avatar's physical model could only be armed with a sword, with a spear-wielding alternative model available from Forge World. This is averted with the 9th Edition model, which has all three variants as options.
* GodzillaThreshold: Awakening an Avatar of Khaine is not a task performed lightly, as it requires sacrificing an Exarch of an Aspect Shrine to do so. Losing what could potentially be millennia of experience through this action for a one-time ritual to summon a fragment of Khaine's might is typically only reserved for truly desperate situations. It is possible to TakeAThirdOption to wake the Avatar up, but the conditions that need to be met to do so are ''ludicrously'' rare and a potential ill-omen given the circumstances.[[note]]The other way to awaken an Avatar of Khaine requires ''six'' Phoenix Lords to present their weapons before the iron statue that is the Avatar's physical form. Given that it's exceptionally rare for ''two'' Phoenix Lords to be in the same place at the same time, and that having multiple Phoenix Lords in any one place could potentially be the start of [[{{Gotterdammerung}} the Rhana Dandra]], it's not even an option worth considering most of the time.[[/note]]
* HatePlague: Aeldari who fight alongside an Avatar find themselves filled with the fury of Khaine and feel an exhilarating bloodlust that drives them to murder their enemies. How this is represented during a game varies depending on the edition but often include making it less likely for nearby Aeldari to flee from combat and/or making it more likely for them to successfully complete a charge.
* HumanSacrifice: When the time comes to awaken the Avatar, an Aspect Warrior[[note]]or Exarch depending on the source[[/note]] is chosen by the craftworld's Farseers to be the Young King. Adorned with [[RuleOfSymbolism a crown of wraithbone thorns]], the Young King has runes of blood painted on their naked body before being led to the Avatar's throne room. Nobody knows exactly what happens within the sealed throne room, but after hours or days of roaring flames and screaming, the awakened Avatar walks out, the blood of the Young King dripping eternally from its left hand. What becomes of the Young King's soul is a mystery, even to the Aeldari, but theories range from them becoming one with the Bloody Handed God to being [[CessationOfExistence consumed utterly]] as a sacrifice.
* ImmuneToFire: Due to its fiery nature, the Avatar is often depicted as being utterly immune to flame-based and melta weaponry. Whether this is fully represented in the rules of the game varies by edition. Some make the Avatar totally immune to such weapons, while 8th Edition gives it a chance of ignoring damage from any weapon.
* ImplacableMan: The 9th Edition update to the Avatar has given it a considerable durability boost, giving it an armor save and invulnerable save better than Space Marine Terminators or Bladeguard Veterans, a Toughness statistic of 8 which means that basically all anti-infantry weaponry is going to fail to wound it even if it hits it, and should a sufficiently powerful attack break through its Toughness and its saves the Avatar also cuts all damage that it takes in ''half''. With a starting Wounds statistic of 14, the Avatar of Khaine is going to take some serious concetrated firepower before it perishes.
* LetsFightLikeGentlemen: Subverted in one instance. The Avatar attempted to challenge the Tyranid Swarmlord to a duel on Craftworld Iyanden. [[CombatPragmatist The Swarmlord just sicced a dozen Carnifexes on it.]]
* LivingStatue: The Avatar is a massive statue of living iron animated by a fragment of the WarGod Khaine and the bloodlust of the Aeldari that brings death and destruction to the enemies of the craftworlds.
* MorphWeapon: As the weapon of the WarGod, the Avatar's Wailing Doom is said to be able to take the form of almost any weapon but most commonly appears as a great spear or mighty sword, the weapons most associated with Khaine in Aeldari myth. While it is not unknown for the weapon to change form during a battle, the Wailing Doom [[DownplayedTrope typically remains in the form it takes when the Avatar is summoned]].
* NamedWeapon: The Avatar wields ''Suin Daellae'', the Wailing Doom, a fragment of the weapon of Khaine himself. The weapon is named for the terrible sound it makes as it is scythes through the ranks of the Avatar's enemies.
* PhysicalGod: The Avatar is an iron statue, animated by a fragment of the Aeldari WarGod. While it [[DownplayedTrope lacks many of the godlike powers]] of a fully realised deity, it is still able to express the rage and hate of the Bloody Handed God through its molten body, and inspire the Asuryani with its mere presence.
* RedRightHand: Left hand, technically; like the deity it was created from, the Avatar of Khaine constantly has the blood of the HumanSacrifice used to awaken it dripping from its left hand.
* RespawnPoint: When an Avatar is slain, the essence of Khaine that was animating it will return to the throne room where it first appeared, eventually regrowing a new iron body so that it can stride across the battlefield once again.
* SculptedPhysique: The iron body of an Avatar takes the form of a massive Aeldari, possessing sculpted abs and muscles that are lit from within by the molten metal that runs through its veins.
* SwordBeam: The Wailing Doom is capable of projecting a short-ranged energy attack. While the lore varies as to whether this attack unleashes bolts of psychic force or streams of fire, the effect is typically equivalent to that of a [[AntiArmor melta weapon]].
* VolcanicVeins: The Avatar's veins run with molten metal, showing through the cracks in its iron skin as lines of white-hot flame.
* WreathedInFlames: Rather than being totally covered in flame, the Avatar has [[DownplayedTrope flames within its body that flicker and spurt out through cracks in its iron skin]] to give a similar effect.
* TheWorfEffect: Fans have noticed the general purpose of an Avatar of Khaine's appearance is to be a {{Jobber}}. During the release cycle for the 9th edition Aeldari Codex, Games Workshop even [[LampshadedTrope lampshaded]] their treatment of the Avatar in the lore, [[https://www.warhammer-community.com/2022/02/23/dreadnought-chaos-warband-and-a-primarch-is-there-anything-the-avatar-of-khaine-cant-beat/ and pitted the new Avatar's ruleset and model]] against numerous heavy hitters from other armies to [[DefiedTrope put this meme to bed.]]

!! Eldrad Ulthran, Exiled High Farseer of Ulthwé
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eldrad.png]]

->''He who sees his own doom can better avoid its path. He who sees the doom of others can deliver it.''

Formerly the head of the Seer Council of Ulthwé, Eldrad is perhaps the most gifted living psyker amongst the Asuryani. The ancient Farseer's foresight has saved countless Aeldari lives, often at the cost of other races such as when his manipulations caused the rise of the Ork Warlord Ghazghkull Thraka rather than a rival Warlord who would have turned his Waaagh! towards the Aeldari. While his resilience and power has been a rallying point for the people of Ulthwé, his unsanctioned and only partially successful attempt to awaken Ynnead, the Aeldari God of the Dead, caused his fellow Council members to exile the gifted Farseer. Despite his fall from grace, Eldrad remains a close ally of Yvraine and her Ynnari, working with the Reborn to find the best fate for his people, and avoid the final battle of Rhana Dandra for as long as possible.

* TheArchmage: Eldrad is one of the most powerful psykers in the whole setting with [[{{Seers}} precognitive abilities]] that allow him to see further than the majority of Asuryani Farseers, as well as the power to destroy innumerable foes on the battlefield. In-game, how Eldrad’s mastery of the psychic arts is represented varies, but often involves the ancient Farseer having wargear, or special rules, to aid his psychic abilities and/or give him access to more psychic powers than other Farseers.
* BigGood: In early editions of the game, Eldrad was the most influential leader of the Aeldari[[note]]or Eldar as they were known at the time[[/note]] in their fight for survival, and their war against Chaos. Since the his actions Battle of Port Demesnus[[note]]detailed in the ''Warhammer 40,000: Death Masque'' box set[[/note]] and the events of the ''Gathering Storm'' series of {{sourcebook}}s, however, Eldrad lost the trust of many Asuryani and his ally Yvraine of the Ynnari has taken his place as the primary leader combating She Who Thirsts in the eyes of many Aeldari.
* BornWinner: Even before he realized his full potential, Eldrad was already the most powerful psyker on Craftworld Ulthwé, which is full of powerful psykers.
* CassandraTruth: Prior to the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, Eldrad attempted to worn Fulgrim, [[SuperPrototype Primarch]] of the Emperor's Children, of the corruption spreading within the ranks of the [[SuperSoldier Legiones Astartes]] but he refused to believe the words of a xenos witch. The disbelief was {{justified|Trope}}, however, as Fulgrim's corruption had already begun by the time he met Eldrad.
* TheGift: Even at a young age, his potential was such that even Phoenix Lord Asurmen found it to be immensely high. By the time he reached it, he became so powerful that he could battle the likes of Magnus the Red and survive.
* TheExile: In his attempt to awaken Ynnead, the God of the Dead, Eldrad and his allies stole dozens of the petrified Crystal Seers from craftworlds across the galaxy, and performed a ritual that, when it failed, put every infinity circuit in grave danger. For this heinous crime, and for his arrogance in attempting to unilaterally dictate the fate of the entire Aeldari race, Eldrad was exiled from Ulthwé, [[SubvertedTrope only returning to his home to defend it from a daemonic invasion]].
* MagicStaff: The Staff of Ulthamar is an ancient wraithbone staff gifted to Eldrad when he became the High Farseer of Ulthwé. In addition to being a powerful weapon, relic is decorated with the spirit stones of Ulthwé's first Seer Council, giving it a direct link to the craftworld's infinity circuit that allows Eldrad to draw upon the near limitless psychic energy it contains, giving him special rules that [[AmplifierArtifact boost his ability to cast psychic powers during a game]].
* {{Retcon}}: The conclusion of the 2003 Eye of Terror Worldwide Campaign saw Eldrad place portions of his soul in a number of [[SoulJar sprit stones]], before he dies to bring down one of the corrupted Blackstone Fortresses. Like many of the events of the campaign, this was never mentioned again and he is still active in the galaxy and playing an important role in the ongoing story of Ynnead and the Aeldari.
* SuperToughness: Due to his extreme age, the crystallization process that all Farseers eventually succumb to has progressed far enough to make Eldrad far tougher than most Aeldari. In-game, depending on the edition, this increased durability typically results in higher Toughness and/or Wounds characteristics than a normal Farseer.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Eldrad is willing to do a great deal of horrific things, including things that many of his Farseer colleagues would consider deplorable, if it he believes them to be in the best interest of the Aeldari. His failed attempt to awaken the God of the Dead, for example, very nearly resulted in the destruction of every [[ArtificialAfterlife infinity circuit]] in the galaxy and got him exiled from Ulthwé.
* WhatTheHellHero: After his failed attempt to awaken Ynnead, the God of the Dead, the entire Seer Council of Ulthwé put him on trial for stealing the bodies of dead Farseers and deceiving his allies so that he could attempt a dangerous ritual, and for trying to unilaterally determine the fate of their people countless times in the past.
-->'''Farseer Aralie''': Your behaviour is intolerable. It is not for you to decide the fate of our race by yourself, nor to dabble in the affairs of gods. You are no god, Eldrad Ulthran.

!!Prince Yriel, Autarch of Iyanden
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/yriel_5.png]]

->''We may have won the battle, but our ancestors have lost their souls.''

The illegitimate heir to the House of Ulthanash[[note]]one of the two founders of the Aeldari race[[/note]] Yriel has always been a brilliant commander but in his youth, he was also arrogant and headstrong. These character flaws came to the fore when the young Autarch was given command of Iyanden's fleets and his pre-emptive strike against a Chaos fleet left the Craftworld undefended. Reprimanded for his actions, Yriel, along with a large proportion of the craftworld's fleet, took to the Path of the Outcast and founded the Eldritch Raiders Corsair fleet, vowing never to set foot on the craftworld again. When Iyanden was invaded by Hive Fleet Kraken, however, Yriel and his followers returned to save their beleaguered craftworld but, in order to ensure victory, Yriel was forced to take up the cursed Spear of Twilight. Although Iyanden was saved, and Yriel hailed as a hero, the spear is now bound to the Autarch, slowly absorbing his life force. In the wake of the fracturing of Biel-Tan, Yriel gave his life in defence of Iyanden only for him to be resurrected by Yvraine, the prophet of Ynnead. With much of his life energy restored, Yriel has rededicated himself to the defence of Iyanden and its people in an increasingly perilous galaxy.

* ArtifactOfDeath: The Spear of Twilight permanently binds itself to the soul of those who wield it, constantly draining their LifeEnergy. Due to this danger, the weapon was sealed away for millennia until Yriel was convinced to remove it draw it to defeat the [[GodzillaThreshold Tyranid invasion of Iyanden]]. At the end of the 41st Millennium, however, the Spear [[InvertedTrope inadvertently saved Yriel's life]] when Yvraine, Emissary of the God of the Dead, was able to extract the life energy it had syphoned from its wielder to resurrect the slain Autarch.
* BackFromTheDead: Yriel gave his life to defeat the Nurgle Daemon Prince Gara'gugul'gor during the chaos at the end of the 41st Millennium. Yvraine, the Emissary of Ynnead, was able to use her {{Soul Power}}s to resurrect the cursed prince by forcing the [[ArtifactOfDeath Spear of Twilight]] to return the vast majority of the life force it had stolen.
* BigDamnHeroes: Iyanden was on the verge of being overrun by the hordes of Hive Fleet Kraken when Yriel led his corsair fleet back to his former home, shattering the hive ships controlling the assault, before engaging those creatures that had invaded the craftworld itself.
* CoolStarship: The ''Flame of Asuryan'' has been Yriel's flagship since he was first appointed High Admiral of the Iyanden fleet. A powerful Dragonship sized vessel, the ''Flame'' has three solar sails and has greater firepower than most any other ship of its class, winning him many victories throughout his time as a Corsair.
* EyeBeam: Prince Yriel wears a high-tech monocle over his left eye, known as the Eye of Wrath, that can unleash a brief storm of lightning that can strike [[HerdHittingAttack multiple enemies]].
* FatalFlaw: His wilful {{pride}} led to him being stripped of his position of High Admiral and becoming an Outcast Corsair. {{Subverted|Trope}} during the Tyranid invasion of Iyanden when Yriel overcame his pride and led his Corsair fleet to their aid and took up the cursed [[ArtifactOfDeath Spear of Twilight]], willingly dooming himself to a slow death if it meant saving his former home.
* HeroicBastard: He's a bastard son of a princess of the House of Ulthanash, one of the most prestigious of Iyanden's noble houses, and an unknown father who some in-universe claim was a [[TheFairFolk Drukhari]] (his EvilCounterpart Duke Sliscus being the most common suspect). Despite his ambiguous lineage, and his colossal pride, Yriel has twice risen to become the greatest hero of his craftworld, saving it from destruction multiple times.
%%* {{Jerkass}}: Even by Aeldari standards, supposedly.
* InsufferableGenius: Prince Yriel has been a military and tactical prodigy since his youth, and won great victories for Craftworld Iyanden, but his {{pride}} and arrogance saw him angrily go into exile when he was censured for his actions instead of being praised. His years as a Corsair saw him [[SubvertedTrope grow out of this attitude]], however, and upon his return to Iyanden has developed into someone who would willingly give up his life to defend his people.
* MilitaryMaverick: While serving as Iyanden's High Admiral for the first time, Yriel dispensed with many of the traditional tactics and contingencies of his predecessors, resulting in him launching an all-out offensive against an enemy fleet that left the craftworld all-but defenceless. Despite the unmitigated success of this tactic, his all-or-nothing approach to warfare [[SubvertedTrope saw him censured and forced him into self-imposed exile as a Corsair]].
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: His decision to strip Iyanden of its defences to deal with Argan Kallorax, a Chaos Lord carrying out pirate attacks in the star systems around the craftworld, ended up costing thousands of Eldar lives when [[TakingYouWithMe a defeated Kallorax]] fired [[EarthShatteringKaboom cyclonic torpedoes]] at Iyanden as [[EvilIsPetty a last gesture of spite]].
* RoyalBastard: Yriel is the bastard son of a princess of the House of Ulthanash (direct decedents of one of the two [[SpaceElves Aeldari]] founding heroes) and an unknown father, who some in-universe claim was a [[TheFairFolk Drukhari]]. While the majority of his House (both living and [[ArtificialAfterlife dead]]) have accepted Yriel as a hero, some hardliners have refused to do so due to his lineage and arrogance.
* UndyingLoyalty: Due to his talents and success, Yriel receives extreme loyalty from his subordinates, resulting in many of his men willingly taking on the Path of the Outcast and becoming Corsairs alongside their prince.
%%* UnwantedRevival: Yriel does not appreciate Yvraine reviving him, considering his second life to be a cursed one.%%Source?

!! Iyanna Arienal, the Angel of Iyanden
[[quoteright:337:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/iyanna.png]]
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->''To deny death, and impart her cold kiss to others. That is the way left to us.''

Iyanna Arienal was always a talented psyker, but after her entire House was killed in a Chaos attack, she turned her considerable gifts towards communing with the spirits of the dead and is now considered to be one of Iyanden's most gifted Spiritseers. Able to easily commune with the fallen in the infinity circuit, Iyanna spends much of her time, both on and off the battlefield, surrounded by Wraith-constructs possessed by the spirits of her lost House. A fervent believer in Ynnead even before the God of the Dead's partial awakening, Iyanna is a dedicated supporter of the Ynnari and has come to the aide of the Reborn a number of times.

* DemotedToExtra: While she hasn't had official rules since 3rd Edition, Iyanna still makes appearances in the background material and plays an important role in the Ynnead storyline.
* GottaCatchThemAll: Before the partial awakening of Ynnead, and the rise of the Ynnari, Iyanna was seeking the Tears of Morai-Heg, gemstones imbued with spiritual power that would have helped the God of the Dead awaken.
* HugeGuyTinyGirl: Some lore mentions that Iyanna is rarely seen without a Wraithlord bodyguard. Standing at more than twice the hight of a living Aeldari, the famous Spiritseer looks small in comparison to the powerful Wraith-construct.
* LegendaryWeapon: Iyanna wields the Spear of Teuthlas, a powerful singing spear once wielded by her mentor Adrallanar Teuthlas that is famed throughout Iyanden. In those few editions where it gets specific rules, this relic weapon gets superior in-game compared to others of its type.
* PutOnABus: Like many of the special characters with rules but no models, Iyanna was removed as a playable character in the 4th Edition [[{{Sourcebook}} codex]].

!! Nuadhu "Fireheart"
[[quoteright:330:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fireheart_cover.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:330:Nuadhu as depicted on the cover of the short story ''Rise of the Ynnari: Fireheart'']]

->''Feel the rush of the wind against your skin and hear her keening cry in your ears. Listen to her call well, for are we not the Wild Riders, the children of the storm?''

The legendary chieftain of the Fireheart Wildrider clan, Nuadhu is renowned for both his reckless bravery and martial prowess. Fighting from the back of ''Alean'', a converted Vyper jetbike named after the legendary mount of Khaine, Nuadhu has led the forces of Saim-Hann into battle many times and, since the opening of the Great Rift, has assisted the Ynnari with their search for the Croneswords.

* AceCustom: Nuadhu often rides into battle on ''Alean'', a [[HoverBike Vyper jetbike]] that has been specially modified to replace the rear weapons array with a platform from which the Wildrider chieftain can fight, in a manner similar to a chariot. This modification meant that, in 3rd Edition, Nuadhu and ''Alean'' were one of the few vehicles not of the Walker type that could fight in close combat.
* DemotedToExtra: While he no longer has official rules, Nuadhu still appears in both game lore and novels.
* FearlessFool: Nuadhu is infamous for being one of the most rash and impulsive of the HotBlooded Wild Riders, often charging into the most dangerous fights he can find. His 3rd Edition rules gave him the Reckless rule to represent this tendency, allowing him to ignore minor damage to his [[AceCustom modified Vyper jetbike]] so that he could get into combat faster. Nuadhu's presence can also able to encourage his followers to become foolishly fearless, so that they will never fall back from combat, or be pinned by enemy fire.
* PutOnABus: Due to never receiving a model, Nuadhu hasn't received official rules since the 3rd edition codex.

!! Illic Nightspear, the Walker of the Hidden Path
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/illic_8.png]]
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Since taking up the Path of the Outcast, Illic Nightspear has spent thousands of years exploring the unknown regions of the galaxy, and he is now considered to be the most accomplished of Alaitoc’s many Rangers. Illic's knowledge of the webway is second only to that of the Harlequins themselves and he has used this knowledge to aid his people time and again. A marksman without compare, Illic's ancient long rifle, Voidbringer, has end the life of countless threats to Alaitoc and the Aeldari race as a whole. Since the opening of the Great Rift, Illic has turned his skills to the defence of the webway from those who would usurp and corrupt its labyrinthine pathways.

* EnemyMine: Despite his [[DownplayedTrope typical Aeldari distain for humanity]], Illic was willing to work with Kor'sarro Khan of the White Scars Chapter of [[SuperSoldier Adeptus Astartes]], in order to escape from their captivity at the hands of the eccentric [[MechanicalLifeforms Necron]] Overlord Zahndrekh.
* IHaveManyNames: While he doesn't care for titles himself, each band of Rangers and outcasts that Illic has fought alongside know him by a different name. These include Sentinel of the Stars, the Shield of Alaitoc and the Wayforger.
* ImprobableAimingSkills: Illic is the greatest living Aeldari marksmen in the galaxy and is said to be capable of hitting his target no matter the atmospheric conditions or intervening terrain. This prestigious skill grants Illic -- or his long rifle, depending on the edition -- special rules and abilities in-game that allow him to ignore some targeting restrictions.
* WalkingTheEarth: Since leaving Alaitoc to walk the Path of the Outcast, Illic has travelled the length and breadth of the galaxy through the webway, becoming so familiar with its hidden pathways that it is said his knowledge of the Labyrinth Dimension is greater than anyone except the nomadic Harlequins. In his travels, Illic has assisted innumerable Aeldari warhosts so that his name is honoured on countless craftworlds.
* WeaponizedTeleportation: Illic's unique long rifle, [[NamedWeapon Voidbringer]], creates a miniature warp-hole within the target, ripping their body apart as parts of their body are transported into the immaterium. In the 8th Edition of the game this is represented by a fixed to wound roll, and the chance of inflicting [[UnblockableAttack mortal wounds]].

!! Phoenix Lords

The Phoenix Lords, also known as the Asurya, were the first to tread the Path of the Warrior who went on to found the Aspect Shrines that produce the elite religious warriors of the Asuryani. As the oldest of all Exarchs, the warrior-priests of the Aeldari WarGod, each Phoenix Lord has become the ultimate embodiment of one facet of Khaine's nature. No longer truly alive, the soul of a Phoenix Lord is bound to their armour and each Aeldari who inherits their wargear is absorbed and subsumed by the Phoenix Lords powerful will so that their original personality can continue to fight the enemies of their race. While many of the Phoenix Lords have disappeared for millennia at a time, the opening of the Great Rift has seen more Phoenix Lords walking the pathways of the galaxy at the same time than ever before as the Rhana Dandra, the prophesised final battle against Chaos, draws nearer.

* AnimatedArmor: As EnergyBeings, the collected essence of a Phoenix Lord, and those souls that have joined with them, is contained within their armour, animating the suit as if it contained a living body.
* EnergyBeings: The bodies of the Phoenix Lords have long since been reduced to dust, their minds and souls having transcended into a state of pure psychic energy contained by their armour, along with the souls of all those Aeldari that have put on[[note]]or simply touched in some sources[[/note]] the armour of the Phoenix Lord after they have been mortally wounded.
* KnightErrant: Since the destruction of the original Shrine of Asur, the active Phoenix Lords have rarely stayed in one place for long, travelling across the galaxy and through the webway to instruct the Aeldari in the art of war, fulfil their own inscrutable missions and fight against any force that threatens their people.
* LegacyCharacter: Whenever an Aeldari puts on the armour of a defeated Phoenix Lords, their soul is absorbed into the gestalt consciousness of the legendary warrior. From this moment on they become the Phoenix Lord, the spirit and personality of the original incarnation dominating the souls of its countless successors.
%%* LivingLegend: The Phoenix Lords are the most famous heroes of the Aeldari, having fought in defence of their race for millennia. Their fame has even spread to some of the races of the galaxy with the records and mythology of these races speaking of their continuing war against the forces of Chaos.%%See Discussion
* SoulJar: If a Phoenix Lord is killed, their soul will lie dormant in their armour so that, when a new Aeldari puts on the empty suit, the soul of the Phoenix Lord will absorb their soul so that they can continue the fight against Chaos.
* SuperPrototype: The ritual weapons and equipment used by Aspect Warriors are based on those used by their Phoenix Lords. These originals, such as the Scorpion's Bite used by Karandras and the Mask of Jain Zar, were typically hand-crafted by ancient master artisans, or even by the Phoenix Lords themselves, and have far superior capabilities to those used by their followers.
* VoiceOfTheLegion: Some background material depicts the Phoenix Lords speaking with the combined t psychic voices of the many spirits that have worn their armour over the millennia, giving a reverberating quality to their speech.

!!! Asurmen, the Hand of Asuryan
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/asurmen_4.png]]

Born Ilaithin, Asurmen is the first and greatest of the Phoenix Lords, the ultimate founder of the Path of the Warrior, and the immortal agent of Asuryan, king of the Aeldari Gods. It was Asurmen who gathered the Aeldari who would go on to become the other Phoenix Lords, instructing them in the arts of war. After the fall of the original Shrine of Asur, Asurmen created the noble Dire Avenger Aspect Shrine and has spread his teachings to every craftworld in the galaxy.

* TheArtifact: When first introduced, during 2nd Edition, Asurmen was armed with a shuriken pistol alongside his diresword and wrist-mounted shuriken catapults, and this is sculpted on his model. The pistol was removed from his in-game equipment by 4th Edition so, as his model hasn't been updated, the pistol has become nothing more than an OrnamentalWeapon.
* CoolStarship: In the novel ''Asurmen: Hand of Asuryan'', the Phoenix Lord uses the ship ''Stormlance'' to travel the galaxy. Capable of travelling through the [[PortalNetwork webway]], ''Stormlance'' is fully automated, and is controlled by an AI based on one of the more battle-hungry portions of Asurmen's psyche.
* DragonsUpTheYinyang: Instead of the three-part yin-yang symbol used by some other Asuryani, Asurmen uses a more traditional two-part yin-yang, said to represent the balance between fury and controlled skill required to be an Aspect Warrior, as his personal rune.
* EmpathicWeapon: His Diresword, known as the Sword of Asur, contains the spirit stone of his brother, Tethesis, who was slain by a Daemon. This way, Asurmen and Tethesis can symbolically fight together against the Great Enemy.
* PrimaryColorChampion: Asurmen and his Dire Avenger students are considered to be the noblest warriors of the Aeldari and traditionally were blue as their primary colour with highlights of red gold and white to display their heroic nature. In Asurmen's case, the red is greatly emphasized thanks to his red helm and BadassCape.
* RageHelm: The faceplate of Asurmen's great crested helm takes the form of a snarling face that, when painted with the official colour scheme, resembles an angry Noh mask.
%%* SmallTownBoredom: Ilaithin's life in his home planet is described as boring and uneventful.
* StakingTheLovedOne: In the aftermath of the Fall, Ilaithin's brother Tethesis was possessed by a daemon, causing the young Aeldari to cross the DespairEventHorizon until he met Faraethil, the future Jain Zar.

!!! Jain Zar, the Storm of Silence
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jain_zar.png]]
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The first student to study under Asurmen, Jain Zar (born Faraethil) had always been a deadly and passionate fighter, and under the tutelage of the Hand of Asuryan, her lethal skills were nurtured to their fullest. The most active of all the Phoenix Lords, Jain Zar has spread the teachings of the Howling Banshee Shrine to more craftworlds than any of her fellow Asurya except Asurmen himself. Since the partial awakening of Ynnead, the God of the Dead, Jain Zar has been a vocal supporter of the Ynnari, aiding the Reborn in battle on numerous occasions.

* AbsurdlySharpBlade: Jain Zar's primary close combat weapon is the Blade of Destruction -- Zhai Morenn in the Aeldari tongue -- a light polearm that loosely resembles a naginata. The polearm is said to have been one of the most powerful weapons to have survived the Fall, possessing an incredibly sharp, [[EnhancedArchaicWeapon powered blade]] that can cleave through flesh and bone with near unsurpassed grace.
* ActionGirl: The matriarch of the Howling Banshees, Jain Zar the most active Phoenix Lord, personally leading her disciples into battle countless times over the millennia while [[DanceBattler fighting with the grace and poise of a dancer]].
* DanceBattler: The novel ''Jain Var: Storm of Silence'' reveals as a child in the wake of the Fall, the then Faraethil originally served as a blood-dancer gladiatrix. Even after being trained by Asurmen, Jain Zar has retained the crown pleasing grace that she learned at that time, dodging and pirouetting through her enemy lines as her weapons reap a blood tally from her foes.
* FlamingSword: Some lore describes Jain Zar's warp-forged triskele Silent Death [[note]]known as Jainas Mor to the Aeldari[[/note]] as having black flame wreathing its three blades as it slices through the bodies of the Phoenix Lord's enemies.

!!! Baharroth, the Cry of the Wind
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/baharroth_6.png]]
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The youngest and most gifted of Asurmen's students, Baharroth is said to retain the vibrancy of youth despite his long existence and many deaths. The first Aeldari warrior to truly master aerial warfare, Baharroth founded the Swooping Hawks Aspect Shrine to teach the art of fighting with the subtlety of a gentle breeze while striking with the force of a hurricane. In battle, Baharroth fights with speed and grace, preferring to dive into the midst of the enemy to unleash pinpoint fire his hawk’s talon before soaring into the skies once more.

* BlindedByTheLight: Baharroth's sword, [[NamedWeapon the Shining Blade]], is said to have been forged in the heart of a supernova. When it strikes an enemy, the energies of this lost star are released, burning the eyes of the impure. The 8th Edition rules represent this by giving enemies wounded by the Shining Blade a penalty to their to hit rolls in close combat. In previous editions, this was also an ability that Baharroth inflicted on nearby enemy units whenever he joined the battle from [[ItsRainingMen Deep Strike]].
* ForgedByTheGods: Aeldari legend states that Baharroth's ancient sword, the Shining Blade, was forged by the daughters of the smith god Vaul using the head from a dying supernova. While not quite as powerful as a weapon forged by [[UltimateBlacksmith Vaul himself]], the weapon is still deadly by mortal standards.
* HitAndRunTactics: The background material for Baharroth mentions that he is a master at engaging enemy units from above, before flying out of range of any retaliation. This is rarely fully represented in his in-game rules, however, where he usually just shares the special deployment options gained by normal Swooping Hawks.

!!! Karandras, the Shadow Hunter
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/karandras_7.png]]

Uniquely amongst the Asurya, Karandras isn't the founder of the Aspect he represents. Instead Karandras was the most talented pupil of the original Striking Scorpion Phoenix Lord Arhra, the Father of Scorpions, and took over stewardship of the Aspect after his mento was lost to Chaos and betrayed his people. A master of stealth and patience, Karandras is an exceptional hunter who will burst from the shadows to slaughter his pray before silently disappearing into the darkness once again.

* CoolHelmet: The helm of Karandras' Phoenix armour is styled to [[AnimalMotif resemble a large scorpion]] with the tail raising up into a high crest. His [[SuperPrototype Scorpion's Bite mandiblasters]] are also designed to represent the scorpion's claws [[WeaponizedHeadgear situated to either side of his faceplate]].
* ShadowWalker: While it has never been represented on the tabletop, the background material has mentiond that Karandras is able to melt into shadows and darkness to enter and leave a battlefield, such as when he left an enraged Arhra to slaughter his own followers on Zandros.\\
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!!! Fuegan, the Burning Lance
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fuegan_9.png]]

->''You are the hand that must cast the spear of flames. Control the Dragon, channel its power, and in all things maintain absolute focus. Only the concentrated beam can penetrate, and only that which is tempered will not break. Finally, be not afraid. In the end, everything burns''
-->--'''Fuegan''', the Scripture of Exarchs

The founder of the Fire Dragons Aspect, Fuegan is a powerful and deadly Phoenix Lord. Utterly dedicated to the art of destruction, Fuegan teaches his student to bring total annihilation to the enemies of the Aeldari but to also harness this destructive power with wisdom so that they can bring harmony to the galaxy. When conflict breaks out within the ranks of the Asurya, Fuegan typically maintains a neutral stance and it is prophesied that he will bring the Phoenix Lords together for the final battle against Chaos.

* TheBigGuy: Fuegan is the strongest and most durable of all the Phoenix Lords, with some editions giving him a higher Strength characteristic, and abilities that allow him to either ignore wounds or get more powerful as he is wounded. He also specialises in close range combat with his short ranged [[FireBreathingWeapon firepike]] and the powerful Fire Axe.
* {{Determinator}}: Fuegan is a relentless force of destruction who will not stop his attack until his enemies have been totally annihilated. Any injuries Fuegan suffers only strengthen the Phoenix Lord's resolve, and he often receives in-game rules that improve his characteristics after suffering wounds.
* {{Expy}}: Two-fold to two characters in Myth/NorseMythology;
** As a fire-themed warrior prophesied to be a force of destruction in the [[{{Gotterdammerung}} Rhana Dandra]], Fuegan shares some similarities with the Fire Giant Surtr.
** As the person whose duty it is to determine when the Rhana Dandra is to begin and marshal the armies of the Aeldari to war against Chaos when it happens, he shares the role of Heimdall, Watchman of the Aesir and bearer of the Gjallarhorn which he will blow when the time comes for Ragnarök to begin.
* HotBlade: Fuegan wields the Fire Axe in close combat, an ancient and powerful weapon that still glows with the heat of its forging millennia later. Such is the heat of its blade, the Fire Axe can cut through almost any armour, something that is represented in all editions by a high Armour Penetration value and, in some editions, special rules.
* PuttingTheBandBackTogether: When the time comes for Rhana Dandra, the final battle against the forces of Chaos, it is prophesised that it will be Fuegan who will gather all of the scattered Phoenix Lords to fight as one for the first time since the fall of the Shrine of Asur.

!!! Maugan Ra, the Harvester of Souls
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->''War is my master; Death my mistress.''

Hailing from the once lost craftworld of Altansar, Maugan Ra is a true master of ranged combat who teaches his Dark Reaper followers to wield their weapons with the cold precision of a scalpel. Towards the end of the 41st Millennium, the sinister Phoenix Lord travelled into the depths of the Eye of Terror to singlehandedly save his lost home from the clutches of Chaos. While he has always despised the Great Enemy, the suffering of Altansar has only intensified the cold anger that the Harvester of Souls holds for the forces of Chaos and he takes great satisfaction in the slaughter of his hated foe.

* AntiHero: While still a respected hero of the Aeldari, Maugan Ra is the least heroic of the Phoenix Lords. Sinister in both look and demeaner, the Harvester of Souls often fights alone, forges his own path, and will do almost anything -- including sacrifice the lives of other Asuryani – if he believes it is necessary.
* {{BFG}}: Maugan Ra's signature weapon, the Maugetar, is a custom-made [[PoisonedWeapons shrieker-pattern]] shuriken cannon that looks large even in the hands of the bulky Phoenix Lord. Despite its great size, the Harvester of Souls can use the Maugetar with ease and grace, gunning down his targets with near preternatural accuracy.
* TheGrimReaper: Maugan Ra's visual theme is based around that of the Grim Reaper with bone-covered armour, a skull-shaped helmet, and a scythe-shaped weapon. This macabre look is intended to be a visual representation of Khaine in his aspect of the Destroyer. This theme is further enhanced with his 9th edition model, where he is given a hood and robes.
* HumanSacrifice: In his quest to build his signature weapons, the Maugetar, Maugan Ra sacrificed the life of one of his Exarchs to Kaela Mensha Khaine so that he could awaken a slumbering Avatar without the usual ritual of the Young King.
* ImprobableAimingSkills: Maugan Ra is the most proficient of all the Phoenix Lords with ranged weaponry, his supreme marksmanship is renowned across the galaxy. In-game, this preternatural marksmanship is often represented by various special rules and abilities that give bonuses or re-rolls to his hit rolls, making it extremely unlikely that he will ever miss a shot.
* MixAndMatchWeapon: Maugan Ra wields [[NamedWeapon the Maugetar]], a massive shuriken [[PoisonedWeapon shrieker]] cannon that incorporates a deadly powered scythe blade into the barrel. With this arcane weapon the Phoenix Lord is able to slaughter his enemies at both range and in close combat with equal skill.
* OneManArmy: Maugan Ra has mastered the art of combat to such an extent that he can stand alone against entire armies and emerge victorious. One example of this mentioned in the lore was on the planet of Stormvald where he managed to single-handedly wipe-out a large swarm of [[HordeOfAlienLocusts Tyrands]].
* ShootTheBuilder: While [[DownplayedTrope he didn't kill him]], Maugan Ra crippled Kaeleth-Tul, the master Bonesinger who taught him how to make the Maugetar, so that he couldn't make a greater weapon.
* SinisterScythe: In keeping with Maugan Ra's [[TheGrimReaper Grim Reaper]] theme, the Maugetar curved close combat attachment makes the powerful weapon look like bulky scythe that the Phoenix Lord can wield with expert precision.
* ToHellAndBack: Due to the warp being the universe of souls and gods, Maugan Ra's mission into the [[NegativeSpaceWedgie Eye of Terror]] to rescue the lost craftworld of Altansar is presented as a metaphorical journey into hell to rescue his people.

!!!Irillyth, the Shade of Twilight

Once thought lost to the galaxy, the founder of the Shadow Spectres Aspect was rediscovered and resurrected in the final centuries of the 41st Millennium. Based on the minor craftworld of Mymeara, Irillyth's teachings were never as widely spread as those of his fellow Asurya, but his return has led to a resurgence for the Shadow Spectres.

* MixAndMatchWeapon: Irillyth's Spear of Starlight is an expertly crafted [[EnergyWeapon Prism Blaster]] that incorporates a [[EnhancedArchaicWeapon power glaive]] blade [[BayonetYa on the barrel]]. This combination of close combat and ranged power allows the Shade of Twilight to be a threat at any range.
* {{Seers}}: During his training with Asurmen, Irillyth began having visions of the destruction of Craftworld Mymeara and set out to stop this future from coming to pass, eventually succeeding but at the cost of his life and the lives of his followers.

!!!Drastanta, the Tempest of Starlight

The overly proud founder of the Shining Spears Aspect, Drastanta went missing after the fall of the Shrine of Asur. The mighty Celestial Lance is the only relic of the Phoenix Lord that has been recovered, passed from Exarch to Exarch down the millennia since Drastanta's disappearance.

* AncestralWeapon: Since his disappearance, Drastanta's iconic Celestial Lance has been carried by a succession of Shining Spear Exarchs so that its strength can continue to protect his students.
* CrystalWeapon: The Celestial Lance is a magnificent weapon of shining crystal that is nonetheless powerful enough to shatter the soul of its target.
* {{Pride}}: Drastanta's pride in his abilities lead to him routinely engaging in over-long, solo battles. This turned into a FatalFlaw during the Chaos assault on the Shrine of Asur, when such a dual preventing him from returning in time to save his mentor Asurmen from his first death.
* SoulCuttingBlade: Drastanta's Celestial Lance is so powerful that it is said to be able to shatter the soul of its targets and, according to Aeldari legend, Drastanta used this ability to banish the Keeper of Secrets that destroyed the Shrine of Asur.

!!! Arhra, the Father of Scorpions

The sinister founder of the Striking Scorpions Aspect, Arhra betrayed the other Asurya by leading the forces of Slaanesh to the Shrine of Asur. Now known as the Fallen Phoenix, Arhra is said to burn with the dark light of Chaos and many believe that he still teaches his murderous skills in the darkest reaches of the Aeldari civilization.

* TheExile: Arhra fled into the webway after the fall of the Shrine of Asur and hasn't been seen on any of the craftworlds since that time.
* FallenHero: While he initially fought to protect the Aeldari, Arhra was consumed by his own dark and murderous nature until [[FaceHeelTurn he fell to Chaos]] and betrayed his fellow Phoenix Lords.
* ShroudedInMyth: Little is known for certain about Arhra's actions since he became the Fallen Phoenix. There are rumours amongst the Aeldari, however, that he became the Dark Father, the founder of the Drukhari mercenary order known as the Incubi, and that he may still fight for Commorragh as the mysterious Drazhar, Master of Blades.
* UnstoppableRage: While fighting his former pupil Karandras on the planet Zandros, Arhra lost himself to his anger due to Karandras’ stealth and constant provocations, leading him to kill his own disciples while blinded by rage.

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[[caption-width-right:300:Top: Saim-Hann Wraithguard\\

!! The Avatar of Khaine, Incarnation of the Bloody-Handed God

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[[caption-width-right:320:A Farseer wielding a singing spear.]]

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'''[[Characters/Warhammer40000XenoRaces Xeno Races]]:''' [[Characters/Warhammer40000Eldar Aeldari]] ('''Asuryani''', [[Characters/Warhammer40000Drukhari Drukhari]]) | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Necrons Necrons]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000LeaguesOfVotann Leagues of Votann]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Orks Orks]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000OrksCharacters Characters]]) | [[Characters/Warhammer40000TauEmpire T'au Empire]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Tyranids Tyranids]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000GenestealerCults Genestealer Cults]])]]-]]]

'''[[Characters/Warhammer40000XenoRaces Xeno Races]]:''' [[Characters/Warhammer40000Eldar Aeldari]] ('''Asuryani''', [[Characters/Warhammer40000DarkEldar Drukhari]]) | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Necrons Necrons]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000LeaguesOfVotann Leagues of Votann]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Orks Orks]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000OrksCharacters Characters]]) | [[Characters/Warhammer40000TauEmpire T'au Empire]] | [[Characters/Warhammer40000Tyranids Tyranids]] ([[Characters/Warhammer40000GenestealerCults Genestealer Cults]])]]-]]]

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* HotBlooded: Due to the extremes of their emotions, many Aeldari of the craftworlds will, at some time in their life, find themselves consumed by a fire and passion that can only be quenched through ritual training and battle. Whether it is through the cold fury of the Dark Reapers, or the aggressive annihilation Fire Dragons, all the Aspect shrines attempt to direct and control the destructive passions of these Aeldari.

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