The Eldar mythic cycles tell of the legend of Karandras, "the Shadow Hunter," the mysterious Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions Aspect. No one knows his origins or where he came from, for he was not the oldest or the most skilled of the Exarchs of the Striking Scorpions when he rose to become the Aspect's new master. It is said that this singular honour belongs to the one that came before him, Arhra, the "Father of Scorpions," the most sinister of all the Phoenix Lords. Arhra was lured to darkness and betrayed Asurmen and the other Asurya, the first Phoenix Lords, by bringing daemons into the First Shrine to wage war upon his fellows. Those loyal to Asurmen were defeated and scattered across the stars, but Arhra himself would eventually flee into the Webway, becoming "the Fallen Phoenix who burns with the dark light of Chaos." Whether he lives is still unknown, but many Eldar have their suspicions that after he began walking the Path of Damnation, Arhra fled to the Dark City of Commorragh where he became the first Dark Eldar Incubus Hierarch and founded the first Incubus shrine. Many Eldar believe that Arhra survived into the present and become Drazhar, the Master of Blades, the greatest champion of the Dark Eldar Incubi. It is also believed that Karandras was a Striking Scorpions Exarch, and the greatest student of Arhra, who took over control of the Aspect Shrine after the corruption of its Phoenix Lord. Karandras taught the Striking Scorpions the patience and discipline they needed so that they would not follow in their founder's wake and lose their immortal souls to Slaanesh, "She Who Thirsts," when their bloodlust and murderous desires overtook them. Karandras was last seen duelling for Drazhar for 17 standard days in 928.M41 amongst the shattered ruins of the ancient Eldar world of Zandros. Outnumbered and unable to defeat his former master in combat, Karandras artfully goaded his predecessor into a blind killing frenzy over the course of a gruelling seventeen-day battle. At a critical moment, the Shadow Hunter melted into a patch of darkness and disappeared entirely, leaving his nemesis to slaughter every one of his own disciples in a murderous rage. The Hand of Asuryan vanished soon after the inception of the Aspect Shrines. However, tales of his deeds continue to be reported. Experiencing various deaths but being reborn again thanks to his armor, notably at the hands of the Keeper of Secrets N’Kari , he has been rumored slaying the agents of Chaos in the Eye of Terror to the Eastern Fringe. His actions have even become legends to the lesser races. Asurmen later appeared under the command of Jain Zar, now pledged to Ynnead. Asurmen took part in the battle to defend the Ynnari against the Thousand Sons and Tzeentch Daemons in the Webway, vanishing during the struggle. They have transcended the bounds of normal mortality, in a fashion. The spirit of the original Phoenix Lords was infused into a Spirit Stone within their armour, and merges with the current personality of the wearer of that armour, who is always chosen from among the mightiest of the Exarchs of that particular Aspect Shrine.

The Aeldari’s finest tank hunters have also armoured up. Fire Dragons have put in more gym time than anyone else, allowing them to don heavy, plated Aspect Armour for an improved Toughness of 4. Jain Zar next appeared fighting to save Biel-Tan from Daemonic invasion and has since joined the Ynnari, taking Ynnead into herself and becoming reborn [10]. Since then no other Phoenix Lord has championed the cause of the newly risen Ynnari as has Jain Zar. She has spoken passionately about the hope fostered by Ynnead, and come to the aid of Yvraine and her followers on multiple occasions [11]. However, she went missing in the Webway during their battle against the Thousand Sons. [10] She reappeared during the Psychic Awakening to protect Yvraine, first from Drazhar on during the Raid on Saim-Hann then later on Iathglas from Shalaxi Helbane. [13] It is recorded in the Asuryata that Baharroth final death will come during the Rhana Dandra, fighting alongside his fellow Aspect Warriors, the final battle between Chaos and the Aeldari of the material universe that will end with the destruction of both.

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Speaking of jump generators – Warp Spiders may still be missing a Phoenix Lord, but these sneaky Aspect Warriors haven’t been idle. Their death spinners are now a terrifying threat to even the largest units, as the Blast ability allows them to reduce a whole squad of light infantry to finely-diced chunks with nets of razor-sharp wire. Some weapons have ‘Blast’ listed in their profile’s abilities. These are referred to as Blast weapons. In addition to the normal rules, the following rules apply to Blast weapons: Asurmen later appeared under the command of Jain Zar, now pledged to Ynnead. Asurmen took part in the battle to defend the Ynnari against the Thousand Sons and Tzeentch Daemons in the Webway, vanishing during the struggle. [6] Wargear Dire Avengers take to the field armed with Avenger Shuriken Catapults. These elegant weapons are even more advanced than the Shuriken Catapults used by the Craftworld Guardians. Their lethal volleys echo the Death of a Thousand Blades, the punishment that Khaine metes out upon traitors and cheats who are unworthy of a clean kill.

The Phoenix Lord of the Dire Avengers is Asurmen, the "Hand of Asuryan." He was the first of the Phoenix Lords; it was Asurmen who founded the first of the Aspect Shrines, the Shrine of Asur, and trained the other Exarchs who would become the first of the other Aspects' Phoenix Lords. In the Aeldari mythic cycles Asuryan, the Phoenix King, is the chief and greatest of all the Aeldari Gods and the king of the Aeldari pantheon.Asurmen appeared in the 41st Millennium under the command of his fellow Phoenix Lord Jain Zar, who is now pledged to the service of Ynnead, the awakening Aeldari god of the dead. Asurmen took part in the battle to defend the Ynnari against the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion and Tzeentchian Daemons in the Webway, though he vanished from sight to destinations unknown in the midst of the battle. Ancient Phoenix Lord Armour - Asurmen's ancient suit of Exarch Armour makes use of vambraces that possess integrated Shuriken Catapults. These weapons are connected in such a way that they can be fired by either hand without sacrificing accuracy. This arrangement also leaves his hand free so that he can grasp his Diresword with both hands. Pop a unit or two of Dark Reapers on an objective in your territory and enjoy a leadership boost while you rain down death from afar upon your enemies.

This permanent acceptance of the Aeldari's "war mask" provides Exarchs with enhanced skill and dedication to their craft and entitles them to access their Shrine's oldest and most advanced wargear. As befitting their Shrine's focus, the Dire Avenger Exarchs are tactically flexible warriors able to serve in multiple tactical roles. Rather than just one Shuriken Catapult, some Exarchs will carry two of these weapons into battle, wielding one in each hand with exceptional deadliness. Plasma Grenades - The Eldar and Dark Eldar use Plasma Grenades in the same manner that the far more crudely designed Frag Grenades are used by the Imperium. They use a small amount of exploding plasma to blind the enemy and prevent them from properly using their terrain to defend their position against advancing enemy forces.Asurmen was the penultimate warrior of all the Aeldari, for his extraordinary powers placed him at the Pinnacle of Might. Prior to the Fall of the Aeldari, Asurmen was the Aeldari who led the Craftworlds away from the ancient Aeldari homeworlds of their now lost interstellar empire and it was he who founded the first of the Aspect Warrior Shrines, the Shrine of Asur, upon a barren world of the same name his people initially settled. In 2014 I formally pitched the story which was to become Asurmen: Hand of Asuryan. The original idea was for a collaborative series with other authors, looking at each of the Phoenix Lords in turn, although I’m not sure if the rest of the series is still planned – I hope so, as I’d still love to write more about Karandras. The first Exarchs, the Asurya, the children of Asurmen, were the greatest of his students and went on to become the Phoenix Lords of the other Aspect Shrines, the first masters of the other specialised Aeldari combat disciplines. It was then that the different Warrior Aspects were formalised within the culture of the Aeldari Craftworlds, taking as their model the skills and teachings of their founders. Next you’ll want to bring a taste of death to the field. Dark Reapers are ideal for this, given they’re able to shoot at a huge distance, and have some of the best ranged stats in the entire game. In addition, their Fire and Fade ability means they can pop in and out of cover with ease. This boosts their survivability, making them a true thorn in your opponent’s side. Asurmen found that he could not give up the Path of the Warrior to follow a different Eldar Path, for he desired to use his skills to protect what remained of his species after the birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh, "She Who Thirsts." From the Shrine of Asur sprang the first Aspect Warriors, and the Path of the Warrior was opened for the very first time to all Aeldari.

With safety and the vast resources of the Eldar Empire, the Aeldari became insular. They ceased looking outwards for new inspiration, preferring to explore their desires and hedonistic impulses. The Eldar Empire became darker; twisted needs and terrible acts becoming commonplace as they slaked their lusts on each other and the many lesser races that populated the galaxy. It is extremely well written and well paced. and if there are any other books coming out (which I think there are) and they are written by Gav Thorpe, then I thoroughly look forward to reading them.” 5 stars Some of the Phoenix Lords are as old as the Fall. They were heroes during the cataclysm, and were the first to bear the spirit stones of the Warrior Aspects. [1a] It is said that Asurmen was the first of the Phoenix Lords and that he trained the first of the Aspect Warriors, the Asurya, in the Path of the Warrior. The first Exarchs, known as the Asurya - the children of Asur, founded the shrines of the Warrior Aspects that remain to this day. [1b] Aspect Armour - Like other Aeldari Aspects, Dire Avengers wear lightweight synthetic bodysuits, reinforced with plates of psycho-sensitive bioplastics that will instantly harden to resist impacts. As well as absorbing impacts, those plates can morph their shape in accordance with the wearer's movements, meaning the armour does not encumber the wearer in the slightest, affording good protection with excellent mobility. The reinforced breastplate of the Aspect Warrior's armour bears his Spirit Stone, a precious item for all Aeldari. This psycho-receptive gem is attuned to the individual so that at the moment of death, when the Aeldari's psychic spirit is released, it is captured instead within the stone. Otherwise it is believed by the Aeldari that the spirit would be released into the Warp, where the Chaos God Slaanesh, "She Who Thirsts," awaits to consume it. Contrary to popular belief, the small domes and blisters on the Dire Avengers Aspect Armour are not extra gems, but small compartments that contain the suit's technical systems. A tabard is a common addition to the Dire Avengers Aspect Armour. Its runic inscriptions name the shrine for which the Aspect Warrior is fighting and identifies the shrine's allegiance to its particular Craftworld. Regardless of a shrine's location the Aspect's colour scheme is always blue and white.The Aeldari world of Asur was later destroyed by the consequences of the Fall and Asurmen's first incarnation ended in battle against the Chaos legions of Slaanesh trying to defend his homeworld, but this was not the end of Asurmen. There would always be another hero drawn to his mould who would take up the armoured suit and sacred battle-gear of the Hand of Asuryan once more. Dragon Head : Those aren't proxies, but they scream "Exodites". The minis are really impressive, and will be released soon. Saddly, the dragon is 54mm