View source for Path of the Warrior (Novel)

{{Book
|Name         =Path of the Warrior
|Image        =Path_of_the_Warrior.jpg
|Image caption=Cover art by [[Neil Roberts]]
|Author       ={{Auth|Gav Thorpe}}
|Publisher    =[[Black Library (BL Publishing)|Black Library]]
|Series       =[[Path of the Eldar (Novel Series)|Path of the Eldar]]
|Followed by  =[[Path of the Seer (Novel)|Path of the Seer]]
|Collected in =[[Path of the Eldar (Novel Series)|Path of the Eldar Omnibus]]
|Released     =July 2010
|Pages        =416
|Editions     =2010 softcover:<br>ISBN 9781844168743

2011 ebook:<br>ISBN 9780857870988
}}
'''''Path of the Warrior''''' written by [[Gav Thorpe]] is the first book in the [[Path of the Eldar (Novel Series)|Path of the Eldar Series]]. It follows [[Korlandril]], starting from the [[Eldar Path|Path of the Artisan]], to and through the [[Aspect Warrior|Path of the Warrior]] as a [[Striking Scorpion]].

==Cover Description==
The ancient [[eldar]] are a mysterious race, each devoting their life to a chosen path which will guide their actions and decide their fate. When the artist Korlandril feels the call to war, he abandons peace for the Path of the Warrior. He becomes a [[Striking Scorpion]], a deadly fighter skilled in the art of close-quarters combat. But battle is coming, as Craftworld [[Alaitoc]] comes to blows with the vengeful [[Imperium]] of Mankind, and the further Korlandril travels down the warrior's path, the closer he gets to losing his identity and becoming an avatar of war. Can he retain his sense of self and still be the weapon Alaitoc needs, or will he be consumed by one of the warrior-spirits of his race?

==Plot Summary ==
Korlandril  is an [[Eldar]] from the [[Craftworld]] of [[Alaitoc]] . He is a sculptor of some renown on the craftworld however, when his best friend Aradryan returns from a long time in space, his life takes a turn for the worse. Spurred by momentary hatred, feeling that he is emotionally betrayed by Thirianna, a female friend, Korlandril is attracted by the [[Aspect Warrior|Aspect Temples]]. In order to deal with his turbulent emotions, he finds release in the expression of his anger in battle. Following the path of the [[Striking Scorpion]], the shadow-bound hunter, Korlandril works to control his depthless rage and to focus it on a constructive task.

Trained in the hidden art by Kenainath, [[Exarch]] of the Shrine, Korlandril leaves the Path of the Sculptor behind, reining in his primitive bloodlust, crafting his body into a thing of lethal beauty. Korlandril`s first task is against the [[Orks]] upon Eileniliesh, an Eldar Exodite world. The Aspect Warriors strike a hammer-blow against the Orks, though Korlandril is gravely injured by an Ork [[Warboss]].

Escorted back to Alaitoc, Korlandril is healed upon the Craftworld, though to a heated mental battle that threatens his control over  his ''War-mask''; the ability of a warrior to differentiate between how one must act in times of peace as well as war. When trained by Kenainath, he is taught that the "War-Mask" must be allowed to only surface once blood is shed. Korlandril, however fails to maintain this important division between the rage and excitement of war and the peaceful nature taught by the Aspect; losing the identity he has wrought from his previous Paths and becoming obsessed with his path, becoming an Exarch.

Abandoned by the [[Deadly Shadow Shrine|Shrine of the Deadly Shadow]] itself, Korlandril, spurred by a message given to him by the [[Autarch]] of Alaitoc, heads towards a long abandoned Shrine of the Striking Scorpion, only to be bereft of his own body, as his soul is consumed by a far more ancient Eldar presence, manifesting, alongside its former personalities, as Morlaniath, one of the founding Exarch`s of the Aspect. Korlandril is encompassed by Morlaniath, revealing how the Exarch`s Keninaith and Aranarha are but conglomerations of many Eldar throughout the history of the Craftworld forged into one archaic suit of armour.

War stirs with the arrival of the Phoenix Lord ; [[Baharroth]], [[Maugan Ra]] and [[Karandras]] to Alaitoc. The [[Young King]] is scarified to awaken the [[Avatar]] of Khaine, the Aspect Temples unite, and Alaitoc readies for battle. The [[Imperium]] launches a frontal assault against the Craftworld with thousands of Guardsmen of the [[Astra Militarum]] charging orbital defenses, the main offensive spearheaded by the [[Adeptus Astartes]]. As the battle rages on, [[Karandras]] sacrifices himself to save Bechareth a former [[Dark Eldar]] [[Incubi]], now pursuing the Path of the Warrior as a Striking Scorpion. Morlaniath then allows himself to be consumed by the Phoenix Lord's armour and becomes the new host of Karandras. Karandras then proceeds to fight against the invading Imperial forces.

==Notable Characters==
[[Phoenix Lords]]
*[[Baharroth]] — Phoenix Lord of the [[Swooping Hawks]]
*[[Maugan Ra]] — Phoenix Lord of the [[Dark Reapers]]
*[[Karandras]] — Phoenix Lord of the [[Striking Scorpions]]

[[Eldar]]
*[[Avatar of Khaine]]

==Images==
[[File:Striking Scorpion.jpg|thumb|center|200px|Cover art]]

==See also==
*[[List of Novels]]

==Sources==
*[https://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/novels/path-of-the-warrior-ebook.html Black Library]

[[Category:Novels]]
[[Category:Sources (Eldar)]]

[[fr:La Voie du Guerrier (Roman)]]