The '''Exodites''' are the [[EldarAeldari]] who abandoned their homeworlds before the [[Fall of the Eldar|Fall]], establishing new cities on [[Maiden Worlds]] of the [[Eldar Empire]] in order to escape the growing decadence of their civilizationcivilisation.{{Fn|10}} Protected from [[Slaanesh]]'s predation by their [[World Spirit]]s, they purposefully live a physically rigorous life{{Fn|2a}}, expressing the intensity of their [[Aeldari]] aeldari nature through a powerful loyalty to their clans and a strong determination to achieve the clan's objectives.{{Fn|20}} They are known for the martial superiority of their [[Dragon Knights]]. {{Fn|1}}

[[File:Aeldari.jpg|right|thumb|200px250px|The '''Exodites''', #2, shown among the [[Aeldari]] diaspora.]]Beginning in [[M30]]{{Fn|7}} as the [[Eldar Empire]] neared its [[Fall of the Eldar|Fall]]end, the degeneration of Eldar society leading to the Fall did not go wholly without resistance. Far-sighted individuals began to criticize the decadence of their citizens and warn against the newly formed cults{{Fn|2b}} and the abandonment of the [[Eldar Gods]].{{Fn|17}} Mostly ignored or else treated as narrow-minded fools and fanatics by their fellow citizens, as society collapsed they became resolute that this would be a decline without end.{{Fn|2b}} They were the ones still untainted by the touch of [[Chaos]], and by now they were few.{{Fn|10}} They would form a new group of doomsayers and survivalists, deciding to leave the Eldar worlds and settle planets far from Eldar civilization civilisation among the ''Lilaethan'', the [[Maiden Worlds]]{{Fn|2b}} seeded at the height of the empire by ''Turella Dandramensha'' ([[Dominion Genesis]] ) ships,{{Fn|19}} abandoning their homeworlds in a series of migrations called the ''Exodus''{{Fn|2b}} and for their exodus they were named '''Exodites'''.{{Fn|19}}

The first Exodites would launch from [[Hiron-athela]]{{Fn|18}} and an assortment of spacecraft would follow, including [[Craftworldscraftworld]] s built from the habitat towers, domes, and [[Webway]] pylons that would become the foundation of new cities.{{Fn|19}} The Exodites would also bring with them the tremendous war-machines of the [[Eldar Knights]].{{Fn|20}} The Exodites travelled far away from their collapsing civilizationcivilisation, mostly [[Eastern Fringe|eastward]], settling many, often harsh, worlds – a place of safety (for most) beyond the psychic implosion that would wipe out most of the Eldar race and its empire{{Fn|2b}} in [[M31]].{{Fn|7}}

The Exodites survive on Maiden Worlds, untamed and dangerous planets, where they have learned to herd [[Dragon]]s, cultivate crops and harvest other natural resources.{{Fn|2b}} Within a generation, aristocratic noble houses formed among the Exodites, and it is the decendents descendants of these planetary kings who rule today.{{Fn|20}} Today Exodite Worlds exist in a seemingly primitive state,{{Fn|10}} and their [[Asuryani]] brethren view them as rustic and simple, {{Fn|2b}} adorning themselves in feathers and scrimshaw{{Fn|31b}} alongside living in tents and hovels,{{Fn|31c}} but it is by choice that they live as they do. Exodites have many advanced technologies and are familiar with the same sophisticated materials used on the Craftworldscraftworlds, they purposefully live a hard life.{{Fn|2b}}

The Exodites are not isolated from the rest of the Aeldari Diaspora, their worlds linked through [[Webwaygate]] gatess.{{Fn|2b}} Many [[Eldar Path#Path of the Outcast|Outcasts]] will find a refuge among these Eldar,{{Fn|10}} and [[Rangers]] will regularly patrol Exodite worlds.{{Fn|2b}} Exodites are generally accepting of [[Eldar Corsaireldar corsair]]s , patronizing their [[mercenary ]] contracts and hosting their [[pirate ]] fleets.{{Fn|2c}} Corsairs are one of the few welcomed visitors to Exodite worlds, as they are often temporary visitors. To the corsairs, exodites are the most representative of the ancient Aeldari, understanding and living with their emotions, as well as being in tune with nature. The two factions often trade goods, information and support.{{Fn|28b}} It is not uncommon for an outcast craftworlder or corsair to settle into permanent life among the tribes of the Exodites, they bring skills which the Exodites value highly.{{Fn|2a}} and likewise {{Fn|31b}} Likewise not all Exodites remain with their tribes and sometimes leave their puritanical asceticism to join other Eldar groups.{{Fn|10}} {{Fn|31a}} The [[Ynnari]] even count some Exodites among their number.{{Fn|}} Several [[Craftworlds]] craftworlds have a special interest in the wellbeing of Exodites including [[Saim-Hann]], whose young travel to Exodite worlds for rites of passage,{{Fn|3}} and [[Biel-tan]], who view the Exodite worlds as the foundation of a reborn Aeldari Empire and will mobilise its forces in defence of any of the scattered worlds.{{Fn|10}}

Though Exodite societies vary across the galaxy virtually all organize organise into an aristocratic hierarchy of clannish tribes, much like the [[Asuryani]] of [[Saim-Hann]],{{Fn|3}} with each lead by a warrior elite known as a chief{{Fn|12}} or ''Dragonlord''.{{Fn|8}} Each Exodite tribe on a planet swears loyalty to a local ruling tribe that in turn owes adherence to the planet's king{{Fn|2a}} and his Noble House,{{Fn|20}} who in turn keeps a retinue of [[Warlocks]]{{Fn|8}} to settle disputes between the tribes. Full conflicts between tribes are rare but clashes between rival [[Dragon Knight]]s are common. It is the Noble Houses of the Eldar that maintain the [[Eldar Knights]] and it is through combat award that Eldar Knights become Lords and new Noble Houses.{{Fn|20}} The King is also responsible for guarding the [[World Spirit#Royal Circle|Royal Circle]], the most potent link in the [[World Spirit]]'s network.{{Fn|2a}}

Exodite tribes are nomadic , timing their planting and harvests with the seasons and moving between settlements and seasonal camps, arriving in in the late summer to collect crops planted in the spring and remaining until it is time to plant crops the following year,{{Fn|2a}} with some tribes even migrating through the [[Webway]] to reach new grazing lands as seasons change.{{Fn|22}} It is notable that no matter how hard-fought their disputes might be, no Eldar would despoil or steal the crops of a rival tribe even though these lie unprotected for months at a time.{{Fn|2a}} Exodite cities are meagre, small, and thinly scattered{{Fn|2a}}, built of [[Wraithbone]] towers{{Fn|6}} and quarried stone domes{{Fn|8}}{{Fn|1}} they co-exist with wild beasts of all kinds.{{Fn|2a}} The lives Exodites live is thought to be similar to the ancient Eldar empire before the [[Fall of the Eldar|Fall and birth]] of [[Slaanesh]].{{Fn|2a}}

Most of Exodite life revolves around the [[Dragon]]s they ride and herd, and it is said that Exodite warriors are practically born into a dragon's saddle.{{Fn|2a}} Exodites herd and work bestial dragons, including [[Megasaur]]s{{Fn|2a}} and [[Megadon]]s,{{Fn|20}} from the backs of horse-sized dragon [[Raptor (Dragon)|Raptors]]{{Fn|1}} with [[Laser Lance]]s,{{Fn|2a}} but they may also do so from the helms of [[Eldar Knights]]{{Fn|20}} or with [[Scout Walker]]s.{{Fn|24}} Exodites eat and trade valuable dragon meat, they fashion their clothes from dragon hide,{{Fn|2a}} and they sing dragon bones into their structures and tools.{{Fn|6}} In times of war, exodite clans will ride as [[Dragon Knights]], primarily atop the horse-sized [[Raptor (Dragon)|Raptors]]{{Fn|1}} but also in aerial squadrons of atop fire-breathing{{Fn|13}} flying dragons including [[Pterosaur|Giant Pterosaurs]],{{Fn|5a}} with the clan chief alone rightfully riding the fearsome and giant [[Carnosaur]].{{Fn|10}} Working Dragons are also brought into combat, with heavy weapons mounted in troop-carrying howdahs.{{Fn|6}} While not willingly hostile, the Exodites are a stout, self-confident people and still possess the mythical pride, even arrogance, of the ancient Eldar race.{{Fn|2b}}

Exodites do not follow the [[Eldar Path|Asuryan Paths]] of their [[Asuryani]] cousins but do see the value of maintaining discipline, they purposefully live a rigorous life{{Fn|2a}} eschewing the ancient Eldar technology they maintain mastery of{{Fn|2a}} to purge their souls in a ceaseless battle against the environment,{{Fn|5a}} expressing the intensity of their [[Aeldari]] nature through a powerful loyalty to their clans and a strong determination to achieve the clan's objectives.{{Fn|20}} Exodites continue to revere the pantheon of [[Eldar Gods]], they take no joy in warfare, fearful of the battlelust of [[Khaine]],{{Fn|14}} and their [[Worldsinger]]s who guide their dead into the afterlife of the [[World Spirit]] are associated with [[Isha]].{{Fn|5b}}

[[File:EldarKnights.png|thumb|right|300px|Exodite [[Eldar Knight]]s{{Fn|20}}]]The Exodite approach to technology is drastically different from their [[Aeldari]] cousins, viewing the rigor of physical labour as better for their souls than the convenience of technology (e.g. choosing to climb stairs rather than use [[Gravatic ImpellersGrav-vehicle|gravitic impellers]]),{{Fn|19}}), but their mastery of ancient [[Eldar]] technologies has not atrophied. When threatened with war, all prohibitions are set aside{{Fn|25}} and the Exodites empty their armouries of ancient weaponry to become a deadly fighting force. Exodites generally prefer to make their tools and clothing from materials native to their [[Maiden World]], as psychoplastics like [[Wraithbone]] are scarce, but Exodites will substitute [[Dragon]] bone in their [[Bonesinger|Bonesinging]]{{Fn|6}} and will otherwise trade with the [[Craftworlds]] craftworlds for any materials they cannot create themselves.{{Fn|2a}} Their intentional neglect of technology, and demand for Craftworld craftworld materials, has lead to the mistaken belief among the [[Asuryani]] that the [[Exodite World]]s are backward and rustic.{{Fn|2a}} Like their [[Asuryani]] cousins, Exodites wear spirit stones, although their stones are shattered on altars{{Fn|2a}} and the [[Worldsinger]]{{Fn|15}} joins their spirits with the [[World Spirit]] when they die.

In times of war, Exodites will don [[Mesh Armour]]{{Fn|2a}} and armour of bone{{Fn|2a}} under robes and capes of rough loose woven fabric{{Fn|27}} to protect themselves, all manner of scrimshaw jewelry and decorations crafted from local wildlife,{{Fn|6}} and wield a variety of weapons including [[Ranger Long Rifle|Long Rifle]]s{{Fn|2a}}, [[Lasguns]]{{Fn|2a}}, [[Shuriken]] weapons{{Fn|2a}}, and [[Power Blade]]s.{{Fn|2a}} Exodite champions will sometimes travel the galaxy, often among the [[Ranger|Outcasts]] and [[Corsairs]] corsairs and in that time collect wargear and relics of immense power. [[Dragon Knights]] will mount horse-sized and giant flying [[Dragon]]s, exodite royalty ride [[Eldar Knight]]sKnights{{Fn|20}}, and other Exodites will attend howdahs mounted on the backs of herd [[Dragon]]s with [[Support Weapon Battery|Heavy Weapons]]. Exodites remain wild and powerful seers{{Fn|2a}}, and fight with retinues of [[Warlock]]s and [[Farseer]]s.{{Fn|22}} Exodites are among the galaxy's greatest animal trainers, with nearly every [[Kurnite Hunter]] learning their menagerie on [[Exodite World]]s{{Fn|2828a}}, and will routinely employ creatures like the [[Faolchú]]{{Fn|2828a}}, [[Wyvach]], or [[Raptorhounds]] to patrol and hunt.{{Fn|26}}

{{main|World Spirit}}{{main|Worldsinger}}The Exodites maintain a naturally-grown crystalline equivalent of an [[Infinity Circuit]] known as a [[World Spirit]]s which exists in the form of stone menhirs, obelisks, and stone circles all crafted from psychoactive crystal which link with each other through an isolated portion of the [[Webway]] and forms an effective refuge from [[Slaanesh]].{{Fn|2a}} The most impressive structure of the World Spirit is the concentric circles and avenues that comprise the [[Royal Circle]], for which the planet's king is responsible for guarding. The World Spirit is connected to vast barrows, in which the dead are lain to rest{{Fn|2a}} and of which the most prominent is the [[World Shrine]].{{Fn|4}} The Exodites will fight fiercely to protect their worlds, to abandon a world is to abandon the souls of their ancestors to the [[warp]].{{Fn|2a}} Should the psychic paths of the World Spirit be left unguarded, it could provide egress for [[Daemonic]] intelligence, an Exodite world's worst nightmare.{{Fn|2a}} Even in death the gestalt of the [[World Spirit]] is capable of screaming to [[Infinity Circuit]]s for help {{Fn|13}} and manifesting as phantasms.{{Fn|29}}

[[Image:WhiteDwarf126 Clans.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Eldar Knight Clans, showing their ranks: Squires decorated in gold, combat-proven knights in bronze, and legendary lords in silver.{{Fn|20}}]][[Eldar Knights]] are synonymous with the Exodite nobles who pilot them. Great war-machines brought along on the Exodus maintained by the Noble Houses of the newfound planet's king. Eldar Knights are massive, thirty to fourty forty feet tall, their spirits borrow memories from any of their previous pilots leaving those who operate them speaking in archaic dialects.{{Fn|20}}

[[Mon-keigh]] [[Knight Houses]] formed during the [[Age of Strife]] after learning Eldar farming techniques during the [[Dark Age of Technology]], and colonized [[Maiden Worlds]] often neighbouring those of the Exodites to the point that the Eldar lay claim on several [[Knight Worlds]]. The two cultures often clash over resources and the [[Eldar Knight]]s Knights gain prestige through their battles with the [[Imperial Knight]]s.{{Fn|20}}

Though often looking to their [[Craftworld]] craftworld brethren for protection, Exodites are nonetheless capable of defending themselves in a war. Their forces include:{{Fn|2a}}

* [[Dragon Knight]]s{{Fn|2c}} on Horse-sized [[Raptor (Dinosaur)|Raptor]]s[[Dragons]].{{Fn|1a}}* [[Dragon Knight]]s{{Fn|6}} on Flying [[Dragons]].{{Fn|6}}* [[Dragon Knight]] Lords{{Fn|2c}} on Tyranossaurus-like [[Carnosaurs]].{{Fn|6}}* Infantry, charging on foot or from [[Howdah]]s armed with [[Shuriken Weapon]]s and musical instruments{{Fn|6}} * Scouts, armed with [[Wraithbone]] [[Sniper Rifle]]s,{{Fn|6}} [[Splinter Rifles]],{{Fn|12}} or [[Wraithbone]] recurve bows with explosive-tipped arrows.{{Fn|22}}* [[Seer]]s, including [[Warlock]]s{{Fn|8}} and [[Farseer]]s{{Fn|6}}* [[Worldsinger]]s{{Fn|5}}* [[Kurnite Hunter]]s{{Fn|2828a}}* Herd [[Dragon]]s, including [[Megasaur]]s{{Fn|2a}}, [[Megadon]]s{{Fn|14}}, [[Miradon]]s{{Fn|30}}, and [[Lithodons]]{{Fn|14}}, as well as building-sized [[Brachiosaur]]{{Fn|6}} saddled with [[Howdah]]s to carry Infantry{{Fn|14}} or Heavy Weapons.{{Fn|1a}} * Upset hordes of stampeding dinosaurs, including [[Stegosaur]]s.{{Fn|1a}}

[[imageImage:Kelseth.jpg|right|thumb|200px220px|The Exodite [[Kelseth]]{{Fn|11}}]]

*{{Endn|11}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/0SyNoRho/emthe-exoditeem-himself-clancy-brown-explains-what-its-like-to-play-the-last-scion-of-a-dead-world/ The Exodite Himself, Clancy Brown, Explains What it’s Like to Play the Last Scion of a Dead World] ''(Last last accessed 24 January 2024)''*{{Endn|12}}: [[The Carnac Campaign: Nightspear (Short Story)]] , pgs. 4-20

*{{Endn|28}}: [[Wrath & Glory - Aeldari - Inheritance of Embers]], :**{{Endn|28a}}: pg. 53**{{Endn|28b}}: pg. 118