183
edits
Changes
→Society
==Society==
[[File:Exodites.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Exodite''' forces gather for war.{{Fn|2a}}]]
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 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 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 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}}
===Eldar Knights===
*{{main|Eldar Knight}}
[[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 forty feet tall, their spirits borrow memories from any of their previous pilots leaving those who operate them speaking in archaic dialects.{{Fn|20}}