Asuryata
The Asuryata is an epic Eldar legend of the Asurya[3] and other Phoenix Lords.[1]
Recited in full once each generation known in its entirety only by the mystical order of poets known as the Bards of Twilight, the story features many important parables and teachings. The Eldar use the text as a guiding principle to inform both their day-to-day activities and in military actions.[1]
The Asuryata begins with the history of Asurmen. He was among the ancients who shortly after the Fall of the Eldar identified the innate desires of the Eldar towards violence and aggression and the exhibition of shows of force, and that greater protections than a desire for tranquility would be needed to combat the negative essences of the Eldar psyche.[3]
As such, Asurmen established the Path of the Warrior and founded the first Aspect Warrior shrine, the Shrine of Asur, where the song of the Bladewind could replace those of the Splinterpipe and Shardharp, and spread his word among his followers, the Asurya[3] In time, two such Asurya: Jain Zar and Fuegan of the Fiery Heart would found their own aspects, Jain Zar with Khaine's swift blade and the killing wail of the Howling Banshee and Fuegan with Khaine's wanton destruction teaching the weapons of flame like the great Dragons of myth.[3]
In time, the Path of the Warrior spread. Maugan Ra founded the aspect of the Destroyer and Reaper of Souls with a vow to avenge the destruction of Altansar,[3] Baharroth embodied the aspect of Khaine's Vengeance through the ancient myths of Hunting Birds of the air,[3] and Ahra taught his warrior children to stalk their prey Scorpions.[3]
The Asuryata holds the tale of the Rhana Dandra, which outlines the end of days and the deaths of the Phoenix Lords.[2]
Sources
- 1: Codex: Eldar (6th Edition) (E-Book), pg. 41
- 2: Codex: Aeldari (10th Edition), pg. 41
- 3: Codex: Craftworld Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 8