Phoenix Lord

This article is about the the Eldar title. For other uses of Phoenix, see Phoenix (disambiguation).

Statues of various Phoenix Lords.^[3]

The Phoenix Lords are amongst the most ancient and renowned heroes of the Eldar race,^[1a] and the originators of the martial Warrior Aspects. Should they be vanquished, their essence lies dormant within their armour until it is donned by an Exarch of their Aspect Shrines, whose soul will be absorbed within and they together will become the next incarnation of the Phoenix Lord.^[6] Often, Phoenix Lords will vanish for centuries, only to reappear in times of great need to those who follow the Path of Khaine across the universe.^[7]

Overview

The Phoenix lords are Exarchs so ancient that they have no Shrine and no Craftworlds to call home. They wander from world to world, instinctively driven by war, attracted by intuitive power to places of great danger and need. During moments of desperation they appear, sometimes alone but often several together, depending upon the perils faced. Using the Eldar Webway they move from Craftworld to Craftworld and from planet to planet, following in the path of the Bloody-handed God.^[1a]

The Phoenix Lords are immortal, after a fashion. When a Phoenix Lord is slain in battle, his place is taken by another Eldar who assumes his costume and identity.^[1b] Phoenix Lords are beyond the need for physical form, their bodies swirling clouds of starlight within ancient armour.^[11] Should they be vanquished, their essence will lie dormant inside their armour until it is donned by another Eldar warrior whose soul resonates. Should they prove worthy enough to combine souls, the Phoenix Lord will be reborn in a new body,^[6] although it is the soul which revives the Phoenix Lord, and if it is not within the suit it will be left to wither away.^[11] In this way the Phoenix Lord is reborn into a fresh cycle of existence. His suit includes a spirit stone which contains the spirits of all the Eldar who have become that Phoenix Lord. Yet, no matter how many different individuals a Phoenix Lord may have been, his mind is forever the same, driven by the dominant personality of the first and greatest warrior to wear the suit.^[1b]

History

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] It is said that the Phoenix Lords will all fight and die at the Rhana Dandra — the final battle between Chaos and the material universe.^[1c]

The names of the Phoenix Lords are well known throughout the Craftworlds, and their deeds form part of the legends of the Eldar. No one knows exactly how many Phoenix Lords there are, for some are seen but rarely, while others disappear for millennia only to reappear suddenly and unexpectedly. Some have undoubtedly perished far away, their suits lying upon some hostile world awaiting discovery by some predestined Aspect Warrior doomed to don the armour and become the ancient hero for another cycle of his existence.^[1a]

Some conflicts between Craftworlds have seen Phoenix Lords on opposing sides. These rare wars are known as las'raichan bhlarmhori, which translates to battle of the undying. Two of these conflicts have involved Arhra, the fallen Phoenix Lord. Another example is the Council of Coalition.^[9]

List of Known Phoenix Lords

Asurya

The Asurya are the originators of the firstborn aspects which, it is said, will remain eternal through generations.^[10]

Asurmen — Creator of the Path of the Warrior and of the Phoenix Lords,^[10] founder of the shrine of the Dire Avengers.^[1b]
Jain Zar — First of the Asurya and founder of the Howling Banshees ^[1e]
Fuegan — Second of the Asurya^[10] and founder of the Fire Dragons.^[1d]
Maugan Ra — Third of the Asurya^[10] who founded the Dark Reapers^[1b] to avenge Altansar.^[10]
Baharroth — Fourth of the Asurya^[10] and founder of the Swooping Hawks.^[1c]
Arhra (see below)

Other Phoenix Lords

Drastanta — Phoenix Lord of the Shining Spears, currently missing.^[5]
Irillyth — Phoenix Lord of the Shadow Spectres,^[2] thought lost protecting Craftworld Mymeara only to be reborn at the Battle of Dawning Twilight^[2]
Karandras — Successor Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions^[1d] and former Exarch who became the Phoenix Lord after the betrayal of Ahra.^[10]
Lhykhis - Phoenix Lord of the Warp Spiders.^[8]

Former Phoenix Lords

Arhra — "The fallen Phoenix who burns with the dark light of Chaos". Last of the Asurya^[10] and founder of the Striking Scorpions Shrine.^[1d] Arhra is believed by the Drukhari to be the mysterious Dark Father of the Incubi.^[8]