Asurya
The Asurya, or Children of Asur,[1] were the warrior Eldar who emerged after the Fall and learned from the teachings of Asurmen, the first Phoenix Lord[1] and creator of the Path of the Warrior[2] at the first Asuryan Shrine on the barren world of Asur within the Webway.[3] The Asurya, as originators of the firstborn aspects would become Phoenix Lords – but not all Phoenix Lords are Asurya.[2]
All of the Asurya learned the first Aspect of Khaine, that of the noble warrior Dire Avengers. In time, two other of the Asurya founded their own Aspects: first Jain Zar who taught the swift blade and killing wail of the Howling Banshee and second Fuegan who taught his followers to cast themselves as the great Dragons of myth.[2]
As the Path of the Warrior spread in new Shrines across the craftworlds, more of the Asurya founded paths: Maugan Ra in a vow to avenge the destruction of Altansar began the aspect of the Destroyer, Reaper of Souls. Baharroth incepted the Swooping Hawks, the embodiment of ancient myths which depicted the hunting birds of the air. Finally Ahra taught his Striking Scorpions to stalk their prey through the shadows.[2]
Prophecy holds that Fuegan will call the Asurya to the Rhana Dandra, although the group has been called together for other reasons, such as the twin dooms of Craftworlds Anuiven and Ulthwé.[4]
It is said that with each generation, new Aspects gain favour and old ones fall into disuse but the firstborn aspects of the Asurya remain eternal.[2]
Sources
- 1: Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pgs. 56-61
- 2: Codex: Craftworld Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 8
- 3: Jain Zar: The Storm of Silence (Novel), Chapter VII
- 4: Asurmen: Hand of Asuryan, Chapter I
