Asuryan
Asuryan, also known as the Phoenix King was the eldest and most senior of all the Eldar Gods[4] and ancestor to all living things.[6a] He is said to have given the mortal Aeldari the gifts of wisdom and introspection, and is revered by seers of all kinds.[4] His first brother is the War God, Kaela Mensha Khaine.[1a] The goddess Gea is said to have held both Asuryan and Khaine as her twin consorts.[2] He is known as the preserver,[4] and father of the gods and the ancestor of all living things.[1d]
History
In the oldest legends of the Eldar, it is said that a vision of the future by the goddess Lileath showed that Khaine would be torn asunder by an army of mortals. In his rage, the War God turned his wrath against the Eldar with their mother, the goddess Isha, weeping tears for her children. The Phoenix King heard her cries and upon learning of Khaine's plans, Asuryan created a great barrier that separated the realm of the gods from mortals for all eternity. This left Isha distraught for being separated from her children and thus she, along with her husband, Kurnous, went before the Smith God Vaul who fashioned from her tears the Spirit Stones through which she spoke to the Eldar. After overhearing her speaking to them, Khaine informed his brother and the Phoenix King was enraged that his command had been broken. Thus, he told Khaine to do with Isha and Kurnous as he saw fit for their act of betrayal against him.[1c]
During the events of the War in Heaven Asuryan despaired of the devastation wrought by his brother Khaine, with him regretting his hasty anger towards Isha and Kurnous. Despite this being the case, he refused to take sides during the conflict and neither favoured Khaine nor the Children of Isha. In this manner, he chose wisely and remained as lord of both sides.[1e]
However, it was said that the Father of the Eldar battled the Yngir Kaelis Ra and that neither side was able to gain supremacy over the other. In desperation to save his children, the Eldar, he rearranged the suns themselves to create a constellation that spelt an ill omen for his foe and harnessed their might into a solar flare that mortally wounded Kaelis Ra.[3]
During the Fall of the Eldar, it is said that Asuryan shed bitter tears as he watched the newborn god Slaanesh devour the souls of the Eldar, which hardened into Rainbow-hued Gems now wielded by the daemons of She Who Thirst.[5] Along with most gods, Asuryan was killed by Slaanesh who destroyed him and stole his power.[1b]
In Eldar Culture
The Phoenix Lord Asurmen also acted as the immortal scion of Asuryan, and it is for Asuryan that he named his Asuryan Paths.[1f]
Craftworld Iyanden's symbol is a reference to the ever-burning shrine of Asuryan.[1d] At the heart of their craftworld is the Shrine of Asuryan, whom they venerate above all others in the pantheon. Within this hallowed chamber sits the Fire of Creation, atop a pyramid of perfect diamond, and is said to be the last splinter of Asuryan's power. Many eldar of Iyanden believed this meant they were touched by greatness. Legends told that if the fire ever went out that doom would befall the craftworld. Some eldar interpret this legend as metaphor, seeing the fire of the shrine as a reflection of the flame kindled in their own souls.[7]
The Eldar created Sunstorm Squadron of Fire Prisms in recognition of the ancient tale of Asuryan battling the Destroyer of Worlds and took their name from the legendary Sunstorm that the Father of the Eldar brought to bear in the battle that all but destroyed Kaelis Ra.[3]
Trivia
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- Note 1: It is possible, since the image is of a statue of Asuryan atop a structure on Craftworld Iyanden[6b] that is an image of the Shrine of Asuryan itself, where the Fire of Creation is held.[7]
See also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Eldar (4th Edition)
- 2: Warhammer 40,000: Compilation, pg 35
- 3: Apocalypse Reload, pg. 33
- 4: Codex: Aeldari (10th Edition), pg. 13
- 5: Codex: Chaos Daemons (9th Edition), pg. 141 - Crusade Relics
- 6: Codex: Craftworld Eldar (3rd Edition),
- 7: Codex: Iyanden, pg. 6 - The Light in the Darkness, The Fire of Creation
