Battle of Biel-tan
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The Battle of Biel-tan was a battle between the Eldar and Forces of Chaos in the closing days of the 41st Millennium.[1]
Overview
During the Thirteenth Black Crusade a new sect of Eldar known as the Ynnari emerged. Led by Yvraine, they sought to resurrect the God Ynnead without having to sacrifice the Eldar race. The Ruinous Powers were alarmed by this development and sought to foil the rebirth of Ynnead at all costs. They key to the Ynnari's plans were the recovery of the Crone Swords, several of which were on Craftworld Biel-tan. Thus both the Ynnari and Chaos forces sought entry into the Craftworld.[1]
A Webway portal onto Biel-tan was discovered by the Forces of Chaos on the Maiden World of Ursulia, and it is here that they made their move. A massive Warp Storm ravaged the Maiden World, decimating its population of Exodites before The Masque and Skarbrand lead an invasion of Slaaneshi and Khornate Daemons. Skarbrand cares little for his allies and initially tried to slay The Masque, but convinced the Bloodthirster into a temporary alliance. Biel-tan, oblivious of the Chaos plans, nonetheless sent a sizable expedition to Ursulia in order to defend one of the precious Maiden Worlds of the Eldar. The counterattack was led by Autarch Meliniel and a massive battle erupted on Ursulia's surface. The Masque eventually discovered Ursulia's Webway Portal and had Skarbrand destroy its protective wards. With the way to Biel-tan open the Daemons entered the Webway.[1]
Knowing of the incoming Daemonic threat, Biel-tan sealed most of its portals but The Masque was nonetheless able to infiltrate the Craftworld. She hypnotized all Eldar that come before her, allowing them to become vessels for Daemonettes. The quiet Chaos infiltration ended when Skarbrand and his Khornate legions smashed through Biel-tan's main gate and a vicious battle erupted. Biel-tan's Avatar was awoken and clashed with Skarbrand personally while Jain Zar and a force of Howling Banshees attempted to subdue The Masque before she could summon even more Daemons. Despite Jain-Zar besting the Masque, the Daemon entered Biel-tan's Infinity Circuit and began her attempts to destroy the Craftworld's very soul.[1]
It was at this point the Ynnari, led by Eldrad Ulthran[2] and Yvraine, arrived at Biel-tan. Consisting primarily of Harlequins and Dark Eldar followers, the Ynnari turned the tide of the battle. Skarbrand and his hordes were destroyed or forced back into the Webway. As the Daemons were mopped up Yvraine saved Biel-tan's Infinity Circuit from The Masque by creating Yncarne, though a great many souls were sacrificed in the ritual.[1]
Sources
- 1: Gathering Storm: Fracture of Biel-Tan, Part 1
- 2: Codex: Craftworlds (8th Edition) — Eldrad Ulthran
