Aeldari Corsairs

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Targetdrone.gif Corsair redirects here. For other uses of the term, see Corsair (disambiguation).

They are nothing more than a nest of serpents, liars, cheats, cut-throats, thieves and murderers – this all of them are. They have abandoned friends and kin to pursue a life of plundering and risk-taking.
They are also my crew. If you speak ill of them again, I will remove your head from your shoulders and give your stone to my Soul Weaver.


Imperial Rendering of an Eldar Pirate[36]

Aeldari Corsairs, or Anhrathe,[13][42] are bands of piratical Aeldari[30] that reject the Asuryan Paths but have not fallen into the hedonistic depravity of the Kabals of Commoragh;[22b] rather, they revel in individualistic freedom, reject complacency, indulge their whims and passions, enrich their lives with adventure and profit, and seek lives of great danger to wrest whatever destiny they desire from the galaxy.[22b]

Overview

Corsair Prince Ebahn Lauma[9]

Some Eldar yearn for the undiscovered vistas of open space, and set out into the untrammelled warp-space tunnels of the Webway in great fleets[30] where, out in the void, the naturally wild and amoral character of the Aeldari resurfaces:[30] the wildest of these fleets becoming the spacefaring piratical raiders known as Corsairs.[14a]

The Eldar Pirate Fleets that ply the sea of stars are as varied as the planets they prey upon,[7] formed of former Craftworld exploratory fleets,[30] Asuryani Outcasts,[8] Commorite Kabals[7] and those fleeing them,[21a] former Harlequins,[8] Exodites with wanderlust,[30] and even those who once fought for the Ynnari cause.[8] Corsairs live in self-imposed exile from the niceties of the Craftworlds or the Exodite Worlds they visit,[30] free to indulge their adventurous spirits and forge forward alone, seeking a life filled with terrible danger and the promise of great reward.[8] Anhrathe are driven to explore the galaxy and live nomadic lives, utilizing hidden Webway paths to journey widely rarely staying in one region of space for very long.[44]

Corsairs who return from their voyages (and many do not)[30] do so laden with plundered alien treasures and tales of new worlds, corageous battles, and fabulous discoveries.[30] They wear purloined goods from their victims on their bodies as trophies, styling themselves in outlandish cloting and armour to showcase their personal tastes with scales, pelts, and feathers from exotic creatures across the galaxy.[22b] Some even bear surgically-implanted enhancements, like Neuro-Augmentors – intentionally eschewing the design philosophies of the Craftworlds to broadcast their disdain for such civilised aesthetics and proclaim themselves wild and dangerous.[22b] Some take a safer approach, still carrying Waystones to save them from an eternity of torment should they die.[22b]

Each Corsair fleet is commanded by an exceptionally charismatic leader, who might style themselves as members of royalty, the scions and inheritors of pre-Fall Nobles[8] (athough few truly are),[22b] but in all cases the titles they bear are ostentatious and only understood by the Aeldari, e.g the Gilded Drake, Star Breaker, Serpent King[44] – to the Humans they are simply known as Prince or Princess.[8] Corsair fleets vary in size and strength, some as large as hundreds of vessels[8] which will often hide deep within a nebula or asteroid field,[44] forgotten Eldar stations, or leftover bases from before the Fall,[14a] or the roiling tidal zones of empyric flux found around the edges of Warp storms.[22b] Each fleet is law unto itself, and many bands operate independent fiefdoms,[22b] decorating themselves in the colours of their capricious leaders.[44]

Its known that sometimes foolish and wealthy Humans are known to hire the services of Corsairs who demand an extortionate price for their cooperation.[6b] Corsair Princes are willing to sell out their fleet as mercenaries during lean times. Employment as mercenaries could be established at the behest of a rebellious planetary governor, Imperial Guard commanders, or any other renegade willing to ally with xenos.[14a] Tales often tell of their mastery and splendour in battle though these also speak of a Corsair's fickle loyalty, sudden betrayals and gleeful slaughtering grace with their silken armour sometimes being coated with the blood of former allies.[6b] They are a constant threat to merchant shipping, though very rarely pose a threat to a major Imperial battlefleet.[2]

Corsairs are far more willing to examine the ways of lesser alien species than other Aeldari factions. These insights and understandings often better inform how to best plunder the lesser races.[42]

Relations with other Aeldari

Corsairs battle a Chaos Space Marine[22a]

Corsairs find their way into the deep void from among all walks of Aeldari life, outcast though they may be, and the corsairs benefit from these connections as much in weaponry as in diplomatic contract. Corsiars carry skills from their lives, whether learned on the grim streets of the Dark City or in the military of the Asuryani, and marry those skills with their experience along the cosmic pathways of the void to become deadly and efficient bands of mercenaries.[44]

Some corsairs act as privateers for the Asuryani, some out of mercenary motives others out of some affinity for the Craftworld itself, either from some blood debt or as the origin of their Corsair Prince[22b] – such as such as the Eldritch Raiders with Iyanden or Xian's Black Raiders with Ulthwé,[14a] some even fighting in these alliances for hundreds if not thousands of years.[22b] Each craftworld approaches the Anhrathe differently, some as trade partners or information brokers, but most are wary of their unrestrained nature.[22b] Corsairs may also form alliances with Exodite worlds in exchange for safe haven and military aid, as Galadhar the Grey famously did for Duro.[30]

Occasionally, Asuryani Craftworlds and Corsair bands have gone to war against each other.[14a] It is speculated that these outbreaks of war are attempts to prevent Corsair fleets from fully falling to the influence of the Drukhari Archons.[14a] Despite this, many Eldar Corsairs are known to frequent Commorragh for mercenary contracts and a large number of Corsairs are of Drukhari blood themselves[14a] but unlike those in the Dark City, Eldar Corsairs do not suppress their psychic abilities.[21a] As Corsair ideals and motives differ wildly, their presence may be for pleasure and sport, to engage in the politics of the Dark City,[22b] while others may be indifferent to the suffering of the Drukhari and seek only profit.[14a] Some corsairs revel in the rampant avarice of their dark cousins, bargaining their plunder for esoteric technologies and rare materials,[22b] and some even join the Dark Eldar for their Realspace raids[14a] while maintaining a weather-eye on their raiding allies as one must be ever conscious of a Drukhari's insatiable hunger.[22b]

Recruitment

Corsairs come from all sections of Aeldari society.[8] They most commonly recruit members from among the Asuryani Outcasts[30] and Craftworld Eldar Exploratory Fleets.[30] Drukhari Archons will also set out their armadas from Commoragh to prey upon the stars as corsairs.[7] Some disenchanted Ynnari have set out among the Corsairs[8] It is also not unheard of for corsair fleets to keep in retinue former Harlequins[8] and Exodites.[30]

Military

An Eldar Pirate.[30]

Eldar Corsairs tend to be more active than their Craftworld cousins, who primarily focus on their own defense, whereas Corsairs aggressively seek opportunities to raid.[14a] While all Asuryani citizens are trained for war, aeldari corsairs indulge a passion for the blade that might be seen as distastful by their craftworld kin.[42] Each Corsair is an agile and imaginitive warrior, an expert at improvization and using their environment against their foes.[22b] In battle, Corsairs emphasize speed and surprise over firepower and armour. [14c]

Individual Corsairs are given free reign by their commanders to choose their roles in boarding actions and raids, allowing them to showcase the variety of skills they may have learned in the Asuryani warhosts, on the grim streets of Commorragh, and reaving the cosmic pathways of the void.[44]

They operate fast, agile spacecraft and for atmospheric and ground operations rely on Jetbike, Venom, Vyper, Wasp, Falcon, and Hornet vehicles with supporting Phoenix attack aircraft[14c] and Naiad Class Cruisers.[22b] Corsairs are not well-equipped for extended campaigns, preferring lightning-fast raids on unsuspecting positions.[14a] If they do become bogged down in a protracted battle or are assaulting a well-fortified position, they often use Warp Hunters and Night Spinners for heavy support.[14c] Corsairs mercenaries may also employ Dreadnoughts.[4d]

A standard Corsair raid begins with a rapid deployment from Vampire Raiders, before quickly striking and withdrawing. Boarding actions against undefended or poorly defended freighters or transports are also common. Corsair Princes will often be supported by heavier units, such as Nightwings or Phoenix Bombers when in need.[14a]

Notable Battles

Organisation

Corsair fleets vary in size and strength,[8] but all are lead by the charismatic leader known as the Corsair Prince or Princess.[8] The Prince or Princess is protected by his Blade Sworn Retinue[14a] and supported by his advisors, captains and crew commands known as Corsair Barons. Their crews including trusted followers, blood relatives, misfits from other Aeldari societies, and rogues escaping punishment, all of whom would gladly follow their masters into terrifying firestorms for a promised share of riches.[22b] The fleet may navigate employing Way Seekers to navigate the Webway and the renegade Aeldari diviners known as Void Dreamers to navigate the Warp itself[14c] – Seers prized enough to have been themselves the reason for inter-fleet conflicts.[14c]

Fleets are organised in nomadic groups of coteries, lead by Corsair Barons[41] each composed of one or more bands,[14a] which include Corsair Reavers, Corsair Skyreavers, Corsair Ghostwalkers and Corsair Cloud Dancers. Each of these bands may be led by an experienced veteran, known as a Corsair Felarch, while the most hardened and experienced warriors are known as Voidscarred.[21a] A Coterie may also be supported by a number of elite units, such as heavy infantry, heavy support, or fast attack units.[14b] Whilst some coteries number in a score or fewer voidships, the largest compromise hundreds of raiding groups and thousands of vessels – still small in comparison to the fleets of the Craftworld Space Fleets or the Imperial Navy.[44]

Corsair Roles

Greensteel Warriors corsair[35c]
Leaders
Seers
Unique Roles
Troops

Associated Forces

Known Corsair Groups

Well known groups of Aeldari Corsairs.[4a]

Some of the most notable groups include:

Eldar Pirate symbols[3]

Other, lesser known, groups include:

Notable Aeldari Corsairs

Greensteel Warriors Corsair[35a]

Development History

TriviaScrollTrans.png

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

The earliest rules of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader described the Eldar as pirates and mercenaries and their figures designed by Jes Goodwin were intended to demonstrate that fact.[38] It would not be until later in White Dwarf 127 (UK) in 1990 that Asuryani units would be introduced and the army's original pirate nature set aside.[6]

Images

  • Aeldari Corsairs[19]

  • Aeldari Corsairs[19]

Miniatures

  • Voidscarred Corsairs miniatures[19]

  • Corsair Skyreavers (10th Edition)[3]

  • Corsair Skyreavers (10th Edition)[3]

  • Corsair Skyreavers (10th Edition)[3]

  • Corsair Skyreavers (10th Edition)[3]

  • Corsair Skyreavers (10th Edition)[3]

  • ForgeWorld Corsairs[11]

  • ForgeWorld Corsairs[26]

  • ForgeWorld Jetbike Corsair[12]

  • ForgeWorld Jetbike Corsair[27]

Related Videos

See also

Sources

Eldar Corsair Forces
Command
Psykers
Elites
Walkers
Troops
Fast Attack
Aircraft
Heavy Support
Transport
Special Characters
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