Isha-ann
The Isha-ann, literally "Seekers of Truth" were a Pleasure Cult that festered within the feudal upper escelons of society on Craftworld Kaelor.[1b] While not as hedonistic and dangerous as those of the decline of the Eldar Empire, the cult was still dangerous for the craftworld which it steered into the Maelstrom.[2]
Overview
On Kaelor the feudal system of governance which saw tithed resources fed to the Farseer as well as declining adherence to the Eldar Path among those who curry the favour of the farseer, the Knavir, led to a fomenting opportunity among the upper class to explore their baser instincts – the emotional contagion of Eldar nature was ever more present: victories could bring waves of euphoria, tragedies to self-destructive despair.[1b] It was within this environment that a Pleasure Cult began to form in the hidden domes beneath the Farseer's Palace,[2] albeit one that was less hedonistic and perverse than those at the Fall of the Eldar.[1e] The cult participates in sensual excess, gorging themselves on food and wine,[1c] torture of "lower" races including Humans,[2] and social manipulation to drive others to madness.[1c] It was speculated by Ahearn Rivalin that the enrichment of hedonistic pleasures by the Knavir was the intended outcome of Gwrih the Radiant's Feudal system.[1c]
Under the protection of Ahearn Rivalin in M38,[3] the cult was able to thrive: it urged the world into the Maelstrom, it encouraged the century-long House Wars and directly orchestrated the Prophecy War. It was they who maniulated Iden Teirtu's soul to set alight the Infinity Circuit of the Craftworld as it was interred while the Craftworld moved into the Maelstrom and invite the raw Warp into Kaelor – launching those at the heart of the craftworld into hedonistic excess.[1c] All a component in a plan to gather Eldar souls to deliver to the Dark Apostle Kor Phaeron, for their part earning new unfathmable means of pleasure and nothing but doom for their Craftworld.[2]
This plan was foiled by Ela'Ashbel, one of the Ehveline and still a child as she descended onto Tyrine to do battle with the Chaos Sorcerer. She was successful in thwarting the plan but was rendered blind and did not learn that its designers were the same Eldar which sought to raise and shape her.[2] It is unclear if she joined their dark mission, or if on a later date she purged them – but Ela'Ashbel did succeed Ahearn Rivalin as Chief Farseer of Kaelor and was still in that role at nearly two thousand years old.[3]
Known Members
- Cinnia Yuthran aka “Maeveh of the Hidden Joy” – Head of House Yuthran[1d] and Circular Court representative, member of the Isha-ann Pleasure Cult.[1e][1c]
- Ahearn Rivalin – Chief Farseer of Kaelor and leader of the Circular Court.[1e][1c]
- Bricriu Sloane –
- Celyddon Ossian – Head of House Ossian, Circular Court representative.[1e][1c] Founder of the pleasure cult.[2]
- Morfran Teirtu – Heir to House Teirtu,[1m] member of the Isha-ann Pleasure Cult.[1e][1c]
Source
- 1: Eldar Prophecy (Novel)
- 2: Tears of Blood (Short Story)
- 3: Revelations by Steve Horvath (Archived 29 Jan 2007, last accessed 25 January 2026)
