Morai-Heg
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Crone redirects here. For other uses, see Crone (disambiguation). |
Morai-Heg, also known as the Crone, the Mistress of Fate,[8a] and the crow lady,[4] is the Eldar Goddess of fate, mother of Banshees. Her eldest daughter is Ahnakh-Yth.[8b] Together with Isha the Mother and Lileath the Maiden she forms a trinity of goddesses.[2a] She appears as a withered ancient creature who holds the fate of mortals within a skin rune pouch.[1a] She bestowed upon the Aeldari the gift of foresight.[8a]
Overview
The stories of Morai-Heg teach Aeldari that wisdom cannot come without sacrifice.[10b]
In Aeldari myth it is believed that the soul of a being is linked to its mortal form via a silvered stand. Tradition has it that only Morai-Heg has the right to sever this connection. The act of seperating a spirit from its body is called 'Cutting of the Crone's Cord'. This act is strictly forbidden on some Craftworlds. Thus use of weapons that do just this, such as the Hemlock Wraithfighters, are a subject of much controversy and only used in the most dire of circumstances. Using such weapons teeters on the brink of committing atrocity.[9b] The Ynnari, however, regard these Hemlock Wrathfighters with almost spiritual significance.[5b]
After the Fall of the Eldar, the original homeworlds of the Eldar became known as the Crone Worlds.[1b] Their name was in reference to the Crone Goddess Morai-heg.[3] The inhabitants of Craftworld Iybraesil are notable for remaining followers of Morai-Heg.[6]
Morai-Heg is the source of several relics: The Torc of Morai-Heg is capable of clouding an enemy's thoughts and even affecting sensors. The five severed fingers of Morai-Heg went on to form the Crone Swords, relics vital to resurrect Ynnead.[5a]
Myths describe Morai-Heg as an ancient and withered creature who holds the fates of mortals inside a rune pouch made of skin.[9a]
Mythology
According to myth, Morai-Heg was the consort of Kaelis Vara’lanthian (or the 'death god yet to be') and he became a father for her 'daughters' - the Banshees.[7][Note 1] At some point, the Crone Goddess sought to learn the wisdom that was contained within her divine blood. Knowing that Khaine had the only power to harm a god, she sent her daughters to haunt their father with their piercing screams. To end this torment, she asked that Khaine cut off her hand so that she could drink from her own blood. Khaine complied and severed the limb, which allowed Morai-Heg to gain the knowledge contained within her blood whilst the Aspect of the Banshee was granted to the war god in return.[2b] The chapter that comes after this myth is far more obscure. Vaul would forge five deadly blades from her five talons. These Croneswords of Morai-Heg were strewn across the Aeldari empire as a defence against the final doom of their race.[10][11]
At the start of the War in Heaven, Asuryan asked the Crone Goddess the fate of the gods and she replied that she could find no answer. Thus, she followed Khaine and took from him a thimbleful of his fiery blood that she burnt on the balance in her lair. When she returned, Asuryan demanded to know the answer to his question, to which Morai-Heg said that the fate of the gods was not his to know but instead the mortal Eldanesh, along with the Eldar, would determine whether their gods lived or died.[4]
Known Artefacts
- Croneswords
- Tears of Morai-Heg - Gemstone fragments that possess ancient magic.[12] Prophecy says they may have the power to complete the rebirth of Ynnead.[13]
Trivia
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- Morai-Heg is probably based on the Irish mythological figure of The Morrígan, who is mainly associated with war and fate, especially with foretelling doom, death, or victory in battle and banshees.
- Alternatively, she may be based on the Moirai, the Greek personifications of destiny.
Notes
- Note 1: White Dwarf February 2017 mentioned Kaelis Vara’lanthian in a context that he is Ynnead (‘death god yet to be’), although this is not literally written there.[7]
See also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Eldar (2nd Edition):
- 2: Codex: Eldar (4th Edition):
- 3: Warhammer 40,000: Compilation, pg. 62
- 4: Path of the Warrior (Novel), Part One - Artist - "Fate"
- 5: Gathering Storm: Fracture of Biel-Tan:
- 6: Codex: Aeldari (9th Edition), pg. 28
- 7: White Dwarf February 2017, pg. 62 (e-file) The Croneswords
- 8: Codex: Aeldari (10th Edition):
- 9: Codex: Craftworlds (8th Edition):
- 10: Psychic Awakening: Phoenix Rising:
- 11: The Gathering Storm Companion, pg. 53
- 12: Codex: Iyanden (E-book), pg. 22 Iyanden in Twighlight
- 13: Codex: Aeldari (10th Edition), pg. 54
