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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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'''Exarchs''' serve as the high priests of [[Kaela Mensha Khaine]] and thus keepers of the [[Aspect Warrior]] shrines. They themselves are actually warriors who have become trapped in their Warrior Aspect Path and are unable to put aside their adopted mental persona. As such, they are now forever devoted to war and death which they dedicate their entire beings. All Aspect Warriors face this dangerous prospect as their minds can become trapped in the Path of the Warrior with the [[Eldar]] being unable to recover his full personality. Such mental entrapments are very real dangers and can be horrifying to behold as Exarch's serve as living embodiments of such a fate whenever they go to war.<sup>4-p70</sup>
In terms of equipment, Exarch's wear elaborate and often ancient versions of Aspect Warrior armour. From their shrine, they take the [[spirit stone]] that houses the departed souls of past Exarch's whereupon they assumed a Sacred Name that is associated with the stone. This comes at a time when their spirit mingles with that of the spirit stone which has been part of the armour since its inception. The mind of its user becomes lost within the greater heroic beings that bear the Exarch's name with their memories as well as experiences of the past beginning to merge with their own. Thus, their life becomes just another stage in the long existence of the spirit stone as the heroic warrior is born once again in a new form.<sup>4-p70</sup>
An '''Exarch''' is a former [[Aspect Warrior]] who ''has lost himself upon the [[Path|Path of the Warrior]]'' and is unable to ever leave it again. At this point he is considered to have abandoned the greater Eldar Path with its promise of new experience and constant development in favour of a life of bloodshed. He becomes an Exarch; simultaneously a priest of [[Kaela Mensha Khaine]], a caretaker of the individual warrior shrine, and trainer, teacher, and instructor of the respective aspect. He is equipped with very ancient weaponry and armour. Each warrior aspect has its own particular kind of Exarchs. On the battlefield an Exarch commands a individual squad of aspect warriors. Exarchs are formidable opponents, and most of them can use their abilities to help the whole squad of aspect warriors under their command. The very first original Exarchs are the [[Phoenix Lord]]s.
==Sources==
*<sup>1</sup>[[Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition)]]*<sup>2</sup>[[Codex: Eldar (4th Edition)]] *<sup>3</sup>[[WD127|White Dwarf 127]]*<sup>4</sup> [[Codex Imperialis]], pg. 70
[[Category:Eldar]]
[[de:Exarch]]
[[fr:Exarque]]
