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[[Image:Eldar Autarch.jpg|thumb|right|330px|An [[Autarch]], an Eldar who has mastered the [[Path of the Warrior]]{{Fn|5a}}]]
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{{otheruses|USE=Eldar Path|OTHERUSE=Novel Series by [[Gav Thorpe]]|OTHERPAGE=Path of the Eldar (Novel Series)}}{{EldarPortal}}
'''Paths''' are a societal organisation of [[Craftworld Eldar]].{{Fn|6}}
==Overview==
[[Image:Eldar Autarch.jpg|thumb|right|330px|An [[Autarch]], an Eldar who has mastered the [[Path of the Warrior]]{{Fn|5a}}]]After the [[Fall of the Eldar]] those [[Eldar]] who had managed to save themselves upon the [[Craftworld]]s underwent a complete social reform. Their lives would no longer spent in pursuit of their wishes, pleasures, and wanton natures. This had led to the Fall, and the creation of [[Slaanesh]]. Instead each individual Eldar chooses for himself a discipline, a '''Path''' or ''''''Ai’elethra''''' and will focus himself upon it. This path will be studied, practiced, and eventually mastered. Then the Eldar chooses a new path and the process will begin anew.{{Fn|6}}
Each new role does not completely replace the previous, but merely adds to the Eldar's accumulated experience. As Eldar pass through these different roles they explore the many aspects of their own character. An Eldar of a thousand years or more will usually have experienced many different roles and attained a very sophisticated understanding of the universe.{{Fn|2}}
Those on the '''Path of the Healer''' spend decades healing the wounded and tending to the sick,{{Fn|8b}} and those who excel in the path are known as [[Chief Healers]].{{Fn|11b}} They shave their heads and heal wounds, both physical and spiritual, with crystals and Trees of [[Isha]].{{Fn|3c}}
A healed body who's whose spirit has abandonned abandoned it will die. Even if the body heals, the spirit might remain wounded, usually resulting in an aeldari who takes on a fey and destructive nature. This can happen in cases where an aeldari sustains life threatening wounds, where the soul is nearly cleaved away and didn't reattach itself properly.{{Fn|11b}}
The facilities of an asuryani healer are interconnected with the [[galaxy]]'s life. They are not like the supposedly sterile environments used by [[human]]ity, nor the filthy worktables of [[ork]]s. They are lush environments that nourish the soul, as well as body. The purity of nature speaks to the aeldari soul. Green spaces are cultivated on craftworlds and asuryani vessels where the wounded can be restored. However, these details can vary depending on the respective craftworld.{{Fn|11b}}
===Path of the Mariner===
===Path of the Outcast===
[[Image:OutcastSymbol.jpg|thumb|right|Path of the Outcast symbol{{Fn|5b}}]]
Those who desert the Eldar Path are known as Outcasts and follow the "Path of the Outcast". In truth, it is no Path at all.{{Fn|11c}} The intensely capable Eldar mind sometimes rebels against the highly structured delineation of achievement which the Eldar Path offers. {{Fn|2}}
Sometimes young, inexperienced or disgraced Eldar leave their craftworlds to wander among the stars. Thereby they break out of the cycle of paths and go through a period of great danger. This period is sometimes called the ''Path of the Outcast'', ''Path of Wandering'', or the ''Way of Danger'',{{Fn|12}} but these names are technically wrong as these Eldar are completely outside of the cycle of paths.{{Cite This}} Outcasts and renegades without ties or allegiance to any craft-world are known as '''Eshairr'''.{{Fn|1b}}
Most of the time they become [[Ranger]]s. Some eventually return to their Craftworlds and to the safety of the paths. Those who are unable to return, for one reason or another, eventually become [[Ranger#Pathfinder|Pathfinders]]. Other outcasts become pirates[[pirate]]s, raiders, and [[Eldar Corsair|corsairs]]. Outcasts have even been known to have become [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], fighting alongside other alien races, and even for the Forces of [[Chaos]].{{Fn|7}}
Without the protection of the Eldar Path an individual is likely to be driven crazy and eventually succumb to self-destructive urges. The worst fate of all is the ''Path of Damnation'', but no Eldar will speak of this aberration and so almost nothing is known about it.{{Fn|2}}
The '''Path of the Warrior'''{{'}}s members are the [[Aspect Warrior]]s. Eldar who feel themselves unable to cope with negative emotions are drawn to this Path and learn to focus and unleash them in battle.{{Fn|3c}} The most widely known aspects are the [[Dire Avenger]]s, the [[Howling Banshee]]s, the [[Striking Scorpion]]s, the [[Fire Dragon]]s, the [[Swooping Hawk]]s, the [[Dark Reaper]]s, and the [[Warp Spider]]s.{{Fn|4a}}
Rarer aspects include aircraft pilots such as the [[Crimson Hunter]]s and [[Eagle Pilot]]s{{Fn|1a}}, the [[Shining Spear]]s, the [[Shadow Spectre]]s. There are several lesser known types of aspect warriors including [[Blinding Claw]]s, [[Coiled Serpent]]s, [[Crystal Dragon]]s, [[Ebon Talon]]s, and [[Golden Raptor]]s{{fnFn|5}}, and some like the [[Slicing Orbs]] are even unique to a single craftworld.{{Fn|4a}}
Those Eldar lost forever on the Path of the Warrior are known as [[Exarch]]s.{{Fn|10}}
**{{Endn|3c}}: ''Rejection''
**{{Endn|3d}}: ''Pain''
*4: [[Codex: Eldar (6th Edition)]]:
**{{Endn|4a}}: pg. 10-11
**{{Endn|4b}}: pg. 14
**{{Endn|4d}}: pg. 31
**{{Endn|4e}}: pg. 35
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Aeldari (9th Edition)]]{{CME}}
**{{Endn|5a}}: pg. 33
**{{Endn|5b}}: pgs. 128-129
*{{Endn|9}}: [[White Dwarf 323 (UK)]], pg. 82
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Codex Imperialis (Background Book)]], pg. 70
*11: [[Voidscarred (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|11a}}: Chapter 5
**{{Endn|11b}}: Chapter 22
