Aeldari

"Perfidious Eldar! They had the stars in their grasp and now are left to sift the dust of their once fabulous realm. For all their intellect and mysticism they could not contain the beast within them, nor tame the wild monsters of the Shadow. Why should we pay them any heed?"
-Inquisitor Grundwald

Background

The Aeldari or the Eldar as they are commonly known, are an ancient and highly advanced species of humanoid xenos whose vast empire once extended across most of the galaxy. Their heretical and deviant ways would be their downfall. They are a highly psychically attuned race and as they fell to hedonism and decadence, they ripped open the warp storm known as the Eye of Terror. Billions died instantly and now this sad race dwindles towards extinction. Their race split into many factions, with some plying the stars in might craftworlds or striking at humanity from hidden portals called the Webway. Guided by powerfully psychic cheiftans called Far Seers, the Aeldari have occasionally been allies of convenience with the Imperium of Man to fight the forces of Chaos should the Far Seers foresee it to be an advantage but will just as easily attack Imperial holdings and citizens if they think it will benefit them.

Appearance

Superficially, the Aeldari appear very similar to Humans in their anatomy, although the comparison can only be made on a superficial basis, for in their minds and souls the Aeldari are truly alien. The Aeldari stand taller than a Human, with longer, cleaner limbs and handsome, striking features to Human eyes.

by Diego Gilbert Llorens

Their skin is pale and unblemished as polished marble, yet with a surprisingly supple strength hiding beneath it. Their keen ears are pointed and their slanted eyes possess a penetrating quality more akin to that of a hunting cat than a man.
The most fundamental difference can be seen when the Aeldari move, for they each radiate an inhuman elegance and poise. This is especially evident in the sinuous grace with which they fight and the dexterity with which they field their weaponry. Every gesture is laden with subtle intent, and their reflexes are dazzlingly fast. A casual, languid gesture can end in a pinpoint thrust should the necessity arise.

Factions

Asuryani

These Eldar ply the stars in massive craftworlds the size of a large planetoid carrying the majority of what remains of their species. Asuryani fight in highly specialized groups or "Paths", each with different armor and weapons to suit their combat role.

Drukhari

The most malevolent faction of the Eldar, they strike without warning from alien portals, maiming, torturing, slaving and murdering at will. There are no depths of hedonism and grotesquery that they will not sink to.

Harlequins

Rarely seen, but the most lethal of the known Eldar, these masked individuals wear smiling jester masks and checkered clothing in similarity to humanities medieval period in early M1. Their motives are unknown to any but themselves and it seems they are apart from even the rest of the Aeldari ilk.

Sightings

Aeldari activity in the Concordia Subsector has only ever been sporadic prior to the opening of the Great Rift. Infrequent raids on outlying worlds with few to little causalities. If there are any Eldar now trapped on the Imperium Nihilius side of the Rift, they have yet to reveal themselves.

Reunion by Luzbelserk