by C. S. Goto
that Khaine was a God of contradictory blessings, the Aspect Temples are still viewed with fear, suspicion and awe by most. As on other craftworlds, however, many eldar pass through a period in their long lives when they hear the calling of Khaine. Hence, as part of their journey along the Eldar Path, many Kaelorians receive training as Aspect Warriors. One of the unusual features of the Aspect Temples on Kaelor is that many of the Aspects have developed hereditary links with specific great houses, in whose domains they build their temples and from whose domains the majority of their warriors are drawn. Most of the largest Aspects are represented on Kaelor. The Dire Avengers have a number of large temples, supported by the patronage of the powerful House of Teirtu. The Warp Spiders were once as numerous as the Avengers, but their fortunes have ebbed and flowed along with those of their patrons, House Ansgar. Kaelorians appear to subscribe to a conventional version of the story of the origins of the Aspect Temples. In keeping with the wider traditions, the storytellers of Kaelor explain that each of the Aspects draws its nature from one of the myriad aspects of Khaine. Each represents one of the violent predilections inherent in the eldar soul. Rather than presenting the Aspect Temples as theatres for the indulgence of these predilections, the storytellers present the temples as places of spiritual meditation and physical training, where Kaelorians can learn to harness, control and benefit from their unfortunate natures. This functional view does not appear to be shared by everyone, and the Knavir eldar are well known for their disdain of the temples. Like other craftworlds, Kaelor supports the conventional origination of the Aspect Temples in the enigmatic person of Asurmen, who is reputed to have started the Path of the Warrior shortly after the Fall, believing that the newly nomadic children of Isha would need to learn military discipline to survive in an increasingly hostile galaxy. The methods of practice he established were designed to condition the eldar soul to embrace the violence within without permitting it to consume or pollute the purity of the soul. This was the Path of the Warrior. To this end, Asurmen established the first of the Aspect Temples, the legendary Shrine of Asur (which Kaelorians identify as coterminous with the Aspect of the Dire Avengers), from whence his finest students [later identified as the Asurya or Phoenix Lords] spread throughout the fragmented
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and nomadic sons of Asuryan, carrying with them the teachings of this great warrior. Yet each of the students embraced a different style of combat, reflecting the different ways in which Khaine had whispered into their souls. So it was that Jain Zar established the Howling Banshees, Fuegan moulded the Fire Dragons, Baharroth incepted the Swooping Hawks, Ahra (also known as Karandras on some craftworlds) created the Striking Scorpions, and the sinister Maugan Ra birthed the Dark Reapers.
On Kaelor, these legendary progenitors are called the Asurya, and one version of the mythic cycle tells of the way in which they fled the destruction of the Shrine of Asur when one of their own - the so-called Fallen Phoenix - turned against them. Surprisingly, given the history and power of the Aspect on Kaelor, there are no extant records concerning the progenitor of the Warp Spiders, which has led some to conjecture a connection with the Fallen Phoenix. An intriguing local legend speaks of the so-called Lhykosidae (Wraith Spider), which appears to be an unorthodox re-imagining of the concept of the Asurya. It is conceivable that Kaelorian folklore is building towards the conclusion that the Lhykosidae was the Fallen Phoenix, although this hypothesise has never heard or seen explicitly.
Asureah - See Aspect Warrior.
Asurya - Phoenix Lord - On Kaelor and a number of the other craftworlds, the mythical Asurya are identified with the
persona and armour of the first exarch of each Aspect - those originally trained by Asurmen in the Shrine of Asur at the time of the Fall. It is usually maintained that this glorious armour remains animated by the spirit of the Asurya and continues to fight as the incarnation of an aspect of Khaine forever. An interesting and indigenous idiosyncrasy on Kaelor is the Kaelorians' mythic solution to the problem of not knowing the identity of the first exarch of the Warp Spiders. The Wraith Spider (Lhykosidae) is evidently a de-material conception of the originator. Rather than seeking to identify the Asurya as a historical or legendary warrior, the Warp Spiders of Kaelor seem to believe that it is an expression of the energy of the little crystalline creatures that guard the purity of the craft-world's infinity circuit. They suggest that the Wraith Spider is somehow an incarnation of that essential energy - an intriguing interpretation of the meaning of the Asurya [see also Aspect Warrior, Exarch]. Asuryan - the Phoenix King - The greatest of all eldar gods. Except for the genesis myths about the way that
Asuryan separated the gods from the mortal eldar at the beginning of time, few of the mythic cycles relating to Asuryan appear to have been preserved on Kaelor. This has serious implications for adherence to Ihnyoh. The Kaelorian wraithsmiths seem to preserve a version of the legend of the Tears of Isha, in which Vaul (the smith god) caught the tears shed by Isha (the mother goddess) when she heard that her children had been banished by Asuryan. Then Vaul fashioned those tears into spirit stones, which would permit the children of Isha to remain forever in contact with her. Despite the ostensibly unsympathetic portrayal of this great god, the eldar of Kaelor, like other eldar, often refer to themselves as the 'sons of Asuryan.' Athesdan - Farseer or High Warlock - It appears that this is an archaic term for the Farseer of Kaelor, from the
eons during which the office of farseer carried with it military responsibilities. The word has almost vanished from common parlance, but it is occasionally used by members of the great houses to express ironic disdain for the alleged weakness of the Rivalin farseers.
Bedwyr Ansgar - Deceased patriarch of House Ansgar, executed by Iden Teirtu at the end of the House Wars. Like the
Teirtu, the Ansgar can trace their family line back to the blood of the Rivalin. The Ansgar have close ancestral connections with the Aspect Temple of the Warp Spiders, and a number of the sons (and daughters) of Ansgar have trained in the temple. Bedwyr is the progenitor of Naois and Ela'Ashbel.
Bonesinger - See Wraithbone for details.
Bricriu Seosahm - Head of House Seosahm and councillor on the Ohlipsean.
Black Library - In keeping with most of the craftworld eldar, the Kaelorians retain a number of myths and legends about the
fabled Black Library. One such story tells of how the legendary (and original) Kaelorian Ranger, Vhruar the Hidden, spent a thousand years searching for the library vowing never to return to Kaelor until he had found it. Various versions of the tale suggest that he is still searching the webway in pursuit of his goal, banished from his society in self-imposed isolation. As far as anyone is aware, no Harlequins have ever encountered this heroic ranger. Note that Kaelor's slightly idiosyncratic conception of the Black Library (and the webway) might be partially explained by the lack of reliable or consistent contact by the Harlequins for the past several eons.
Caradoch - A furry quadruped originally native to the planet known as Lsathranil's Shield. The animal became extinct even
before the desertification (and eventual destmction) of the planet because it lacked the faculty of suspicion. It became an
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affectionate name for an aging eldar amongst the Exodite colonists, many of whom fled to Kaelor when the Great Conflagration consumed the planet.
Cegorach - the Laughing God - The Great Harlequin. The eldar of Kaelor retain knowledge of one
(contested) story of Cegorach during the War in Heaven, in which the Laughing God apparently tricked star god Kaelis Ra - the bringer of death - into turning against his own silvering hordes of Yngir [a more common version of this myth on other craftworlds replaces Kaelis Ra with the mythical foe of Cegorach, the so-called Outsider (Khamus). This version tallies well with the Harlequin prophecy of the Return of Khamus, in which the Outsider returns to visit its revenge on the children of the Laughing God]. A more popular myth surrounding Ce
gorach on Kaelor is that he escaped the effects of the Fall even without turning to the disciplined life of Ihnyoh. The Esdainn (rune-singers) of the Farseer's Court tell of how the Great Harlequin's mocking and irreverent nature distanced him from the decadence, hedonism and corruption that had enticed Slaanesh into existence.
The fact that the Harlequins do not wear waystones has not escaped the attention of the Knavir Eldar, who appear to interpret the Song of Cegorach as a parable that condones an indulgent lifestyle for as long as it is indulged in self-mockery. During the so-
called Age of Anguish, it appears that Cegorach became something of an icon for those Kaelorians who sought to abandon the Ihnyoh altogether.
Celyddon Ossian - Head of House Ossian, one of the great houses of Kaelor, and councillor on the Ohlipsean. He is
famous for unusually dark skin, golden eyes and his richly ostentatious robes. Cinnia Yuthran (Seer) - Also known as Maeveh of the Hidden Joy - one of the senior seers in the House Yuthran. She
is also a representative of that house at the Farseer's Court. She is heir to the functions and responsibilities of Lady Ione, and is mentor to Ela'Ash-bel.
Circular Court - The Ohlipsean - the Circle of Rivalin -the Rivalin Court - The highest
consultative assembly on Kaelor since the time of Gwrih the Radiant, who established it as a means of unifying the various great houses in a central council. The houses represented on it have tended to be those with some kind of familial or strategic connection with the Rivalin dynasty, leading to some dissatisfaction and unrest amongst the heads of the other houses. Craftwar - An ancient war between Kaelor and another craftworld. Even the rune-singers of Kaelor appear to preserve very
little information about why this war was fought, where it took place, and what happened during it. A number of works of poetry (such as the Tragedy of Ghurius) and several military epics (such as the Arc of Destiny) that claim to depict events from this war exist in the most comprehensive libraries of Kaelor. A copy of the Arc of Destiny that is kept in the House Library of Ansgar claims that the Craftwar was won by Kaelor because of the timely intervention of the so-called Lhykosidae or Wraith Spider [see Asurya, Exarch]. However, the authenticity of all of these documents is highly questionable and for eons they have been declared forbidden by the Rivalin Court. Dharknys - See down-phase.
Dhanir - stage, path, way - The term used as a category for the particular social role that a Kaelorian eldar is
currently occupying, be it the dhanir of the warrior, seer, artist or whatever. It is to be distinguished from the more elaborate term Ihnyoh (Way or Path), which refers to the cyclical Eldar Way itself. For most eldar on Kaelor, Ihnyoh consists of a series of specific dhanir [see Wayfarer], although some do become stuck in a single dhanir [see Path Stalker]. Dhamashir - Soul.
Down-phase - Dharknys - A period of darkness that cycles through each sector of Kaelor, providing an artificial night
on the massive craftworld. It is, in fact, a naturally occurring phenomenon (or, at least, the Kaelorians have no technical understanding of how or why it occurs). A plausible theory suggests that it has something to do the ebb and flow of the tidal currents within the infinity circuit, which would make it an intriguing indicator of the life cycle of the craftworld. Dharknys passes into a period of laetnys (up-phase) in a regular cycle, everywhere except within the Shrine of Fluir-haern, where it is always light. Edreacian Wine - An unusual, blue, intoxicating beverage that is unique to Craftworld Kaelor, despite the relatively
simple Eldreacian technology used to manufacture it. Many Kaelor eldar assert that it is actually toxic and poisonous to eldar from off-Kaelor; this has proved to be so for some, but certainly not all. It is usually served chilled, but even at reduced temperatures it lingers on the point of vaporisation, sending out a constant mist of blue. Consequently, the wine is as much inhaled as drank.
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Ela'Ashbel - Sister of Naois Ansgar and daughter of Bedwyr (allegedly by a different, unnamed mother -rumours suggest a
tryst with the beautiful Lady Ione). A child-seer of incredible power. She is ostensibly under the tutelage of Cinnia in the Seer House of Yuthran. She is famed for her unusual and startling sapphire-blue eyes. Eldar Path - See Ihnyoh.
Esdainn - Warlock, also Rune-singer - In common parlance on Kaelor this has come to mean any psyker with
tendencies towards (and Aspect training in the arts of) war and violence. The evaluative force of the word appears somewhat negative. Interestingly, the Kaelorians appear to have conflated this term with the label given to story tellers or rune-singers, particularly those who relate the great mythic cycles that contain tales of heroism, war and combat. The most famous of these is the young Deoch Epona who, despite her youth, is already a master of her craft. It appears that dedicating one's mind to combat (even to stories of combat) is frowned upon in Kaelorian culture. The unusual non-dualism between acting violently and relating violence might warrant further meditation. Ehveline - There is a Kaelorian myth called The Lost Daughter, which is kept alive in a number of Seer Houses, including the
House of Yuthran. It is a variation on the classic mythic cycle of the Tears of Isha. In this version, Isha manages to keep one of her most cherished daughters hidden from the Phoenix Lord when Asuryan banishes Isha's children from the heavens. The myth tells the story of how this child was raised in secret by Isha, who taught her the secrets of the universe, until her powers grew so great that it became impossible to keep her hidden from Asuryan any longer. At that time, Isha transported her ehveline down into the mortal realms, placing her amongst the isolated and well-hidden eldar of Kaelor for her own protection from the wrath of Khaine and the suspicion of Asuryan. It is said that the ehveline's immortal soul then commenced a process of cycling through reincarnations in mortal eldar forms, always in the shape of a beautiful female with startling sapphire eyes. The legend suggests that the incarnation of ehveline will never appear to grow beyond childhood, since the daughter of Isha descended from heaven before becoming fully grown. This is an interesting and unique Kaelorian myth. Exarch - The keeper of an Aspect Temple. As on other craftworlds, exarchs on Kaelor are those Aspect Warriors that have
become consumed by their violent nature and unable to suppress their love of combat. Hence they become unable to pass out of the Path of the Warrior, remaining stranded in that aspect of their existence until their deaths. Exarchs come to personify the qualities that are expressive of their chosen Aspect, and it is to them that the temple looks for leadership and guidance. Most will never remove their armour, and Kaelorian legend is full of stories of exarchs that became so infused with the psycho- plastic substance of their armour that they were literally absorbed into it, leaving a psychic echo of their souls to guide and assist the next exarch who dons the armour [other craftworlds share similar stories, but the secrecy of the Aspect Temples makes it hard to verify them].
Kaelorians also tell of a rogue exarch - the so-called Lhykosidae or Wraith Spider. This legendary warrior appears once every few millennia to bring justice and peace to Kaelor. He will rise out of the ranks of the Warp Spider Temple, but his powers will transcend even those of the exarch. Amongst various other theories, it is conjectured that he is a kind of Asurya (or Phoenix Lord), but since Kaelorian lore is ignorant of the origination of that Aspect [see Aspect Warrior], this Wraith Spider is said to take on the essential soul of the Warp Spiders, and this is done through a kind of spiritual awakening rather than by finding and donning the armour of a fallen Phoenix Lord, as described by the other main Aspect Temples. The Warp Spiders of Kaelor believe that they draw their name and power from the tiny crystalline creatures that roam the webway and the craftworld's own infinity circuit, purging them of all non-eldar psychic energy. Hence, the Wraith Spider is held to be a monumental force of purification, returning to Kaelor at its moment of greatest pollution and atrophy. The mighty Kaelorian wraithsmith, Vhaalum the Silver, posited an interesting int
erpretation of this myth, suggesting that the Wraith Spider was the personification of wraithbone. Both are entities that directly manifest the energy of sha'iel in material form, albeit one becomes organic and the other mineral.
Like the Aspect Temples themselves, exarchs are viewed by the Knavir Eldar of Kaelor as primitive and vulgar representations of the unsavoury side of the eldar soul. However, no Kaelorian appears to lack a sense of fear and awe when confronted with one. Exodine Knovah - Eldar Knights - The mythical nobles who led the fist exodites to salvation before the Fall. Some
Kaelorian scholars attribute the origins of the term Knavir to this phrase. Externis - Eldar not from Kaelor.
Faerulh - the breath of the lost - A mythic breeze said to emanate from the very soul of Kaelor. The most sensi-
tive minds are said to be able to hear the voices of their ancient ancestors carried on the whispering wind. Fluir-haern - See Infinity Circuit.
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Fall (the Fall) - The eldar of Kaelor have preserved a number of stories relating to this event, although the craftworld's
history is punctuated with periods in which memory of this most formative and cataclysmic event appears to have been lost. Consider in particular the so-called Age of Anguish, during which a number of the practices designed to protect the eldar from their own natures [see Ihnyoh] as well as from the Great Enemy were either abandoned or questioned. Amongst some of the Knavir eldar, there appears to remain some scepticism about the historical legitimacy of the various stories of the Fall. On this issue, it might be lamentable that Kaelor has had such scarce contact with the Harlequins throughout its long, isolated history. According to the most common versions of the stories (typically those told by the rune-singers of the great houses), the Fall occurred dozens of eons into the ancient period, before the coming of Gwrih the Radiant. It happened at a time when the eldar civilisation had reached its zenith, when it spanned the vastnesses of the galaxy. Its confidence - and its arrogance - knew no bounds. It was at this time that the tendency of the eldar soul towards extremes of emotion and intellect finally gave rise to the Great Cataclysm.