The Vanwë

They say an exarch is an eldar lost on one of the Paths of the Warrior and the famed Autarch Elenquentaro has collected such souls into a legendary band of such warriors who are feared across the stars. The Vanwë or “The Lost” are a group of a dozen members of extreme skill, each an exarch of an Aspect Shrine, who hunt the greatest foes of the Craftworlds and appear when least expected on far-flung battlefields.
== Roster ==
The roster fluctuates over time as some have died and been replaced; this was their roster ca. 999.M41.
=== Autarch Elenquentaro ===
Elenquentaro, or “Star-Seeker”, is an Autarch of a fallen Craftworld. He was, for many centuries, an eldar Ranger (and later Pathfinder). He fought the chaos space marine warband, and the countless daemons they brought with them, that set upon his Craftworld and is said to have slain a Daemon Price himself in single combat. Despite this his efforts were ultimately in vain and he wandered the stars for many years as something of a ronin or knight errant.
Over the centuries he has fought thousands of battles and came out the victor against countless foes. Elenquentaro is said to have the favor of Kaela Mensha Khaine himself and during battle he physically burns with his fury. In time his unmatched prowess attracted those lost on the Path of the Warrior to him and he now leads his cohort, The Vanwë.
=== Telperion and Laurelin, The Twins [Dire Avengers] ===
The Vanwë have two Exarchs of the Dire Avengers. Born as twins they were Exarchs of Craftworld Zhforan. They have a powerful psychic bond and can each control each other’s body, swapping consciousnesses and sometimes acting as a sort of gestalt psychic presence. They form the main body of the squad, often flanking or assisting Autarch Elenquentaro.
=== Yvriniae Taech [Howling Banshees] ===
A fearsome warrior who can terrify her enemies with the power of her aspect of Khaine. She is a deeply spiritual warrior and is one of Elenquentaro’s first disciples, hailing from Craftworld Zahr-Tann. She is something of the second in command of The Vanwë. She forms part of the main body of the formation, acting as an expert in melee.
=== Eryesith Highshard [Striking Scorpions] ===
A peerless fighter from the Craftworld of Arach-Qin. He is known to have the skulls of two Space Marine captains on his belt, which he displays to goad the stupid mon keigh into fighting him. He uses frequent traps and setups to eliminate enraged warriors.
=== Zonaniac Eldrirr [Dark Reapers] ===
A despondent and frigid Eldar who is of Craftworld Ul-Khari, one of its few survivors. Zonaniac has a particular hatred for Chaos for the Great Rift and the pain it caused his Craftworld. He is rarely seen until the moment he strikes, forming a core component of the ranged support of the cohort.
=== Rhylun Maugean [Fire Dragons] ===
If an Exarch can be called “young” Rhylun is. This is only in comparison to the other seasoned and ancient Exarchs of The Vanwë but he makes up for his energy with energy, violence, and a deep technical knowledge that no other in The Vanwë can match. He walked the Path of the Craftsman for many centuries before becoming lost of he path of the Fire Dragons. He fights with a fire lance and forms part of the main body of The Vanwë. He was originally from Craftworld Nova'cor and, as such, has a specialization in Anti-Astartes tactics; his mother is the famous Autarch Aegnor.
=== Dair-Kirr [Swooping Hawks] ===
Goddess of the air, Dair-Kirr is the scout and raider of the group. She rains down fire from on high before vanishing, outflying, or outfighting her foes. She hailed from Craftworld Kinshara and returned for a time, with The Vanwë, during the Nachmund Rift War.
=== Eldrasin Arhien [Shining Spears] ===
Eldrasin is a famous Shining Spear from the Wild Riders of Saim-Hann who serves as part of The Vanwë after losing an honor joust with Elenquentaro.
=== Illach Ilor [Shadow Spectres] ===
Little is known about Illach except that he hails from the secret Craftworld of Miandrothe.
== “Glimmers” ==
There is a unique ability The Vanwë possess; the ability to temporarily manifest the abilities of their Shrine’s respective Phoenix Lord. When a member of The Vanwë is in the heat of battle and things are the most dire, they are able to tap into this spiritual connection; this gives them the skills but not the wargear of the Phoenix Lord.
Though the reason is unknown it is theorized that Autarch Elenquentaro’s connection to Kaela Mensha Khaine and the extreme level of skill of the members (all being considered acceptable Phoenix Lord hosts) the members of The Vanwë act as a sort of Court of the Young King and Elenquentaro’s presence elicits the call the Exarchs of craftworlds normally feel before a Young King becomes an avatar.
Category:Eldar