vizn3r/warhammer40k-lore huggingface dataset:
Asuryani Path - Spiritseers: Those rare Warlocks who specialise in summoning and guiding the spirits of the Asuryani dead that exist within the Infinity Circuits of the craftworlds are known as Spiritseers.Their role in combat is to direct and command the Asuryani Wraithguard and Wraithlord units that are deployed in the more dire military situations faced by the craftworlds' forces.Both of these types of Aeldari units are wraithbone constructs that are animated by a Spirit Stone at their hearts that holds the soul of a dead Aeldari. The use of such units is is seen as little better than engaging in necromancy amongst the majority of the Aeldari, but the practice is tolerated because the Aeldari's low population makes reliance upon their dead a necessity if the species is to survive in its weakened state.Spiritseers' special training has hardened their own souls against the danger of becoming too enthralled by their command over the dead and thus actually becoming a true necromancer. The Wraithguard and the Wraithlord constructs are used only as a last resort by the craftworlds and only when their Farseers believe that they face the direst threat.Spiritseers are more common among the Aeldari of Craftworld Iyanden as this particular craftworld has a very small population and even fewer warriors following the assault upon it in 992.M41 by the Tyranid Hive Fleet Kraken.
Asuryani Wargear - Asuryani Wargear: This page briefly summarises all the forms of advanced wargear used by the Aspect Warriors and Guardians of the Asuryani.Despite the differences between the dozens of craftworlds of the Asuryani, all share essentially the same technology base, with few cultural variations.In addition, Craftworld Aeldari weapons and equipment (or very similar variants) are also used by the Harlequins and various groups of Aeldari Exodites, Outcasts, and pirates.
Asuryani Wargear - Biting Blade: Main article: Biting BladeBiting Blades are available only to Exarchs of the Striking Scorpion aspect. They are large, two-handed chainswords similar to the Eviscerator chainswords used by some soldiers of the Imperium and are capable of cutting through flesh and armour with ease. Each hit scored by the biting blade increases the strength of the weapon.
Asuryani Wargear - Chainsabres: Main article: ChainsabreChainsabres are available only to the Exarchs of the Striking Scorpion aspect. They are paired chainswords incorporating twin-linked shuriken pistols.
Asuryani Wargear - Diresword: Main article: DireswordDireswords are available only to Exarchs of the Dire Avenger aspect. They are one-handed power swords incorporating an Eldar spirit stone. Any target wounded by a Diresword can be killed outright by the spirit residing within the spirit stone. The Phoenix Lord Asurmen carries the very first diresword, the Sword of Asur. It contains the soul of his brother Tethesis, who was killed by a Daemon.
Asuryani Wargear - Executioner: Main article: Executioner (Eldar weapon)The Executioner is a large two-handed power glaive available only to Howling Banshee Exarchs, which is capable of slicing an opponent in half with a single blow. The Phoenix Lords Jain Zar and Maugan Ra also use Executioners.
Asuryani Wargear - Harlequin's Kiss: Main article: Harlequin's kissThe Harlequin's Kiss is one of the more horrifying close combat weapons employed by the Eldar, and is used only by Harlequins. It is a sharpened tube containing monofilament wire, like those used in the Death Spinners, and worn on the forearm. The tube is punched into the target and the wire uncoiled, ripping the victim's innards apart in a spectacular and bloody fashion.
Asuryani Wargear - Mandiblasters: Main article: MandiblasterMandiblasters are a close-range weapon attached to either side of the wearer's helmet. They function in a similar manner to Dark Eldar Incubi's tormentor helms. Activated by a psychic pick-up on the interior of the helmet, they fire a hail of micro-needles which act as a short-range conductor for a highly charged laser. These add to the wearer's com. Mandiblaster-equipped helmets are worn by members of the Striking Scorpion aspect, as well as some Autarchs. The Phoenix Lord Karandrashas has a more powerful type of mandiblaster, known as the Scorpion's Bite.
Asuryani Wargear - Mirrorswords: Main article: MirrorswordMirrorswords are employed by Howling Banshee Exarchs, and take the form of two matched power swords used in a complex ambidextrous sword-form.
Asuryani Wargear - Power Blades: Main article: Power BladesPower Blades are matched power weapons mounted on the forearm, leaving the user's hands free. They are currently only available to Exarchs of the Warp Spiders Aspect.
Asuryani Wargear - Scorpion Chainsword: Main article: Scorpion chainswordThe Scorpion chainsword is available to Autarchs and members of the Striking Scorpion aspect. This weapon is a one-handed close combat weapon effective against lightly armoured targets. It increases the Strength of the bearer.
Asuryani Wargear - Scorpion's Claw: Main article: Scorpion's clawThe Scorpion's Claw is a ritual weapon used by Exarchs of the Striking Scorpion aspect. It is similar to the Imperial Power Fist, giving the bearer vastly increased strength and armour penetration at the price of speed. The Scorpion's Claw also has a built-in shuriken catapult for ranged engagements.
Asuryani Wargear - Triskele: Main article: TriskeleThe Triskele is a thrown power weapon used by Exarchs of the Howling Banshees aspect, giving them a powerful short-ranged attack.
Asuryani Wargear - Witchblade: Main article: WitchbladeWitchblades are the standard weapon of Warlocks and Farseers, and when wielded by a Psyker they are devastating. Using the psychic power of the wielder, witchblades are effective against all targets, human, beast, daemon or vehicle.A variant of the witchblade is the Singing spear. This weapon is essentially a witchblade that can be thrown a short distance, automatically returning to user's hand after each throw. However, it is a two-handed weapon, so its use in close combat is reduced.
Asuryani Wargear - Wraithsword: Main article: Wraithsword
Asuryani Wargear - Specific weapons: Main articles: Staff of Ulthamar, Eye of Wrath, and Spear of Twilight
Asuryani Wargear - Flamers: Main article: Dragon's Breath FlamerThe Eldar use identical analogues to the Imperial Flamer which function as a battlefield flamethrower. These weapons are carried by either Storm Guardians or can be mounted on Wraithlords.
Asuryani Wargear - Shuriken Weapons: Shuriken weapons are the most common weapon type amongst the Craftworld Eldar. These weapons are dependent on a solid core of ammunition, which is normally cylindrical (although many variants do exist). When the weapon is fired, high-energy impulses shear off a monomolecular layer from the ammunition core, before hurling the disc from the barrel of the weapon. Up to a hundred shurikens can be fired in a two-second burst, with a standard ammunition core sufficient to provide at least ten such bursts before depletion. However, the method of firing does not lend itself to long-range accuracy, leaving the standard Eldar weapon to be outreached by opponents.Shuriken weapons come in several forms:Shuriken pistolsThese small but deadly shuriken pistols are used by many troops in the Eldar army. The shuriken pistols are used by some farseers, howling banshee aspects, some autarchs, strikeforce guardians, and striking scorpions.Shuriken catapultsThe shuriken catapults of the Craftworld Eldar are two handed weapons used by guardians. The dire avenger aspect warriors carry similar weapons known as "avenger shuriken catapults" that are shuriken catapults with detachable laser sights. The exarch may call the dire avengers to empty all their ammunition by blasting it out in an uncontrollable storm of blades (known as "bladestorm"). The shuriken catapults are only standard issue weapons, so they are not very strong, but since guardians travel in heavy numbers, all the shuriken catapults' combined strength could rip through even the many plates of a Leman Russ tank.Currently these weapons are elongated delta shapes, but they were initally shaped with two projections on either side of the muzzle that lent the catapult the superficial appearance of a crossbow.Shuriken cannonsMost of the vehicles of the Eldar race have massive shuriken cannons that are twice the size of ordinary shuriken catapults and are much stronger. Some vehicles such as the wave serpent carry twin linked shuriken cannons that fire simultaneously in a rapid fashion. One example of this type of weapon is carried by Maugan-Ra the Harvester of Souls.Shrieker cannonsThese man-portable shuriken cannons are carried by the Death Jesters of the Webway, and the Vypers of the Saim-Hann Craftworld. Shrieker cannons employ shuriken impregnated with "virulent genetic toxins" that cause their targets to explode and spray acidic blood in all directions that can damage even the most heavily armored foes. Although these weapons are rarely seen on the battlefront, they are powerful weapons that can terrify even the most battle-worn veterans of the Space Marines.
Asuryani Wargear - Laser Weapons: Main article: Prism CannonAlthough similar in concept to Imperial 'las' technology, the laser-based weapons used by the Craftworld Eldar are significantly more advanced than those of the Imperium. This is due to both the use of more efficient generation and transmission systems and the artificial growth of special focusing crystals through which the laser energy is filtered and refined before discharge.There are seven main types of Eldar laser weaponry:BrightlancesThe brightlance constitutes the main anti-tank firepower of the Craftworld Eldar. It is a laser weapon, similar in concept to its Imperial counterpart, the lascannon, but it fires an extremely focused shot, negating the value of extra-heavy armor.Scatter LasersA much more efficient analog of the Imperial Guard's multi-laser, scatter lasers use crystalline power cells to store a concentrated charge, before releasing the energy in a concentrated burst.Pulse lasersLike the bright lance, the pulse laser is similar in concept to Imperial lascannon. However, like all Eldar weapons, it is superior in efficiency. It differs from the bright lance in that it fires a burst of several shots, but is less effective against heavy armour.LasblastersCarried by the Swooping Hawks Aspect Warriors, the lasblaster is analogous to Imperial Hellguns. Exarchs use a more effective triple-barrelled version called a hawk's talon, and also have access to the sunrifle, a weapon which fires a high number of laser shots per second.Laser lancesThese are wielded by the jetbike-riding Shining Spear Aspect Warriors. They provide a heavy close range punch as the Shining Spears charge into battle. The Exarch may carry a more powerful version of the laser lance called a starlance.Ranger Long RifleThe Ranger Long Rifle is the favoured weapon of Eldar Rangers and Pathfinders. It is a long-barrelled rifle, superficially similar to the Imperial Sniper Rifle and Imperial Long-Las Rifle, that fires energy bolts capable of piercing most armour when aimed correctly. Unlike the mass-produced weapons of the Imperium, these potent Eldar weapons are hand-grown by Bonesingers with specific attention paid to the eyesight and grip, creating a weapon perfectly adapted to its user. The Ranger Long Rifle uses a Gyrostatic Arm to keep the weapon stable, dispensing with the clumsy bipods that must be used by the lesser races with their Sniper Rifles. The Gyrostatic Arm also all but eliminates recoil. Whereas the artificial crystals used by Imperial laser–technology struggle to maintain a focused beam over long distances, the psychically-grown crystals used by Eldar laser weapons are able to focus a tight beam of coherent light over a much greater distance, allowing a skilled user to punch through weak points in armour at great distances.
Asuryani Wargear - Plasma Weapons: Main article: StarcannonLike their Imperial counterparts, the Eldar make use of Plasma weaponry in various forms. While Eldar plasma weaponry tends to be of slightly-less destructive power than Imperial weapons, they can boast a higher rate of fire and pose no danger to their operators, as Eldar weapons do not overheat.Plasma MissileWhile the Eldar Missile Launcher is capable of launching the standard Krak missile like most missile launchers, the weapon can also launch Plasma missiles. A plasma missile, upon detonation, explodes in a large area, negating cover and piercing medium armor with ease.
Asuryani Wargear - Monofilament weapons: These weapons utilise a liquid organo-polymer compound to create monomolecular wire nets. These nets are created as the liquid compound exits the weapons, before being directed at the target (inaccurately in the case of shadow weavers). The net is extremely hard to remove, as it is made up of molecule-thick strands which are capable of cutting through unprotected flesh. The compound is designed to contract when disturbed, resulting in the victim slicing themselves apart as they struggle to free themselves. Although effective, it can be defeated by stronger forms of rigid armor.Death Spinners are the ritual weapons used by the Warp Spider Aspect. The Exarchs of the Warp Spiders often carry dual death spinners, in the artificial 'arms' of their ritual armor, therefore, the Exarch has his hands free to mount optional Power blades.Monofilament Rifle is an upgrade for the Warp Spider Exarch. While similar in principal to the Death Spinners utilized by the rest of the squad, it has a much lower rate of fire, and the monofilament net is stored in an armor-piercing shell, designed to pierce armor and then unravel inside the target.Shadow Weavers are indirect support weapons utilized by the Eldar. They are usually fielded in batteries of three. Once fired into the air, the mono-filament nets drift down on unlucky targets. While the strength and armor penetration of this weapon is similar to the Death Spinners of the Warp Spiders, it is dispersed in a much larger range, possibly disrupting entire formations.
Asuryani Wargear - Grenades: Haywire Grenades are used for neutralizing various vehicles. They send out an extremely high-powered, short range shockwave of magnetic energy which shorts out electrical equipment and energy systems of an enemy vehicle. These weapons are often carried by the Swooping Hawk and Warp Spider Aspect Warriors.Plasma Grenades are used to temporarially stun the victim, leaving them useless for a few seconds, giving the attacker time to leap onto their victim and rip them to shreds. These are commonly used by Striking Scorpion and Swooping Hawk Aspect Warriors.Hallucinogen Grenades are used by Harlequin Shadowseers to support them as they charge into melee combat. They release a large cloud of drugs which disrupt enemy infantry, and have the same effect as multiple Plasma Grenades.Aeldari Melta Bombs are in pretty much every way the same as Imperial Melta Bombs, using a sub-molecular fuel to penetrate tank armor. Aeldari Melta Bombs, however, are much more advanced and compact. They are carried by Fire Dragons, who use them to destroy fortifications and tanks that do not succumb to their Fusion Guns.
Asuryani Wargear - Vibro-cannon: A large weapon used on support platforms, Vibro-cannon are sonic-based weaponry that generate a rapidly distorting wave of sonic energy that ranges from ultrasonics to hypersonic frequencies. This wave is directed down a magnetised tunnel and, when it hits its target, literally shakes the target to pieces. It is able to cross the sonic beams of two or more Vibro-cannon to increase the already severe damage done to the target, making them capable of destroying even the most armoured foe if used properly.
Asuryani Wargear - Fusion weapons: Fusion guns are used by the Fire Dragons Aspect, and are similar to the Meltaguns used by the Imperium. It is comparable in strength to its Imperial counterparts. There is also an improved fusion weapon, called a firepike, which boasts enhanced range in comparison. There is also a Fusion Pistol, used in small numbers by Harlequins for extra close-range fire; however, although they are similar in power to Fusion Guns, their range is amazingly short.
Asuryani Wargear - Projectile Weapons: Main article: Reaper launcherEldar Missile Launcher - An Eldar Missile Launcher is also sometimes carried by Dark Reaper Exarchs but more commonly fitted as heavy weapons to Eldar vehicles. Similar to the Missile Launchers of the Imperium, they can fire either Krak Missiles, but can also fire Plasma Missiles, much like an Imperial Frag Missile with better armour penetrating abilities.Tempest Launcher -  The Tempest Launcher is a rare weapon only carried by the Dark Reaper Exarchs in place of the standard Reaper Launcher. This weapon differs from the standard Reaper Launcher in that it is used to saturate an area with smaller, armour-piercing missiles via indirect fire in volleys like a long-range highly potent shotgun.
Asuryani Wargear - Exarch/Aspect Weapons: Eldar Exarchs, particularly the Phoenix Lords, often carry unique weapons far more effective than normal Eldar Weaponry.
Asuryani Wargear - Phoenix Lords: Each Phoenix Lord usually possesses at least one unique weapon.Asurmen, the Dire Avenger Phoenix Lord, possesses a unique Twin Avenger Shuriken Catapult which leaves his hands free to wield The Sword of Asur, the very first Diresword. The Sword of Asur contains the spirit stone of Asurmen's fallen brother and it is this very spirit that makes the sword so deadly. The Sword functions similarly to a wraithsword.Jain Zar, the Howling Banshee Phoenix Lord, is armed with an ornate Executioner known as the Blade of Destruction, and the Silent Death, a three-bladed weapon which functions in the same way as a Triskele, except the Silent Death is much more powerful in terms of raw strength.Baharroth, the Phoenix Lord of the Swooping Hawks, possesses no unique weapons, only a Power Sword and a Hawk's Talon.Karandras, second Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions, carries both a Scorpion's Claw and a Scorpion Chainsword, and is also armed with The Scorpion's Bite, a potent set of twin Mandiblasters that is far more powerful than the normal type, and is capable of firing more shots as well.Fuegan, the Fire Dragon Phoenix Lord is armed with a Firepike and the Fire Axe, a power weapon whose flaming blade can slice through infantry and vehicle armor with equal ease. The Fire Axe functions like a close combat melta-weapon, sans the incredible strength but keeps the armor penetration.Maugan Ra, Phoenix Lord of the Dark Reapers, carries but one weapon; The Maugetar. It is a massive weapon which reflects his specialization in ranged warfare. Comparing it to a Reaper Launcher would be an insult; it possesses far more stopping power than the basic Reaper Launcher, and fires much faster as well. Even the most hardened veterans dive deeper into cover when confronted with this weapon, and with good reason; the sheer volume of projectiles this weapon puts out can tear infantry or vehicle targets to shreds in a matter of seconds. The weapon also has a built-in Executioner, used much like a bayonet, although obviously more powerful.
Asuryani Wargear - Wraithbone: Main article: Wraithbone
Asuryani Wargear - Infinity Circuit: Main article: Infinity Circuit
Asuryani Wargear - Spirit Stone: Main article: Spirit Stone
Asuryani Wargear - Webway: Main article: Webway
Asuryani Wargear - Vehicles: Most of the vehicles of the Eldar (except War Walkers, Wraithlords and the largest Titans) incorporate powerful "grav-thrusters", allowing them hover over the ground. This makes them significantly faster than their Imperial equivalents, and their speed is better protection than any amount of armour plating.
Asuryani Wargear - Jetbike: Main article: Jetbike (Eldar)
Asuryani Wargear - Vyper: Main article: Vyper
Asuryani Wargear - War Walker: Main article: War Walker
Asuryani Wargear - Falcon: Main article: Falcon Grav Tank
Asuryani Wargear - Wave Serpent: Main article: Wave Serpent
Asuryani Wargear - Fire Prism: Main article: Fire Prism
Asuryani Wargear - Firestorm: Main article: Firestorm
Asuryani Wargear - Night Spinner: Main article: Night Spinner
Asuryani Wargear - Wraithbone constructs: The Eldar are known to create warriors which are composed entirely of Wraithbone and powered by the spirits of long dead warriors. They range from the man-size Wraithguard to the gigantic Warlock Titans.
Asuryani Wargear - Wraithlord: Main article: Wraithlord
Asuryani Wargear - Wraithguard: Main article: Wraithguard
Asuryani Wargear - Others: In Epic Armaggeddon the Eldar utilize Wraithbone in a number of their Titans. Most notable of these is the Warlock Titan. The Warlock is not manned by a conventional crew, but a collection of powerful psykers, mostly Warlocks and Seers.
Asuryani Wargear - Knights: Larger than walkers but smaller than Titans. The Knights are found on agri-worlds. Initially supported in the early 1990s in Epic Space Marine, these models are no longer replaced.Fire GaleBright StallionTowering Destroyer
Asuryani Wargear - Engines of Vaul: Main articles: Cobra (Eldar tank) and Scorpion (Eldar tank)These are the super-heavy grav tanks.Storm Serpent - Armed with a turret mounted pulse laser and scatter laser, and several small weapon systems, the prime purpose of the storm serpent is to transport an eldar portal into position to transmit Eldar warriors from the webway to the battlefield. Since no troops are actually transported the storm serpent's destruction does not kill any Eldar troops other than its guardian crew. It only appears in the Epic Armageddon game.Void Spinner - Armed only with a void spinner monofiliment array, it is only used by the Biel-tan Craftworld Eldar. The reason is that the monofiliment barrages the void spinner produces not only slice enemies to pieces like other monofiliment weapons but they contain a techno virus that sterilizes the ground it lands on ready to be re-seeded by the Eldar. This is particularly necessary when facing the Orks as their spore-based form of reproduction means that sterilization is the only response to future re-infestation. It only appears in the Epic Armageddon game.
Asuryani Wargear - Eldar Titans: Main article: Eldar Titans
Asuryani Wargear - Spacecraft: Space battles are covered by Battlefleet Gothic (BFG) and the earlier Space Fleet (SF).Eldar Wraithship (SF)Eldar Shadowhunter (SF)Void Stalker Class Battleship (BG)Shadow Class Cruiser (BG)Eclipse Class Cruiser (BG)Aurora Class Light Cruiser (BG)Solaris Class Light Cruiser (BG)Hemlock Class Destoyer (BG)Nightshade Class Destroyer (BG)Hellbore Class Frigate(BG)Dragonship cruiser (BG)Blackstone Fortress (BG) - The Blackstone Fortresses are somewhere between space stations and starships in size. They are ancient weapons used to combat the C'tan, said to have been created by the Eldar God Vaul but more probably by the Old Ones.
Asuryata - Asuryata: The Asuryata is an Aeldari text that tells an epic legend about the Phoenix Lords. It is only recited in full once in each generation by the mystical order of Aeldari poets known as the Bards of Twilight.The tale is composed of many well-known parables intended to pass on important teachings about life and Aeldari culture. The Asuryani of the craftworlds use the text to derive guiding principles for both their day-to-day lives, the war councils and their military campaigns.
Atalan Jackal - Atalan Jackal: An Atalan Jackal is a fourth generation Genestealer Neophyte Hybrid who has been tasked with riding their Genestealer Cult's primary light vehicles, including Atalan dirtcycles and Atalan Wolfquads.Atalan Jackals form the outriders of their gene-sect. They roam the corners of the host planet in search of new regions for their cult to infest.In many ways they are prospectors -- not of rich veins of minerals, precious metals or fossil fuel deposits, but of the bounty of Human life. To a Genestealer Cult, that resource is the most precious of all.
Atalan Jackal - Notable Atalan Jackals: Moragh Vignostiquod - Moragh Vignostiquod was a Jackal Alphus who personally assassinated Inquisitor Helvendt with a Sniper Rifle in the course of a successful assault by cult Atalan Jackals upon a force of the Astra Militarum. Though her weapon could not penetrate the Power Armour worn by the Inquisitor, her shot's sheer kinetic power broke his neck.
Atalan Jackal - Unit Composition: 3-11 Atalan Jackals (dirtcycles)1-3 Atalan Jackal Wolfquads1 Atalan Leader1 Jackal Alphus
Atalan Jackal - Atalan Jackals: DirtcycleWolfquad (1 for every 4 Atalan Jackals)AutopistolBlasting ChargesCultist KnifeDemolition ChargeGrenade LauncherHeavy Stubber (Only equipped on Wolfquads)Shotgun (Only for Wolfquad riders)Improvised Weapon (Only for Wolfquad riders)Power Pick (Only for Wolfquad riders)Mining Laser (As replacement for Wolfquad Heavy Stubber)Atalan Incinerator (As replacement for Wolfquad Heavy Stubber)
Atalan Jackal - Atalan Leader: DirtcycleWolfquad (1 for every 4 Atalan Jackals)AutopistolBlasting ChargesAutogunBolt PistolPower Axe
Atalan Jackal - Jackal Alphus: Jackal Sniper RifleAutopistolBlasting Charge
Atar-Median - Atar-Median: Atar-Median, also sometimes referred to in certain sources as Atar-Meridian, is an Imperial Adeptus Mechanicus Forge World located in the Segmentum Pacificus of the Milky Way Galaxy.Founded by the Explorator Arks sent out by the ancient Mechanicum priesthood of the Forge World of Phaeton during the Great Crusade in the late 30th Millennium, Atar-Median was quickly transformed into a fully functioning Forge World.At the time of the Horus Heresy, Atar-Median was only one amongst several lesser Forge Worlds that formed the mighty "Belt of Iron" which spanned the border regions of both the Segmentum Tempestus and the Segmentum Pacificus.Atar-Median is the homeworld of the Titan Legion called the Legio Atarus, also known by their cognomen of "the Firebrands," which includes many ancient god-engines that once defended Phaeton during the Age of Strife.
Atar-Median - Dispute of Iron: Located across the border sectors of the Segmentum Tempestus and Segmentum Pacificus were numerous lesser Forge Worlds, which included Atar-Median, known collectively as the "Belt of Iron."For Atar-Median, the Horus Heresy started on 566.006.M31 when the War Maniple Red Naga of the Legio Atarus was destroyed on the black sand of Isstvan V during the Drop Site Massacre. Whilst it is unknown if the magi of Atar-Median had been approached by Traitor-aligned Dark Mechanicum envoys as is known to have happened in the Segmentum Obscurus, this sole act of aggression would suffice to propel Atar-Median into the Loyalist camp.Given the tension that existed previously between Phaeton and Mars, it could well be that the Traitor Kelbor-Hal, the fabricator-general of Mars secretly in league with Horus Lupercal, had deemed Atar-Median incorruptible and more efficient to subdue other, more-pliable Forge Worlds as not to waste resources on Atar-Median.Blockading or cutting off domains they could not readily subdue was, after all, almost as efficient as destroying the enemy itself. By 010.M31, Atar-Median was fully at war, the famed Belt of Iron having succumbed to infighting in the Mechanicum as had much of the Imperium.Allied to the Loyalist Forge Worlds of Graia and Arl'yeth, Atar-Median stood against those worlds of the Mechanicum that had thrown their lot in with the Traitors: Incunabula, Urdesh, Valia-Maximal and Kalibrax.The Belt of Iron's two remaining Forge Worlds, Arachnis and Jerulas Station, had both fallen into anarchy and full-fledged civil war and only marginally interfered in the internecine Mechanicum conflict in the region which would later be named the "Dispute of Iron" and result in the terrible campaign remembered as the Cataclysm of Iron in 010.M31.In the years that followed, these Forge Worlds' Taghmata's oathbound Knight Houses and Titan Legions would devastate scores of Human-inhabited worlds in the region that became the battlegrounds upon which the Cataclysm of Iron was fought.
Atar-Median - Canon Conflict: Atar-Median has also been called Atar-Meridian, most notably in The Horus Heresy Book Six: Retribution, page 274. It is unclear whether the name of the world has actually been changed, or whether this is just an alternate form of the name for Atar-Median.
Ateanism - Ateanism: Ateanism is an Imperial intellectual philosophy and academic school of thought, as well as a scholastic and artistic theory that has far too often degenerated into dangerous heresy. Ateanism holds beauty and the pure achievement of the mind above all other goals and believes that at the heart of the drive to perfection and purity in any field lies a single magnificent truth. The folly of Ateanism is a warning that it is not only the malign cultist who can bring on the storm of Chaos but also the follies of the weak, the vain, and the arrogant.To the end of attaining the single truth of their discipline, whatever it may be, Ateanists strive to use a set of formulae and processes that grant them a glimpse of the majesty of the truth that lies beneath all of Humanity's greatest works. Sadly for these deluded fools, the revealed truth they seek is a lie wed to the powers of depravity and hubris that echo in the Warp, primarily that of Slaanesh, the Chaos God of pleasure and pain. In applying their flawed and blasphemous patterns, Ateanists constantly court a blind dance with corruption, destruction, and damnation, spreading the power of the Chaos Gods in their ignorance and self-delusion.
Ateanism - Origins: Ateanism is named for Julius Ateanos, the damned founder of this Imperial school of thought. Ateanos was an archivist and scholar whose hubris would unleash a tradition that has violated souls without control since his death over two Terran centuries ago in the Calixis Sector of the Segmentum Obscurus. Scholar, savant, archivist, and illuminator, Julius Ateanos was chief curator of the Library of Knowing on Fenksworld.The echoing vaults of the Library were Ateanos' home, and its stacks of books, parchment rolls, and data stores were his beloved charges. Yet, for all his learning and intellect, Ateanos did not understand a fundamental truth -- that to be a curator of knowledge in the Imperium is to keep it contained and confined from those who should not have it. Had he treated the knowledge at his disposal with the suspicion of a gaoler, many souls might have been saved.Ateanos' first steps to damnation were the fault of his own flawed character, his complete confidence in his own intellectual abilities, and his belief in the purity of intellectual endeavour. For solar decades he had pored over the works in his charge. He had read of great thinkers who had built the foundations of Human knowledge, been dazzled by the beauty of ancient Terran poets whose names are lost, and felt the tingle of illicit pleasure at secretly reading proscribed, heretical works in the dark watches of the night.In his quest, Ateanos crossed the boundary of necessary knowledge and in time he became not simply content to absorb the achievements of others but dreamed of being like the ancient champions of art and truth. This dream became Ateanos' warm and comforting companion in the grey drudgery of his mundane work, and it sustained him as he obeyed the orders of what he considered to be lesser men.After long Terran years of discontent, he decided to follow his dream to fruition, and took a step into nightmare, not beauty. Perhaps inspired by fragments of the work of an ancient philosopher, Ateanos came to the conclusion that a complex but common property underpinned all great art, thought, and Human expression. It was this unknown property expressed in the form and proportion of sculpture, the cadence of poetry, or the elegance of theory, he believed, that spoke to the depths of the soul and spurred Humanity to achieve all that was great and admirable.What was more, Ateanos was convinced that this property could be expressed and separated from those works of which it was the fundamental but hidden part. It would be perfection itself rendered to its supreme and absolute form. The means of revealing this property would be Ateanos' great gift to Human knowledge. He fantasised about it as the making of his immortality and fame, and thus was the focus of a deep and secret obsession in the last solar decade of his life.
Ateanism - The Eris Transform and its Application: A practitioner of Ateanism is chiefly concerned with the application of the Eris Transform to works of art and intellect, such as a work of literature or music. To have any use, however, the would-be Ateanist also requires the connected methodology -- a cipher which is made up of a mass of strange translation tables as well as geometrical and occult diagrams of equivalence. These elements can appear together or separately and occur in many forms, from scrolls to encoded data-slates. Many works also contain additional notes by previous users and commentaries on the exact method of application.Ateanism is not a unified intellectual or religious movement like a true Chaos Cult but a chain of individuals and small groups linked only by the passing of copies of the Eris Transform. Those copies and the lore that passes with them are of variable quality, and many do not work at all or will only work with the most imaginative handling. The quirks of practice that have crept into Ateanism over the centuries (over what it should be applied to, in what circumstances, the use of mirrors, special accompaniments, and so on) have even led to schism and murder between its followers.Almost all Ateanists are ignorant of the Daemonic influence they open themselves to by their acts, as if some external force was preventing those involved from discovering the truth (which may, in fact, be the case). Instead, most think of Ateanism as the pursuit of truth and beauty in a universe of drab repetition and crushing, philistine dogma.
Ateanism - Pawns of Slaanesh: Ateanists have a tendency to be a mix of bookish scholars, tortured artists, and disenchanted scribes. Occasionally their ranks will be joined by art-obsessed Imperial nobles and magnates as well as other deluded visionaries. Unfortunately, the troubles they can unintentionally summon from the Warp when they make use of a properly inscribed copy of the Eris Transform run to a variety of hellish and depraved monstrosities, particularly the following:Fiends of Rapture - Spawned of seductive nightmares and obscenities too dreadful to contemplate, Fiends of Rapture are bizarre Daemonic beasts of Slaanesh that move with a terrible speed and sickening suppleness. They are shifting, lascivious things somewhere between woman and man, equine and insect. Their long tails are tipped with a sting like a scorpion's that grants the most exquisite of deaths, while their sinuous claws gently click together in anticipation of their victim's embrace. These Fiends are surrounded by a cloud of cloying musk that overwhelms the senses of those mortals who taste it, stupefying the mind, and many who encounter these infernal beings die walking willingly to their end.
Ateanism - Ordo Malleus Departmento Analyticus Threat Briefing: The Inquisition knows of Ateanism, it knows its threat, and it knows how it spreads. This knowledge has not stopped Ateanism being one of the most subtle and persistent problems faced by the Ordo Malleus in the Calixis Sector. There have been 87 recorded incidents relating to the use of the Eris Transform in the two standard centuries since Julius Ateanos' disappearance.Since Ateanism is not a true Chaos Cult in the common sense, it is even more resistant to purging and is incredibly difficult to uproot. All that is needed for Ateanism to continue to exist is for copies of the Eris Transform to change hands between deluded and willing fools.These copies are often made by hand and so preventing their production is almost impossible, which is not to say the Inquisition is any less resolute in trying. Like the most endemic of weeds, Ateanism is a constant problem for the Holy Ordos that can bear the most horrific fruit, and though its adherents are often little more than pompous, deluded fools, their actions can have dire consequences. Therefore, they are shown no mercy when discovered.
Athame - Athame: An athame was a unique ritualistic dagger made from crude metal or flint that was blessed by the Dark Gods and possessed the ability to alter the very fabric of reality.Eight athames were utilised by the Word Bearers Traitor Legion during the Battle of Calth in the opening days of the Horus Heresy in the early 31st Millennium.These eight daggers were esoteric weapons crafted from shards of the daemonic Anathame that had mortally wounded the Warmaster Horus on the plague moon of Davin and had facilitated his conversion to the service of Chaos in the Temple of the Serpent Lodge.Athames possessed special properties that enabled them to rend the skein of reality, allowing the wielder to step through the Immaterium and cross vast distances in realspace, whether aboard a vessel traveling through the Warp, or even onto another planet in the galaxy.Unknown to the Dark Apostle Erebus of the Word Bearers, the athames could even allow their users to travel multiple millennia back in time. Several of the XVIIth Legion's mortal Chaos Cultists on the surface of Calth also utilised ritualistic weapons known as athames, though these were rather small, mundane versions of the weapon, which was made out of flint or crude metal.Blessed by the Dark Apostles themselves, these daggers were considered a mark of high status within the ranks of both the XVIIth Legion and its allied Chaos Cults.The whereabouts of the eight true athames following the Battle of Calth is unknown, although one athame is believed to have been used by the Inquisition during the Pandorax Campaign's Battle of Pythos to seal the Damnation Cache, and another, known as the Shard of Erebus, may have been wielded by Marneus Calgar, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, to slay the Daemon Prince M'kar during the Invasion of Ultramar in 999.M41.
Athame - Shard of Erebus: Ten thousand standard years after the Battle of Calth, in early 999.M41 during the Invasion of Ultramar, Marneus Calgar, the Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, killed the Daemon Prince M'kar with the athame that Captain Uriel Ventris of the Ultramarines 4th Company had retrieved from Captain Ventanus' tomb.The Daemon Prince recognised the knife as a "Shard of Erebus" and was frightened by its power. This dagger was likely the same athame that Ventanus had taken from Hol Beloth, though it could also have been the first athame that Ventanus had taken from Morpal Cxir and used to banish the Daemon Samus early in the Battle of Calth.
Athame - Other Athames: In the late 41st Millennium, an agent of the Inquisition's Ordo Malleus stole an athame from a museum on a T'au Sept world; the T'au, knowing little of Chaos, had mistaken it for a crude flint knife.They displayed it as proof of how little the gue'la had changed over such a long history and how technically backwards Mankind was compared to the rapidly advancing T'au Empire. The T'au had no idea of the dagger's special properties.When trapped by a team of Fire Warriors after seizing the artefact, the agent used the dagger to open a rift into the Immaterium and escape.This blade was later used by the Inquisition during the Pandorax Campaign's Battle of Pythos to seal the Damnation Cache, a stable portal into the Warp that could be used as a source of daemonic invasion in Abaddon the Despoiler's soon-to-be unleashed 13th Black Crusade.
Athame (Anthology Short Story) - Athame (Anthology Short Story): Athame is a short story published in The Horus Heresy series that was originally part of an anthology. Athame was first published as part of the Mark of Calth main series anthology in April 2013. The cover image used is that of Mark of Calth, as Athame has yet to be published separately. Athame is a prequel to the events of Book 19, Know No Fear.
Athame (Anthology Short Story) - Synopsis: The story of an ancient ritual dagger, the athame, and its journey from its creation to the time thousands of years later where it comes into the possession of Oll Persson.
Athenaeum of Kallimakus - Athenaeum of Kallimakus: The Athenaeum of Kallimakus was a great subterranean library and repository of forgotten knowledge located on the world of Appollonia, the moon of a gas giant and the location of a secret fortress of the Imperial Inquisition.The Athenaeum was maintained by a cult of savants that worshiped the memory and works of Mahavastu Kallimakus, the Remembrancer who served as the personal scribe of Magnus the Red, Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion, during the Great Crusade.Sixteen hundred years after the end of the Horus Heresy in the seventh century of the 32nd Millennium, when he was exiled from the Thousand Sons for casting the Rubric of Ahriman, Ahzek Ahriman led a warband of Rubric Marines to Appollonia after learning of the Athenaeum's existence.After a month-long siege defended by the forces of the Inquisition and the Grey Knights, Ahriman and his Heretic Astartes broke into the Athenaeum and looted the tomes of knowledge therein in search of a cure for the Rubric. When none was found, they burned the library to ashes, to ensure that no one else would ever learn its secrets about their Primarch and his Legion or be able to use the knowledge of the Warp contained within.After Ahriman was successful in penetrating the Athenaeum, his destruction of the massive subterranean complex fatally weakened the physical cohesiveness of Apollonia. A short time later, the moon imploded, the debris swallowed by a Warp Storm that was unleashed as the world was destroyed.
Athenaeum of Kallimakus - Origins: In the wake of the Battle of Prospero at the start of the Horus Heresy, the Remembrancer Mahavastu Kallimakus, the personal scribe of Magnus the Red, fled that dying world along with many of the works he had written based on the dictations of the Thousand Sons Primarch.Kallimakus ultimately sought aid from the Inquisition after the Heresy. Kallimakus hoped to establish a place where the forbidden and heretical knowledge of Chaos and Warp lore that had been gained by Magnus could be both studied by Imperial savants but also kept out of the hands of those who would misuse it.The early Inquisition proved receptive and offered him the secluded moon of Appollonia to establish his repository. Before Kallimakus died peacefully of old age, he built the Athenaeum, compiling its archive of heretical knowledge both from, his own memory and the notes of Magnus' dictations to him.The Athenaeum thus housed an almost exact copy of the information contained within the infamous heretical work known as the Book of Magnus.After Kallimakus' death, this knowledge led to the creation of a fanatical cult of Imperial savants who studied the knowledge kept within the Athenaeum for over a thousand Terran years. These scholars added to Kallimakus' work and filled the library with tens of thousands of new works, much of it speculation and commentaries on the Remembrancer's original body of knowledge.
Athenaeum of Kallimakus - Fall of the Athenaeum: After the Thousand Sons fled Prospero into the Warp and made a new home on the Planet of the Sorcerers, they were once more afflicted by the ruinous mutation known as the "Flesh Change." To stop it, Ahzek Ahriman and his cabal of like-minded sorcerers sought to enact the great spell known as the Rubric of Ahriman.The Rubric succeeded, but at the price of transforming the majority of the Thounsand Sons battle-brothers into the undying automatons devoid of all intelligence and personality known as Rubric Marines.Ahriman was exiled along with many of his fellow sorcerers from the Thousand Sons by Magnus the Red in the Primarch's anger at the outcome of the Rubric.In desperation, Ahriman recalled the work of Mahavastu Kallimakus who had recorded much of Magnus' research and began to search for the Remembrancer. The sorcerer hoped to read the exact words and procedures he had used to cast the Rubric from a copy of the Book of Magnus once more, in the hopes that a new analysis could lead him to detect the flaw that had produced the Rubric Marines. Ahriman believed he could reverse it and restore his brothers to full life.Though it supposedly took him 1600 Terran years, Ahriman eventually discovered Kallimakus' fate and the existence and location of the Athenaeum from the mind of the captured Inquisitor Iobel, who had been sent into the Eye of Terror on a mission to determine what the Thousands Sons were up to after the Horus Heresy.Ahriman immediately took his warband to Appollonia after learning of the existence of the Athenaeum from his interrogation of Iobel. He was opposed by the forces of the Inquisition and the Grey Knights present at the Inquisitorial fortress on the moon and even elements of his own warband turned on him. The resulting battle produced heavy losses on all sides, but Ahriman ultimately secured the library.After he proved unable to determine the flaw in his spell-casting, Ahriman burned the library to ashes so that no others could gain the knowledge of Magnus the Red. He left the world behind, to continue his quest for redemption and knowledge elsewhere.The Athenaeum had been hidden deep underground, near to the core of the moon, and its structure now largely held the small world together. Once it was destroyed, the moon soon after collapse in upon itself even as its debris was swallowed by a Warp Storm.
Athkor's Destroyers - Athkor's Destroyers: Athkor's Destroyers is a Chaos Space Marine warband of the Black Legion led by the Master of Possession Bruakh Athkor, who is known as the "Daemontwister of the Screaming Void." The Destroyers emphasise numbers and strategic versatility.Led by a Master of Possession and his Greater Possessed, the force has a solid core of Heretic Astartes. With a Venomcrawler and a pair of Obliterators to provide heavy firepower, this force can respond swiftly to any strategic challenge.
Athkor's Destroyers - Notable Warband Members: Bruakh Athkor - Bruakh Athkor is a Master of Possession who also serves as the leader of his own warband within the Black Legion.
Athkor's Destroyers - Warband Colours: As members of the Black Legion, Athkor's Destroyers wear that Traitor Legion's black and gold Power Armour.
Athkor's Destroyers - Warband Badge: Athkor's Destroyers display the Eye of Horus like all members of the Black Legion.
Athonian Tunnel Rats - Athonian Tunnel Rats: The Athonian Tunnel Rats is a Militarum Regimentum of the Astra Militarum that hails from the world of Athonos. This Imperial planet's governance is constantly in flux, vied for by a dozen rival noble families. The resultant gang warfare amongst their various supporters is brutal and unending, the violence spilling into the streets and sewers of the hydroponic gardens that cover much of Athonos. Such is the recruiting ground for the Athonian Tunnel Rats. By the time they are drafted for the Imperial Tithe, they are already masters of urban combat and amongst the most determined close-quarters fighters of the Imperial Guard.Due to their expertise in subterranean warfare, the regiments of the Tunnel Rats are often called upon to quash heretical uprisings on densely-packed Hive and Mining Worlds. As such, they have come face to face with a great number of Genestealer Cults. The Athonians tend to eschew the use of mortars and artillery due to their limited effectiveness in the confined caverns in which they usually fight, instead relying on massed Meltaguns, Flamers and demolition charges, and utilising light armour support in the form of Sentinels and Chimeras.
Athonian Tunnel Rats - Notable Athonian Tunnel Rats Regiments: 18th Athonian Regiment, "Children of Ganthos" - One of the more decorated Athonian infantry regiments.
Atlantian Spears - Atlantian Spears: The Atlantian Spears is a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter of unknown Founding that is a successor of the Blood Angels.