Asurmen: Hand of Asuryan (Warhammer 40,000: Phoenix Lords)

Product Information

Similarly, Baharroth and the Swooping Hawks can swoop down (the clue’s in their name) and claim objectives deep into enemy territory, while Karandras and the Striking Scorpions can ambush unsuspecting opponents before claiming an objective. Scorpion Chainsword - First amongst the ritual weapons used by the Striking Scorpions Aspect, these distinctive Chainswords bolster the strength of their users considerably. Asurmen joined the Asurya in founding Aspect Shrines and raised more shrines on more craftworlds than any other Phoenix Lord. His shrines were all dedicated to his own varied combat skills, considered the most well-balanced amongst all the Aspects and his Aspect Warriors became the Dire Avengers. Soon he vanished again, but tales of his deeds persisted throughout the passing millennia. He was reported fighting against the forces of the Aeldari's Great Enemy in the depths of the Eye of Terror. He was also seen on the galaxy's rim in the Eastern Fringe slaying the agents of Chaos, and tales of his valour spread from craftworld to craftworld. His actions have even become legends among the "lesser races" such as Mankind.

Dire Avengers take to the field armed with Avenger Shuriken Catapults. These elegant weapons are even more advanced than the Shuriken Catapults used by the Craftworld Guardians. Their lethal volleys echo the Death of a Thousand Blades, the punishment that Khaine metes out upon traitors and cheats who are unworthy of a clean kill. Born Iliathin, the Eldar who would become Asurmen was born on the world of Eidafaeron and lived an uneventful and normal life. Before the Fall of the Eldar, he was skeptical of the prophecies of doom being spread by those who would become the Exodites. Iliathin’s brother Tethesis wanted to join the Exodites but his skeptical sibling refused to take part. Once the Doom of the Eldar came, Ilaithin and his brother both survived the calamity. They waged a desperate struggle for survival amid the ruins of their world, now overrun with Daemons. Iliathin killed Tethesis, after his brother was possessed by a Daemon. Afterwards, he found shelter at an ancient temple to the Aeldari gods. The Daemons were kept at bay due to the lingering presence of the Eldar pantheon. When the Phoenix Lord falls in combat, another Exarch will don the armour and assume the memories and abilities of the Phoenix Lord.Other Equipment - In general, Aspect Warriors carry no extra equipment beyond what they need to fulfill their tactical role. Sometimes Dire Avengers will carry a ceremonial knife from their Aspect Shrine. Whilst no doubt employed as a hand-to-hand combat weapon of last resort, its primary purpose is for use during the shrine's pre-and-post-battle ceremonies. Although not a part of their primary tactical function, hand-to-hand fighting techniques are studied by the Dire Avengers, but only by accepting their calling to become an Exarch can such skills become the warrior's true focus.

Wargame Exclusive : They've got some Warp Spiders, male and female version, an exarch, and a Dark Eldar character. The first of all Phoenix Lords, Asurmen was the founder of the Dire Avengers Aspect Path, one of the most numerous Aspects of all. He is an exemplar of precision on the battlefield, devastating enemies with his elegant approach to warfare. Finally, you’ll want your units to stay alive. We’d recommend a Wave Serpent for this. A dedicated transport ship that’s equipped with a shield, its durability will keep all cargo in its levitating troop belly happy. The first Exarchs, the Asurya, the children of Asurmen, were the greatest of his students and went on to become the Phoenix Lords of the other Aspect Shrines, the first masters of the other specialised Aeldari combat disciplines. It was then that the different Warrior Aspects were formalised within the culture of the Aeldari Craftworlds, taking as their model the skills and teachings of their founders. The Phoenix Lord of the Dire Avengers is Asurmen, the "Hand of Asuryan." He was the first of the Phoenix Lords; it was Asurmen who founded the first of the Aspect Shrines, the Shrine of Asur, and trained the other Exarchs who would become the first of the other Aspects' Phoenix Lords. In the Aeldari mythic cycles Asuryan, the Phoenix King, is the chief and greatest of all the Aeldari Gods and the king of the Aeldari pantheon.

Shimmershield - A Shimmershield is an advanced force-field produced by an emitter incorporated into Dire Avenger Exarch Armour that protects the Exarch and all members of his squad when they engage in close combat. Aspect Armour - Like other Aeldari Aspects, Dire Avengers wear lightweight synthetic bodysuits, reinforced with plates of psycho-sensitive bioplastics that will instantly harden to resist impacts. As well as absorbing impacts, those plates can morph their shape in accordance with the wearer's movements, meaning the armour does not encumber the wearer in the slightest, affording good protection with excellent mobility. The reinforced breastplate of the Aspect Warrior's armour bears his Spirit Stone, a precious item for all Aeldari. This psycho-receptive gem is attuned to the individual so that at the moment of death, when the Aeldari's psychic spirit is released, it is captured instead within the stone. Otherwise it is believed by the Aeldari that the spirit would be released into the Warp, where the Chaos God Slaanesh, "She Who Thirsts," awaits to consume it. Contrary to popular belief, the small domes and blisters on the Dire Avengers Aspect Armour are not extra gems, but small compartments that contain the suit's technical systems. A tabard is a common addition to the Dire Avengers Aspect Armour. Its runic inscriptions name the shrine for which the Aspect Warrior is fighting and identifies the shrine's allegiance to its particular Craftworld. Regardless of a shrine's location the Aspect's colour scheme is always blue and white. The Shining Blade - Legend tells that Baharroth's sword was forged by the daughters of Vaul in the dying fires of a supernova, and that some of that long-gone star's astral might lives on in its blade. Those the sword judges as impure find their own blinding reflections burning painfully into their eyes. Even without a codex of their own, Craftworlds Eldar have undergone some rapid developments following Games Workshop’s drive to encourage armies to play to their strengths. These new rules really let you build an army around a particular Phoenix Lord leading your favourite Aspect Warriors into glorious battle. A legendary hero commanding a team of intense combat specialists – isn’t that what Warhammer 40,000 is all about?

Pop a unit or two of Dark Reapers on an objective in your territory and enjoy a leadership boost while you rain down death from afar upon your enemies.However, many believe that the Phoenix Lords are animated suits of armour possessed by the spirits of the dead Exarchs of that Aspect.