Tuesday 10 April 2018

Why Alaitoc? Choosing a Craftworld...

I sometimes wonder why I chose Alaitoc over all the other Craftworlds available.

It's not the most popular (I'd say that either the late, lamented Biel Tan, the Ghost Warrior Iyanden or Jetbike heavy Saim-Hann were all more popular), it's not the easiest to paint (again, Biel Tan or Saim-Hann would get that award), but there's something about it...

It's the background.

(DISCLAIMER - whilst I keep as close to 'canon' as I can, I do allow myself flights of fancy in terms how the lore is approached in minor ways... - this isn't meant to replace or contradict 'official' canon, but allows me to explore my own version)

The history of the Eldar race tells of a great cataclysm, known as The Fall - in which the excesses of the ancient Asuryani led to their almost -  destruction and the birth of Slaanesh.  To escape this, many Eldar took to the vast Craftworlds to escape the fate that befell those who stayed behind, leaving their homeworlds forever.

Those onboard the Alaitoc were almost too late - they were one of the final Craftworlds to leave, but managed to do so in time.


Possibly because of their near-destruction, the Alaitocii are strict adherents to the Path - the code by which the Eldar now live their lives in order to avoid the excesses of the past, and the eventual fate of becoming nothing but sustenance for Slaanesh (each Eldar soul that is not saved in a Waystone is devoured by the Dark Prince, a fate which terrifies the Eldar).

The Path, as laid out by those Asuryani who escaped on the Craftworlds (the Drukhari, 'Dark' Eldar, avoid Slaanesh in other more... extreme ways) looks to set the desires, the habits and behaviours of the Aeldari into specific 'paths' - be it Artist, Poet, Builder, Seer, Warrior, Outcast  - the list of paths available is long, all with the same aim - to allow the Aeldari to perfect the skills needed to master the Path, then move on to a different Path once that has occurred, leaving it behind them forever.

Each Path compliments another, allowing for the Craftworld to operate as a smooth machine, each Aeldari playing their part to keep the Craftworld in balance. Those who follow the civilian Paths also train in martial skills, ready to serve as Guardians when needed in times of war, to support those on the Path of the Warrior - the Aspect Shrines (which I'll cover in another post)

Alaitoc Guardian (c) Games Workshop


The colours of Craftworld Alaitoc are a mottled dark blue, with a Yellow Helmet. The Corsair Warband of the Eldritch Raiders wear similar colours, but with Black striping across the helmet, leading to some suspicion that they are affiliated with the Craftworld.

The Eldritch Raiders - Corsair Warband (c) Games Workshop





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