From Lexicanum

Prince Yriel is the current Eldar Autarch of the Iyanden Craftworld and High Admiral of the Eldritch Raiders corsair fleet.

Yriel is the prodigal son of the House of Ulthanash, but not a pure noble-born member.

Yriel was originally of the Iyanden Craftworld, holding the position of High Admiral of the Craftworld's fleet. After having lead the craftworld fleet in a successful but reckless attack against a threatening Chaos space fleet, he expected to be honoured for his victory; instead he was dishonored by Iyanden and forced to defend his actions. In his prideful nature, Yriel abandoned his craftworld and like so many disgraced Eldar, became a corsair.

He then lead the Eldar corsair fleet known as the Eldritch Raiders, becoming the most infamous of the Eldar pirate leaders throughout the galaxy in only a few decades.

Eventually he would return to the Craftworld he had disavowed, but only in the hour of Iyanden's greatest need, as it was being relentlessly assaulted by the seemingly endlessly waves of Hive Fleet Kraken.

History

Yriel first appeared in early first edition as the "self-styled 'Lord Prince Yriel,'" where it is mentioned that Imperium-fostered rivalries between Yriel and other pirate companies resulted in factional fighting; his conquest and absorption of two of these rival groups (Xian's Black Raiders and the Scarlet Command) making him the single most powerful Eldar pirate operating in the galaxy.

The Path by which he gained most distinction was that of the Mariner, and he became a highly valued ship captain and fleet admiral. His flagship was named the Flame of Asuryan which was an exquisite piece of craftsmanship in itself.

As fleet admiral, he preempted an attack by a Chaos space fleet, by leading the fleet of Iyanden against it. However this left the craftworld unprotected, and Yriel only returned in time to destroy a suicidal attack by Chaos raider ships, which damaged the craftworld. In his prideful nature he expected to be honoured for his victory on his return; instead he was disgraced, as his superiors felt the action was too reckless.

In an act of disgust, disavowed the Craftworld and swore never to return. Yriel went down the path of the Eldar Outcasts, as he did he took many of his supporters (and the Flame of Asuryan) with him.

As corsair prince of the newly formed Eldritch Raiders, Yriel became one of the most feared Eldar pirates in the Galaxy.

It was only upon the invasion of Hive Fleet Kraken when Yriel finally returned to Iyanden, and only after the Tyranids had set foot/claw upon the beleaguered craftworld.

Yriel's return was well timed, and his fleet assisted the repulse of the Tyranids at considerable cost.

During the battle on Iyanden, in a further act of defiance against his superiors, he armed himself with the Spear of Twilight, a legendary weapon said to bring doom to the bearer. With the spear he slew the synapse creature leading the Tyranid attack, and ended the invasion personally.

With the victory, Yriel was reinstated as High Admiral of the fleet, and given the position of Autarch on his craftworld, where he leads to this day.

Yriel is unusual in that he holds the position of Autarch without any notable experience in any of the Eldar Paths of War (which requires individuals to select an aspect of Khaine to follow), it is rather his experience in the Path of the Mariner which qualifies him for the position.

Sources

• Codex: Eldar (4th Edition)
• Doom of the Eldar (Battlefleet Gothic), p. 12
• Warhammer 40,000 Chapter Approved - The Book of the Astronomican (1988), p. 43

Eldar Army List

HQ	Avatar • Autarch • Farseer • Warlock
Elites	Fire Dragon Squad • Howling Banshee Squad • Striking Scorpion Squad • Wraithguard Squad • Harlequins
Troops	Dire Avenger Squad • Ranger Squad • Guardian Squad • Guardian Jetbike Squadron
Fast Attack	Shining Spears Squadron • Swooping Hawks Squad • Warp Spider Squad • Vyper Squadron
Heavy Support	Support Weapons Battery • Dark Reapers Squad • Wraithlord • War Walker Squadron • Falcon • Fire Prism
Transport	Wave Serpent
Characters	Asurmen • Jain Zar • Karandras • Maugan Ra • Fuegan • Baharroth • Yriel • Eldrad Ulthran