Iyanden
Iyanden is an Eldar Craftworld. Once the most populated and largest of the Craftworlds, it is now on the brink of extinction after being invaded by Hive Fleet Kraken. Iyanden barely repelled the attack, losing thousands upon thousands of Eldar warriors in the process. With so few numbers remaining, Iyanden must now rely heavily on Wraith-constructs inhabited by the spirits of their dead, such as Wraithlords and Wraithguard, to form the backbone of its armies. Hence, the peope of Iyanden are often referred to as the "Ghost Warriors". Despite suffering such a significant loss, the eldar of Iyanden are determined that their Craftworld will shine brightly once again.[1b]
| Typical Warrior | Basic Data | Rune Symbol | |
|
Name | Iyanden | 
|
| Meaning | Light in the darkness [1b] | ||
| Current location | Galatic south-east [1a] | ||
| Main colours | Yellow, blue | ||
| Favoured unit | Wraith-constructs [1] | ||
| Speciality | Summoning wraith-constructs [1b] | ||
| Reputation | On the brink of extinction [1b] | ||
| Main enemy | Tyranids | ||
Contents |
History
Hive Fleet Naga
In 810.M41 to 812.M41 Iyanden helped to eliminate one of the two main tendrils of Hive Fleet Naga.[2a]
On the Exodite World of Halathel defenders fiercely held their World Spirit shrine from a Tyranid siege. A fresh fleet from Iyanden commanded by Admiral Draech arrived to aid the Exodites and engaged the Hive Ships orbiting the planet. Draech's flagship, the Auspicious Illumination of Eternity was destroyed early in the battle. Command of the fleet was quickly seized by his second-in-command, a young Prince Yriel, who successfully led the Iyanden fleet to victory. However on the planet the shrine was overrun. In less than an hour the Eldar defenders were massacred and the Worldspirit destroyed. Yriel, overwhelmed by rage, gave the order to scour all life from Halathel.[2a]
Hive Fleet Kraken
In 992.M41 [4] Iyanden suffered its greatest tragedy at the claws of Hive Fleet Kraken. In the end Iyanden was victorious, but only narrowly. It stood in ruins and four-fifths of its inhabitants were dead or dying.[2b]
Waaagh! Rekkfist
In 995.M41 another invasion of Iyanden, this time by Waaagh! Rekkfist, was imminent and so Iyanden preemptively engaged the Orks. Early battles successfully crippled the Waaagh!, but soon the Orks counter-attacked in force and managed to land on the Craftworld. Iyanden was forced to awaken even more Wraith-constructs in order to hold back the invasion. As events become desperate, a Webway portal at the rear of the Craftworld activated and Dark Eldar from the Kabal of the Wraithkind and the Cult of the Flayed Hand emerged to aid in slaying the Orks. After Iyanden was saved, the Council of Seers questioned the Dark Eldar as to why they intervened, and they replied simply that they gain extreme entertainment from watching Iyanden's angst-ridden use of necromancy.[3]
Rune Symbol
The symbol of Iyanden is a reference to the ever-burning shrine of Asuryan to signify a flame of hope that Iyanden will one day recover.[1b]
Notable Characters
- Prince Yriel - one of the greatest corsairs of the Eldar and saviour of the Iyanden craftworld. He is now damned for eternity for taking the Spear of Twilight.[1c]
- Iyanna Arienal - the greatest of Iyanden's Spiritseers.[1b]
- Farseer Kelmon - leader and spiritual head of Iyanden.[4] Was found among the dead after Kraken's invasion.[2b]
- Draech
See Also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Eldar (4th Edition)
- 2: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)
- 3: Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition), pg. 23
- 4: Battlefleet Gothic Resources, Doom of the Eldar, p.6-8 (site accessed 2010.05.23)
- 5: Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook (2008), pg. 117
