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Wraithknights with a Wraithlord[1]

Wraithknights are colossal Eldar Wraithbone constructs.

Overview

While gigantic and heavily armed with a mixture of mighty Heavy Wraithcannons, Suncannons, Ghostglaives, Scattershields, and other heavy weapons, the Wraithknight's advanced design still allows it to be nimble enough to run through the ruin of a scattered city. The shell of a Wraithknight houses the spirits of the dead in much the same way as the Wraithlord and Wraithguard. However, Wraithknights differ from their lesser cousins, as they also hold a living Eldar pilot within.[1]

These pilots are rare and unusual warriors who were each born a twin. The psychic link between an Eldar and their twin is like no other, and this bond allows them to sense the proximity, mood, and even thoughts of their counterpart. If the twin were to die, the surviving brother or sister will often fade away in sympathy. Sometimes, when such a division takes place, the surviving twin will sacrifice what is left of his life to pilot a Wraithknight. The essence of the dead twin is transferred into a Spirit Stone attached to the machine, whilst the surviving sibling is put into a near-permanent trance within his cockpit. The clarity of thought provided by the living twin ensures that the construct moves with the speed typical of a living Eldar, while the psychic link of the departed sibling allows him to commune with the animating forces of his twin, but also spirits of former pilots of the construct. The great measure of control afforded by this mind gives the pilot mastery over the Wraithknights psychically-powered weapons systems and an acrobatic grace that seemingly defies its size.[1]

Wraithknights are often deployed on Crone Worlds at the forefront of quests for new Spirit Stones, which often involve dangerous encounters with Daemons and other nightmarish denizens. However, as the End Times approach for the Eldar and their race dies faster than it can give birth, fewer and fewer twins are born upon each Craftworld. Many Wraithknight pilots are recruited from Revenant Titan helmsmen who have lost their twin in battle and, driven to regain their kinship whatever the cost, give themselves over to the life of a Wraithknight pilot. Even more unsettling is that it is rumored that some Craftworld councils have removed the option of choice for such individuals.[1]

Skathach Wraithknight

A much rarer form of wraith construct than the Wraithknight itself, Skathach Wraithknights were designed to walk the endless paths of the Webway and to purge them of any who would dare trespass.[3] These macabre breed of Wraithknights are piloted by an Eldar torn by the separation from their twin. Grief-stricken, a pilot and his Skathach Wraithknight dwell in the Webway communing with the infinity circuit of their war construct. Usually Skathach Wraithknights protect the Webway from intrusion and rarely emerging into the realspace - only to aid Eldar forces on the brink of defeat or to defend the threatened Webways portals.[4] Equipped with complex Webway Shunt Generators and rare, specialised weapons such as Deathshroud Cannons and Inferno Lances, Skathach Wraithknights are few in number, but devastating in battle.[3]

Images

Trivia

  • The name Skathach is possibly a reference to Scáthach, a legendary Scottish warrior-woman who trained the hero Cú Chulainn.

See also

Sources

Craftworld Eldar Vehicles
Light Vehicles Jetbike (Raptor Jetbike) • VyperHornet
Walkers War WalkerWraithguardWraithlordWraithseerWasp Assault Walker
Grav-Tanks FalconFire PrismNight SpinnerFirestormWarp HunterWave SerpentFireheart
Artillery Support Weapon Batteries (D-CannonVibro CannonShadow Weaver)
Super-Heavy Vehicles CobraScorpion Void Spinner Storm SerpentLynx DeathstalkerTempest
Super-Heavy Walkers WraithknightEldar KnightRevenant TitanPhantom Titan Warlock Titan
Aircraft NightwingCrimson Hunter (Nightshade) • Phoenix Vampire RaiderVampire Hunter HemlockDawnsailGhostlance