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Learn about the rise and fall of the Aeldari Empire, from its Golden Age to the birth of Slaanesh and the subsequent survival of the Eldar.

The Eldar Empire: A Beginner's Guide

Hey there! So, you're diving into Tempest Rising and want to know about the Eldar? Awesome choice! Let's break down the Aeldari Empire, which is basically the ancient, super-advanced civilization of the Eldar species. Think of them as the galaxy's original rulers before things got really messy.

History of the Aeldari Empire

After a massive galactic conflict called the War in Heaven, the Aeldari basically took over. They were incredibly advanced, outshining everyone else, and even pushed back threats like the Orks. For a long time, they were the undisputed masters of the Milky Way Galaxy, controlling thousands of star systems.

The Golden Age

For over a million standard years, the Aeldari lived in what you could call their Golden Age. They were powerful, wealthy, and thought nothing could touch them. Their technology was off the charts, and life was pretty good. They even had a unique way of dealing with death: souls would peacefully merge with the Immaterium (the psychic dimension) and eventually be reborn, starting the cycle over.

Descent into Decadence

But here's where things start to go wrong. As time went on, the Aeldari became incredibly arrogant and, well, decadent. They indulged in all sorts of cruel and hedonistic excesses. This wasn't just a little bit of partying; it was a deep-seated cultural rot that would ultimately lead to their downfall.

Birth of a Dark God

This extreme excess had a terrible consequence. The collective psychic energy of the Aeldari's hedonism in the Immaterium birthed a new Chaos God: Slaanesh, the Prince of Pleasure, also known as "She Who Thirsts." This was a catastrophic event. Slaanesh's birth ripped open a massive Warp rift called the Eye of Terror, consuming the heart of the Aeldari Empire and all their homeworlds. Slaanesh's goal was to devour every Aeldari soul.

Death of an Empire and Fight for Survival

The Fall of the Aeldari, as it's known, shattered their empire in the 30th Millennium. But not all was lost. Some Aeldari managed to escape:

• Asuryani (Craftworld Eldar): These survivors fled in massive void-ships called craftworlds. They created Infinity Circuits and follow the Asuryani Path to protect their souls from Slaanesh. They are named after their god, Asuryan.
• Drukhari (Dark Eldar): Others, who were already deep into pleasure cults and had taken refuge in the Webway (a sort of interdimensional highway), became the Drukhari. They live in the dark city of Commorragh and include the first Haemonculi.
• Harlequins: These are the devoted followers of Cegorach, the Laughing God. They travel the Webway and can move between Commorragh and the Craftworlds.
• Exodites: These Aeldari abandoned much of their advanced tech and sought simpler, peaceful lives on Maiden Worlds.

After the Fall, these groups stopped calling themselves "Aeldari" for a long time, preferring to be known as "Eldar" as a reminder of their lost glory. Their once-great empire became little more than a forgotten dream.

Understanding this history is key to grasping the Eldar's place in the galaxy and their motivations in Tempest Rising. They're a race haunted by their past, constantly struggling for survival.