Book Review: Path of the Warrior by Gav Thorpe

I just completed Path of the Warrior earlier today, and I must say I was thoroughly impressed. It is definately a must read for anyone with any interest in the Eldar. Definately better than Goto's nightmare. The book is very well written, making a great balance of the essential alien-ness of the Eldar race while still leaving the characters approachible. 
The insights into Eldar societies were invaluable, as I don't think anyone has ever put them as eloquently as Mr. Thorpe did here. They are definately far beyond the space elves that they've been. That and they pretty much confirm that the Incubi are the result of Arhra's fall. No more hinting.. just true. It was just a great piece of work. Very interesting to see just how much the path system really holds them and completely changes their outlooks on the world. Also how they look at humans and of course space marines. Possibly the best, however, was the Avatar and how the Eldar reconcile the taint of Khaine.
Getting into more would just give the story away.. and I want you all to read it! Go out! Give Gav your money! It's worth it. Then comment here and I'll talk your ear off about the rest of the book.

The History of the Lost City of Sylvanus, Part 1

It has come to my attention as my high elf regiments come closer and closer to completion that their assembly and detail may not make sense without the proper back story... a back story I have had in my head for years, but have yet to actually tell anyone else of. Writing it is becoming a monster, and this is the abridged version. I am simply attempting to get the important events in a little more detailed way than a simple timeline up until "present day". A note before I begin: In the last 2? army books, elves have become immortal age-wise again. Morathi used to be the oldest at something like 2000 years old... now she is waaaay older. I use this. All the years are accurate acording to High Elf lore, and you could actually look it up. I did.

Anyway.. on to the show. I present to you The History of Sylvanus: Part 1


The Lost City of Sylvanus




In the realm of Avelorn, near the border of Ellyrion, upon the foothills of the Annuli Mountains sits a small city hidden among the mists of the Sylvan River. It is the city of Sylvanus, and it is often known as the city of the lost.

The Lost Prince, Raethil Aesildur Tiranoc of Tiranoc

Long before he was a prince, Raethil Aesildur Tiranoc was a young princeling boy, the second son of Prince Raethien Illian Tiranoc and his Princess, Aesildana Tiranoc. Raethil was the youngest of seven children, and their house was a powerful one, able to trace their line back to the original founder of the mighty realm of Tiranoc. Prince Raethien was a trusted advisor of the Phoenix King, Bel Shanaar and enjoyed a place of honour in the King’s Court, a position that Raethil would never know.

Raethil was born in the chaos and strife of Caledor I’s first year as Phoenix King. The realm of Ulthuan was beset by civil war after the betrayal of Malekith. Prince Raethien locked down his lands, protecting them as best he could while rooting out the ever present dark cults and traitors in their midst. He eagerly awaited his liege’s call to war.

That call came within the year. Prince Raethien marched to war with his eldest son Aethellion. In the battles that followed, Aethellion showed great courage and prowess on the field, leading a regiment of Silver Helms, and decimating all that stood before him. Soon Raethil’s brother was known across the land as a great hero.

At the age of nine, Raethil’s father and brother returned for a brief reprieve from the front. Though his father meant to stay in order to defend his own borders, Aethellion was to again leave for the front. Rumours circulated that he was picked to carry the King’s own standard into battle.

While he was home, Aethellion began training his young brother further in the arts of war. They practiced bow work and spear work. Raethil already showed great promise with both blade and chariot, and Aethellion began training Raethil as a Silver Helm. It was during one of these training sessions that Aethellion’s steed, which had been with his trusted companion in battle for the last nine years, suddenly went mad, tossing him from the saddle and trampling him to death as Raethil sat helplessly and watched his brother’s death. Raethil would never trust a horse again.

The Fortress of Golden Waves

At the age of eighteen, Raethil, due solely to his noble blood, is given command of the Eighth Regiment of Tiranocii Spears. Scared and ignorant, Raethil mostly passes command to his standard bearer, Finduelo, a commoner and veteran of many battles. The regiment does fair in the ensuing skirmishes. Raethil takes full command of the regiment during its first true line battle at the age of twenty. The battle is a success in a time of great loss, and the Tiranocii Eighth is lauded as heroes of the battle.

At the age of twenty one, after proving himself time and again, Raethil and the Tiranocii Eighth were assigned to garrison the Fortress of Golden Waves in the realm of Ellyrion. The fighting is near constant, and many years of starving battle follow. Raethil begins replacing his losses with stray elves from nearby battles, allowing them a chance to reclaim their honour. It is in this time that Raethil also discovers his knack for dectecting traitors among his men. The fort holds against all that is thrown against it.

After five years of almost constant siege, Raethil and the Eighth win a great victory, breaking and decimating the latest Druchii army with a courageous counter-offensive that wipes out nearly every enemy surrounding the remote outpost. Celebration is cut short as what is believed to be some foul Druchii sorcery shakes the Fortress of Golden Waves in the form of a massive earthquake. This is all that the remote fortress feels of the incredible violence of the Sundering. The defenders quickly re-bolster their defenses and await an attack that does not come.

It is almost eleven years before they are informed that the war is over and are relieved from their duty.

A tale of 4 rivers.. ok.. well 5..

Finished my rivers! I'm thinking about making bases of reeds and such like the trees, but I need to get back to my elves.

soo... raging torrent:

Boiling whatever:

River of Blood:

River of Light (this one looks better in real life.. more sparkly):

And the Necrotic Ooze:

So.. there they are. They're all 4 ft long.