Craftworld Iyanden was once the biggest and most populous of all the Eldar craftworlds. Today, it’s a haunted shell of its former self, kept alive by the spirits of its dead. It matters because no other craftworld shows the Eldar’s desperate struggle quite so starkly.
What is craftworld iyanden?
Iyanden is an Eldar craftworld, a colossal starship that’s home to a surviving fragment of the ancient Eldar empire. Its name means ‘Light in the darkness,’ and for a long time it lived up to that, being the largest and most populated of the craftworlds.
Its people are often called the Ghost Warriors, because so many of their warriors are now wraith-constructs, robotic shells animated by the spirits of the dead. After a catastrophic war with Hive Fleet Kraken, Iyanden was left on the brink of extinction, and it’s never fully recovered.
How Iyanden fights
Iyanden’s armies lean heavily on wraith-constructs like Wraithlords and Wraithguard, piloted by the souls of fallen Eldar. This gives them a ghostly, relentless quality on the battlefield.
They still field living Eldar, of course, but the ratio is skewed. Where other craftworlds might send in Aspect Warriors first, Iyanden often sends in the dead.
- Favoured units: wraith-constructs (Wraithlords, Wraithguard, Wraithblades)
- Main colours: yellow and blue
- Titan clan: Fir Iolarion
- Current location: Segmentum Tempestus
The doom of Iyanden
Hive Fleet Kraken hit Iyanden harder than any other craftworld has ever been hit. The Tyranids swarmed the craftworld, and the Eldar lost thousands upon thousands of warriors before they finally repelled the invasion.
The victory was pyrrhic. With so few living Eldar left, Iyanden had to rely on its infinity circuit and spirit stones more than ever, turning to the dead to fill out its ranks. That’s why the craftworld is now synonymous with wraith-constructs.
Key figures and connections
Iyanden has ties to several major characters, including Prince Yriel, who was exiled and later returned to save the craftworld. Its struggles also connect it to the broader Eldar story, from alliances with Biel-Tan to conflicts with Chaos and the Imperium.
In recent lore, Iyanden has been involved in the awakening of Ynnead, the Eldar god of the dead, and the psychic awakening that shook the galaxy. The craftworld’s fate is far from settled.
Key facts
- Iyanden was once the largest and most populated Eldar craftworld.
- It was nearly destroyed by Hive Fleet Kraken, losing countless warriors.
- Its armies now rely on wraith-constructs piloted by the spirits of the dead.
- Iyanden’s main colours are yellow and blue.
- It’s located in Segmentum Tempestus.
- Its people are known as the Ghost Warriors.
FAQ
Why is Iyanden called the Ghost Warriors?
Because after Hive Fleet Kraken nearly destroyed them, Iyanden relied on wraith-constructs animated by the spirits of their dead to fight their battles. These ghostly warriors became the backbone of their armies.
What happened to Craftworld Iyanden?
It was invaded by Hive Fleet Kraken and suffered massive losses, leaving it on the brink of extinction. It survived, but now depends heavily on its dead to defend itself.
What colours does Iyanden use?
Iyanden’s main colours are yellow and blue, which you’ll see on their armour and vehicles.