"A white spark was also bright against the clouds above the shrine, growing larger. Malekith watched the gleam resolve into the shape of a stooping bird - a white-and-blue feathered frostheart phoenix. The ancient magical bird, its flames turned to ice by longevity, was ridden by a figure in white and ithilmar, bearing a blazon of Asuryan upon his armour. The Witch King knew from the reports of his agents that this must be Caradryan, the Captain of the Phoenix Guard, silent warden of the Shrine of Asuryan."
Caradryan, Captain of the Phoenix Guard[1]
Caradryan of the Flame, also known as the “Chosen of Asuryan,” is the current Captain of the Phoenix Guard, and rider of the Frostheart Phoenix Ashtari.[1a][3]
History[]
Origins[]
Caradryan was an arrogant lordling in his youth. Handsome, rich, powerful and conceited, he was the very archetype of the jaded High Elf aristocrat. There was no rumour he would not foster, no intrigue to which he would not stoop. By all accounts, his petty nature was such that even his family would have long ago cast him out, were it not for the fact that such an act would have been a break with all tradition.[1a]
Caradryan's life changed when he made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Asuryan, a journey which all High Elf Nobles are expected to undertake at least once. There, in perhaps the worst display of arrogance in his life, Caradryan stole into the holy Chamber of Days. What he witnessed there, no-one knows, but when he emerged he was a changed man. On his forehead was the glowing rune of Asuryan, marking him as the servant of the Creator God. On that day, Caradryan gave up all his worldly possessions and took the vow of the Phoenix Guard. He has not uttered a word ever since.[1a]
Caradryan spends long days in secluded meditation, reading the fiery letters that tell of the past, the present and the future. At other times, he stands atop the walls of the Shrine, his keen gaze scouring the lands of Ulthuan. Indeed, it is said that nothing is so small as to evade Caradryan's gaze, and no sound small enough to escape his hearing. Some have accused him of harnessing the prophecies of Asuryan to influence the future -- a transgression against the Creator God ranked amongst the highest of blasphemies. However, the truth of the matter is that Caradryan simply notices things that others do not, and has no prattling tongue to distract him from matters of greater import.[1a]
Captain of the Phoenix Guard[]
"Chaff before the wind, you must crawl before you can walk, boy, I will teach you, though in time, you might wish I had not."
Caradryan, as an Anointed of Asuryan, as depicted in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.
Over his long years of study and contemplation, Caradryan has become ever closer to the thoughts of Asuryan, until finally the hand of the Creator marked him as the Captain of the Phoenix Guard[1a] in the 221st year of Finubar's reign (2384 IC), with the previous captain — Moraelir — stepping aside in accordance with Asuryan's will.[2a]
Now he leads the devoted guardians of Asuryan during times of peace and war. There is divine strength in his hand, and the wisdom of Asuryan sits upon his noble brow.[1a]
Caradryan normally fights at the head of the Phoenix Guard, as befits his rank, but sometimes conducts the battle from the back of Ashtari, oldest and wisest of the Phoenixes of the Flamespyre. Theirs is a bond that goes back centuries, to Caradryan's earliest days of service. At the Battle of Finuval Plain during the Great War Against Chaos, Ashtari picked an unequal fight with the Black Dragon Korzarandar, and it was only Caradryan's intervention that rescued the Phoenix from a grisly fate. Since those days, both Ashtari's flames and impetuousness have faded to naught, but his loyalty to Caradryan burns as brightly as ever.[1a][4a]
End Times[]
"In the name of Asuryan, and for the fate of our people... charge!"
- —Caradryan, pitching his voice to carry for the first time in centuries.[3b]
"It does not matter to me how many you have murdered, monster. It ends here."
- —Caradryan, to a boastful Arbaal the Undefeated.[3a]
Caradryan, Incarnate of Aqshy, in battle during the End Times.
Having become the living Incarnate of Aqshy, the lore of fire, Caradryan embodied both the physical and metaphysical aspects of flames. His very presence was marked by fire; it flowed along his limbs and his hair blazed like a halo when he fought. This power was both a gift and a curse, for while it granted him immense strength and power, it also tested his self-control and discipline, qualities he had spent centuries honing as a High Elf.[3a]
His duel with the infamous Khornate Chaos Champion, Arbaal the Undefeated, showcased the limits and potential of his new abilities. Despite his newfound power, Caradryan found himself nearly overpowered by the mighty Champion of Khorne. The battle was fierce and brutal, highlighting the sheer tenacity and skill of both warriors. Caradryan’s quick thinking and agility allowed him to regain control of his halberd and fend off Arbaal’s relentless attacks. The struggle was intense, with Caradryan narrowly avoiding devastating blows and suffering injuries that hissed and bubbled as his blood met Arbaal’s corrupted armor.[3a]
The climax of the duel was a testament to Caradryan’s resilience and the potent, destructive force of the fire within him. With a swift and precise maneuver, knowing that he only had one chance to defeat his opponent, he managed to outflank Arbaal and deliver a fatal blow, slicing through the champion’s ancient armor and severing his head. The victory, though hard-won, left Caradryan exhausted and wounded, yet triumphant.[3a]
However, Caradryan's fate was sealed in a subsequent battle against the exalted Bloodthirster Ka'Bandha. In a final, desperate confrontation, Caradryan and his loyal mount, Ashtari, faced the terrifying Daemon. Displaying incredible valor and skill, Caradryan inflicted a grievous wound on Ka'Bandha, carving through the Daemon’s crown and scalp with his Phoenix Blade. The ancient Bloodthirster howled in agony, experiencing pain for the first time. Despite this heroic effort, Caradryan ultimately fell to Ka'Bandha’s unchallengeable power.[3a]
Wargear[]
- The Phoenix Blade - Forged in almost legendary time, this ancient, flame-wreathed blade was enchanted for Kor-Baelon, the first Captain of the Phoenix Guard.[1a][4a]
- Mark of Asuryan - Though Caradryan has taken a strict vow of silence, he is privileged to know the secret words that will unleash the fury of Asuryan. Should he suffer a mortal blow, he will call upon the Lord of the Gods to avenge him.[2b]
Miniature[]
.jpg "High Elf Frostheart Phoenix (1).jpg (126 KB)")
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (8th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 61
- 2: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition)
- 3: The End Times: The Lord of the End Times (Novel) by Josh Reynolds
- 4: Deathblade: A Tale of Malus Darkblade (Novel) by C.L. Werner
- 4a: Ch. 18
Gallery[]
