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Caradryan

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"In the name of Asuryan, and for the fate of our people... charge!"

—Caradryan, breaking his vow of silence and pitching his voice to carry for the first time in centuries, during the End Times.[3b]
Caradryan, captain of the that defends the on

Caradryan, captain of the High Elf Phoenix Guard that defends the Shrine of Asuryan on Ulthuan.[1]

Caradryan, also known as Caradryan of the Flame, and the "Chosen of Asuryan", is the current captain of the elite High Elf Phoenix Guard that protects the sacred Shrine of Asuryan, the Elven Pantheon's chief deity, on Ulthuan. Caradryan is the rider of the Frostheart Phoenix Ashtari.[1a][3b]

During the End Times, Caradryan became the second Incarnate of Aqshy after the death of the Dwarf Ungrim Ironfist, and was slain by the Khornate Bloodthirster Ka'Bandha.[3a]

History[]

Origins[]

Caradryan, captain of the , in combat with the Phoenix Blade, as depicted in

Caradryan, captain of the Phoenix Guard, in combat with the Phoenix Blade, as depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.[5]

Caradryan was an arrogant Asur lordling in his youth. Handsome, rich, powerful and conceited, he was the very archetype of the jaded High Elf Noble|High Elf aristocrat]]. There was no rumour he would not foster, no political 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 Eltharin rune of Asuryan, marking him as the servant of the Elven Creator God. On that day, Caradryan gave up all his worldly possessions and took the vow of the Phoenix Guard that protects the shrine. He has not uttered a word ever since.[1a]

Caradryan and the Phoenix Blade as rendered for

Caradryan and the Phoenix Blade as rendered for Total War: Warhammer III.[5]

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 of Asuryan, 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."

—The words said by Asuryan in the holy Chamber of Days of the Shrine of Asuryan to Caradryan when they first met.[3b]
Caradryan, as an , as depicted in .

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 God marked him as the captain of the Phoenix Guard in the 221st year of the Phoenix King Finubar's reign (2384 IC), with the previous captain -- Moraelir -- stepping aside in accordance with Asuryan's will.[1a][2a]

Now Caradryan 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]

The , mount of Caradryan, as depicted in

The Frostheart Phoenix Ashtari, mount of Caradryan, as depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.[5]

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.[1a][4a]

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 as he has aged into a Frostheart Phoenix, but his loyalty to Caradryan burns as brightly as ever.[1a][4a]

End Times[]

"It does not matter to me how many you have murdered, monster. It ends here."

—Caradryan, to a boastful Arbaal the Undefeated.[3a]
Caradryan, of , in battle during the .

Caradryan, Incarnate of Aqshy, in battle during the End Times.

Having become the living Incarnate of Aqshy, the Red Wind of Magic, after the death of the first Incarnate of Aqshy, the Dwarf Ungrim Ironfist, during the End Times, 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 magic-infused blood met Arbaal's corrupted Chaos Armour.[3a]

The climax of the duel was a testament to Caradryan's resilience and the potent, destructive force of the magical fire within him. With a swift and precise maneuver, knowing that he only had one chance to defeat his opponent, Caradryan managed to outflank Arbaal and deliver a fatal blow, slicing through the Champion of Chaos's ancient armour 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, the Frostheart Phoenix Ashtari, faced the terrifying Greater Daemon. Displaying incredible valor and skill, Caradryan inflicted a grievous wound on Ka'Bandha, carving through the Khornate Daemon's crown and scalp with his Phoenix Blade. The ancient Bloodthirster howled in agony, experiencing pain for the first time in his existence. Despite this heroic effort, Caradryan ultimately fell to Ka'Bandha's unchallengeable power.[3a]

Wargear[]

"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 appears before Malekith the Witch King during the End Times.[3b]
  • Phoenix Blade - Forged in almost legendary time, this ancient, flame-wreathed halberd was originally 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]

Miniatures[]

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