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Dark Elf Pantheonic Mandala

The Dark Elves' Pantheonic Mandala showing the focus on the Cytharai.

The Cytharai, also called the Deeper Gods[2a], represent the Elven gods of the Mirai, the "Black Pit" that is the mythical Elven Underworld, who embody the darker and more threatening aspects of life, as opposed to the Cadai, the more nurturing and benevolent group of Elven deities. Morai-heg is sometimes said to be part of the Cadai, Cytharai or neither.

Among the High Elves, worship of the Cytharai is at best frowned upon, and worship of some of them is outright banned. Khaine, the god of war and murder, is only worshipped by High Elven warriors before battle, when High Elf warriors ask Khaine for strength but are wary of letting his bloodthirsty influence sway them too much. High Elven sailors pay respect to Mathlann, the god of the sea, for none can ignore the power of the oceans.

The Wood Elves revere Kurnous, the god of the hunt, and Isha, the goddess of nature and fertility -- both members of the Cadai -- most highly but do not restrict the worship of the other Elven gods, including the Cytharai.

The Dark Elves revel in the worship of the Cytharai. The most powerful religious cult in their land of Naggaroth is the Cult of Khaine.

Many also pray to Ereth Khial, the goddess of the Underworld, to take their souls in the afterlife -- seeing eternal servitude as better than oblivion at the hands of Slaanesh.

Bloodwrack Medusae are supposedly cursed by Atharti, the goddess of pleasure and seduction. Dark Elven Sorceresses often pay respect to Hekarti, the goddess of conjurations and Dark Magic. Dark Elf corsairs pay respect to Mathlann, the god of storms, for none can ignore the power of the sea.

In all Elven societies, those Elves consumed by a secret desire for vengeance often worship Drakira, the goddess of retribution, in secret.

Notable Cytharai[]

Dark Elf Mandala

A closer look at the mandala representing the elven pantheon, with the Cytharai in the center.

  • Khaine - God of war, violence, cruelty, blood, destruction, and murder[1a]

Game History[]

The division between the Cadai and Cytharai is a fairly new convention in Warhammer lore, making its first appearance in the 7th Edition Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves armybook. The given description results in the unclear position of Morai-heg between the two halves of the Elven Pantheon.

Sources[]

  • 1: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (8th Edition)
    • 1a: pg. 34
  • [2a] Malekith (Novel) by Gav Thorpe
    • 2a: Ch. 16
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