Yenlui
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Yenlui
Yenlui is the High Elf philosophy of spiritual balance as each individual seeks to try to balance the darkness and light in their soul. Whilst too much darkness can lead to depravity, an excess of light leads to world-weariness and this need to harmonise the spirit can result in older High Elves appear dispassionate, aloof, or apathetic. [1a]
Loec, one of the Cadai can also lift spirits through dance, laughter and song but the Elven psyche is drawn to find darker paths to spiritual fulfillment. The High Elves recognise this, usually preferring to balance in favour of light rather than risk the alternative. [1a]
Many Elves remain comfortable in either a Light or Dark State but most are influenced by their State of Yenlui. Those in a Light State often seem absent-minded, detached or meditative in contrast to those in a Dark State who can seem agitated, anxious, or brooding. As an Elf ages, they become more and more affected by their state of Yenlui. [1a]
The Druchii reject the Cadai strictures and instead they channel their darker urges through their own gods, embracing the dark state of yenlui. In this way they, most Dark Elves seek to avoid Chaos corruption. Although the Wood Elves, lie the Asur, respect the balance between light and darkness their spiritual balance does fluctuate with the the fickle nature of the Forest Spirits, the seasons and the weather.[1b]
Aeskhaine
Aeskhaine is a violent primal state that Elves can regress into as a result of spiritual weakness and despite their sophistication and ingenuity. Normally this is due to chronically imbalanced yenlui and is rare, but not unknown in Ulthuan. Due to their proximity to Widowmaker in the time of Aenarion, many Many Elves of Nagarythe succumbed to the Madness of Khaine. In modern times, hundreds of maniacal Elves rampage through Har Ganeth on Death Night, murdering everyone in their path. [1c]
History
The Elves believe that the first of their kind were were the children of Asuryan and Isha, the Mother who gave her children the gift of with immortality. Asuryan however decreed that Elves would eventually fall to either sorrow or age. The Dark Elves resist this decree with Khaine rewarding his worshipers with the opportunity to maintain their immortality via the Cauldrons of Blood.[1a]
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