Alith Anar
Alith Anar, the Shadow King is the infamous leader of the Shadow Warriors. [3a]
There are many stories of Elven heroes of the Nagarythe from the time of the Sundering, of brave and valiant warriors, of remarkable deeds, and of battles against the darkest foes. The most popular tales concern Alith Anar, the Shadow King. [1a]
Alith Anar's adventures are shared throughout the courts of the Asur, each a tale of courageous defiance against Malekith and the Druchii. The tales of the Shadow King that stem from the years following the destruction of Anlec are, by now, undoubtedly a blend of fable and reality. It is impossible to say for sure which are true and which are invention, for the Nagarythe are understandably secretive about their history since the Sundering.[1a]
He is able to talk with various creatures including Hawks and Wolves using the language of Kurnous. [6w]
Contents
Family
He is the son of Eothlir Anar and Maieth and the grandson of Eoloran Anar, once herald of Phoenix King Aenarion the Defender. [6a]
His children have never taken his title and are known collectively as the Aesanar - the Sons of Anar. [1a]
History
Alith was born in -3402 IC, during the reign of Bel Shanaar. [6a]
He courted the daughter of Prince Caenthras, Ashniel Moranin. [6b]
Rebellion of Morathi
In -3372 IC whilst sacrificing at a feral shrine to Kurnous within the mountain Suril Anaris, he had a vision of a Great Stag and a Raven Herald. [6b] Heliocoran Haeithar, an emissary of Morathi visited the Anar's in -3370 IC to invite them to an audience with the Queen, declaring that the Naggarothi had been betrayed by Bel Shanaar and they must choose sides. After some debate, Eoloran told him to leave but a short skirmish quickly broke out, Alith killing many of the warriors from Anlec and wounding Helicoran. [6c]
The Raven Herald, Elthyrior sought out Alith Anar after a vision from his goddess told him to seek out a child of the moon and the wolf, the heir of Kurnous who would become the Shadow King and decide the future of Nagarythe. He told him that the Anar's should not march to aid Malekith - yet. [6d] Three days later, Eoloran called the Princes and nobles loyal to him to a meeting to discuss the return of Malekith. Caenthras called for them all to march to his aid and although Alith argued against this, it was agreed to march from Elanardis to Ealith. As they progressed, Elthyrior warned him that he must get the Anar's to turn back or he would never see Elanardris again. [6e]
On the march, Alith and other scouts discovered that several enemy armies were nearby, one consisted of at least 10,000 Khainites, a second could field some 5000 bows and spears from Anlec with scattered camps of cultists scattered in their path. Another council saw them debate continuing their attempt to assist Malekith or retreat to ensure the safety of their home - His father and grandfather decided to attack the Khainites. Whilst the main army engaged the cultists of Khaine, Alith led several hundred scouts and archers to the Anelc camp to distract them, however under cover of their own arches, the Anlec spearmen began to march until Alith ordered fire arrows used on their camp, although he worried that he had not seen any sight of their cavalry. However it was allied horsemen that appeared - a large force under Prince Aneltian of Ellyrion who was riding for the Unicorn Pass and home after fighting alongside Malekith. Aneltian confirmed that Malekith was retreating to Galthyr but would likely return in the Spring and that the Anar's should await the new campaign, to which Eoloran agreed. [6f]
The winter was disappointing for Alith as Ashniel had been moved to a fortress of her father, high in the mountains. He spent much time with a company of twenty elves who equipped with furs blessed by the dedicants of Kurnous with blessings of secrecy and stealth, watching the enemy forces. He first met Calabrian of Tor Andris who had been sent as a messenger to Eoloran from Prince Malekith. The missive requested that as he marched on Anlec, the Anar's infiltrate the fortress city to assist him in breaching its defences. [6g]
Alith now became part of an elite force of warrior-scouts who became known as the Shadows, all of whom were veterans and many his cousins. They moved towards Anlec, led by Eoloran, on the way they encountered a camp of cultists and they decided to kill them and take their clothing as a disguise. Alith himself slipped into a tent and finding a group of sleeping entwined cultists of Atharti, he slit their throats as they slumbered under the influence of Black Lotus. Once clad as cultists of various deities, the Shadows reached Anlec in an nerve-racking journey of seven days. [6h]
For the next nine days they hid within the fortress city whilst waiting for Malekith to arrive. As his vast army finally assembled before Anlec, Alith witnessed Morathi conversing with Daemons and making a new pact where her followers would go north and teach humans sorcery - receiving the power of the Everchanging Veil in return. He and the other Shadows would pay a pivotal role in the First Siege of Anlec. [6i]
Peace
For the next twenty years there was peace and a great many nobles assembled for Alith's ascension ceremony with even Malekith sending warm regards even though he could not there in person. Alith was rightly proud he was now a Prince and even more so when he announced that he and Ashniel would wed in a year. His happiness however was disrupted by the arrival of Yeasir, the lieutenant of Malekith who regretfully informed them that the rulers of House Anar were under house arrest due with the suspicion of them being secret cultists. More bad news followed when Caenthras visited and announced that Ashniel would be attending court at Anlec, much to the anger of Alith and his father. Elthyrior later informed him that not only was Ashniel lost to him but cultists were causing uprisings and declaring their allegiance to House Anar. [6j]
Angry and bitter, Alith decided to travel to seek aid from Bel Shanaar in Tor Anroc, hoping that Elthyrior would guide him through Tiranoc but the Herald told him he had other duties and he must trust in Morai-heg to guide him. [6j] In the capital, posing as a hunter named Atenithor, he took his first lover, Milandrith, daughter of the Steward of the Fires, Malithrandin. She got him a job as a kitchen serf and gave him access and much information on the court where he encountered Carathril and convinced him to facilitate an audience with Bel Shanaar. The Phoenix King said he could not act directly but gave him sanctuary and patronage. [6k]
However, when he sought to return home in the Spring he was refused leave to depart, the king admitting that he was now a hostage in case the Anar's in fact proved to be traitors. He was in attendance when Malekith arrived after seemingly being driven from his home once more and noted that he and the king were gathering the ruling Princes of the realm to discuss the crisis. Alith renewed his relationship with Milandrith, even contemplating marriage to her when news came that Bel Shanaar was dead. [6k]
Sixteen days later, a herald arrived an confirmed that an earthquake had struck the Isle of Flame and few of the realm's Princes had survived the disaster. [6l]
The Sundering - Civil War in Ulthuan
Fall of House Anar
A convoy of carriages then entered the palace courtyard, each clad in the white of mourning - Morathi emerged and screamed as she found the burned body of her son - she shrieked at the onlooking Elves, calling them cowards and blaming them for his state. The carriages were followed by Malekith's army, 3000 strong who then escorted the Queen and her son home, no-one daring to stop them. Alith was one of the mourners with the burial rites of the Phoenix King and his son lasting ten days. [6l]
Alith was attending Prince Yrianath when Caenthras arrived as an ambassador from Nagarythe telling Yrianth that they would support his claim to the throne of Tiranoc and their princes and officers would be happy to travel to support him in the debates to come. He further stated that an alliance between their two lands would help set both people on the road to greatness. [6l]
Later, when warriors of Naggarythe occupied the palace, Alith intercepted several who were heading to the quarters of Princess Lirian and her son, killing them all. He encountered more of them escorting her, led by Yeasir who told him to take her and the heir to Tiranoc to safety, telling him that Morathi was going to punish those she blamed for what happened to Malekith. Yeasir had given the Princess a location where his own wife and child were hidden and from where they could head for safety in Ellyrion whilst he delayed pursuit. [6m]
However Palthrain discovered what was happening and before he was killed by Yeasir, he dispatched several hundred soldiers to the cave where the five fugitives where hiding. Telling them to flee, Yeasir confronted the oncoming warriors, slaughtering many with his superior skill and giving the others time to at least begin their flight to Ellyrion. [6n] To the distress of Lirian, Alith led the small party north into Nagarythe rather than Ellyrion. [6o]
As Morathi continued to tighten her hold on Nagarythe and expanded into Ellyrion and Tiranoc, Alith led the Shadows on a number f raids, attacking supply routes, even breaking into castles and slaughtering nobles loyal to Anlec and their families. Illriadan, a herald of the new Phoenix King, Caledor I arrived and informed the Anars that few Dragons could be roused and his conventional forces were not able to match the Druchii. He further confirmed that it would likely be at least two more years before they could face the armies of Nagarythe in the field. [6p]
It was not until the fourth year of the civil war that Caledor I advanced with his new army into Ellyrion and the Anars debated whether to march out themselves - both Eothlir and Alith decided to fight. They mustered some 14,000 soldiers and marched west to Enniun Moreir resulting in the disastrous Battle of Dark Fen[6p] in -2747 IC[6ad]where his father Eothlir Anar was killed in battle. [3a]
Following the battle, Alith and the few survivors hid in the nearby marshland for the next twenty three days[6q], being pursued by the Nagarythe loyal to Malekith. [1a] When they finally returned to Elanardris they found a scene of devastation, torture and ruin, the settlements and refugee camps destroyed. Elthyrior brought Lirian and her small party to a shattered and broken Alith and asked him to take them to Ellyrion as he had originally been bidden to do, and reminded him that he had sworn an oath to kill Caenthras. [6q]
Pursued by other Raven Heralds, they made their way into Ellyrion with Elthyrior suggesting they try to steal some horses, [6r] but were captured by a force of Ellyrian knights and taken before Princess Athielle for judgement. luckily she recognised Lirian and also thanked Alith for fighting alongside Aneltain many years before. [6s] Although he enjoyed the company of Athielle over the next few months, he found the Ellyrians far to friendly and garrulous and so when Prince Finudel returned he offered him the chance to lead a few thousand warriors of his homeland who had joined the fight against Morathi and sought refuge in Ellyrion. [6t]
As the last member of the great families of Nagarythe, those who had fled from Malekith pledged their loyalty to him including some of his Shadows who had survived[6u], with blood oaths in groves within Dragon Pass. [3a] The new army joined with the forces of Finudel and marched out to meet the army of Nagaroth who had taken the Pass of the Eagle and were approaching Tor Elyr. [6u]
Bitter and without hope, he advised the Ellyrions to flee and only followed the main army with his own forces, saying to Khillrallion that he would assist if they called for aid. Athielle and Finudel made their stand in the meadows of Nairain Ely. [6u] More than 1200 of his warriors were killed or wounded during the brutal battle but after the Dragon Princes of Caledor arrived, the alliance against Nagarythe was victorious. He spent the next few months rebuilding his army, partly as he had no wish to bow the knee to a Caledorian but finally rode back to Tor Elyr to meet with Finudel to discuss the war. [6v]
The prince of Ellyrion expressed his concerns about Alith and Athielle having feelings for each other, no matter that Alith might try to deny them as weakness and a distraction. Although Alith said he would give his life for the princess, Finudel said that no - he would give his death for her - that he could not stop his drive for revenge at all costs. Alith recognised this and decided to leave, rather than see her again. [6v]
In the Wilderness
He rode away and entered the realm of Avelorn where he joined a wolf pack, able to communicate with them in the language of Kurnous. [6w] Encountering a fleeing pack, a wounded wolf told them that Two-legs kill wolf. Long fangs and sharp fangs, Mate dead. Many packs killed. and Alith realised that the Druchii had now invaded Avelorn in force. The pack-leader wanted to fight but his mate was concerned about the cubs and wanted to flee, as they debated, the pack also told Alith that there was a ancient Long-fang he could use against the black two-legs. but also that it could only be seen by the light of the full moon. [6x]
They fled east, merging with other fugitive packs until they were over fifty strong. Several nights later, Alith convinced Blackmane to allow him to infiltrate the camp of the Druchii and he discovered that the force was large - 3-4000 strong but still smaller than he had expected. He also noted that less than half were cultists, mainly of Khaine or Ereth Khial and he concluded that Morathi was discarding the cultists now they were of little use to her. In addition he could see that the soldiers included warriors less than 300 years old, which would never have happened in times gone. [6x]
He rejoined the pack at a wide lake where they told him the lay the weapon - Long fang in lake before two-legs came. Long-fang as old as forest. He meditated by the side of the lake, viewing the ancient magic that lingered throughout Avelorn and that the lake was especially powerful in mystical energy. He dived down into its waters and was told the tale of Moonbow by a female voice in his head before he retrieved the bow. [6x]
After gaining the bow, he and his wolves attacked the dark elves where they could but were driven back towards Aein Ishain, the home of the Everqueen's court and shrine to Isha. Blackmane decided to flee further east, towards the isthmus of Avelorn and the Gaen Vale and some thirty days later they arrived at the northern end. The forest spirits did not react well to Alith and a Treeman told him that he must leave due to the darkness within him, but the wolves would be granted sanctuary. Knowing that he could do little against the Druchii alone, he headed back towards Ellyrion. [6y]
Return to Nagarythe
Arriving at the old camp he met with Carathril he told him that though he would wage war against the druchii, it would be on his own terms and he would not suffer any questions or interference from the Phoenix King. He then tasked Khillrallion and Tharion training all of his remaining warriors, then about 3000 in number to become Shadows. For the next two years they prepared themselves for the return to their homeland, dispersing into the Athelian Toryr in groups each led by a former Shadow. They would become known as Shadow Warriors. [6z] From that point on, he led them on raids on Dark Elf camps, never taking prisoners - any captives were quickly killed [1a] although some survivors were allowed to escape to spread terror. [6z]
The initial attacks were on the watch towers at Eagle Pass followed by an assault on the fortress of Koril Atir where they slaughtered the garrison of 700 and released a few tortured Ellyrians. His actions disrupted the supply chain for the Druchii and although many more warriors were granted to Kherlanrin by Caenthras to find and kill the rebels, it gave hope to the still fighting Ellyrians and damaged the ongoing campaign in Avelorn.[6z]
His next target was Tiranoc and Tor Anroc itself and when Gildoran expressed his concerns about being asked to assault the city, he was told I do not ask anything, I command and you obey.... Alith infiltrated the palace and confronted Caenthras in the throne room, shooting him with the Moonbow and taking his head as a trophy. He then located Yrianath and offered him the chance to commit suicide, killing him when he refused before setting the palace on fire. Carving the rune of Shadow into their foreheads, he left the heads on spears by the city gatehouse. [6z] On one midsummer day, an entire army of 5000 warriors marching towards Eagle Pass and Koril Atir just vanished with not even bodies being found. [6aa]
He and two hundred Shadow warriors were lured to the headlands of Cerin Hiuath near Galthyr after learning that various cult leaders were traveling to the port to take a ship to Chrace but it proved to be a trap and although he escaped, a number of his warriors were killed. [6ab] After several successful raids he struck at the counting house in the town of Athel Yranuir but this had been anticipated by Prince Alandrian who had been behind the ambush at Cerin Hiuath. [6ac]
As they prepared to leave with the bags of gold, Alandrain, his two daughters and the Sorceress Ashniel approached the building. When Alith did not respond to his call for him to surrender, they killed a pair of children and threatened to keep doing it until he came forth. His Shadow Warriors were slaughtered by Hellebron, Lirieth and the sorceress - although as Lirieth cut out a heart and offered it to Khaine, she was shot in the throat by an arrow from the Moonbow. Hellebron swiftly avenged her sister, taking the bow as a prize to present to Morathi and it seemed that the Shadow King was dead. [6ac]
However as he seemed to be slipping into becoming a creature of myth and legend, Alith suddenly returned in -2738 IC to the camps of the Shadow Warriors in Elanardris. [6ad] He revealed to Elthyrior that Khillrallion had stunned him and taken the Moonbow to masquerade as him - dying in the process and leaving Alith to flee with Casadir. He then decided that he could not escape Alandrian and it would be better to remain as a symbol but decided to return when he heard that there was now a Witch King ruling Anlec. [6ae]
Witch King
He decided to return to Anlec to find out who this new figurehead was and retrieve his Moonbow which had been calling to him and which he knew was the true reason for his return - he had nothing else left. As he moved through the palace, he also sought information on his grandfather and discovered he was not in the prison cells but instead dwelt in an apartment in the western tower of the palace. He had been blinded and told if her left, which he could do at any time, 1001 elves would be tortured to death - Alith could not bring himself to kill him but added this torment to the list of those to be avenged. He retrieved the bow and left a message for Morathi - Not dead yet, bitch. Send your new thug to Elandardris if you dare. [6ae]
Seven days later, the entire army of Anlec, more than 100,000 warriors marched on Elandardris where Alith had gathered his Shadow Warriors. Their leader, the Witch King, Malekith descended down on his Dragon and with a gesture burnt the banner of the Anar's that Alith held. He then offered him to return his lands if he swore allegiance to him once more. [6af] Alith refused and fled from his presence. [7a]
As Caledor I fought against the forces of Malekith at the Battle of Eagle Pass, Alith and his warriors intervened by attacking artillery batteries that were forestalling the Dragons. Following the battle he briefly met with the Phoenix King and warned him that although he would continue to fight their mutual enemy, Nagarythe was his. [7a]
After the very bloody Battle of Maledor, Alith found a weary Caledor I and told him to leave his lands stating that he would deal with Malekith and Morathi. The Phoenix King agreed but told him he would return in the spring to finish them if he had not. [7b]
After the Sundering
Following the Battle of Griffon Pass he nailed 700 captured dark elves onto the white cliffs with bones and nails still remaining there from this act. [3a]
He famously infiltrated the land of Naggaroth[1a], on one occasion even dancing with Morathi before stealing the Stone of Midnight. Outraged, she has offered immortality, a room filled with gold and a night with the most beautiful of the Witch Elves for any that return the stone, but Alith's fearsome reputation has meant these prizes go unclaimed. [3a]
Weapons and Equipment
- 5th Edition: Light Armour, Longbow, Moonbow, Shadow Crown, Shield, Stone of Midnight, Sword. [3a]
- 7th Edition: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, Longbow, Moonbow, Shadow Crown, Stone of Midnight. [1b]
- 8th Edition: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, Longbow, Moonbow, Shadow Crown, Stone of Midnight. [4a]
- Moonbow: A silver bow that glitters in the moonlight and is said to have been a gift to Alith by Lileath. [3a]
- Shadow Crown: A silver circlet with a diamond, the ancient crown of Nagarythe allows the wearer to pause time for a split second when the words I am the true ruler of Nagarythe are spoken. Malekith desires to take this crown greatly. [3a]
- Stone of Midnight: A beautiful jewel gifted to Morathi by her husband Aenarion, it can create a cloaking mist of darkness and confront those who strike at the wearer with their worst nightmares. [3a]
Gallery
Alith Anar
Alith Anar in Total War Warhammer II
Miniatures
Alith Anar
Quotes
| Nothing is forgotten, Nothing is forgiven
~ Alith Anar.[3a] |
I fight for my lands and my heritage, not for the Phoenix Throne. I will wage my war against the druchii in whatever way I see fit, and will suffer no interference or question. Protect Ulthuan and its people, but know this: Nagarythe is mine.
~ Alith Anar.[6z] |
Notes
 |
- *: The year when Malekith survived Asuryan's fire.[1b]
- Alith is voiced by Dylan Sorouse in Total War Warhammer II. [5]
See Also
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition)
- 2: Caledor (Novel), Needs Citation, pg. 606 of 808 (ebook)
- 3: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition)
- 3a: High Elf Special Characters, pg. 81-82
- 4: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition)
- 4a: High Elves Army List, pg. 87
- 5: Behind the Voices – Total War Warhammer
- 6: The Sundering (anthology) (Time of Legends edition): Shadow King (Novel) by Gav Thorpe
- 6a: One: The Young Hunter, pg, 353-355
- 6b: One: The Young Hunter, pg, 357-359
- 6c: Two: Darkness from Anlec, pg, 364-369
- 6d: Three: The Prince Returns, pg. 374-376
- 6e: Four: Herald of Khaine, pg. 377-380
- 6f: Four: Herald of Khaine, pg. 385-403
- 6g: Five: Clothed In Darkness, pg. 406-417
- 6i: Six: Anlec Restored, pg. 420-428
- 6j: Seven: A Bitter Parting, pg. 435-454
- 6k: Eight: A Dark Plan Revealed, pg. 458-475
- 6L: Nine: Darkness Descends, pg. 479-487
- 6m: Ten: A Loyal Traitor, pg. 493-495
- 6n: Ten: A Loyal Traitor, pg. 503-505
- 6o: Eleven: A Beacon of Hope, pg. 508
- 6p: Twelve: Dark Fen, pg. 514-519
- 6q: Thirteen: The Fall of House Anar, pg. 527-529
- 6r: Fourteen: Pursued by Darkness, pg. 538
- 6s: Fifteen: The Clarion Sounds, pg. 547-550
- 6t: Fifteen: The Clarion Sounds, pg. 553-554
- 6u: Sixteen: Blood on the Plains, pg. 555-559
- 6v: Seventeen: A Bitter Fate, pg. 577-582
- 6w: Eighteen: The Call of Kurnous, pg. 585-591
- 6x: Nineteen: Child of the Wolf and the Moon, pg. 596-608
- 6y: Twenty: The Taming of the Wolf, pg. 611-615
- 6z: Twenty One: An oath Fulfilled, pg. 619-632
- 6aa: Twenty Two: Blades of Anlec, pg. 633
- 6ab: Twenty Two: Blades of Anlec, pg. 636-642
- 6ac: Twenty-Three: The Night of Dark Knives, pg. 565-661
- 6ad: Twenty-Four: Strength of Elanardris, pg. 668
- 6ae: Twenty-Five: Return to Anlec, pg. 671-680
- 6af: Twenty-Six: The Witch King, pg. 681-684
- 7: The Sundering (anthology) (Time of Legends edition): Caledor (Novel) by Gav Thorpe
