Defiance

"Even when all hope seems lost, you stand tall, my love.  However, a wise parent once said that to carry the weight of an entire civilisation alone upon one's shoulders is a foolish quest.  When will you see that and understand you are only mortal?  Struggle against such a reality for too long and you may blind yourself to a day I fear I cannot be by your side; a day that will test you unlike any other.  May Isha never see its like unfold."
-- Kaethyr

Ilyndrae, proud daughter of Farseer Arannen of the Ishayr Craftworld, was ironically a headstrong woman in her earlier years and preferred straightforward solutions rather than cleverly conceived strategies.  Prone to decisive outbursts and quick to offend, some say she lost the luxury of a calm mind after the tragic loss of her parents and the uncertain future her Craftworld faced with the death of their leader.  Unfettered power flowed through her body unlike what many of her kin ever grasped.  Despite this, though, Ilyndrae was far from mastering it.  Although she was a gifted healer, her psychic strength ripped apart enemy legions with frightening results.

It was this nature about her that Kaethyr and his half-sister, Esther, tried to hide from their kin when they took upon themselves the mantle of The Three Seers.  Esther, more often than not, tried to stand ahead of Ilyndrae as her blade, thrusting her body into harms way to protect the unstable nature of her dear friend while Kaethyr, calmer than a pond in winter, tried to settle Ilyndrae's emotions and her thoughts.  This mentality between the three existed for many years when their long journey began, but over time Ilyndrae began to master her inner demons despite occasionally losing control like a graceful creature possessed by an angry, vengeful spirit.

A turning point in her life occurred shortly before she and Kaethyr became lovers, though.  It is unknown what details were involved, only that Ilyndrae's personality settled and that she became motherly between the three, seeking a balance that made her neither a wielder of fire nor ice.  Some feel it was her tempered warmth that held together the three during their darkest moments.  She was slow to anger and always sought peaceful ends to situations she once felt only acts of aggression could overcome.  For a lack of better words, she matured.

It is no small wonder, then, where her ninth child, Myar, inherited some of her personality from.  For the longest time the young woman was of the mind she was more like her aunt, Esther, but the reality was she never really knew who her mother was at her age.  Her zeal to explore the unknown, her perchance to show emotion, passion, directly face her enemies and war battles within herself; these were qualities her mother once portrayed and, much to her father Kaethyr's urging, still resonated well in his beloved wife... albeit with well-honed discipline.

To this end, Ilyndrae knew her daughter better than anyone.  It was a fact Kaethyr longed to teach Myar and eventually did before her long journey began.


Yes!  Hard to believe it's almost November again, right?  So, me being me when it comes to crazy traditions, expect to see more of this sort of thing in the coming 'Eldar Month'.  And will I draw moar Myar art?  It's possible, although I think it's time I drew other characters related to her, namely her parents.  I may even try my hand at drawing Macha for the fans, but we'll see.  We'll see...

Artwork, Characters & Lore - © Kristopher P. Love // Eldar - © Warhammer 40,000