Ko'Shanniah from TauOnline.Org

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Ko'Shanniah is known as the "Sting of the Scorpion" amidst the Eldar, and with good reason. The Craftworld retains a vast number of Striking Scorpions, and these armoured warriors form the vanguard of the Craftworld's forces. The spearhead are known as the "Scorpion Guard", and they fill a role normally given to the Rangers of the Craftworld; one of infiltration and pathfinding.

Ruling Body:

The Craftworld is ruled by the Council of Farsight; a collective of Seers who attempt to scry the best possible path for the Craftworld's fate to take. The Council is split into groups, known as Scions. First is the Scion of Worlds, who scry the fates of the worlds Ko'Shanniah guards. Next is the Scion of Stars, who guide the Craftworld and its fleets. Finally, there is the Scion of War, who judge how and when to wage war in the name of the Craftworld. Traditionally, Exarchs who have held the position of Young King for a year are entitled to join the Scion, giving a warrior's perspective to the deliberations of the Council.

The Scorpion Worlds:

Planets guarded by Ko'Shanniah are sometimes known as Scorpion Worlds. Some are Exodite Colonies, whilst others are the ancient homes of the Eldar people. Others may contain artifacts of great power, or slumbering enemies from time immemorial. Whatever the reason, these worlds are guarded by the diligent Scorpion Guard, who will not suffer intruders lightly.

Ko'Shanniah at war:

When the Craftworld marches to war, it is almost always in responce to a threat found by the Scorpion Guard. Ko'Shanniah will deploy great numbers of Jetbikes, Vypers and Wave Serpents through the Webway, emerging as close as possible to the threat and crushing it. Should a rapid-attack be insufficient, then the Craftworld will seek to deploy a larger force, including Guardians, Falcons and the Engines of Vaul. If Ko'Shanniah still cannot contain a threat itself, they will call to their allies for aid. Corsair groups dwell amongst a few of the systems guarded by Ko'Shanniah, and many of the Aspect Temples have strong ties with Biel-Tan, and the Craftworld has done all it can to defend and assist Iyanden since its losses to Kraken, and the Iyanden are always willing to return this aid. All to often a foe has attacked, believing only a small force awaits them, only to be broken against the mighty Ghost Warriors of Iyanden, or swept away by the Swordwind.

Ko'Shanniah's outlook:

Ko'Shanniah takes a view of agressive defence. They believe that they must defend what is theirs, and not allow the taint of other races to come to their world. Thus it is that whilst many worlds will have dormant or forgotten Webway portals, those worlds watched by Ko'Shanniah are always in possession of active Webway Portals, and the Craftworld will not allow anyone to discover their secrets, or use them for their own means.

Ko'Shanniah's favouring of the Striking Scorpions means that their forces often maintain Shrines to them on all worlds they guard, and it is not uncommon for Exarchs of Ko'Shanniah, often those who have filled the role of Young King, to travel the Webway, finding new Worlds or Craftworlds on which to found a new Temple to the Striking Scorpion. Thus it is that the strength of the Striking Scorpions, and Scorpion Guard, is constantly growing. In addition to this, the numbers of Eldar walking the Path of the Warrior is also increasing, and many believe that Ko'Shanniah will one day become as warlike as Biel-Tan; though whether this is a cause for joy or sorrow for the Craftworld, and the Eldar as a whole, is still unknown...