Avantiak, The Ravenous Eye

Avantiak, The Ravenous Eye

Rise to power

Avantiak trod, as many eldar did in those dire times, the Path of the Warrior. Ambitious and skillful, the young Avantiak went from aspect to aspect, always mastering the aspect and understanding the concept of each before moving onto the next. He particularly liked the Aspect of the Fire Dragon and the Aspect of the Reaper, whose direct destructive capabilities fascinated the youngster. Particularly disliked was the the Striking Scorpions, Avantiak feeling that their craft was too subtle to be applied effectively in opposition to the more direct destructive power of the other aspects. Avantiak was incredibly gifted despite his innate spite and soon attained the rank of Autarch upon the Craftworld Celyennath. As opposed to many Autarches however he was generally disliked as a leader. Eldar tactics are ordinarily based upon preservation, aversion and hit-and-run strategies. Avantiak was not in direct opposition to these strategies and acknowledged how their use suited eldar troops excellently. However, no matter from which angle one looked at it, his methods were extremely radical. One incident during the Verakz Campaign tells of how he ordered an infiltrated unit of Striking Scorpions to open fire upon an imperial battle formation in order to slow them down while the eldar host battled a space marine detachment. When the exarch ordered his scorpions to retreat, Avantiak overruled him and ordered them to lay down their lives in the ensuing firefight. The squad was shocked as their mission turned suicidal but obeyed nonetheless. A single survivor returned to the craftworld laying down testimony of Avantiak's actions. The following trial did not find him innocent, but determined that his actions had ensured success in this case and that he would be exscused for now. In extension of his direct tactics Avantiak was an excellent combatant and could often be found at the forefront of the Craftworld's attacks power sword and shuriken pistol dancing their deadly waltz. Despite his excellence in the field of combat and his supposed just intentions, the farseers watched carefully over the prominent warrior, because his destiny was omniously clouded to their minds.

The Soulless One

It was during the Veriax Incident in 0.173.307.M39 that Avantiak's fate would start to unravel itself. Leading the assault against the Slaaneshi daemon Shin'yal, Avantiak had plunged his strike force deep into the heart of the enemy host, utilising Dark Reapers to cover his personal Banshee assault. The objective was simple: Kill Shin'yal itself. Acting as both the general of the daemonic forces and the beacon allowing the unholy creatures to invade the planet of Euthos VII. Avantiak's risky rapier thrust was effective. The insertion of his forces had been beyond successful and minimal casualties were sustained despite the best efforts from Shin'yal to coordinate a counter-attack. Victory seemed certain until Shin'yal itself joined the fray. Several banshees were cut apart by the foul creature when it finally eyed up Avantiak. Avantiak had no fears and attacked the demon relentlessly. For Avantiak this was one of his finest moments. The Autarch moved with the grace and certainty of Asuryan himself and fought with the fury of Khaine. But despite his best efforts he was easily bested by the daemons preternatural speed and brute strength. With two swift strikes the warrior was disarmed and in the crushing grasp of the Keeper. With one poke of its immense fingers it pierced the breastplate of the squirming Autarch and his struggles instantly ceased. Now that a hole had been made the slaaneshi daemon inserted its tongue into the lifeless husk, the slithery limb emerging with a small shining object: Avantiak's soulstone.

It was as if time stood still for a second, the Greater Daemon carefully running its tongue around its prize caressing it like a lover. With a distinct sound of a firing mechanism the greater daemon's war