|
The Craftworld of Ishara-Sol (Isha's
Star) is mentioned infrequently in Imperial records, indeed the
Craftworld when sighted generally appears in orbit over a primeval world
and according to noted scholars appears to have similar initial
affects on the planet as the arrival of a Tyranid hive fleet
would. The
planets ecosystem undergoes radical changes with previously
barren ash wastes transforming into lush jungle in mere weeks, unlike a Tyranid arrival however the Craftworld departs leaving
the planet in a state ripe for colonisation, it is for this
reason that direct conflict with Ishara-Sol is avoided by the
Imperium as they "serve a useful purpose" this has
rightly inflamed the local Xeno hunters of the Inquisition
who come into continual opposition by local System
Commanders.
Whilst this may give the impression of an unspoken peace, the
calm that Ishara-Sol shows is matched only by it's ferocity when
roused to war, whilst they seam to have no obvious expansionist ambitions
they are fiercely protective of the world's they have visited
and seam to adopt similar attitudes to those witnessed by
their brethren on Biel-tan. Indeed most action by the
Craftworld appears to be the use of it's vast fleet who's
actions have put an end to the plans of many would-be colonists
Imperial or otherwise. Recently the Craftworld made
contact with the Tau Empire whilst initial Imperial intelligence
appeared to suggest an accord between the two, the capricious
Xenos turned on one other, the fallout resulting in great losses
to the Eldar and a slowdown and entrenchment to the Tau's
ambitions with their focus moving elsewhere.
It is speculated that the original function of the Craftworld
was as a trading and seeding ship for the Maiden worlds created
by the Eldar many years before the fall and that it continues
this function to this day, though the logic to this must be
questioned. When encountered by the Imperium the
citizenry seam more interested in rare and exotic biological
acquisitions than conflict,
many a Rouge Trader has opened lucrative contracts with them
before being ruthlessly disciplined by the Inquisition. To
what end the Craftworld works can only be speculated, whilst
captured Eldar Rangers provide little in information even when
'encouraged' they do provide a valuable insight into the
Craftworld and it's traditions.
Ishara-Sol's inhabitants are a proud people and maintain
close links to the Exodite colonies and are often regarded as
somewhat backward by other Craftworlds in their somewhat rustic
approach, indeed on the rare occasions where the Craftworld is
seen and the findings reported, it appears that most the outer hull
is given over to vast biodomes of various climates, with all manner
of strange beasts inside. Internal descriptions are
limited to one source, a Colonel Janus Pranger who spent many
months as prisoner on board before being released back to the
Imperium. [It is an interesting note that after his debriefing
and before his execution for heresy Colonel Pranger's
prison escort flotilla intercepted a previously unrecorded hive
fleet vessel
which was routinely destroyed, the significance of this is
unknown.] Pranger's descriptions of the internals of the
Craftworld often
liken it to a zoo or botanical gardens intermixed with the usual
foul Eldar decadent structures. It's populous has also
been noted to display cultural oddities not previously seen
within the Eldar culture.
A sighted example is the 'Dance of the Silent hand' [Suith-Istaur-Men]
which is an almost tournament like contest where groups of 3 to
7 dancers perform intricately interlaced and highly stylized
acrobatic dance moves whilst holding a small crystal shard,
competitors as considered 'out' when blood is drawn from the
torso. It is speculated that these oddities propagated
through isolation and have been compaired to the often bizarre
customs associated with remote agri-world farmers.
The symbol of Ishara-Sol is the blossom of the Iolar, a tree of Eldar
legend and most members of the Craftworld
appear to wear the design somewhere upon their person or carry a
gemstone with the blossom seeds or petals inside. Ishara-Sol is governed
by a grand conclave of 21 officials drawn from various sections
of the populous. It breaks down into three distinct
groups; 7 Farseers, 7 representatives of the Aspect shrines and
Craftworld Fleet, and 7 individuals selected by consensus from
the Craftworld population, their combined wills drive the
Craftworld's decision making process. The warriors of Ishara-Sol go into
battle in the colours of their Craftworld, a Jade Green and Grey
body suit complemented with a White helmet, it is of interest
that this colour scheme is strictly adhered to with little or no
variations throughout the various Aspect shrines unlike in other
Craftworld cultures. It is
speculated that this reflects their inward looking nature and
their want to separate themselves from the main stream of Eldar
culture which they consider to be so far removed from the true
Eldar calling and ancient ways.
|