Guardians and the War Mask

[Grey Hunter 88]

I have read all of the Black Library Eldar books, which I must say are probably the most interesting books from that publisher that I have read; the only possible exception to that would be Ciaphas Cain.

Now, having read Path of the Warrior and Path of the Seer, I absolutely loved the philosophy behind the Aspect rituals, and their "war mask" as a psychological coping tool. It was really well thought-out, and made a lot of sense!

Now... my question. What about guardians? They do not have the training that the aspect warriors do.

In Path of the Warrior, it took Korlandril several 'cycles', I got the impression it was months, to even first don his War Mask. It was deemed by his Exarch that if he were to fight for real before then, he would not be able to control himself. Now he was particularly susceptible to Khaine's touch, so I am sure he is a BIT of an exception, but my question still stands.

How do the guardians go into fights without any of the Warrior training, without war masks etc., and manage to cope with their experience? I know that they don't see much action in the fluff compared to what they do on the tabletop, but it seems to me that it would cause untold amounts of trauma to them.

In Paths of the Seer, ... the protagonist, whose name I can't remember sadly, has flashbacks of her time as a Dire Avenger, and it almost drives her mad. This is someone who has walked and mastered the Path, and she struggles to keep her recurrent memories in check.

How do guardians do it? Do they just not suffer as strongly because they don't have the mark of Khaine? Do they go into intense grief-management sessions afterwards? Do they not fight enough to be affected? Or is it a bit of a grey area in the fluff?

Thanks for your consideration!

[Hendarion]

Based on Codex fluff, even Guardians use War Masks and they are aided, guided and supported by Warlocks and former Aspect Warriors to apply them.

[Longstrider]

I haven't read the BL Eldar books yet (I want the third to be out before I start) but would it fit to suggest that maybe Guardians just don't go as deeply into their war-mode as the aspect warriors do? So to say, Guardians wear their masks and ritually change their psychology when called to war, but can put the masks away more easily since they don't spend anywhere near as much time in that mindset?

[Hendarion]

Well, Guardians kill too, so that won't be like "not going as deep". It isn't the training or manifestation that drives an Eldar mad, but the cruelty he has to perform in times of dire need. The War Masks of Guardians probably aren't as "strong" as those of trained Aspect Warriors, but they have to give certain protection as well... but my impression always was (dunno based on which Codex or short-story) that they are never a full protection and the memories come up from time to time and haunt the Eldar. But the masks prevent them from turning crazy or "falling" permanently into bloodlust and murder, etc. It just blurs the memories, makes them more uncertain, dulls them.

[Fenrisian Ale]

As I understand it, and I think it was 2nd possibly third Ed fluff that stated this, Guardians are not just "all other Eldar". They are Eldar who have pursued the path of the warrior in one of the previous paths they have followed, and are currently not on the path of the warrior, therefore they have had the training to put on their war mask, but there is no longer a place for them within the shrine of the aspect they followed. Therefore they help the war effort as guardians.

It would be dangerous for an Eldar to fight without the training to put a war mask on.

[Hendarion]

Actually 2nd said Guardians are *all* Eldar and Guardian Captains are former Aspect Warriors. 3rd changed that so that only Storm Guardians are former Aspect Warriors and captains had been gone.

[BooTMGSG]

First it depends on the craftworld.
Some of the less strict, may not have a problem with fighting without a war mask. The more puritan such as Alaitoc may veiw this as reckless, but the more wild Eldar such as Saim-Hann may not, figuring they'll just get on and deal with the reprecussions, without all that ritualistic paraphernalia.

It could be that be that some of the Guardians have previously trod the Path of the warrior, so have already formed their warmask, and can be guided back to it when the need is great.
Note in path of the Seer, and number of the Farseers took part in the fighting becuase they had trod the path of the warrior, while those that didn't were on the backline in a support role.

If the situation is really bad, and everyone is needed, I imagine, that those with no warmask, would again be placed in more support roles.

Then there is the Avatar. He seems to have a profound effect on the Eldar, and I'd imagine that the Avatar could perhaps shield the Eldar during the time of war. Pushing aside fear and repulsion at the brutality and filling them with hate, with the vengence required to cleanse the world of the threat. Ofcause there may be extensive counseling after the war, but during the war the Avatar sets aside all their concerns so that they can survive.

[Idaan]

The problem isn't that the Eldar dislike brutality and death. The problem is they like it too much and can get addicted to it. So I imagine that in normal situations there is be some sort of protection, either because of Guardians being ex-Aspect Warriors and already having warmasks, or the Warlocks/squadleaders leading them through a quasi-warmask ritual. On the other hand, if Craftworld itself is endangered, anyone will be pressed into service, because becoming a blood junkie is better than death.

[Shamana]

I think the reason is that guardians are pretty much normal soldiers. They do get some training, including some psychic preparation, but in essence I think they do not completely divorce themselves from their old selves when they go to war. As I see it, they would be the closest thing to an army as we know it that the Eldar have.

Aspects are something more than just eldar who are trained for war. Not only are they better trained for the fighting itself, but there are some hints and imagery that shows a much higher level of indoctrination and spirituality. Their "training" involves emulating one of the facets ("aspects") of Khaine, the eldar god of war and murder; their leader - the exarch - is a priest/ess of Khaine as much as s/he is a master of a martial art. They are, essentially, an eldar death cult. Thus, they are supposed to have a completely different persona they assume for war - one that, like Khaine, not just accepts but revels in death and destruction on some level. It would be a lot harder to control than what the guardians go through.

[Rogue Star]

Actually 2nd said Guardians are *all* Eldar and Guardian Captains are former Aspect Warriors. 3rd changed that so that only Storm Guardians are former Aspect Warriors and captains had been gone.

And it made far more sense in 2nd. Having Guardians being former Aspect Warriors, worked with the background presented. I don't understand why they didn't just explain "Storm" Guardians like the Black Guardians of Ulthwe; Guardians which have improved through protracted engagements, and seen multiple conflicts in their time.

Then there is the Avatar. He seems to have a profound effect on the Eldar, and I'd imagine that the Avatar could perhaps shield the Eldar during the time of war. Pushing aside fear and repulsion at the brutality and filling them with hate, with the vengence required to cleanse the world of the threat. Ofcause there may be extensive counseling after the war, but during the war the Avatar sets aside all their concerns so that they can survive.

Like Idaan said, Eldar don't use the war-mask to prevent "combat stress", as in real wars; the "Dark Eldar" are what they could be very easily be if they didn't reign in their nature.

[Poseidal]

Within the shrines there's difference too. From Path of the Warrior, one Scorpion shrine wants more to revel in and be lost on the path, another fights so less will need to in the future (or something along those lines, it's been a while since I read the novel).

But I largely agree with the interpretation Shaman and Idaan put forward here.

[BooTMGSG]

The problem isn't that the Eldar dislike brutality and death. The problem is they like it too much and can get addicted to it. So I imagine that in normal situations there is be some sort of protection, either because of Guardians being ex-Aspect Warriors and already having warmasks, or the Warlocks/squadleaders leading them through a quasi-warmask ritual. On the other hand, if Craftworld itself is endangered, anyone will be pressed into service, because becoming a blood junkie is better than death.

I think I may have expressed myself poorly. regarding the Avatar.
Firstly I imagine that some Eldar dislike brutrality and death, while some enjoy the viceral nature of combat and violence. In most cases its a bit of both. I always had them pinned as over emotional psykics. Like humans experiences all maner of emotion during war, just all dialed up to 11. When I talk about the Avatar Shielding them, its like the Eldar becomes another person, kind of like in a drug haze, where the Avatars presense pushes aside all concerns. When the avatar is gone, they may remember what happened, though it could be like the morning after a drinking binge, but that emotional intesity is gone with the Avatar.
Those with War masks are likely to be able to process the memories better than those without. However, those that can't who want to feel Kaines legacy again, will find themselves drawn to the aspect shirnes. Which is useful, as they are likely to need replacement warriors after such a conflict.

[pointyteeth]

Could be something as simple as being taught to close their eyes when they pull the trigger?

[FerociousBeast]

I haven't read the Path books, so maybe things have changed, but my understanding is that Aspect warriors don't don the mask to prevent psychological damage just from warfare, they wear them to assume a personality that they couldn't otherwise safely assume without risk of becoming an exarch. So, if that's the case, Guardians don't need to wear masks, because they don't try to put on that personality. They fight and kill, yes, but they're not trying to become the embodiment of hand to hand combat or death from above or anything like that, so they don't have the same risk.

[pointyteeth]

From my understanding, the war mask seperates the eldar from his or her actions while it is donned (I believe in Path of the Warrior the main character states that he isn't able to remember the events of the battle when his war mask is off). If the Guardians don't have a war mask, it could be possible that they have the events of the battle "mindwiped" by a Warlock.

[Spetulhu]

Warlocks wear a "mask" too, of sorts. At least I remember reading a short (one-page or less) story of a warlock taking part in brutal battle and then having trouble taking the mask off. Even under the influence of this shielding he realized he'd have to remember the killing and friends dying when he took the mask off.

Somehow also made me think this "mask" is somehow ritually tied to their helmets, but I'm not sure.

[FerociousBeast]

Warlocks, though, are seers who were formerly on the Path of the Warrior. They get their warlock helms from the aspect shrines.

Guardians, however, as far as I can tell, are just wearing helmets.

[Hendarion]

Somehow also made me think this "mask" is somehow ritually tied to their helmets, but I'm not sure.

Yea, that is stated in some Codex somewhere. But it doesn't need to as you can see on Exarchs. It seems to be easier though, as probably they can not only mentally, but also physically "hide" their faces from their actions or others.