Craftworld Kinshara

[Eldarek]

I love the idea of homebrewing your own entities like Craftworlds, Kabals/Cults/Covens and even Space Marine chapters or Chaos warbands. But I'm also really into building more for ones which exist canonically but have very little official information out there on them. Craftworld Kinshara is possibly the most exciting group of Asuryani to me personally that fits this bill, because while there's only a small amount written about them, what is recorded leads to some pretty interesting conclusions and further questions.

 

They are highlighted in 9th Edition's War Zone Laevenir where they encounter elements of Hive Fleet Ouroboris threatening the Laevenir Archipelago, a region of space that contained nine systems, eleven Maiden Worlds and several sentient species. While the 9e rulebook describes the Archipelago as being under the watch of the Asuryani vaguely, the fact that Kinshara was there to discover it in addition to one local species being known as "Those Who Evade the Crone" specifically being known as such to "the Kinshara Aeldari" suggests a close association with the area. In terms of the total Aeldari forces which answer their call, Kinshara is listed as having a strength of 20 Warhosts which places them as smaller than Lugganath with 26, but slightly larger than Altansar who had 18. So its military strength is not insignificant.

 

Diplomatically it might be assumed that Biel-Tan and Saim-Hann responding to their pleas either represents existing ties but could just as easily be simply due to the conflict involving Maiden Worlds, which both Craftworlds are famous for protecting. Similarly the presence of the other minor Craftworlds of Lugganath and Telennar are not explained against other groups but Kinshara is supposed to have sent warriors wit Maugan Ra to recover Altansar from the Warp, possibly explaining their assistance. Of the other Corsair fleets and Harlequin Masques listed; The Masque of the Twisted Path have a relationship with Telennar, the Masque of the Leering Moon mostly operate on Skyweavers (possible Saim-Hann connection) and the Shattered Stars are focused on defending Maiden Worlds. Of the Corsair fleets none are particularly associated with a given Craftworld other than the Sunblitz Brotherhood's ties to Lugganath and that Craftworld's connection to Corsairs generally. 

 

Militarily we do know that they make use of Aspect Warriors, specifically Shining Spears and Striking Scorpions. They have also appeared piloting ships either in space or planetside. Combined with the knowledge that the greatest bonesinger in all of history came from Kinshara might mean they make heavy use of ships, grav tanks and wraith constructs. They've also appeared in two contexts outside of Laevenir; as part of a Craftworld coalition assisting the Imperium during the Nachmund Rift War and at a site where the Imperium were digging up ancient Aeldari ruins.

 

Breaking down the name, the lexicon defines "Kin" as the active/aggressive form (ie verb) translating to "Hope". The passive or negative versions come across as "patience" and "longing". "Shara" lacks a direct translation with the closest I could find being "Shad" which means Spear or Sier/Siara meaning Scattering/Dispersed.

 

So onto what I personally like to believe about Kinshara based on this information...

[Eldarek]

Alright, so out of canon and into the realm of fanon; here are the things I personally have decided upon as homebrew for Kinshara in choosing it as my personal Craftworld. 
 

Firstly, I really like interpreting its name as something along the lines of “Hope of the Fallen”. Hope because of their role protecting the Laevenir Maiden Worlds and Fallen because it fits thematically with that as well, in addition to being linguistically close enough ti scattered in my book. Which brings me to my second interpretation of their name/purpose: the preservation and renewal of not just their fallen species, but their fallen Gods. I like to envision them as a Craftworld which has kept more of the ancient religious traditions alive than any other. Khaine is obviously still alive, simply divided. Isha is similarly alive but imprisoned and Cegorach remains alive, whole and free while the creation of Ynnead demonstrates the power and possibility open to the Aeldari regarding their divine protectors. 
 

So in my Kinshara, much like how Biel-Tan is ruled by its Exarchs and not a Seer Council, I have a Council with one representative for each God. An Autarch for Khaine, a Bonsesinger for Isha, and a Harlequin representative for Cegorach. The Seer Council advises this Triumvirate. 
 

They maintain close ties to their fellow Asuryani, Biel-Tan and Saim-Hann owing to their shared interest in Maiden Worlds. The manor Craftworlds however, are obviously able to travel the wider galaxy and split forces in service of that calling whereas Kinshara restricts themselves locally owing to their smaller size and Laevenir’s importance. Similarly, they maintain close ties to the Masque of the Frozen Stars for the same reason and it is often a Troupe Master or Shadowseer of this Masque who sits on Kinshara’s Triumvirate. 

 

I also picture them to be somewhat of a haven for Exodites from destroyed/conquered planets. They may settle as refugees on the various Maiden Worlds of Laevenir where they rebuild their lives and assist Kinshara in culling any indigenous Xenos species. Speaking of violence…

[Eldarek]

As I mentioned in the first portion, we know that Kinsharan forces have been spotted on a few occasions at places other than the Laevenir Archipelago but generally speaking most of their military prowess seems focused at keeping other factions away from or unaware of the Archipelago and “managing” the other species within. We know that they produce excellent wraithbone and their Aspect Warriors include Striking Scorpions and Shining Spears so I picture them achieving the latter via a strategy of Shock & Awe. Essentially relying on stealth units like Scorpions, Rangers and Shroud Runners to scout out an enemies defenses and identify weaknesses that speedy and powerful units like Shining Spears, Swooping Hawks and Warp Spiders can come behind and capitalize on. Of all the Aspects, I don’t think they’d have many (if any) Reapers owing to their tricky history with Maugan Ra but would also still have Crimson Hunters and Banshees. 
 

Hive Fleet Ouroboris’ recent incursion aside they don’t seem to have as much need for constant defense as other, more popular Craftworlds. So I don’t imagine they’d have as many Guardian units as most but probably do have some to operate windrider bikes and grav-tanks. Probably not War Walkers though and that’s 100% not simply due to my dislike for the models lol. In my head Warlock Skyrunners or even Conclaves carried in a Falcon might be part of planetside forces but Farseers, other Conclaves, Spiritseers and Wraiths likely are relegated to just defending the Craftworld proper. 

[Eldarek]

Ooh, I forgot to add that they (or at least the Laevenir Archipelago) are likely located somewhere in the Segmentum Obscurus based on it being Hive Fleet Ouroboris that attacks. Additionally several chapters from nearby Imperium Nihilus are dispatched to also deal with it, but are approached by the Aeldari with offers of assistance. It is not specified which Aeldari but does identify them as coming from the Archipelago so if it isn't Kinshara it was either a portion of the forces that left early on during infighting between the various groups, or the Aeldari successfully repelled the Tyranid invasion and Kinshara and/or others wanted to take the fight further.

[kabaakaba]

That's solid, you make nice narrative out of few lines of text. That's a dedication. 

Now I waiting you built your forces.

[Eldarek]

16 hours ago, kabaakaba said:

That's solid, you make nice narrative out of few lines of text. That's a dedication. 

Now I waiting you built your forces.

Thanks!!