With the new Battletome: Lumineth Realm-lords available for pre-order on Saturday, we wanted to take a look at the unique denizens of Hysh. The realm of symmetry touches all of its inhabitants with endemic rationality, its natural logic-energies imbuing everything from the smallest of animals to the most bizarre realm-spirits.
Natural animals exist within Hysh, as they do in every realm – but they are often overshadowed by the searing majesty of the realm-spirits, creatures born of the magical energies that suffuse the Realm of Light. Only the most elite of all Lumineth may bind these spirits to their will, and they do not exist naturally in the world.
Indomitable mountain spirits are coaxed into inhabiting war-forms that are, in essence, miniature ecosystems – perhaps groomed like zen gardens by low-level Alarith monks. These surround a mask resembling the visage of a bovine longhorn, which the spirit inhabits. Cunning Hurakan wind spirits focus their unpredictable energies into vulpine masks, representing the semi-mythical horned foxes of Hysh.
Less mystical but no less remarkable, the noble steeds ridden by the Lumineth warhosts benefit form all the reified rationality of the Realm of Light. Treerunners, ridden by the Hurakan Windchargers, are graceful beasts that seem to defy gravity, flowing through enemy units like an unstoppable gale.
The lightcoursers that roam the northern reaches are energised by the blistering light of zenith – swift, bold, and ever-restless. Only a truly worthy Lord Regent can earn the loyalty of such a creature.
All of these are humbled by the honourable horse.* Though many other races eschew these equine allies in favour of more novel beasts – such as noisome sludgerakers and ravenous dragonspites – Hysh-born horses exhibit a striking intelligence. These strong-willed steeds choose their partners with care, and the resulting Vanari Dawnriders travel across the battlefield with grace and speed.
Much like the realm’s rulers, the animals of Hysh display an intellect far beyond their less refined cousins. From sorcerers to champions, the Lumineth find kinship with a variety of inquisitive avians, taking owls and scryhawks as wise familiars to aid them in martial and sorcerous tasks.
Plus, the pure energy of Hysh ensures that their feathers remain downy and beautifully pristine – a far cry from other, less salubrious quilled creatures.
Even Archmage Teclis, greatest of all the Lumineth – and therefore, the Lumineth say, greatest of all the aelves – has found a peer in Celennar, the spirit of Hysh’s moon. Those who have caught glimpses of the Mage God interacting with the lunasphinx see that he treats this selenic soul as his only equal – what they discuss is genuinely beyond the understanding of mortals.
Worryingly, this relationship has seen Teclis become more and more detached from the clamours of the physical world, as he meditates alongside his celestial companion.**
You can craft an army made up of warriors fighting alongside – and upon – the many prodigiously-talented animals and realm-spirits of Hysh by pre-ordering Battletome: Lumineth Realm-lords this weekend. Celennar knows you must have learned enough about them by now.
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* Unfairly shunned, it must be said, by many across the realms.
** Typical cat person.