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Now, I *know* Black Library has a bit of a problem writing stuff that is based
upon non-Imperial Point of Views. (I'm a Tau fan, so...)

However, with the recent Eldar updates, I find myself wanting to
learn more about the Eldar. Particularly, Craftworld Iyanden, as well as
how Eldar use/work with their various "Wraith" constructs.

I've already grabbed the Codex Supplement, but was wondering if there
are any 'decent/good' novels, hopefully written from the Eldar POV.

Would any well-read Dakka-ites of the Eldar fan persuasion point out what
books there are, and which are 'good' ways to learn about them?

Thanks in advance!

This is the sum total of all Eldar fiction that is not in a sourcebook, an old White Dwarf, or one of the extinct Chapter Approved publications.

http://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/Eldar

The three short stories from the Carnac Campaign (Nightspear, Sky Hunter, and Spirit War) deal with Craftworld Iyanden and their use of Wraiths.

Path of the Seer (from the Eldar Path trilogy) depicts the creation of some Alaitoc Wraiths which could be of interest to you.

If you haven't read it, the Eldar Path trilogy is the definitive source of all things Eldar.

Any other books that may exist dealing with the Eldar use either outdated fluff which no longer applies or is simply terrible. Just stick with the Eldar Path and the Carmac Campaign.

I am a Tau player aswell, but i use Eldar allies.

Is there any fluff that describe the cooperation between those two races, or have a list of interactions between them?
As i have understood the Eldar are more likely to be diplomatic than some other races, and they are considered "battle brothers" after all. ?

Dracoknight wrote:
I am a Tau player aswell, but i use Eldar allies.

Is there any fluff that describe the cooperation between those two races, or have a list of interactions between them?
As i have understood the Eldar are more likely to be diplomatic than some other races, and they are considered "battle brothers" after all. ?

Dawn of War's epilogues go into detail about the respect the Tau have for the Eldar and vice versa, and there's quite a bit of fluff that shows that the Eldar have a certain fondness for the Tau, and Xenology very strongly suggests that the Eldar created the Ethereals.

I suppose that the rationale for having the Tau and the Eldar be "battle brothers" is that they are the only two "good" Xenos races. They are intelligent enough and reasonable enough that they can enter into an alliance without having to worry about being backstabbed by the other at the first opportunity. Then again the Eldar are an unknowable and capricious race who consider everyone else beneath them, but I digress.

As far as I know there is no book or short story that has Eldar and Tau interacting in any way. Hmmm, I think I have found an untapped corner of the universe that is ripe for some good slash fan fiction. Let's get on this!

Paulo187 wrote:
I suppose that the rationale for having the Tau and the Eldar be "battle brothers" is that they are the only two "good" Xenos races. They are intelligent enough and reasonable enough that they can enter into an alliance without having to worry about being backstabbed by the other at the first opportunity. Then again the Eldar are an unknowable and capricious race who consider everyone else beneath them, but I digress.

As far as I know there is no book or short story that has Eldar and Tau interacting in any way. Hmmm, I think I have found an untapped corner of the universe that is ripe for some good slash fan fiction. Let's get on this!

If you write up an Eldrad/Aun-va slash fic I will find you, and I will kill you./Liam Neeson.

I have followed the myriad potential futures of the Tau with great interest. Though barely even striplings compared to us, I feel a strange protectiveness towards them. In time I believe they will exceed even our greatest feats and master the darkness within their souls.

-Eldrad Ulthran

Paulo187 wrote:
This is the sum total of all Eldar fiction that is not in a sourcebook, an old White Dwarf, or one of the extinct Chapter Approved publications.

http://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/Eldar

The three short stories from the Carnac Campaign (Nightspear, Sky Hunter, and Spirit War) deal with Craftworld Iyanden and their use of Wraiths.

Path of the Seer (from the Eldar Path trilogy) depicts the creation of some Alaitoc Wraiths which could be of interest to you.

If you haven't read it, the Eldar Path trilogy is the definitive source of all things Eldar.

Any other books that may exist dealing with the Eldar use either outdated fluff which no longer applies or is simply terrible. Just stick with the Eldar Path and the Carmac Campaign.

Thank you.

I was aware of those titles, but wasn't sure how... 'introductory' they'd be.
Should I start with the "Path of..." series, or can I start with the Carnac Campaign without much 'culture shock'?

Path of the Seer is an excellent introduction to the Eldar setting, it goes to some effort to pretty much cover every facet of Craftworld Eldar living and manages to be entertaining while it does so.

The Carnac campaign books are good, not as good as the Path books, but they don't really explain much background. It's all very much in the action from the start til the finish. A fun read, but not really going to introduce you to a lot of Eldar fluff. They do seem to assume some familiarity with the lore as well.

The short stories about Eldar by Gav Thorpe and Andy Chambers are pretty good too, though they mostly tie into the Path of the Eldar and Path of the Dark Eldar books.

1.) Concerning Eldar: The path series is quite good for background. All Alaitoc based though. Same with Carnac series so far (currently reading part 2, no Iyanden in sight), though as said, it gives you not much background, more action. Old stuff: C.S.Goto has written a few books about Eldar, but avoid them: Badly written by an Eldar hater not familiar with Eldar fluff. Shadowpoint is an old BFG novel with good Eldar coverage. Farseer by William King only features two Eldar accompanying a Rogue trader to a Crone World.
2.) Concerning Tau: Fire Caste in combination with the two ebooks is a good read. The two ebooks, esp. A Sanctuary of Worms, are written from Tau perspective, while the main novel isn't but you find some nice tidbits and a good story there anyway. Shadowsun is an okay read for tau fans, but expensive and not essential. The novel "For the Greater Good" is a waste of time. The old novel "For the Emperor" has been best Tau novel up to Fire Caste, also with nice Kroot coverage. "Kill team" gives some background info on tau esp space travel, but I disliked being forced into the POV of a psychopatic killer. "Fire Warrior" is not bad for the novelization of an ego shooter, with some insight into Tau-Chaos resistance.