@Aeldari Corsairs , or Anhrathe, are bands of piratical Aeldari that reject the Asuryan Paths but have not fallen into the hedonistic depravity of the Kabals of Commoragh; rather, they revel in individualistic freedom, reject complacency, indulge their whims and passions, enrich their lives with adventure and profit, and seek lives of great danger to wrest whatever destiny they desire from the galaxy.
Some Eldar yearn for the undiscovered vistas of open space, and set out into the untrammelled warp-space tunnels of the Webway in great fleets[30] where, out in the void, the naturally wild and amoral character of the Aeldari resurfaces:[30] the wildest of these fleets becoming the spacefaring piratical raiders known as Corsairs.[14a]
The Eldar Pirate Fleets that ply the sea of stars are as varied as the planets they prey upon,[7] formed of former Craftworld exploratory fleets,[30] Asuryani Outcasts,[8] Commorite Kabals[7] and those fleeing them,[21a] former Harlequins,[8] Exodites with wanderlust,[30] and even those who once fought for the Ynnari cause.[8] Corsairs live in self-imposed exile from the niceties of the Craftworlds or the Exodite Worlds they visit,[30] free to indulge their adventurous spirits and forge forward alone, seeking a life filled with terrible danger and the promise of great reward.[8] Anhrathe are driven to explore the galaxy and live nomadic lives, utilizing hidden Webway paths to journey widely rarely staying in one region of space for very long.
Corsairs who return from their voyages (and many do not)[30] do so laden with plundered alien treasures and tales of new worlds, corageous battles, and fabulous discoveries.[30] They wear purloined goods from their victims on their bodies as trophies, styling themselves in outlandish cloting and armour to showcase their personal tastes with scales, pelts, and feathers from exotic creatures across the galaxy.[22b] Some even bear surgically-implanted enhancements, like Neuro-Augmentors – intentionally eschewing the design philosophies of the Craftworlds to broadcast their disdain for such civilised aesthetics and proclaim themselves wild and dangerous.[22b] Some take a safer approach, still carrying Waystones to save them from an eternity of torment should they die.
Each Corsair fleet is commanded by an exceptionally charismatic leader, who might style themselves as members of royalty, the scions and inheritors of pre-Fall Nobles[8] (athough few truly are),[22b] but in all cases the titles they bear are ostentatious and only understood by the Aeldari, e.g the Gilded Drake, Star Breaker, Serpent King[44] – to the Humans they are simply known as Prince or Princess.[8] Corsair fleets vary in size and strength, some as large as hundreds of vessels[8] which will often hide deep within a nebula or asteroid field,[44] forgotten Eldar stations, or leftover bases from before the Fall,[14a] or the roiling tidal zones of empyric flux found around the edges of Warp storms.[22b] Each fleet is law unto itself, and many bands operate independent fiefdoms,[22b] decorating themselves in the colours of their capricious leaders.
Its known that sometimes foolish and wealthy Humans are known to hire the services of Corsairs who demand an extortionate price for their cooperation.[6b] Corsair Princes are willing to sell out their fleet as mercenaries during lean times. Employment as mercenaries could be established at the behest of a rebellious planetary governor, Imperial Guard commanders, or any other renegade willing to ally with xenos.[14a] Tales often tell of their mastery and splendour in battle though these also speak of a Corsair's fickle loyalty, sudden betrayals and gleeful slaughtering grace with their silken armour sometimes being coated with the blood of former allies.[6b] They are a constant threat to merchant shipping, though very rarely pose a threat to a major Imperial battlefleet.[2]
Corsairs are far more willing to examine the ways of lesser alien species than other Aeldari factions. These insights and understandings often better inform how to best plunder the lesser races.