Sigmarite Eyrie

Sigmarite Eyries', or Eeyries, are specialized Stormkeeps built above some of the greatest Cities of Sigmar. These floating fortresses are reserved for the use of those warriors of Order who can fly, and it is not uncommon to see winged members from a dozen different Stormhosts in attendance at any given time.^[1a]

Purpose

Eyries are vast fortress structures which contain armouries, barracks, feasting halls, sparring chambers and strategic cartogravia. They are held aloft by huge aeronavalum engines which send vibration through the vast structure.^[1a]

The Eyries serve many functions beyond being waystations for winged warriors of Sigmar's armies. One of their primary purposes is serving as information centres between the Stormhosts with scout findings, updated maps, and messages being passed from one host to another as swift as the wind thanks to the Eyries. Within them information is swiftly co-ordinated and maps updated with the latest information from the scouts of the forces of Order. ^[1a]

Other Eyries are massive structures whose uppermost levels are large enough to house Stardrakes, celestial spawn of Dracothion allied to the Stormcast Eternals. Some of these Eyries even play host to Drakesworn Templars, those Stormcasts who have bonded with a Stardrake.^[1a]

True Purpose

The Eyries have a higher purpose, known to few except Sigmar and the Lord-Castellants assigned to govern over the fortresses. Within each Eyrie, in its highest levels is a domed chamber housing what appears to be a chained star contained within an orrery. Such devices are known as a Cognis Celestis, or a seeing-star, a star-mote of the heart of Leviathor. Through them vital strategic intelligence can be gathered.^[1a]

These devices are vast spheres of celestial energy contained within churning cogs, brass armatures and lenses. They are fragments of a vast monster, Leviathor which Dracothion and Sigmar slew - the latter shattering its core with Ghal Maraz and retaining the fragments for later use. ^[1a]

These fragments still devour knowledge and share it with the other motes instantly which can be extracted (although not easily) by the Lord-Castellant of the Eyrie. They can even extract knowledge from any Stormcast that enters an Eyrie, without their knowledge or consent. ^[1a]

Structure

A Sigmarite Eyrie, like its more traditional counterparts, are imposing fortresses whose designs vary. The entryways of an Eyrie, which are known as perch-gantries, are platforms that extend out from the fortress's doorways. At least some of these fortresses are held aloft by aeronavulum engines. Tiers of battlements encompass an Eyrie's main body, creating iron garlands about the fortress, which are patrolled by Stormcast Eternals.^[1a]

Facilities

The twisting halls of Eyries lead to an assortment of facilities such as feasting halls, strategic cartogravia, sparring chambers, armouries, seers' quarters, and barracks^[1a]

Known Eyries

• Excelsian Eyrie: The Sigmarite Eyrie floating above the Free City of Excelsis.^[1a]

Quotes

Every Eeyrie built thus far houses a Cognis Celestis in its highest chamber. It is the true purpose of these places, though in his wisdom our lord Sigmar has chosen to reveal this fact only to the Lord-Castellants that rule over the eeyries. We, in turn, tell a trusted few, but largely we are sworn to keep the God-King's seeing-stars a secret, for if the enemy ever discovered them they could be turned into powerful weapons against us. ~Lord-Castellant Martoris Skywarden.[1a]

Sources

• 1: Blacktalon: First Mark
  • 1a: Chapter Five