Solitaire
Solitaires, or arebennian, are Harlequins who operate outside Masques[1], the only Harlequins who can play the role of Slaanesh. At their death, Cegorach himself fights for their souls with She-Who-Thirsts;[2][3b] only through trickery can the Laughing God win them back.[2] Solitaires represent the very pinnacle of the Harlequin ideal, and are formidable foes.[1]
Overview
The strangest and deadliest of the Harlequins,[2] they are outsiders, even among the Harlequins, and roam the universe alone living anonymously for years or even decades[1], only on occasion joining a masque for a single performance or battle as the fancy takes them.[3b] They almost always fight as individuals, with no specific battlefield role to play, acting as they choose.[1] In the Harlequin masques, they play the part of Slaanesh, as all others who attempt to play this part are driven mad by the experience.[1][3b] They are forbidden from speaking with or even associating with the other Eldar.[2] It is said that solitaires, having been so touched by the Great Harlequin to have his unique insight into the Fall of the Eldar and the nature of the universe.[1] They walk unseen, unnoticed, unknown across the universe, sometimes even among other races.[1]
As they are said to be touched by the Great Harlequin directly, Eldar folk tales tell many accounts of a hero not realizing that instead with a Solitaire they met with Cegorach himself.[1] Solitaires are among the few that can freely enter the Black Library of Chaos.[5] Pivotal roles for Solitaires include the Prince of Sins, the Spectre of Despair, and the Thirsting Darkness.[10] Solitaires are chosen by Cegorach[1] to tread upon the Path of Damnation and forfeit their essence to Slaanesh, fated to be claimed by the Prince of Excess.[2][3b][4a] At their death, Cegorach himself fights for their souls in an uneven battle with the Chaos God Slaanesh,[2][3b] a battle the Laughing God is only able to win through trickery.[2]
Solitaires are able to engage to some degree in the Great Game with their deaths, in 113.M41 a Solitaire dueled a Skulltaker before the Gate of Souls and, through its self-sacrifice at the Skulltaker's hands, sent a resonating psychic echo through the warp which banished a horde of Slaaneshi Daemons about to breach the gate[3d] and invade Craftworld Lugganath.[4c]
The Solitaires seek out Eldar considered promising and able to survive the trial that all Harlequins must endure. Though they are capable of speech, they do not speak and are not spoken to, except in ritual form during a performance. It is said that any who accidentally addresses or touches a Solitaire is cursed, and would be better to take their own life outright.[3b]
In combat, a Solitaire is a deadly marvel, a dazzling blaze of light and colour that leaps, spins and attacks with blinding speed. Their art of dance is so advanced that the enemy's bullets, rays and shells can not hit them and every graceful sweep of his weapon decapitated their terrified enemies. It is said that each Solitaire is the equal of a full squad of lesser warriors.[3b] Solitaires are free to master any wargear available to the Harlequins, and in rare cases even Psychic abilities.[1] They are apparently resistant to psychological factors,[2] especially fear.[3c]
Famous Solitaires
Images
Miniatures
Solitaire miniature (7th edition)[9]
Solitaire miniature (2nd Edition)[8]
Solitaire miniature (1st edition)[7]
See also
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 184-198
- 2: Codex: Eldar (2nd Edition), pg. 29
- 3: Codex: Harlequins (7th Edition):
- 4: Codex: Harlequins (8th Edition):
- 5: Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness, pg. 215
- 6: Dark Heresy Second Edition: Enemies Without, pg. 126
- 7: White Dwarf 105 (UK), September 1988, pg. 41 and White Dwarf 106 (UK), October 1988, pg. 17
- 8: Citadel Catalogue 2004-5, pg. 148
- 9: Games-Workshop Solitaire (last accessed 21 March 2015)
- 10: Codex: Aeldari (9th Edition) pg. 111
| Harlequin Forces | |
|---|---|
| Command | Great Harlequin • High Warlock • Mimic |
| Specialists | Shadowseer • Death Jester • Solitaire |
| Troops | Trouper • Troupe Master • Mime |
| Vehicles | Harlequin Dreadnought • Harlequin Jetbike • Skyweaver • Starweaver |
| Heavy Support | Voidweaver |
| Fortifications | Webway Gate |
