Cegorach
Cegorach — the Great Harlequin, the Great Fool, the First Fool, the Laughing God, the Greatest Among the Soul-Dancers[4] — is one of the gods of Eldar mythology, a trickster deity[3] who gave the Aeldari irony with which to find humour in themselves and avoid the trap of hubris,[3] and the central figure and patron deity of Harlequin belief. Despite their often sinister nature, Cegorach represents the soul of the Eldar and is still worshipped on Craftworlds.[3]
History
He is known to be mocking, sinister, vindictive, and enigmatic. His pranks and jokes punish gods and mortals alike for the sin of pride. In Eldar legend, he is said to have stolen Khaine's blade and overseen a terrifying event known as the Wedding of Screams.[2] During the War in Heaven the Soul-Dancers, Cegorach and his harlequins,[4] were able to convince the C'tan (including Kaelis Ra) to turn their hunger upon each other and consume the other Yngir.
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While most of the Eldar gods were destroyed during the Fall of the Eldar, according to legend, this deity survived because his mocking nature distanced him from the corruption and decadence that became Slaanesh. The legend goes that as Slaanesh battled Khaine, the Laughing God escaped into the Webway. The Harlequins believe that Cegorach continues to protect their souls from the predations of Slaanesh.[2]
Harlequins perform Stories of the deeds of Mephet'ran and in their performances will sometimes tell of his exploits as if they were those of Cegorach.[5] When the role of the deceiver is played on stage, unlike other of the C'tan, it is only ever done so by the Great Harlequin of the Masque.[5]
Cegorach is the only authority the Harlequins recognize[1] and there are those who claim that the Laughing God walks amongst his children from time to time, wearing the disguise of a Harlequin player.[2]
See also
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 184 - Harlequins
- 2: Codex: Harlequins (7th Edition) — Ghosts of the Webway
- 3: Codex: Aeldari (10th Edition), pgs. 12-13
- 4: White Dwarf 273 (UK) - Translations of Pertinent Eldar Myths
- 5: Dawn of War: Tempest (Novel), Chapter Eleven
