Harlequins of Arcadia
The Harlequins of Arcadia were the Harlequin Masque dedicated to stewardship of fabled planet of Arcadia and the legendary Arcadian Librarium, the great library which held within it ancient relics and histories of the Aeldari, and the site which the path to the Black Library within the Tome of Karebennian leads.[1a] The Masque maintains a small aerial force of Nightwings and Ravens, and a ground force of Venoms and Vypers.[1a]
The architecture of the cities of Arcadia suggest it may have at one time been host to a larger population, but it is unclear when those souls would have lived or if they would have been members of the Masque. Regardless, the Masque employs a large number of strategically placed masked mannequins to assist in its illusions and give the impression of a more numerous fighting force.[1c]
The Masque performed a great many Harlequin tales (at times venturing off-world to do so[1c], on at least one occasion visiting Craftworld Kaelor[2]) including the Masque of the Deceiver, which told of the return of Mephet'ran, the Cycle of the Avatar, which tells of Khaine and ends with the death of Eldanesh,[2] The Dance of Lanthrilaq, which tells of the lost blade of Lanthrilaq the Swift, as well as its Saedath complement The Death and Re-Birth of Hope,[1b] which involves routing one's enemies against each other.[1c]
Notable Members
- Eldarec the Mirthful - Great Harlequin leader of the masque.[1a]
- Karebennian - Legendary Solitaire who left the company to wander the Webway, eventually finding his way to the Black Library, an entrance to which he alone was entrusted to guard. Karebennian rejoins the troupe in moments of great need.[1a]
Sources
- 1: Dawn of War: Tempest (Novel):
- 2: Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Chapter Three
