Shadowseer

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Female Shadowseer in the heat of battle with Orks[5b]

Shadowseers[1] (sometimes Shadow Seers[13]) or esdainn,[11a] known in prior editions as Warlocks, are significant characters in Harlequin Troupes.[1]

Overview

Shadowseer[2]

Shadowseers are specialist phantasmancer psykers that belong to the Eldar race and are seen within the ranks of the Harlequins, with their abilities focusing particularly on skills relating to confusion as well as fear. Their presence adds to the potency of any performances by their kin as they release programmed hallucinations by way of their creidann grenade launcher backpacks.

During masques, a Shadowseer serves the role of a storyteller, forming scintillating phantoms that dance and duel in the air. However, when called to battle, they are able to force visions of unholy terror on their foes or even remove the presence of the Harlequins from their minds completely.[1]

These Seers play the role of fate and fortune within their performances with it being said that they know the doom of all their companions - even for the Great Harlequins themselves. These powerful psykers are known for the potency of their psychic abilities, which are as great as those of a Farseer of the Craftworlds.[2] Shadowseers eschew runes, drawing their power instead directly from Cegorach[13]. Shadowseers, in terms of appearance, tend to wear masks like all Harlequins, though theirs are uniquely blank and smooth. As such, it is claimed that those who see into their faces often see a different visage reflecting back at them which can either be their own face in a future or alternate time.[2]

Shadowseers are famously the only psykers permitted to openly travel within Commorragh, where, while distrusted, many of them have been found in the war councils of Archons, Succubi, and Haemonculi.[3]

All Shadowseers are trained by other Shadowseers and with their mentors visit the Shadow Keep, a location in the webway known onloy to Shadowseers rumoured to be on the ancient Eldar Homeworld, hidden within the Black Library, or the hidden mystic heart of the Webway where The Laughing God yet lives. Whatever the truth is, Shadowseers speak of it to no one.[13]

Pivotal roles for Shadowseers include Agent of Pandemonium, the Gloom Spider and the Mirror Architect[9] Voice of Many Ends, Lamentation of Fate[16]

Acolyte

Acolytes as Players in a Harlequin Troupe who have received special training from the troupe's Shadowseer, teaching them to use psychic powers in the fight alongside the rest of their Troupe for a deadlier combination.[13]

Acolytes fight alongside their Shadowseer as they learn, and may earn the use of the Creidann Pack Grenade Launcher. In time, their Shadowseer might consider them prepared and take them alone to the Shadow Keep, where they are subjected to brutal tests of sanity and willpower. Those who pass emerge vastly more powerful as full Shadowseers. Those who fail are never seen again.[13]

High Warlock

The High Warlock,[10] known as the Narrator and Grand Storyteller, and to the Eldar as ardathair[10] or athesdan[15], is a senior Shadowseer equipped with a Power Glove[12] who leads the masques' Shadowseers when Cegorach calls for such a group. In performance, the High Warlock coordinates the grenade barrages of those under it's command or otherwise acts independently.[10][11a]

Equipment

Shadowseers cover their faces with smooth opaque black masks which signify their role as the narrator, and not as a member of the story itself.[15] Every Shadowseer carries a Miststave — a weapon that directs their mental forces to crush the enemy's armour, flesh, and bones. They are also frequently equipped with a Creidann Pack Grenade Launcher.[5a] Shadowseers sometimes travel with familiars including the Gyrinx[10] or the psychic-puppet Benathai[12]

Notable Shadowseers

Gavrosh Askar, informing Kyganil of his role in prophecy.[17]

Images

  • Shadowseer (8th edition)

  • Shadowseer (4th Edition)[4]

  • Shadowseer (2nd Edition)

  • High Warlock (Rogue Trader)[11b]

  • Warlock (Rogue Trader)[11b]

Development History

TriviaScrollTrans.png

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

In their first appearance in White Dwarf 105 (UK) in 1988 the unit that would become known as a Shadowseer was referred to as a Warlock.[10][11a] Unlike the Shadowseer of today, the Warlock was allowed a Power Glove or Harlequin's Kiss[12] in their arsenal.[10][11a] The most senior of Warlocks was a command troop known as a High Warlock[10], a psychic advisor to the troup, and the only Harlequin that could overrule commands of the High Avatar[11a], who was always equipped with a Power Glove.[10][12]

In 1990, White Dwarf 127 (UK) would name the Craftworld Eldar psyker the Warlock. With the release of Codex: Eldar (2nd Edition) in 1994, to avoid confusion, the term Shadowseer would supercede Warlock in Harlequin contexts.

  • Harlequin Warlock[11a]

  • Harlequin Warlock[12]

  • Harlequin High Warlock[12]

See also

Sources


Uncited


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
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