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{{HarlequinsPortal}}

The '''Harlequins''', or '''Rillietann'''{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|33a}} (a word synonymous with [[Troupe]]s),{{Fn|1}} are warrior troubadours{{Fn|37}}, a unique [[Eldar]] faction which splits their time between being talented battlefield fighters and theatrical performers. They exist outside of normal Eldar society and hold no allegiance to any [[Craftworld]], [[Kabal]], or other form of authority other than to their own belief in the Eldar deity [[Cegorach]], the Laughing God.{{Fn|1}}

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==Overview==

Harlequins carry out several self-appointed duties since their first reappearance after the [[Fall of the Eldar]], the most central of which is putting on theatrical performances of [[Eldar History]].

Their belief system is intertwined with the Fall, as Cegorach is one of the few Eldar deities reckoned to have survived it in some way. The Harlequins believe that his intrinsic light-hearted personality ensured he kept his distance from the depravity and corruption that became [[Slaanesh]] and that he survives to this day, often taking the form of a Harlequin himself - with those that meet him in this guise only becoming aware of his presence after he has left.{{Fn|1}}

|source = - [[Farseer]] [[Gaeloch]] of [[Craftworld]] [[Iybraesil]]{{Fn|14f}}

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No Eldar is born a Harlequin, all of their number are recruited among greater Eldar society, be they [[Craftworld]]er, [[Dark Eldar]], or [[Exodite]] and every Eldar culture has strange and cautionary tales regarding Harlequin recruitment.{{Fn|14a}}. Eldar are supposedly drawn from amid bustling crowds, or beckoned into the shadows by a masked figure only they can see, or vanish from their personal chambers, or swept up in a Harlequin performance and stolen away, or lose a wager with a [[Troupe Master]], or follow mysterious laughter into a [[Webway Gate]].{{Fn|14a}} [[Solitaire]]s deliver new members to the [[Trouper|Troupe]].{{Fn|37}} Whatever the means of joining the Harlequins, to be taught their ways means undertaking a ritual{{Fn|37}} and erasing all that has come before including friends, family, and purpose. Once an Eldar becomes a Harlequin, every aspect of their old identity is erased.

Several [[Harlequin Masque|Masques]] of the [[Masque of the Shattered Mirage|Shattered Mirage]] begin a campaign of violence against a [[Red Corsair]]-held [[Blackstone Fortress]] which lurks on the fringes of the [[Maelstrom]]. Together with a rogue faction of [[Yme-Loc]] [[Asuryani]] they retake the [[Talisman of Vaul]].{{Fn|14g}}

The [[Great Unclean One]] [[Rotigus]] moves across the [[Maiden World]]s and [[Exodite World]]s of the [[Eastern Fringe]], bringing with him the storm rot and foul waters of the Deluge of [[Nurgle]]. On each world so beset, the [[Masque of the Frozen Stars]] appear, fighting their way to each planet's [[World Spirit]] to perform dances of startling beauty which move all present [[Aeldari]] to tears. With their tears cleansing waters that glow like moonlight sweep across the landscapes in monsoons to undo the corruption of [[Nurgle]].{{Fn|14g}} Rumours spread among the [[Exodite]]s that if enough [[Eldar]] weep for their Maiden Worlds their combined sorrow might somehow release the goddess [[Isha]] from her imprisonment within [[Nurgle]]'s foetid manse.{{Fn|14g}}

===Saedath===

{{Main|Saedath}}

Each of the Masque's mythic plays has a battlefield counterpart, known as the '''Saedath''' or '''Masque Form'''. Essentially a strategic battle plan with an allegorical aspect, these inform target priority, overall strategy, and by which troupe division the conflict will be led. The appropriate Saedath is chosen based upon mythic cycles, ritual significance, or even the time of day.{{Fn|14b}} '''''Cegorach's Revenge''''' is the most performed Saedath by all Harlequins, the military counterpart of the [[Fall of the Eldar]],{{Fn|14b}} other Saedaths are performed less often, and yet others are performed by a particular [[Masque]]{{Fn|14f}}

====The Dance Without End====

One by one, seven figures appear behind Slaanesh to mingle with the old race. First, four Mimes, appearing as daemons who pass their sensual and disturbing movements to the rest of the dancers. Secondly come three dark figures, the Death Jesters, their suits displaying skeletons as they leap and slay among the fallen gods, bringing their inert forms to the feet of Slaanesh. As the last god falls, the Warlocks emanate a psychic scream that echoes through the minds of the audience. The scream becomes a laugh of madness and depravity. As the High Avatar enters, there is within the laugh, another, ironic laugh. As the Laughing God, he strolls casually onstage, laughing at the cosmic folly of the fallen. For a moment he is lost among Slaanesh's servants, but leaps clear of their tumbling to face them. One of the dancers he drags free of Slaanesh, the writhing figures on the dancer's suit dissolving and taking on the lozenge pattern of the Laughing God. The rest of Slaanesh's servants fall or flee, at which point Slaanesh confronts the Laughing God. The battle, which seems to go on forever, ends suddenly, unresolved.{{Fn|1}}

==Notable Grand Masques==

{{Main|List of Masques}}

*[[Masque of the Dance Without End]]{{Fn|7b}}

==Technology==

[[Image:MaskVyle.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Eldar Harlequin{{Fn|4}}]]

Harlequins posses several distinctive pieces of costuming/equipment, most notably their '''Agaith'''; false-faces. These masks come with various Eldar forms of auto-senses and [[respirator]]s, and, with the exception of the blank Shadowseer masks, are highly ornamented. Avatars typically possess a more advanced version equipped with holo-generators that allows it to not only adopt numerous styles, but record and replay whatever the Harlequin has seen. This is normally used to replay the death-agonies of enemies... to other enemies. These morale-breaking devices are called '''marathags''' ("Face of Death").{{Fn|1}}