@Ben Siener I think the closest humans come in modern times is a mix between Capoeira and Cirque du Soleil. It would take some serious funding for the motion capture and choreography to do it right. You'd need weapon masters, dancers, and martial artists especially of those arts maximizing flow (capoeira, pentjak silat, some HEMA forms like the montante drills) Oddly the closest I can think of in terms of a fan film to the kind of fighting a Harlequin would use is the Darth Maul fan film.
@Ben Siener It's far easier to animate things that we already have copious amounts of reference film for, like running, shooting, and so on as seen in Astartes. In order to animate something that has the grace of the Eldar's fighting form you'd need to find/combine elements from existing reference material or create something new through primary motion capture. Blade II had shitty supernatural melee combat, and my thought on using mocap was to avoid that possible pitfall.
You forgot to mention an important point: that when the Solitaire dies the Laughing God will struggle with She Who Thirsts for their soul. He may lose, but he may win.
You are absolutely right, brother Niehoff. *facepalm* Sigh. I really should have brought that in and been more careful and not concentrated on the story so much. Curses! :) Many apologies and well pointed out brother Niehoff. :)
I know it's a silly joke, but there's this image I have in my head that I love. Slaanesh, having just won the soul of a Solitaire, eagerly awaiting its arrival at he/r door, wringing their hands. There's a knock, there's a package, Slaanesh opens it, and a blow-up doll explodes out with a burst of confetti that blows Slaanesh back, the inside lid of the package emblazoned with an image of Cegorach winking.
@@aprinnyonbreak1290 It's not a phrase I usually like, but everything about the Laughing God has me imagining that the most holy battlecry which can be used in his name would be "Trololololol". I can actually imagine a Harlequin (with his aid) doing wacky Roadrunner gags like creating a webway portal that allows them to paint a tunnel on a wall and have a train come out of to run over their target, or drawing a hole which they escape through and when you try to follow you run face first into a wall with a drawing of a hole on it, just as all reason told you they would. That said, there's nothing hilarious about the Harlequins kiss - that is a legitimately horrifying weapon. Imagine being part of a squad sent to deal with a Harlequin and, faster than you could blink, they're suddenly right in the middle of you, perched on one of your friends who starts to scream in agony but dies too quickly to even finish the sound, they gracefully backflip away before you've finished raising your weapon and that's when your friends blood starts to spray out of them, over the rest of your squad and you realise it *burns* and you're all about to die to the weaponised viscera of your drinking buddy while a face covered in a theatrical mask watches on impassively, as if taking a grand total of one strike and three seconds to kill the lot of you is barely worthy of notice, or, as you use your dying moment to look for your killer you find they're just gone and the only reason you're sure they were ever even there is the fact that your face is melting. 40k absolutely has FAR worse ways to go (in fact that one's borderline merciful compared to a lot of others), but the thing about those ways is that they've often been designed to be horrific, slow and painful. This is just a legitimate and incredibly effective method that suits their skillset and, in some ways, the casual effectiveness of it is worse - it's the same as the difference between the horror of watching a psychopath slowly carve a person into literal ribbons for the perverse pleasure of it and the horror of seeing someone employ a weapon that does it at a thousand times the speed with no more pleasure or regret than you feel when you're chopping a carrot.
I though he did it already as he is much better than some black library narrators, it would be such a natural thing for him to narrate 40k stuff specially.
@@henriqueribeiro8167 Baldermort's voice is the kind you would expect to be heard narrating some particularly esoteric audio, not too wholly unlike Wayne June's work in _Darkest Dungeon._
@@HelghastTrooper exactly! His pace is also very interesting. I literally brought a black library book with a narrator that makes everyone sound the same (he has a strong northern accent) Baldemort is king!
I guess when doom is inevitable, the only thing left to do is laugh. At least, even when death comes, it won't have the satisfaction of seeing you weep and plead.
when death comes, only one question remains: Did he bring the scythe? Or, did he bring the sword, the sword and a remonstrance to regard it, to understand that you have work yet to do. For the sword is brought to the death of kings. Kings of all the kinds there are, kings have but one thing in common, that they will rule, MUST rule, and the End Of Sorrows is also the chief agent of fate: He Who Stands Outside Of Time is the only one who can set such a one upon their path. It seems that Tarquinus will be one such, a King. But a king of what? A King of Clubs? Or will he never reach that destiny....He seems a jack at best for now but such potential! Still, you are right, should The Master Of All swing his scythe, no plea or complaint will serve, but so much worse should he bring the sword, for it means you will have no release from pain, not yet and perhaps not ever. So Laugh! Who knows you may be many many years more at your labours, indeed The Emperor Himself, Arthur, Merlin, Shiva---- All stalk still (more or less)through reality, doubtless visited by an old friend with a wide smile. A smile no less comforting, even though he can do nothing else BUT smile.... Laugh then, greet Old Ned with a joke and a grin, after all his rounds are mainly gloomy, and it is always good if you can be kind. Not to mention that it is always we'll to be on good terms with the one who will eventually slice the head from your body, collect the confused soul as it spills, and direct that soul onwards to the next stop on the wheel. Aye, be kind to death, be kind in life, be kind.
Of all the eldar factions, the Harlequins and their units are the ones I know the least about so this is great! Also, Love the new picture. But now I cant get the image of Baldemort as a little Servoskull with a rather advanced (and talkative) machine spirit that hovers around me and gives me information while I purge the fiends of man out of my head!
Xenon lol. Thank you brother. I think it’s a great picture. I’ll set up proper credits for the artist. :). Well, it could be worse than to be seen as a servoskull. :).
Andrew Wolf lol. We’ll get to them. Small steps. Don’t want to over face people too quickly. Do remember it’s starter channel only. You know your stuff. I would imagine most here don’t. Otherwise why on earth would they be watching a starter guide? :).
The harlequin's laugh sent chills down my spine. Two audio drama bits? You spoil us. Imagine the terror of the Joker but there is an army of him. Truly a terrifying idea. The harlequins are such an interesting part of the lore. Liking the pair of the inquisitor and his protege.
@@b0undin3rtia Harlequins are far scarier than the sad little Joker could ever be. At least the modern, boring version of the joker who is little more than a mass murderer in makeup.
Indeed. The War has not ended even in the 41st millennium. "You are fighting that war, our war. But you are weak, men are weak, glory has left this galaxy"
Wow Thaddeus is the most badass man ever, he spoke to a solitaire and perhaps saved one to have a debt to him, just thinking about how lonely the solitaires are is worry of mourning over, no doubt he would stay close to Thaddeus because he is one of the few being that will actually TALK to him
Last time I was this early, Tzeentch was still into card tricks. Thanks, Lord Baldermort. Been working through the weekend, ready to drop over when this happened.
I love the Harlequins, and this was amazing. I started listening to this as background material while I work, but instead got drawn in and stopped working altogether. A well needed break, thank you.
Listening to your absolutely breath taking voice acting while building my recently delivered troupe of space clowns... and believe you me, it is enhancing the experience massively. Not that I was, but 100% satisfied with my choice to subscribe a month or so ago, you've made this period of lock down all that much more bearable!
'A shower of colour appeared in the chamber like a kind of spectral revenant and streamed at the Crimson Consul from behind. It appeared as though a stained-glass window had materialised behind the battle-brother and had then been blasted out with a shotgun. The spectrum of fragments flew and then reformed into a humanoid visage that stood behind the Deathwatch Space Marine. The figure was tall and dressed in the eldritch fashions of the alien eldar, although Klute had never seen one of their kind garbed in such gaudy colours and outlandish patterns: kaleidoscopic chequers and stripes beside bold symbols and intense fabrics. Pipes protruded from a launcher pack on the eldar’s back - presumably for grenades, the interrogator hypothesised - that formed a crown behind the hood and featureless mirror-mask that the interloper wore. He held out a gloved and delicate hand, into which the impossible length of a leaf-shaped witchblade appeared, smoking with runes and the psychic power of it wielder. ‘Harlequins…’ - Deathwatch encounters Harlequins, investigating the crash site of the Uthuriel Craftworld, on the world known as Darcturus.
Radical, my friend showed me this video. It took a long time, but hearing this story really sets the Eldar in perspective, and..kind of makes them absurdly more cool as tragic heroes. Imagine the dance... What a sight that would be..
Im sure Baldermort can attest - ive played `quins on and off since 2nd edition - starting many years ago in that old church hall....... and humans , meh
Amazing! The way you make your stories feel so alive and DAAAMN The laugh was sooo creepy and still gives me the chills man Lots of love my good fellow ❤
I remember reading a short story decades ago about a troupe of Harlequins visting a craftworld when a young child stumbled near them, reached out and touched the Solitaire. Bereft with grief, the child's parents swiflty killed their own child, for to even touch one so accursed was to be damned yourself. That one story has always coloured my view of the Harlequins.
Alas, I’m actually useless at reading out other people’s writing. 😎😎. But I’ll try to give it a go next year maybe. Thanks for your generosity of spirit brother. :)
This is crazy good! I stumbled upon your channel after listening to Wolf lord rho and having your channel come up in the suggestions. Very glad I found you.
I always figured these guys basically just had their souls pre-extracted and then bond their soulstone to its now empty, soulless husk as a sort of living wraithguard. But then again I never had any harlequins back when I played the game so I never looked into it deeper. It would make logical sense since the main disadvantage of wraithguard is that they are already dead. I guess in a way that would make them a sort of native daemonhost? Except with a living soul instead of a daemon.
The wild laughter is just the invitation of madness... The deep breath and relaxation at the end is the acceptance. The heart of madness is the eye of the storm... Calm, yet surrounded by chaos.
Both your writing and narrative skills are top notch, and keeping characters going is really great as listeners have familiarity and are invested in the characters. All this and then we get a fantastic lore video on top of it. It’s rather difficult to Not look forward to seeing your newest video. Thank you for another excellent episode 👍
Love the new picture. Who knew our good storyteller was so handsome. :) This is a most welcome addition to your library sir. The Solitaires are among the most frightening opponents one can face in 40k and that's saying a lot. The laws of physics just do not seem to apply them and the mystery surrounding them is so thick as to be palpable. Terrifying grace in blurred motion. Cheers good storyteller!
Orks, Necrons and Tyranids are scary enough. But picturing an army of space clowns coming at you full speed is downright terrifying. Great work as always, Baldermort! Love the faithful servo skull!
English is not my first language, so its hard sometimes to express how i feel about things, but id like to say your work on this channel is simply amazing. Your love for the Lore is palpable, its more than clear how much respect you have for the world of 40k, you have the incredible ability to put the listener right in the middle of the story. Your voice is PERFECT for this role, your narrator skils are like 15/10, you should really consider doing audiobooks, any company would be lucky to have you. Great work my friend, i am binge watching your videos right now.
I am always amazed that people apologize for having a second language, when I barely have one! You were clear and very kind and far more articulate than most English people I have worked with. Be more confident, brother. Thank you for all of your support brother Deadman. it is very appreciated indeed. :) :) :)
Belowtheblade message me through Facebook and I’ll just send it to you. Made it myself. Ok, holy throne knows I need the hits, but it’ll kill my stars if you are just fast forwarding to that any way. :).
Gentle speaker you make my day. I love your new icon. A servo skull that is the most amazing story teller in the galaxy. Ty lord Baldermort. King of the servo skulls.
@@garank4971 There's a great short story about a Solitaire chasing down an imperial governor across multiple sector. After slaughtering each and ever force sent to slow him down, the governor finally calls in his last favour; an eversor. After a brutal fight on a high rise balcony, the gored Eversor started it's bio-meltdown. The Solitaire dove into him, grasped him, and passed over the ledge... crashing onto the fleeing governor at the moment of detonation. If the Harlequins want you; they're going to get you.
Baldermort's Guide to Warhammer always a pleasure. I could not get the donation button to work. I’m still to show my appreciation for the longest second
I love the implications of the line "I thought it was overkill as well, but he insisted" It can be taken as an insult without who the figure was, but a truth and threat with the context of what and who they are
12"+2d6 move, 8 attacks (granted no ranged weapons but still), he can advance and charge OR fall back and charge, has a 3+ invuln, AND is less than 100points? Damn it, now I need to start an Eldar list
Great job harlequins are just amazing I know there isnt much about them but what there is is brilliant I hope you do more about them great audio drama by the way brother
The Codex Astartes has 3 full volume data-slates dedicated in the excrutiating minutiae only Roboute can manage, the proper, most resource effective way a defender of The Emperors Imperium should at the highest ability be expected to... Cut Loose.... Foot Loose!... and then always proceed to... Kick off those sunday shoes!!! It begins with a rousing forward written by a Mr. Kevin Bacon!! And a closing by Kenny Loggins!!
Solitaires would be my preferred choice if I'm allowed only one bodyguard or if I need to keep an unassuming presence and a very low profile for whatever reason. They move at blinding speeds, have ridiculously deadly weapons that don't bring attention to them or take up much space at all, are deadly proficient in their uses, and are great at fighting large groups by themselves.
I pray you stay in your own little world and keep creating this stuff... Ya stand out from the pack...!!! I love lore videos and once again ya pulled it off with the voice and presentation... those are your gifts... pile them on, they sound perfected but i would say stay at it... this format you got is dope please stick with it... and also, and most importantly "gentle TH-camr", keep it fun!!!
I already enjoyed Inquisitor Thadeus in the Sensei video. I hope we'll hear of him, and his apprentice more in the future. :) Great work, awesome story. Thanks a lot. Your stories are great entertainement, even more so during those weird times. Cheers brother
With the number of times I've watched/listened to these wonderfully crafted masterpieces, I've, unfortunately, neglected to comment on a number of them. As I sit here, I swear to comment on an many as possible to raise your clout score. Comments for the Golden Throne... or Skull Throne... depending on your corruption level.
Wonderful job! Absolutely love the servo 💀(skull) with "Faithful Servant" on it!!!! Another tantalizing video, of which we know you will deliver. Bravo. TTFN!
This is my favorite of your stories, not your best story some say, but it is still my favorite. I've come back to hear this story more times than I can count. The short story of a young man, his aged master, and a murderous space-elf-clown-ninja. This will most likely not be the last time I relisten to it. Thank you.
That laugh is perfect. It is chilling, filled in equal parts with dark humour and resignation to its own potential insanity. That is the laugh of a being that has faced every horror the galaxy has to offer, has looked into the face of death, and found its promise of ending to be hillariously lacking. Knowing what comes next for them, knowing that their own hubris, pride, courage or insanity led them to the worst possible fate for their kind, the solitaire holds no fear of death itself, because it will never be as bad as what comes after. And so, they laugh. I think I must have watched this video a good dozen times, and that laugh is probably the biggest reason for that fact. It's perfect, Baldermort!
Parteon : www.patreon.com/join/3510517
more like partyon am i right bros
Gawd!,,,,,I hope you are a audiobook narrator somewhere! Awesome work! If you are let me know so I can buy the book.
Ben Siener not that I’ve bumped into. I think getting the other worldliness in and speed, etc, might be challenging to say the least. :).
@Ben Siener I think the closest humans come in modern times is a mix between Capoeira and Cirque du Soleil. It would take some serious funding for the motion capture and choreography to do it right. You'd need weapon masters, dancers, and martial artists especially of those arts maximizing flow (capoeira, pentjak silat, some HEMA forms like the montante drills)
Oddly the closest I can think of in terms of a fan film to the kind of fighting a Harlequin would use is the Darth Maul fan film.
@Ben Siener It's far easier to animate things that we already have copious amounts of reference film for, like running, shooting, and so on as seen in Astartes.
In order to animate something that has the grace of the Eldar's fighting form you'd need to find/combine elements from existing reference material or create something new through primary motion capture.
Blade II had shitty supernatural melee combat, and my thought on using mocap was to avoid that possible pitfall.
You forgot to mention an important point: that when the Solitaire dies the Laughing God will struggle with She Who Thirsts for their soul. He may lose, but he may win.
You are absolutely right, brother Niehoff. *facepalm* Sigh. I really should have brought that in and been more careful and not concentrated on the story so much. Curses! :)
Many apologies and well pointed out brother Niehoff. :)
More often than not he wins. Sometimes he also just messes with Slaanesh to take souls she already has been tormenting because he thinks it's funny.
I know it's a silly joke, but there's this image I have in my head that I love. Slaanesh, having just won the soul of a Solitaire, eagerly awaiting its arrival at he/r door, wringing their hands. There's a knock, there's a package, Slaanesh opens it, and a blow-up doll explodes out with a burst of confetti that blows Slaanesh back, the inside lid of the package emblazoned with an image of Cegorach winking.
@@THEGRUMPTRUCK I jut love everything about the idea of a God who just outplays the chaos gods
@@aprinnyonbreak1290 It's not a phrase I usually like, but everything about the Laughing God has me imagining that the most holy battlecry which can be used in his name would be "Trololololol".
I can actually imagine a Harlequin (with his aid) doing wacky Roadrunner gags like creating a webway portal that allows them to paint a tunnel on a wall and have a train come out of to run over their target, or drawing a hole which they escape through and when you try to follow you run face first into a wall with a drawing of a hole on it, just as all reason told you they would.
That said, there's nothing hilarious about the Harlequins kiss - that is a legitimately horrifying weapon. Imagine being part of a squad sent to deal with a Harlequin and, faster than you could blink, they're suddenly right in the middle of you, perched on one of your friends who starts to scream in agony but dies too quickly to even finish the sound, they gracefully backflip away before you've finished raising your weapon and that's when your friends blood starts to spray out of them, over the rest of your squad and you realise it *burns* and you're all about to die to the weaponised viscera of your drinking buddy while a face covered in a theatrical mask watches on impassively, as if taking a grand total of one strike and three seconds to kill the lot of you is barely worthy of notice, or, as you use your dying moment to look for your killer you find they're just gone and the only reason you're sure they were ever even there is the fact that your face is melting.
40k absolutely has FAR worse ways to go (in fact that one's borderline merciful compared to a lot of others), but the thing about those ways is that they've often been designed to be horrific, slow and painful. This is just a legitimate and incredibly effective method that suits their skillset and, in some ways, the casual effectiveness of it is worse - it's the same as the difference between the horror of watching a psychopath slowly carve a person into literal ribbons for the perverse pleasure of it and the horror of seeing someone employ a weapon that does it at a thousand times the speed with no more pleasure or regret than you feel when you're chopping a carrot.
This gave me chills , you can narrate audiobooks as a profession. You have a voice blessed by the emperor.
For real his voice would be awesome to hear narrating a book
I though he did it already as he is much better than some black library narrators, it would be such a natural thing for him to narrate 40k stuff specially.
@@henriqueribeiro8167 Baldermort's voice is the kind you would expect to be heard narrating some particularly esoteric audio, not too wholly unlike Wayne June's work in _Darkest Dungeon._
@@HelghastTrooper exactly! His pace is also very interesting.
I literally brought a black library book with a narrator that makes everyone sound the same (he has a strong northern accent)
Baldemort is king!
I guess when doom is inevitable, the only thing left to do is laugh. At least, even when death comes, it won't have the satisfaction of seeing you weep and plead.
“doom is inevitable”. “the only left to do is laugh”; lol, were you intentionally trying to imitate _Doom Eternal_ ?
This is probably one of my new favorite quotes and I think this is simply one of the badass mindsets to have.
That’s the only way to live Pointy ears for life
when death comes, only one question remains: Did he bring the scythe? Or, did he bring the sword, the sword and a remonstrance to regard it, to understand that you have work yet to do. For the sword is brought to the death of kings. Kings of all the kinds there are, kings have but one thing in common, that they will rule, MUST rule, and the End Of Sorrows is also the chief agent of fate: He Who Stands Outside Of Time is the only one who can set such a one upon their path. It seems that Tarquinus will be one such, a King. But a king of what? A King of Clubs? Or will he never reach that destiny....He seems a jack at best for now but such potential!
Still, you are right, should The Master Of All swing his scythe, no plea or complaint will serve, but so much worse should he bring the sword, for it means you will have no release from pain, not yet and perhaps not ever. So Laugh! Who knows you may be many many years more at your labours, indeed The Emperor Himself, Arthur, Merlin, Shiva---- All stalk still (more or less)through reality, doubtless visited by an old friend with a wide smile. A smile no less comforting, even though he can do nothing else BUT smile....
Laugh then, greet Old Ned with a joke and a grin, after all his rounds are mainly gloomy, and it is always good if you can be kind. Not to mention that it is always we'll to be on good terms with the one who will eventually slice the head from your body, collect the confused soul as it spills, and direct that soul onwards to the next stop on the wheel. Aye, be kind to death, be kind in life, be kind.
The deadly harlequins are no laughing matter
Hunter Skidmore they are exactly a laughing matter. That’s the joke.
@@bendowling522 hence why I said mine
Mate Eldar humor is no laughing matter.
They laugh at the face death
The enemy's death of course
Anyone else want a third person shooter where you play as the Harlequins?
That laugh is just **chef's kiss** perfection
15:50
Im not fighting anything that laughs like that.
"A kind of smelly smell. A smell which smells... smelly."
😂😂
Of all the eldar factions, the Harlequins and their units are the ones I know the least about so this is great! Also, Love the new picture. But now I cant get the image of Baldemort as a little Servoskull with a rather advanced (and talkative) machine spirit that hovers around me and gives me information while I purge the fiends of man out of my head!
Xenon lol. Thank you brother. I think it’s a great picture. I’ll set up proper credits for the artist. :).
Well, it could be worse than to be seen as a servoskull. :).
Yea ?
Ever heard about the Exodites ? :p
Andrew Wolf lol. We’ll get to them. Small steps. Don’t want to over face people too quickly. Do remember it’s starter channel only. You know your stuff. I would imagine most here don’t. Otherwise why on earth would they be watching a starter guide? :).
@@Baldermort Uhhhhhhhh *slowly covers the hoard of codices*
@@Baldermort because its fun. And because I watched one of your videos today and was instantly hooked-
That laugh. That terrifying laugh! *sleeping with the lights on for a while*
Only in the Grim Darkness of the dark millennium can clowns be such a force of death and destruction.
Never heard of the joker have you?
We are all “joker”
john wayne gacy was doing it before it got cool
Laughing to keep himself from crying... good line for 2020
Paul Wolfley a bit. Glad it was just a quote. :).
Sad to see this age
@TheThoughtPalace it's a reality that is sad to know
Tears in the rain...
That solitair should offer one of his lozenges to the inquisitor, he has come down with a bad case of Helbrecht's throat!
I love the fact you spin such repeating characters in your lore videos.
Hunter Skidmore well, if you’ve invested the time in making them, might as well take them out for a walk? :).
@@Baldermort certainly
Just came here for my regular dose of Baldermort.
Vitamin B is necessary for good health and wellbeing, you could say.
Jesse James lol. Droll as ever brother Jesse. Lol. :).
You truly do the Eldar justice with this kind of storytelling.
The harlequin's laugh sent chills down my spine. Two audio drama bits? You spoil us. Imagine the terror of the Joker but there is an army of him. Truly a terrifying idea. The harlequins are such an interesting part of the lore. Liking the pair of the inquisitor and his protege.
A full army of the Joker? That is glorious in entirety
@@b0undin3rtia Harlequins are far scarier than the sad little Joker could ever be. At least the modern, boring version of the joker who is little more than a mass murderer in makeup.
By the emperor, I have checked for a video at your channel, at the right time.
I love the sound of the Solitaires laughter. You are not in doubt what it is but it is still both alien and haunting as it should be
Last time I was this early the War in Heaven was still raging.
Best yet. :) :)
Indeed. The War has not ended even in the 41st millennium.
"You are fighting that war, our war. But you are weak, men are weak, glory has left this galaxy"
Wow Thaddeus is the most badass man ever, he spoke to a solitaire and perhaps saved one to have a debt to him, just thinking about how lonely the solitaires are is worry of mourning over, no doubt he would stay close to Thaddeus because he is one of the few being that will actually TALK to him
They play a part, and they must play the character to the end.
15:55 gave me excited goosebumps 🤩. Is this supposed to be one of those rare occurrences that the laughing god is taking the form of a solitaire?
Last time I was this early, Tzeentch was still into card tricks.
Thanks, Lord Baldermort. Been working through the weekend, ready to drop over when this happened.
Lord Joy how it helps you rest a little, brother Joy. :).
@@Baldermort No rest is for the wicked... But now *I HAVE THE POWUR!!!....*
Lord Joy the spirit of Lord Joy was irrepressible. :).
I love the Harlequins, and this was amazing. I started listening to this as background material while I work, but instead got drawn in and stopped working altogether. A well needed break, thank you.
If the job includes being well and truely boned when you bite the dust, you better get some payoff for it
There souls dont suffer the gate of the rest of the Eldar
Listening to your absolutely breath taking voice acting while building my recently
delivered troupe of space clowns... and believe you me, it is enhancing the experience massively.
Not that I was, but 100% satisfied with my choice to subscribe a month or so ago, you've made this
period of lock down all that much more bearable!
I'm not a fan of Eldar, especially the likes of the Dark Eldar, but I am a major fan of the Harlequins.
'A shower of colour appeared in the chamber like a kind of spectral revenant and streamed at the Crimson Consul from behind. It appeared as though a stained-glass window had materialised behind the battle-brother and had then been blasted out with a shotgun. The spectrum of fragments flew and then reformed into a humanoid visage that stood behind the Deathwatch Space Marine. The figure was tall and dressed in the eldritch fashions of the alien eldar, although Klute had never seen one of their kind garbed in such gaudy colours and outlandish patterns: kaleidoscopic chequers and stripes beside bold symbols and intense fabrics. Pipes protruded from a launcher pack on the eldar’s back - presumably for grenades, the interrogator hypothesised - that formed a crown behind the hood and featureless mirror-mask that the interloper wore. He held out a gloved and delicate hand, into which the impossible length of a leaf-shaped witchblade appeared, smoking with runes and the psychic power of it wielder. ‘Harlequins…’ - Deathwatch encounters Harlequins, investigating the crash site of the Uthuriel Craftworld, on the world known as Darcturus.
Limbless? do i see a 40k black knight? "come on! then you coward"
When you have Coulrophobia and still watch this.
Grand Thearch listen only? ;). My visuals are never great. Yet. Sorry.
Hope it was tolerable brother Thearch. ;).
Radical, my friend showed me this video. It took a long time, but hearing this story really sets the Eldar in perspective, and..kind of makes them absurdly more cool as tragic heroes. Imagine the dance... What a sight that would be..
Oh that laugh gave me chills! - I haven't really appreciated Harlequins until now, thank you for opening my eyes Baldermort
Cegorach agrees. Rawbutt Girlyman would just .....cry
Simon H Can’t say I’ve heard anyone use Rawbutt Girlyman before for the poor Primarch. Hope he can recover in the opinion of the fans
Im sure Baldermort can attest - ive played `quins on and off since 2nd edition - starting many years ago in that old church hall....... and humans , meh
Simon H definitely a long standing elf set player. To this I can attest.
But let’s lay off Rob. He’s got enough in at the moment. Lol. ;).
He agrees... but he also vehemently disagrees...
Then laughs, angrily stares... then disappears...
Amazing! The way you make your stories feel so alive and DAAAMN
The laugh was sooo creepy and still gives me the chills man
Lots of love my good fellow ❤
The highlight of my day!!! Thank you good sir!! Keep up the awesome work!!
Davos Azizora glad to be of help brother. :).
Such a shame I can only like this once, this was a masterpiece!
I remember reading a short story decades ago about a troupe of Harlequins visting a craftworld when a young child stumbled near them, reached out and touched the Solitaire.
Bereft with grief, the child's parents swiflty killed their own child, for to even touch one so accursed was to be damned yourself.
That one story has always coloured my view of the Harlequins.
Very cool story.
Space clowns!
Cant wait for my emperors children!
Never miss an episode Brother Baldermort, brilliant as always.
Baldermort, you should perform for audiobooks. You have an amazing storytelling voice.
Alas, I’m actually useless at reading out other people’s writing. 😎😎. But I’ll try to give it a go next year maybe. Thanks for your generosity of spirit brother. :)
I just found this hidden gem of a 40k channel earlier today and I’m hooked! Keep up the great work man!
Great once again good job, the emperor haves blessed you with that great voice.
Cegorach bless you for using that story. I've loved it for many years. Still my baseline for what a Solitaire is and should be.
ahh the eldar solitaires always deadly always fighting
amazing video as always baldermort
as always cant wait for the next
Am not normally into the Eldar, but the Harlequins and Drukhari are the most interesting.
I remember first reading about this Eldar. There was no stats, no model, no image. Just a mystery...
Well, there have been stats and a model since 2nd edition at least
This is crazy good! I stumbled upon your channel after listening to Wolf lord rho and having your channel come up in the suggestions. Very glad I found you.
David Lewis hahaha the EXACT same thing happened to me
Tom Burke it was a glorious happening. I'm always looking for good warhammer content. Cheers!
Honkler of the grim dark , ty Baldermort your readings give reason
I always figured these guys basically just had their souls pre-extracted and then bond their soulstone to its now empty, soulless husk as a sort of living wraithguard. But then again I never had any harlequins back when I played the game so I never looked into it deeper. It would make logical sense since the main disadvantage of wraithguard is that they are already dead.
I guess in a way that would make them a sort of native daemonhost? Except with a living soul instead of a daemon.
The wild laughter is just the invitation of madness... The deep breath and relaxation at the end is the acceptance.
The heart of madness is the eye of the storm... Calm, yet surrounded by chaos.
Holy cow Baldermort. That was a fantastic intro, the laugh effect was spot on.
Both your writing and narrative skills are top notch, and keeping characters going is really great as listeners have familiarity and are invested in the characters. All this and then we get a fantastic lore video on top of it. It’s rather difficult to Not look forward to seeing your newest video. Thank you for another excellent episode 👍
Love the new picture. Who knew our good storyteller was so handsome. :) This is a most welcome addition to your library sir. The Solitaires are among the most frightening opponents one can face in 40k and that's saying a lot. The laws of physics just do not seem to apply them and the mystery surrounding them is so thick as to be palpable. Terrifying grace in blurred motion. Cheers good storyteller!
Thanks for listening brother Blair. They are just terrifying! :)
lad you enjoyed it. :)
Orks, Necrons and Tyranids are scary enough. But picturing an army of space clowns coming at you full speed is downright terrifying.
Great work as always, Baldermort!
Love the faithful servo skull!
Thanks brother Forge. Doing my best to entertain. :)
Even Ork and Necron would run from space clowns. Tyranid would take pause.
You are the punchline to the joke told by my God, and,like any good punchline, I will deliver you and he will laugh🎭
English is not my first language, so its hard sometimes to express how i feel about things, but id like to say your work on this channel is simply amazing. Your love for the Lore is palpable, its more than clear how much respect you have for the world of 40k, you have the incredible ability to put the listener right in the middle of the story. Your voice is PERFECT for this role, your narrator skils are like 15/10, you should really consider doing audiobooks, any company would be lucky to have you.
Great work my friend, i am binge watching your videos right now.
I am always amazed that people apologize for having a second language, when I barely have one! You were clear and very kind and far more articulate than most English people I have worked with. Be more confident, brother.
Thank you for all of your support brother Deadman. it is very appreciated indeed. :) :) :)
Thank you, Baldermort! I'm stuck in my room sick as a dog but your videos always make me feel better! Many thanks!!
Sully Griffin get better soon brother Griffin. Don’t push yourself. Please. :).
Get well soon
Sully Griffin may the =][= Emperor Protect =][=
Anyone who can turn a dance into a wash of blood and viscera deserves to have the title of “Deadliest Eldar.”
That laugh. It was beautiful. I wish I had a laugh like that.
Fantastic piece of work Uncle B. Love the new logo the likeness is uncanny
ROFL. STC, putting the big C right back in there. :) I think it looks kewl. :) But I would. :)
This actually have me chills, damn i kinda have more respect for the Harleyquins now
Great narrating as always!
I come back here regularly just to hear that laugh, so chilling
Belowtheblade message me through Facebook and I’ll just send it to you. Made it myself. Ok, holy throne knows I need the hits, but it’ll kill my stars if you are just fast forwarding to that any way. :).
Very immersive, great job.
Nobody else quite gets it done the way brother baldermort does, Emperor bless his soul.
That laugh gave me goosebumps. That was amazing.
Gentle speaker you make my day. I love your new icon. A servo skull that is the most amazing story teller in the galaxy. Ty lord Baldermort. King of the servo skulls.
Mr Baldermort. That laugh shot me outta bed as i was dozing off. Well played sir well played indeed.
It's descriptions like yours that help my adhd riddled mind grasp and visualise this spectacular universe ❤
First to the Freak-Show of the most advanced humanoid species.
Thanks dude!
I think Harlequins and the Officio Assasinorum might be related.
@@garank4971 There's a great short story about a Solitaire chasing down an imperial governor across multiple sector. After slaughtering each and ever force sent to slow him down, the governor finally calls in his last favour; an eversor. After a brutal fight on a high rise balcony, the gored Eversor started it's bio-meltdown. The Solitaire dove into him, grasped him, and passed over the ledge... crashing onto the fleeing governor at the moment of detonation.
If the Harlequins want you; they're going to get you.
@@papanurgle8393 Thanks my god for this beatiful peace of written art.
Hail to the Lore Father! Thanks for this stellar piece.
Thanks for joining us, as always, brother Rocky. :)
Baldermort's Guide to Warhammer always a pleasure. I could not get the donation button to work. I’m still to show my appreciation for the longest second
posh rocky forget it. You watch and comment. It’s all dandy brother Posh Rocky. :).
I love the implications of the line "I thought it was overkill as well, but he insisted"
It can be taken as an insult without who the figure was, but a truth and threat with the context of what and who they are
"This is awesome"
Ennnnd quote
My friend your story telling ability is beyond belief and comparison you are the master of masters thank you.
12"+2d6 move, 8 attacks (granted no ranged weapons but still), he can advance and charge OR fall back and charge, has a 3+ invuln, AND is less than 100points? Damn it, now I need to start an Eldar list
the epic story ! and you make it so unique
GW needs to hire you asap
Jesus fucking Christ that noise gave me chills
Great job harlequins are just amazing I know there isnt much about them but what there is is brilliant I hope you do more about them great audio drama by the way brother
Harlequin are easily the coolest part of the Eldar
Harlequins are good at dancing but the Ultramarines are a bunch of Mary Sues that can out dance even them. 😜
The Codex Astartes has 3 full volume data-slates dedicated in the excrutiating minutiae only Roboute can manage, the proper, most resource effective way a defender of The Emperors Imperium should at the highest ability be expected to...
Cut Loose.... Foot Loose!... and then always proceed to...
Kick off those sunday shoes!!!
It begins with a rousing forward written by a Mr. Kevin Bacon!!
And a closing by Kenny Loggins!!
It's all fun and games until you get surprised by the harlequin and a squad of banshee lead by an exarch
Solitaires would be my preferred choice if I'm allowed only one bodyguard or if I need to keep an unassuming presence and a very low profile for whatever reason. They move at blinding speeds, have ridiculously deadly weapons that don't bring attention to them or take up much space at all, are deadly proficient in their uses, and are great at fighting large groups by themselves.
I pray you stay in your own little world and keep creating this stuff... Ya stand out from the pack...!!! I love lore videos and once again ya pulled it off with the voice and presentation... those are your gifts... pile them on, they sound perfected but i would say stay at it... this format you got is dope please stick with it... and also, and most importantly "gentle TH-camr", keep it fun!!!
I already enjoyed Inquisitor Thadeus in the Sensei video. I hope we'll hear of him, and his apprentice more in the future. :) Great work, awesome story. Thanks a lot. Your stories are great entertainement, even more so during those weird times. Cheers brother
Bravo, Bravo !
Emperor bless your effort boldemort this was awesome
Thank you for listening brother Shaguar. :)
Just recently painted a solitaire, glad to know more about it now.
15:55 Chills. Literal chills.
15:00 Wow. This Eldar reminds me of Cegorach in all honesty.
Edit: Ah.
With the number of times I've watched/listened to these wonderfully crafted masterpieces, I've, unfortunately, neglected to comment on a number of them. As I sit here, I swear to comment on an many as possible to raise your clout score. Comments for the Golden Throne... or Skull Throne... depending on your corruption level.
Thanks again brother Odinson. A lot. I’m just happy anyone likes it at all. :) :)
Wonderful job! Absolutely love the servo 💀(skull) with "Faithful Servant" on it!!!! Another tantalizing video, of which we know you will deliver. Bravo. TTFN!
Ma Lin thank you brother Ma Lin. Glad you enjoyed it. ;) ;).
i'm so glad that i found your chanel. Your story telling is superb
That laughing went under my skin O.o very very well done!
For some reason these readings are really good at ending my writer's block.
Man.., gotta love the Harlequin...
Keep playin, Playa’...😎
I'm making that Harliquin laugh my ringtone.
This is my favorite of your stories, not your best story some say, but it is still my favorite. I've come back to hear this story more times than I can count. The short story of a young man, his aged master, and a murderous space-elf-clown-ninja. This will most likely not be the last time I relisten to it. Thank you.
Love the smugness of the trainee at the end of the story
That laugh is perfect. It is chilling, filled in equal parts with dark humour and resignation to its own potential insanity. That is the laugh of a being that has faced every horror the galaxy has to offer, has looked into the face of death, and found its promise of ending to be hillariously lacking.
Knowing what comes next for them, knowing that their own hubris, pride, courage or insanity led them to the worst possible fate for their kind, the solitaire holds no fear of death itself, because it will never be as bad as what comes after. And so, they laugh.
I think I must have watched this video a good dozen times, and that laugh is probably the biggest reason for that fact. It's perfect, Baldermort!
Brilliant! I do wonder how he has a Solitaire of all things in his debt. Enjoying this channel very much.
The harlequins were my first ever army. I loved there look and had to have them. I play them in tournaments all the time
Nice one baldy my son! Thanks for the amazing work! For the emperor
The Dance brought me to tears I would love to see this performance You almost feel sorry for them