SOLITAIRES - Harlequin Lore

[@baldermort]

Parteon : www.patreon.com/join/3510517

[@ProfesserLuigi]

more like partyon am i right bros

[@Basaltmbl]

Gawd!,,,,,I hope you are a audiobook narrator somewhere! Awesome work! If you are let me know so I can buy the book.

[@baldermort]

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. :).

[@thetalantonx]

@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.

[@thetalantonx]

@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.

[@xMoac]

This gave me chills , you can narrate audiobooks as a profession. You have a voice blessed by the emperor.

[@noahread1497]

For real his voice would be awesome to hear narrating a book

[@henriqueribeiro8167]

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.

[@DT-267K]

@@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._

[@henriqueribeiro8167]

@@DT-267K 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!

[@andrewniehoff8612]

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.

[@baldermort]

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. :)

[@THEGRUMPTRUCK]

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.

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

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.

[@darko-man8549]

@@THEGRUMPTRUCK I jut love everything about the idea of a God who just outplays the chaos gods

[@aecides3203]

@@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.

[@jacopoarmini7889]

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.

[@nicholasleclerc1583]

“doom is inevitable”. “the only left to do is laugh”; lol, were you intentionally trying to imitate _Doom Eternal_ ?

[@r.cdahuman7682]

This is probably one of my new favorite quotes and I think this is simply one of the badass mindsets to have.

[@jamesmason7124]

That’s the only way to live Pointy ears for life

[@charlesparr1611]

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.

[@axelmilan4292]

That laugh is just **chef's kiss** perfection

[@ryanblood5375]

15:50 Im not fighting anything that laughs like that.

[@paulwolfley7785]

Laughing to keep himself from crying... good line for 2020

[@baldermort]

Paul Wolfley a bit. Glad it was just a quote. :).

[@loreman2803]

Sad to see this age

[@loreman2803]

@TheThoughtPalace it's a reality that is sad to know

[@callemdavies7942]

Tears in the rain...

[@Hubba404]

That solitair should offer one of his lozenges to the inquisitor, he has come down with a bad case of Helbrecht's throat!

[@user_____M]

Just came here for my regular dose of Baldermort.

[@CousinJesse1]

Vitamin B is necessary for good health and wellbeing, you could say.

[@baldermort]

Jesse James lol. Droll as ever brother Jesse. Lol. :).

[@amw5288]

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]

A full army of the Joker? That is glorious in entirety

[@Petterwass]

@@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.

[@hunterskidmore1672]

I love the fact you spin such repeating characters in your lore videos.

[@baldermort]

Hunter Skidmore well, if you’ve invested the time in making them, might as well take them out for a walk? :).

[@hunterskidmore1672]

@@baldermort certainly

[@QuayNemSorr]

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

[@jacobgray2866]

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?

[@Youngimperialist]

You truly do the Eldar justice with this kind of storytelling.

[@scrubsrc4084]

Limbless? do i see a 40k black knight? "come on! then you coward"

[@packboy1426]

By the emperor, I have checked for a video at your channel, at the right time.

[@hunterskidmore1672]

The deadly harlequins are no laughing matter

[@bendowling522]

Hunter Skidmore they are exactly a laughing matter. That’s the joke.

[@hunterskidmore1672]

@@bendowling522 hence why I said mine

[@crashfan6443]

Mate Eldar humor is no laughing matter.

[@CBRN-115]

They laugh at the face death The enemy's death of course

[@anon9579]

Anyone else want a third person shooter where you play as the Harlequins?

[@tracesosebee5485]

Baldermort, you should perform for audiobooks. You have an amazing storytelling voice.

[@baldermort]

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. :)

[@grandthearch5317]

When you have Coulrophobia and still watch this.

[@baldermort]

Grand Thearch listen only? ;). My visuals are never great. Yet. Sorry. Hope it was tolerable brother Thearch. ;).

[@maxamillionevergreen8701]

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

[@ZombifiedGuitarist]

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..

[@Kreett_]

Oh that laugh gave me chills! - I haven't really appreciated Harlequins until now, thank you for opening my eyes Baldermort

[@awesomehpt8938]

Harlequins are good at dancing but the Ultramarines are a bunch of Mary Sues that can out dance even them. 😜

[@ffejpsycho]

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!!

[@Jeremy-rp3in]

Space clowns! Cant wait for my emperors children!

[@derrabbit7289]

I remember first reading about this Eldar. There was no stats, no model, no image. Just a mystery...

[@MrMViceroy]

Well, there have been stats and a model since 2nd edition at least

[@XxXZamoXxX]

"This is awesome" Ennnnd quote

[@voodoohoneyjar2079]

Anyone who can turn a dance into a wash of blood and viscera deserves to have the title of “Deadliest Eldar.”

[@atomato5378]

Harlequin are easily the coolest part of the Eldar

[@Reddotzebra]

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.

[@garank4971]

First to the Freak-Show of the most advanced humanoid species.

[@garank4971]

Thanks dude!

[@garank4971]

I think Harlequins and the Officio Assasinorum might be related.

[@papanurgle8393]

@@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.

[@garank4971]

@@papanurgle8393 Thanks my god for this beatiful peace of written art.

[@abdoul5176]

15:00 Wow. This Eldar reminds me of Cegorach in all honesty. Edit: Ah.

[@zakleclaire1858]

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

[@spehizle]

15:55 Chills. Literal chills.

[@davosazizora4611]

The highlight of my day!!! Thank you good sir!! Keep up the awesome work!!

[@baldermort]

Davos Azizora glad to be of help brother. :).

[@davidlewis9346]

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.

[@DarthBane959]

David Lewis hahaha the EXACT same thing happened to me

[@davidlewis9346]

Tom Burke it was a glorious happening. I'm always looking for good warhammer content. Cheers!

[@donny234]

Honkler of the grim dark , ty Baldermort your readings give reason

[@sullygriffin9902]

Thank you, Baldermort! I'm stuck in my room sick as a dog but your videos always make me feel better! Many thanks!!

[@baldermort]

Sully Griffin get better soon brother Griffin. Don’t push yourself. Please. :).

[@louiswilkins9624]

Get well soon

[@highlordinquisitor4882]

Sully Griffin may the =][= Emperor Protect =][=

[@dinocha0s]

This actually have me chills, damn i kinda have more respect for the Harleyquins now Great narrating as always!

[@racspartan1]

Holy cow Baldermort. That was a fantastic intro, the laugh effect was spot on.

[@Belowtheblade]

I come back here regularly just to hear that laugh, so chilling

[@baldermort]

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. :).

[@TheDukeOfDallas]

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.

[@LMR041082]

Hail to the Lore Father! Thanks for this stellar piece.

[@baldermort]

Thanks for joining us, as always, brother Rocky. :)

[@LMR041082]

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

[@baldermort]

posh rocky forget it. You watch and comment. It’s all dandy brother Posh Rocky. :).

[@awendigowithinternetaccess4400]

That laugh. It was beautiful. I wish I had a laugh like that.

[@HeartlessNinny1]

Well, guess I have to start a Harlequin army now...

[@technomancer0712]

Jesus fucking Christ that noise gave me chills

[@incrediblystoned4990]

Great once again good job, the emperor haves blessed you with that great voice.

[@twohorsesinamancostume7606]

I'm making that Harliquin laugh my ringtone.

[@rosicroix777]

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 👍

[@wanttogetfood]

How Ahriman managed to kill any Solitaire w relative ease is mystery to me

[@ineednochannelyoutube5384]

The fighting prowess of anything in 40k is fluid as the story demands it.

[@steinarbergstl5799]

@@ineednochannelyoutube5384 Unless you're the Avatar of Khaine. Then you're only there to show how awesome some named marine is. Annoyed? Me? Naaaaaah! Well... Maybe a little.

[@rickjames9524]

Ahriman is as close to a god as a marine can be...he prob can kill many primarchs at this point.

[@JamesPa]

the epic story ! and you make it so unique

[@ralach]

"They Will be laughing still...at the end.."

[@jezmerritt]

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!

[@lordcrabby197]

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.

[@kirabodaniel-connell5283]

I love the relationship between the inquisitor and his...interrogator?

[@BohdanKaiba]

I have only faced off against Harlequins twice on the battle field, but they are no army to take lightly. It was a great game.

[@edwardlecore141]

For some reason these readings are really good at ending my writer's block.

[@straywenlove9174]

i had seen your name on vids while watching some of the One Mind Syndicate fare and thought it a bit cheesy, but the extra down time and the lure of the harlequin has delivered rewards in spades. New sub for sure, now off to see if you treated my Battle Sisters with the same reverence and glamour. Be well sir and may the Emperor protect.

[@ashadowperson9905]

Y'know. I'm currently traveling trought the Aeldari playlist after having stumbled across the channel via your video on the Harlequins from 3 years ago. How the hell do you not have more subs? Your a brilliant storyteller and these videos are excellent to have on in the background while writing or drawing. Amazing work :)

[@qigonglungz]

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 KZbinr", keep it fun!!!

[@shaguar6439]

Bravo, Bravo ! Emperor bless your effort boldemort this was awesome

[@baldermort]

Thank you for listening brother Shaguar. :)

[@somthingbrutal]

i remember in that issue of white dwarf talking about harlequins that the solitaire wasn't necessarily an eldar

[@baldermort]

somthingbrutal alas, no. Memory is off, brother. All solitaires are Eldar.

[@joeturner7097]

I am one of baldermorts humble lore-eaters

[@baldermort]

Joe Turner lol. Lore-eaters. Funny as fudge. :).

[@brazen187]

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

[@jasonulysess3652]

Hello KZbin algorithm. Want to play a game of cards?

[@baldermort]

Thank you brother Ulysess.

[@ffejpsycho]

No, solitaire's always cheat!

[@theorc16]

Laughing gits, I wonder how long it would take to krump one of them. *BALDERMORT! BALDERMORT! BALDERMORT! *Continues forever .......WAAAAAAAAAAAGH!

[@gavinboyer4634]

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.

[@shiniesftw1652]

These guys make me wanna get into tabletop and start a harlequin army

[@baldermort]

Do it! They’re great!! ;)

[@kevinishki]

Harlequin lore is so fucking cool

[@JimBob-qj2ye]

I love the running characters of the inquisitor and his acolyte

[@notinspectorgadget]

15:47 That had some "Predator impersonating Billy's laugh." Vibes *Muy Bueno*

[@orygungeeksolitude1380]

Do I see Baldermort as a servo skull now? Yes.

[@jomonkey2758]

The harlequins were my first ever army. I loved there look and had to have them. I play them in tournaments all the time

[@thorgodinson3632]

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.

[@baldermort]

Thanks again brother Odinson. A lot. I’m just happy anyone likes it at all. :) :)

[@gingfree3383]

15:55 damn perfect creepy laugh!

[@dominicomegon4714]

The Solitaire is freaking amazing.

[@RyanJones567]

Was that a regular harlequin or an actual solitaire that the inquisitor was talking to? Isn't it true that anyone who talks to or touches a solitaire other than in rituals encounters a fate worse than death? How can a human inquisitor summon one to fight for him, and how did he know the solitaire was posing as a beggar on that planet?

[@neilburns9149]

The Dance brought me to tears I would love to see this performance You almost feel sorry for them

[@320466]

I am so glad the youtube algorithm suggested this otherwise i would have never known this exsisted

[@greenwitchinc.1682]

God damn that is a great opening pic. I've never seen that before. "Faithful Servant" F-ing bad ass.

[@baldermort]

Thank you, Green Witch. :) Glad you liked it. :)

[@Madashell1200]

At the beginning I thought Sandstorm was about to start 😆

[@troelsknudsen253]

Holy shit. That evil harlequin laugh was a piece of sound design mastery! Absolutely gave me chills and feels and all sorts of stuff. Did you do it yourself?

[@alienatedbeing7513]

The laugh is so good!

[@Pacman8907]

I look forward to your special guest appearance on idicbeer 40k. :)

[@osmosisjones2822]

To think a bunch of these chaps wondered around the blesssid homeworld. This is a subject in 40K more I've refrind from researching as i find Eldar lore difficult to comprehend. Thank you, I rely mean it thank you. My love for this universe grows with each installment

[@IDICBeer]

Loved how gory this was he he

[@lilpretzel5629]

Awesome story telling😆

[@jimtaramas6081]

You must do Audio books!

[@DaGreatOzzie]

Beautiful stuff, I’m subscribing

[@Billy_Cook]

Did you write this ?! It’s amazing! and, of course, sublimely narrated

[@isaiahsmith7123]

By the Emperor's grace on a list of things that would scare me but would be preferable to encountering a solitaire: facing a wall of termagaunts and hive tyrants with a krak grenade and a stick, taking on a necron tomb with a lasgun and bottle of piss, facing Ork warboss's with a tin trash can shield and a stubber pistol, trying to ear rape an xv88 in front of a Tau hunter cadre, did I miss anything 😂😂😂

[@icecold7063]

How could anyone thumbs down this I could almost see the dance while I listened to this amazing 👏

[@Anonymous-sv9fy]

How have I only just found your channel now. When i'm subscribed to a ton of 40K lore channels. Damn you KZbin. Stellar work Baldermort! Wonderful narration. Was the into story your own work? If so, already such quality for a 6 month old channel. I look forward to seeing you grow and your future works. Keep it up.

[@JZ0UK]

So the dwarf slayer cult with a twist reimagined for space elves? 🤔

[@baldermort]

JZ0UK well, harlequins are more a wood elf ear dancer thing. But sort of I guess, yeah Brithrr JZoUK. :).

[@JZ0UK]

@@baldermort haha yea but I don't think the war dancers have a special death aspect? Aren't the Asrai souls just absorbed into athel loren?

[@patrickfruhwirh5043]

yay xenos lore

[@neilburns9149]

A laugh that would frighten Mr. J I'd be interested in seeing a Solitaire take on Lelith Hesperax And an army of Jokers would be awesome yet frightening

[@JohnnieHaro]

Epic story that explains the fall of alder

[@ffejpsycho]

Eldar aren't... people... Especially the Solitaire. ; -p

[@Earadon]

You're right, the are technically *concentrated* "people" ;)

[@patrickturner6878]

Dang Baldie. You don't just share lore. You CREATE it.. lol

[@ikitclaw3299]

I took care of the dude who insta disliked your videos

[@baldermort]

LOL!!!! There will always be more. It could get time consuming brother. :)

[@donwebber9071]

In the distance....I'm not dead yet.....

[@rvelazquez1986]

Dude, seriously… who did you tip off when you were being forged for that voice. You have the voice of a true scribe.

[@solemnreign7574]

Another great video from the story and lore master