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Masque of the Gilded Fable (Zebulon’s Harlequins)


Zebulon

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Hi all,

 

As mentioned in another thread, I decided to start Harlequins, mostly as the models always looked great, and though challenging to paint, I want to give them a go.

 

I found myself torn between the Masque of the Soaring Spite, and the Masque of the Reaper’s Mirth, so I mashed them together and came up with this. What do you think?

 

https://imgur.com/gallery/GcfuLsU

 

Obviously Paint leaves something to be desired as a graphics package, but it gives some impression.

 

I was thinking I could call the Masque either “Soaring Mirth” or “Reaper’s Spite” but I am not totally sold on either. I am open to suggestions if anyone has a cool idea they’d like to share?

Edited by Zebulon
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Reapers spite for me out of those two options. If your mot sold you could always come up with a totally different name. Maybe link it in with either the light, twilight or dark.

 

The masque of the never ending twilight?

 

Edit: not sure if that already exists though

Edited by Dwango
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HS - I sliced the images from the codex for those two Masques in half and stuck them together in MS Paint (an old but loved app on PC) - then saved as a 16-colour bitmap so as to reduce colour depth. Then freehanded in the colours that I wanted. It remains to be seen whether what I end up with looks close to the image I have produced!

 

DW yeah Reapers Spite does sound the better of the two but possibly would suit an (even) darker Masque than the average.

 

I quite like “Masque of the Radiant Dusk” too but I am not sure it suits the colour scheme I am looking at.

 

Masque of the Sanguine Dawn appeals but that’s probably my inner Blood Angel talking

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Right. Here is a WIP (faceless at present!) showing the concept.

 

Now I come to it, I am tempted to either bottle the diamonds or to just use something that looks more like polka dots. Any thoughts on that?

 

PhCZnDX.jpg

 

Lrix7W0.jpg

 

I8gBA5R.jpg

 

cAx6yms.jpg

 

I also have in mind a bit of fluff whereby the Masque has a troupe master and a troupe mistress who are a couple, and they have recruited the rest of their troupes by seducing other aeldari and tempting them to run away and join their troupe, delighting in misdeeds and murder. Needs development but I think it could become a compelling story and not just titillation.

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Looking good! And I like the fluff concept. Very harlequin-y.

 

Its taken me over a month but I've finally been brave enough to do diamonds. Not the greatest start but I think I know how to improve. I have been using 005 micron pen to draw the diamond pattern and used a painting tutorial to assist. I can get the link for you if you like?

 

Diamonds are definitely not a must and I think a polka dot effect could look really good too.

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Looks great.

 

I may have a go at a couple of diamonds scattered here and there, but don't fancy trying to do a whole leg, cape or vehicle anytime soon.

 

There are some videos on youtube and I was wondering if you could cut diamonds into masking tape and then place that on the vehicles and just colour/dry brush the diamonds on?

 

Anyway - still waiting for mine to arrive :-(

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Dwango - I’d definitely be interested in the link. It makes sense to draw the diamonds on first and then colour them in, if I can find a suitable fineliner pen.
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Hmm. First attempt at diamonds didn’t work, as I drew the lines too closely together/rushed it. I will have another go when I am not rushing.

 

Also, due to the price “adjustment” I have placed an order for a second troupe and a death jester. Well played, GW...

 

That will give me a total of:

 

2 troupes

1 shadowseer

1 death jester

1 starweaver

 

I would have picked up the Solitaire too but that model was out of stock. Still, well on the way to the full “classical masque structure” which is nice.

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6 swords of two distinct designs, 6 shuriken pistols, 6 harlequin’s kisses, 2 harlequin’s embraces, 2 harlequin’s caresses, 2 neuro disruptors and 2 fusion pistols. There is a power sword as well should you wish to upgrade your Troupe Master.

 

So, quite a lot of options which is good. :tu:

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That will give me a total of:

 

3 troupes

1 shadowseer

1 death jester

2 Starweavers

In a display of truly impressive self-restraint <_< I have just added another troupe and another starweaver. This time via an Independent however so at least I have saved a tenner. Edited by Zebulon
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Hmm. First attempt at diamonds didn’t work, as I drew the lines too closely together/rushed it. I will have another go when I am not rushing.

Ha, he makes it look so easy doesn't he! I've had to repaint a few times. So, things I've learnt so far (bearing in mind mine are nowhere near to being neat!) -

 

Less is more, only picking an arm or a leg can still look good.

 

Don't start with a bent leg or arm. It takes a bit of practice and thought as to where the lines go after the joint.

 

Still learning.

Edited by Dwango
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Looking good so far. Painting diamonds is a pain. I gave up after many tries. Now I've played Harlis since they were introduced back in the olden days of metal. Diamonds was a small thing, more circus type colors were used. It wasn't til the plastics were introduced that they went nuts on diamonds but diamonds do not a harliquin make. Just do your thing and enjoy yourself, just a coherent scheme is just as nice.
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Well, I am no further with the diamonds, but my first troupe (sans Master) is coming together:

 

MkEfNRr.jpg

 

I am Still considering what to name my Masque. I am thinking now something along the lines of “Gilded Fable” or “Gilded Ruse” to emphasise their deceptive and seductive ways. Any more input on the fluff side from fellow travellers is welcome...

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I can't help you with the fluff side of things as I am still reading up myself.

 

I tried a few diamonds when I was working on mine...terrible lol.  I decided I wasn't going to bother and kept it simple.  Made it look a lot neater in my opinion as my diamonds were all over the shop lol

 

Looking good though :-)

 

Built a death jester yet?  If so and you did it without wanting to stamp on the thing, can you tell me how lol

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Diamonds or not, I like the colours you've chosen! They really stand out. As mentioned above, you don't need diamonds to make them fit into the harlequin character. What you've got so far clearly denotes them as harleys imo.

 

Just out of interest, which colour would you be putting diamonds on and what would be the alternative colour you would use? I'm always interested in getting other peoples takes on stuff and seeing if I can learn from them.

 

Edit, I like the gilded fable. Just run it through a thesaurus just to see if anything popped up. One line read the gilded poison? That led me to the poisoned fable? That could make it too obvious though..... I'll keep thinking.

Edited by Dwango
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Just out of interest, which colour would you be putting diamonds on and what would be the alternative colour you would use? I'm always interested in getting other peoples takes on stuff and seeing if I can learn from them.

 

Edit, I like the gilded fable. Just run it through a thesaurus just to see if anything popped up. One line read the gilded poison? That led me to the poisoned fable? That could make it too obvious though..... I'll keep thinking.

I was thinking a sky blue for the diamonds, on the purple side of their torsos as they currently stand. Looking at my photos, that might blend too much with the ribbons, so maybe I will leave the scheme as is.

 

Thanks for your thoughts on the Gilded Fable. That’s just it, I want the name to hint without being too obvious. I am still thinking that “Reaper’s Spite” does sound cool though, as does “Sanguine Dawn” (though the latter could perhaps be a named weapon in my fluff?)

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So could the reapers spite tbf.

 

lascivious grace is a quote from Shakespeare (this is all Google btw currently on an oxymoron website) and means indecent/salacious or displaying excessive interest - grace? It can also mean pornographic or xrated so may be a bit much.

 

If your not fully happy with what you've got so far, perhaps look through some oxymoron examples and something may pop up, or cement your original ideas.

 

I don't envy you, I like the idea of a homebrew but finding a name always stresses me out!

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lascivious grace is a quote from Shakespeare (this is all Google btw currently on an oxymoron website) and means indecent/salacious or displaying excessive interest - grace? It can also mean pornographic or xrated so may be a bit much.

 

If your not fully happy with what you've got so far, perhaps look through some oxymoron examples and something may pop up, or cement your original ideas.

 

I don't envy you, I like the idea of a homebrew but finding a name always stresses me out!

Looked up the Shakespeare reference and it is quite interesting, the sonnet it’s from is talking about a love triangle. That could work with the three troupe masters of the masque, each trying to make each other jealous by taking yet more lovers (the members of their troupes). Or maybe this is all getting more Slaaneshi and less appropriate to followers of Cegorach. I don’t know.

 

FWIW I find it harder to come up with DIY Marine chapter names, just due to the sheer number of great combinations already claimed by someone or other on the net...

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If I remember correctly there is plenty on love interests coupled with jealousy in the 'path of the outcast' so I think it does fit in. Plus, compared to what was going on at the time of the fall, it's pretty tame for the followers of slaanesh.

 

Reading about how the troupe master is chosen and goes about his/her business I think having your scenario fits in really well. It could be an intricately designed display formed over many years cumulating in a murderous show where each set of players are trying to out do one another to gain affection from the leading members. Could be in the dark city or a key battle as seen by a shadow weaver. Would be a hell of a show!

 

Ha, I know what you mean about marines. I wanted to do a homebrew chapter for the shadowspear contents. Came up with a grey scheme and the shadow hunters, a raven guard successor (as the minis are all sneaky). Googled it and found the shadow Haunters a raven guard successor chapter by Robbie MacNiven. He wrote about them in the legacy of russ books. Oh and there scheme is grey. I'm doing that now!

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