Mime
Mimes, also called Distaurs, are a type of Harlequin. Specialist dancers on the stage, Mimes are not permanent parts of troupes, rather kept under the direct control of the Master Mime. They also act as advertisers for the masque, being sent ahead of the company to organise performances. This role is reflected on the battlefield, where they act as infiltrators and assassins.
In performance, the Mimes play mystical and daemonic roles, using movement and gesture only. Even in everyday life, the Mimes speak little, communicating among themselves by lambruith, their system of hand-signals.
It is customary for Mimes to go in advance of a masque or troupe to announce their arrival. Frequently they simply appear on a craft-world or elsewhere, without anyone knowing when or how they arrived. This skill is also used in warfare - the oft-repeated stories of enemy commanders suddenly and unaccountable finding a Harlequin 'calling card' in their command centres are typical examples of the tactics Mimes use to undermine enemy morale.
| Forces of the Harlequins | |
|---|---|
| Command | High Avatar • High Warlock • Shadowseer • Solitaire |
| Troops | Black Guardian • Death Jester • Master Mime • Mime • Troupe Master • Trouper • Warlock |
| Vehicles | Black Guardian War Walker • Black Guardian Vyper • Jetbike • Skyweaver • Starweaver • Venom • Voidweaver |
| Allies | Dark Eldar • Eldar |