Troupe Master

The last thing many see before death.

Troupe Masters, also called Athairs or Avatars, are the leaders of Harlequin Troupes, residential pimplords and the kings of killer clowns. This status will be marked out by their wardrobe and equipment choice, as well as the possession of a number of small batons which unfold into a flag representing the Harlequin masque the troupe belongs to (if any). This flag is generally left behind after an action, as a 'calling-card'. On the stage, Avatars play the part of the Laughing God himself.

Troupe Masters are choreographers of war, directing their comrades’ reactions to the changing fates of battle, and ensuring the Harlequins’ performance in the theatre of war is as perfect as it can be. By consent of their peers, the Troupe Masters become focal points for the successes and failures of entire Troupes of Harlequins. In many conflicts, the most talented will even be entrusted with directing the performance of their entire masque.

Troupe Masters are closer to the lead players of a cast than formal commanders; they are elevated by will of their comrades, playing their role until it is time for another to take their place. They act as exemplars for all their Troupe's key characteristics, embodying everything it means to be Light, Dark, or Twilight writ large. Thus Troupe Masters of Light will hurl themselves into battle like the headstrong heroes of myth, adopting protagonist roles such as the Duke of the Hidden Realm or Eldanari Prince. Troupe Masters of the Dark by comparison are sinister and vindictive, always seeking some way to flamboyantly finish off their foes. Meanwhile Troupe Masters of the Twilight see cycles of transition in everything, often seeming obsessive or insane in their attention to nuance and detail until the precise moment of genius reveals itself.

On the Tabletop

An Avatar is usually armed with two close combat weapons (one of which is often a Shuriken Pistol), and equipped with a visual disruption Holo-field and Conversion Field emitter called a Holo-Suit. In addition, some Avatars may have psychic abilities. In combat, an Avatar may be armed with Vortex Grenades, which he delivers on-target by running forwards alone while the rest of the troupe supplies covering fire.