Gwynplaine, Connection to...? Options

[Nyost Akasuke]

I just got finished reading the Street Legends Supplemental (love it, btw), and naturally I found myself reading Harlequin's section. Lot'sa neat stuff, but one thing in particular caught my eye. Gwynplaine, Harlequin's spirit lookalike. For the most part to me it was just a cool extra thrown in there until I read this line,

''It also tends to gravitate towards places of technology in decay''

And that got me thinking.

My interest in Shadowrun was sparked as a young boy, the Shadowrun SNES game was one of the first games I ever owned and I loved it. It also has one of my favorite antagonists of all time: The Jester Spirit. So thats where I'm wondering if there's a connection between the two (obviously not an in-universe connection)

Gwynplaine, though a spirit, has the appearance of Harlequin (with a few changes), clown make-up and all I suppose. The Jester Spirit.. well, is a spirit that looks like a jester (with mad juggling skillz), and it appears as though he has pointy elven ears. He also has the painted-diamond over at least one of his eyes. Both are tricksters and psychopaths. Gwynplaine hangs out in places of 'technology in decay', while the Jester Spirit is said to be a spirit 'of technology in decay'.

So I guess I'm wondering if this was all intentional or coincidental, or if I'm just reading into it too much. Admittedly I don't know much about Harlequin or Gwynplaine, at least not in terms of history and previous editions. Was the spirit around in earlier editions, in his tamed form? Is it possible the Gwynplaine inspired the Jester Spirit, or vice versa? Any thoughts, comments, or facts appreciated. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

[Lionhearted]

Well consider the following
Harl is a very capable magician.
He often use aliases, or mislead people on his true identity.
He likes to mess with peoples heads.

Who is to say that they're not all one and the same?

That's just my inane ramblings although, Im sure there's some old dragon here somwhere that can tell the odds from the ends and slap me for not checking...

[Nyost Akasuke]

I suppose anything is possible. I know Harlequin is stupid powerful, but could he really have the capability of becoming or looking like a spirit? I guess it's all good with a well-placed illusion spell and some awesome masking-type metamagic. It would seem a bit OOC to me though for the joker, such an aloof fellow running around in ''disguise'' and telling people to just go and off as many elves as they want.

[Lionhearted]

Not familiar with these two fellows, so I can't speak for their agenda...
Harl however doesn't play nice with the other IE's and have a habit of making wickedly elaborate schemes that only he knows the purpose off...

I need to stop talking before AH pops out from somewhere and melts my face...

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

I suppose anything is possible. I know Harlequin is stupid powerful, but could he really have the capability of becoming or looking like a spirit? I guess it's all good with a well-placed illusion spell and some awesome masking-type metamagic. It would seem a bit OOC to me though for the joker, such an aloof fellow running around in ''disguise'' and telling people to just go and off as many elves as they want.

Well, Harlequin (as can Ehran, IIRC) can rip a hole into Astral Space and physically step thorugh it to transport himself like a spirit does. *shrug* To the Unaware, that probably appears as a Spirit to them.

[Nyost Akasuke]

Oh wow.
Now that's a useful ability.
If only the megas would hurry up with the immortality so I can get 24+ initiation.

[Lionhearted]

Oh it's easier then that you just need to gain access to magic from the first or second world... Shouldn't be to hard...

[Sesix]

Oh it's easier then that you just need to gain access to magic from the first or second world... Shouldn't be to hard...

And the Horror waiting on the other side when you do it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Lionhearted]

And the Horror waiting on the other side when you do it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

You'll have enough trouble from the GD or IE you stole it from

[Nyost Akasuke]

Oh, is that all I need to do? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)
Bloody Dragons and Immortals. Part of me likes the mystery surrounding all the crazy stuff they can do that ''shouldn't be possible''. My more curious side wants to know everything so I can rule the world. A love-hate relationship with the reptiles and the fairies.


I wonder if the person who wrote that section would know of any possible inspiration (Edit: Well, of course they know.. just wondering if they're willing to share. :3 Not sure who wrote it, don't keep up with that stuff. If its even public knowledge, which I'm wagering it isn't)

[Lionhearted]

There used to be a page with all the juicy goodness about all of the known IE's and GD's, about all of the old world stuff that the average runner doesn't even know exist... Not sure if its still around

[Nyost Akasuke]

I would be very interested in that.

Does anyone know if Gwynplaine was in previous editions of Shadowrun? His ''profile'' in Street Legends Supplemental says that he was created/bound by Harlequin during the 18th century, but only very recently (old spoilers: as a result of the closing of the Rift and Harlequin's ''forgetting'' of the true name) became a free and malicious spirit. Before 4th edition, I did have some 3E books, but really only the core material and I don't recall there being a whole bunch of information of Harlequin in the documents I owned. If the spirit was in previous editions, or may -possibly- be in older editions, anyone have a guess (or straight up know) which books those would be in?

Of course, any quotes by current owners of the said potential material would be greatly appreciated as well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cyber.gif)

[ravensmuse]

You're thinking of Ancient History's website. He took it down last year after leaving Catalyst.

Someone around here has a link in their sig to a mirror, if you want. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Nyost Akasuke]

AH took down his website?!?!
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Guess I've been out of the loop too long. I loved AH's site. In fact, though I don't remember exactly how, his website was what eventually brought me to find Dumpshock.

[bannockburn]

Ask, and ye shall receive
Someone made a mirror (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
http://danvolodar.ru/ancientfiles/index.html

[Nyost Akasuke]

Beautiful!
Thank ya, kind bannockburn!

I must bookmark this and hope it doesn't get taken down as well. <.<

[Lionhearted]

I love you Bannock, AH was with Catalyst? That explains how he knows like everything

[annachie]

I don't remember Gwynplaine being in any early stuff, but I stopped playing back around when SR3 came out, maybe before.

[Lionhearted]

Added the link to my sig, Tis a resource that deserves recognition.

[Patrick Goodman]

Bobby knew most of that before his freelancr gig with CGL.

[Sengir]

Well, Harlequin (as can Ehran, IIRC) can rip a hole into Astral Space and physically step thorugh it to transport himself like a spirit does. *shrug* To the Unaware, that probably appears as a Spirit to them.

Where did Ehran pull off that stunt? I only remember Harley doing it in House of the Sun during the Ghost Dance-ish ritual...which probably allowed some stuff not normally possible at the current mana level...

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Where did Ehran pull off that stunt? I only remember Harley doing it in House of the Sun during the Ghost Dance-ish ritual...which probably allowed some stuff not normally possible at the current mana level...

I want to say the Harlequin Adventure (the First one), but I am not sure.

[Sengir]

I want to say the Harlequin Adventure (the First one), but I am not sure.

I remember Harlequin disappearing in some magical puff of smoke and light (sounding more like a harlequin's stage act than ancient magics)...have to re-read the book when I find it.

[hermit]

Harles did that stunt in House of the Sun, in the climatic battle with the spirits on Mauna Loa. Also, someone does that in Worlds without End, if I am not mistaken.

Not sure about Erhan. Might be H1.

[Neraph]

If only the megas would hurry up with the immortality so I can get 24+ initiation.

Formula Pact. Leonization + Physical Vigor.