Hey! Thanks for the response. And just when I had given up hope for this thread and started day-dreaming about other possible harlequin units. Sounds like the Zani doesn't really grab ya. I came up with them as a possible alternative troop choice to harlequins and mimes, but couldn't find a good offensive roll (other than shooting which isn't very 'quiny) and thus made them defensive. The Masks and Tadderdemalion should be fun to make, so that will probably be what I start working on today.
For the photomancer, I had pictured a model decked out in lots of metallic golds (especially on the mask) and other bright colors like yellow with some black areas to contrast against. Maybe even give him something big, shiny, and way-stone shaped on his mask. I'll think up some different names for him. The first thing that came to mind after reading that bit of your post was "Helion" as in being related to the Greek titan Helios (sun titan), but then I realized the Dark Eldar have Hellions, and have fun explaining that to them every game.
Out of curiosity, what do you guys think of these ideas:
*Will-o'-Whisps:
Swarms of benethai-like devices that surround themselves with light making them appear like glowing, ghostly orbs, flying fire balls, etc. The unit would consist of swarms of weak models that would move like jetbikes, and a single harlequin that controls them. You could have the swarms actually break off from the controller, but this would, of course, leave the controller exposed to danger. If the controller dies, the swarms die as well.
So basically, you get a bunch of fast, weak swarms that you could use to tie up enemy infantry, provide a cover save, etc, but in order to benefit from their speed, you'd have to risk their controller. You could keep the swarms attached to the controller if you wanted to play it safe; you're just losing the benefit of the Whisps' speed.
*The Lovers:
A squad of two independent characters, each with its own wargear. They get benefits when fighting near each other, and one can mourn the ending of their "Tragic Romance" when the other dies by claiming the other lover's corpse as an objective. Sorta like Bjorn's weird special rule, but only the surviving lover can claim it.
The idea is to have a couple of harlequins playing the lead love interests in a dance involving romance.
Yeah, kind of weird ideas, I know. They sound like fun to make, however, so if you guys don't think they'd be too clumsy, I think I'd have fun making them.