The Masked Gods
Added 2025-01-18 04:30:14 +0000 UTCThe masked deities that watch over the world, wielded by Trace, Flora, and Adelaide, three characters from the three races that embody the virtues of each mask, suggested by DarthKeidran!
Mercurial, the mask of chaos and change, was the first to abandon his post as a simple observer and instead interfere with the world, creating Humans. Mercurial is both destruction and renewal. He thrives in conflict, but does not desire total destruction, as that would end the fun. He sees himself as improving the world through pain and progress. Things need to be destroyed for new things to take their place.
Mercurial's mask is constantly shifting, taking many shapes and forms, never looking the same way twice.
Ephemural (whose name was once "Ephemeral" before Mercurial swapped out the 'e' as a prank, changing its spelling in all written text) embodies the virtues of neutrality and balance. Disturbed by the humans spreading across what was supposed to be a pristine garden world, Ephemural was forced to act.
She created the Keidran, attempting to strike a balance with the existing natural world by modeling her creation after the animals that were already living on the planet. It was her hope that they would thrive in nature better than the humans and thus stop their spread.
Eternal, the rigid and unchanging mask of order, was the last to abandon his post, seeing the chaos unfolding. He placed his creations, the Basitin, far away from the other races on their own island. The Basitins were designed to embody his virtues - stubborn, unchanging, and obsessed with the rule of law. He gave them a desire to follow orders and a strict social hierarchy, which they would follow instinctually.
The mask of Chaos found this all very fun and declared it a game, to which the others had no choice but to participate in. Humans spread across the map, conquering land, while Keidran did the same and the Basitins, naturally, continued turtling on their own territory. The masks have agreed not to interfere with the world directly in any substantial way and not use their powers on any race other than their own (rules they bend all the time, of course).
The Masks are constantly trying to find loopholes to one-up each other. For example, Neutral used Mary Silverlock's body as a host, which is something normally forbidden, since Mary is human. But Mary was transformed into a Keidran at the time by Trace, and thus fair game. The Masks use hosts to interact with the material world directly, as otherwise they are mostly restricted to their own realm and have little physical influence.
The three continue to be locked in their feud, the original vows to the old gods now long forgotten.
(Disclaimer: this image does not suggest that these characters have these masks in canon. For example, Adelaide is not in possession of the Mask of Order. She's just a visual representation of the Basitins as a whole, and the same goes for the others, in case there was any confusion.)
Comments
Absolutely losing consciousness over this
Joe
2025-02-03 22:36:20 +0000 UTCI liked the masked trace he looks cool
Mr great ape
2025-01-20 02:23:07 +0000 UTCOMG YES
Eclipse(Adrakist)
2025-01-20 00:11:39 +0000 UTCMy working theory is that its the mask of the dragons or what's left. In a recent dragon lore patreon sketch, it is said there is speculation that the dragons were born from the remains of a mask were truly was destroyed. Its shards becoming the dragons and magic.
Waterpicker
2025-01-19 23:02:37 +0000 UTCAlso nice to see a detail on page 1242 of the comic: sleeping Nora seems to have grown some crystals around her.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-19 09:44:44 +0000 UTCMaybe it was a bit unfair to just throw a chunk like that. The names seem to have been borrowed from Latin: for example, Mercury was the Roman god of traders and thieves. But a wide variety of philosophers have been concerned with change and chaos and order and stability since ancient times. However, the neutrality usually didn't come off so well.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-19 09:13:31 +0000 UTCWhen beeing in Mekkan, do as the Romans do… 😎
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-19 05:08:15 +0000 UTCWe were speaking about that in an earlier post, a possible fourth mask who was destroyed (can they be?) Check out the dragon reference sheet https://www.patreon.com/posts/103126297?utm_campaign=postshare_fan&utm_content=android_share
wjd1206
2025-01-19 04:04:44 +0000 UTCNobody notice what seems to be magic itself being an entity ?!
Kai Sörensen
2025-01-19 03:07:29 +0000 UTCWhere do thomas get these names for the mask?
Icebird J
2025-01-19 01:17:39 +0000 UTCYes! LORE! YESSSS!!!!
Facelessbuster
2025-01-18 20:33:21 +0000 UTCMh, imho Flora receiving a Child from Trace was only possible after Ephemural allowed the hybrid by changing the rules after she was not able to break Floras love for Trace.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 18:43:59 +0000 UTCLooks like we know what the next color vote will be.
Crimson Dragon
2025-01-18 18:12:27 +0000 UTCYes, was time well spent
AstroChaos
2025-01-18 18:02:30 +0000 UTCFinally, we got their names
Icebird J
2025-01-18 17:26:15 +0000 UTCI know, right. This is far more than I expected.
DarthKeidran
2025-01-18 16:58:49 +0000 UTCThat’s hilarious. I approve this comment.
DarthKeidran
2025-01-18 16:56:55 +0000 UTCI think that’s meant to be a 4th figure.
DarthKeidran
2025-01-18 16:55:53 +0000 UTCI can imagine it’s spoilers. I told Tom in messages to feel free to censor anything that verges into spoiler territory. This, though, is new. I didn’t know there was a 4th mask.
DarthKeidran
2025-01-18 16:55:13 +0000 UTCI’ve been waiting also. Whenever Tom would reach out and apologize over it not being done I’d tell him, more or less, not to fret and take what time he needed. I’m glad I said that because this turned out amazing.
DarthKeidran
2025-01-18 16:53:24 +0000 UTCThank you Tom! This looks phenomenal!
DarthKeidran
2025-01-18 16:50:01 +0000 UTCIn the lore sheet for dragons (check comment above), it mentions that it is thought that there could have been a fourth mask, which created the dragons. Though it somehow was permanently destroyed.
Tyler Dollarhide
2025-01-18 16:31:50 +0000 UTCHuge lore dump! I've been waiting for this!
Tyler Dollarhide
2025-01-18 16:18:20 +0000 UTCI think so too. The reference sheet says: "though to have been destroyed by the other three" 🤔🤔🤔
wjd1206
2025-01-18 16:08:32 +0000 UTCAfter reading the dragon lore I would tend to say this are mana crystals. Thought so before assuming the forth figure has attached them at his coat but now: they may have grown there. Also see Spyres post below: same idea.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 16:03:23 +0000 UTCDraconic or not, it's certainly related to dragons, if you remember what was said in the dragon lore sheet.
Literally J
2025-01-18 15:06:56 +0000 UTCI thought it was that the destruction of the mask created the dragons?
Literally J
2025-01-18 15:05:44 +0000 UTCProbably the mask mentioned in the dragon lore sheet!
Literally J
2025-01-18 15:05:13 +0000 UTCJust out of curiosity, I checked the dragon reference sheet pointed out in another's post. While the fourth figure is vague and misty, I had interpreted the 'spikes' apparent at the shoulders as spiky scales, lending a vaguely draconian appearance. However, after looking at the reference sheet, their color leads me in another direction... https://www.patreon.com/posts/103126297?utm_campaign=postshare_fan&utm_content=android_share Anyone else seeing what I am after reading the sheet?
wjd1206
2025-01-18 14:42:40 +0000 UTCReally?! 🫨🫨
wjd1206
2025-01-18 14:26:55 +0000 UTCWould definitely love to talk about that 4th name written behind Ephemural.... either a representation of the old gods or of the dragons, perhaps? Maybe spoilers for future parts of the story?
Xavier
2025-01-18 14:23:49 +0000 UTCNot saying you're wrong, Ard Ri Sidhhe! Also, none of the 'masks' particularly look like their race/creations. To my eye, it's misty shape just *looks* vaguely draconic.
wjd1206
2025-01-18 14:23:37 +0000 UTCIf only the actual comic showed this…
Jadon Ayala
2025-01-18 14:23:17 +0000 UTCFlora was chosen by her, but then things went a little bit out of the way … fits for me nonetheless.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 14:17:55 +0000 UTCLORE! The top mask looks like it says "Potential," and that would make a lot of sense for a mask that potentially created the dragons, who only ever grow in power over time. And the dust of "Potential" would be a good source for magic to exist. They also look like they're growing mana crystals...
SpyreSOBlazx
2025-01-18 14:14:35 +0000 UTCIt looks like EPHEMURAL was also supposed to be up there with the other 2 names before being moved down to Flora's shirt
Life
2025-01-18 14:02:32 +0000 UTCHonestly reminds me a lot as to how Skyrim was basically formed through their gods that inhabit the lands. This is very intriguing knowledge, Tom.
NightMedic
2025-01-18 13:50:59 +0000 UTCIs there something written on the pillar in the background of the image or is it just my impression?
Tio Darth
2025-01-18 13:16:41 +0000 UTCRumor is the dragons destroyed the mask that created them.
Netari Icefyng
2025-01-18 12:24:33 +0000 UTCIronic Flora is chosen to represent Ephemural considering what happend in cannon.
Netari Icefyng
2025-01-18 12:21:27 +0000 UTCI'd have to go back and re-read the early comics but, I believe at one point, Ephemural wanted to prevent Trace from killing Flora because their child was supposed to unite the races. Of course, my old brain, i.e. memory, could be playing tricks on me . . . again. Oh! BTW, I remember the Ephemural possessed Flora and caused her to become a dangerous entity causing destruction but Trace managed to save her which would be in keeping with Ephemural's plans.
Glenn Sellers
2025-01-18 12:14:09 +0000 UTCWhat is behind Ephemural Flora?
Kurtis Ryan
2025-01-18 12:13:18 +0000 UTCYou could be right. After all, dragons are regularly described as being old ones in stories. That would imply they are older than anything on Earth and possibly watched its creation.
Glenn Sellers
2025-01-18 12:09:56 +0000 UTCPlus, the description for Mercurial's mask is an almost perfect description of man. We are constantly changing, things we believe, things we want to accomplish, the environment where we can, etc.
Glenn Sellers
2025-01-18 12:08:34 +0000 UTC"The masks have agreed not to interfere with the world directly in any substantial way and not use their powers on any race other than their own (rules they bend all the time, of course)." Ah, they wouldn't be gods if they didn't bend the rules for their benefit.
Glenn Sellers
2025-01-18 11:57:39 +0000 UTCThank you both for your kind words! Nice to see
Cult of Dust
2025-01-18 11:47:54 +0000 UTC"And who's that in the corner?" - point to very out of place pizza delivery guy "We don't know, he was already here when we moved in." -Masks
LaughMaker
2025-01-18 11:35:17 +0000 UTCSo cool and ominous! :)
RemyHindle
2025-01-18 11:31:57 +0000 UTCPerfect. Thank you. Needed that. p.s. fourth mask was mentioned in dragons reference sheet.
Drazgon
2025-01-18 11:23:55 +0000 UTCTo me it is a radiant energy entity wearing a hooded cloak (which is clipped off by the top of the image)
Ard Rí Sídhhe Dragon
2025-01-18 10:24:16 +0000 UTCIt's an entity wearing a hooded cloak, the top of the hood clipped off, it's face obscured by a radiant energy...
Ard Rí Sídhhe Dragon
2025-01-18 10:21:04 +0000 UTCThat's not a dragon, that is a hooded cloak wearing entity obscured in radiant energy
Ard Rí Sídhhe Dragon
2025-01-18 10:19:59 +0000 UTCI remember an old version of the lore where both Keidran and Humans believed that the "good" mask created them, and the "evil" mask created the other race, and that everyone agreed that Neutral created the Basitin. But, the Basitin believed that the "evil" mask created BOTH Humans AND Keidran, and that "good" had the sense to stay out of it. I kind of liked that version, and I assumed that the Basitin were probably right. I'm a little sad that Ephemural is no longer the creator of the Basitin, but I also get that that was probably a side post from 15+ years ago, and thoughts can change.
Ilari Bystrouska
2025-01-18 09:43:48 +0000 UTCMy guess matches an earlier one from another comment: Tribunal
jeffh4
2025-01-18 09:39:30 +0000 UTCI do not think so as they seem to have a free will. Also as with Rains mother the masks only can take over a body willingly.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 08:59:18 +0000 UTCNeutral is another name for Ephemural, being her moral alignment.
AetherSprite224
2025-01-18 08:52:33 +0000 UTCLOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEEE!
Ezekiel S. Miles
2025-01-18 08:39:11 +0000 UTCWho's this Neutral mentioned in the description then, since it's not the name of one of the masks? 🤔
J. N. Squire
2025-01-18 08:22:06 +0000 UTCdude seriously once the comic is done you need to make it into a series
Brady Radtke
2025-01-18 07:34:28 +0000 UTCso..is that her future children curse?
Ridzwan Tenno
2025-01-18 07:15:28 +0000 UTCI love this. Especially the hinted existence at a 4th, higher mask which is part of my headcanon on the subject
Elvenhunter84
2025-01-18 07:07:02 +0000 UTCThat is Monopoly, but on a very special board thought.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 07:03:32 +0000 UTCAnd they created their races in their image … hopefully we will see.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 06:58:26 +0000 UTCFlora: S-ssss-smokin'!
SCD
2025-01-18 06:46:40 +0000 UTCGODLY!!!
Jonathan
2025-01-18 06:45:15 +0000 UTCCOLOR. THIS. NOW!
Wild Space Saga
2025-01-18 06:40:08 +0000 UTCMightier or maybe more mature... don't forget, dragons become more power with age...
wjd1206
2025-01-18 05:59:25 +0000 UTCAnd the dragons don’t care that much about the masks. Especially Nora.
Thisguy
2025-01-18 05:56:26 +0000 UTCDon't ignore the blurry fourth figure! Seems to havea vaguely draconic shape to my eye...
wjd1206
2025-01-18 05:53:24 +0000 UTCYou know, if it's chaos Mercurial wants, he should invite the others for a game of Monopoly.
Anonymous1988
2025-01-18 05:50:11 +0000 UTCYea, I am wondering about that as well...
okami-zero
2025-01-18 05:49:51 +0000 UTC🤔🤔🤔🤔 and as Joshu said, feel better and get well!
wjd1206
2025-01-18 05:45:39 +0000 UTCI have wondered about the parallel development of multiple 'humanoid' species concurrently. Nicely done!
wjd1206
2025-01-18 05:43:26 +0000 UTC🤔🤔 Seems to havea vaguely dragon shape... I seem to remember something about dragons not bothering with or listening to the masks...
wjd1206
2025-01-18 05:40:19 +0000 UTCThe masks don't rely on worship to exist. However, Order has not been seen in the physical world for a long time, so many do think he might be dead, or he simply is not willing to play Chaos' game.
Thomas Fischbach
2025-01-18 05:40:06 +0000 UTCAnd that Dragon in the background?
Mutterwolf
2025-01-18 05:39:05 +0000 UTCThat's one way to explain why it's spelled that way haha
Customaera
2025-01-18 05:30:04 +0000 UTCOh man, us lore lovers are feasting well tonight!
AstroChaos
2025-01-18 05:21:58 +0000 UTCSo, who's that in the back there...
Notimeformeta
2025-01-18 05:19:00 +0000 UTCGet better soon!
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 05:16:25 +0000 UTCHuman theologist probably really whitewashed his image. Focusing on the "improvement" and bringing "Progress" part of his being while downplaying the more unsavory aspects of him at least publicly. Perhaps their were cults that embraced the more chaotic aspects but were hunted down by the Templars
Spillthefire6
2025-01-18 05:15:05 +0000 UTCI think the races know, as for example Rose mentions them as the three gods. And Mercurial being the God of man fits very, very well. He seems to have his hands on not only in Mekkan …
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 05:11:47 +0000 UTCPer the Dragon lore sheet (check the Lore tag), the Masks did not make the dragons. It sounds like Nora basically formed from the ambient magic. Reni mentioned latter that all dragons can trace their heritage back to Nora.
Wilford B. Wolf
2025-01-18 05:11:47 +0000 UTCHmmm... I vaguely recall something in the strip suggesting that the Basitin god perished because Basitins worshiped the law and not their god. This seems to suggest that Eternal is no more. Is that true, am I mistaken or has the lore evolved?
Darwinskeeper
2025-01-18 05:10:35 +0000 UTCoh i like Terminal a LOT. i don’t think that’s what Tom wrote, it looks like there were more letters, but i absolutely HOPE it’s Terminal because that’s a badass and perfectly fitting name!
Skye
2025-01-18 05:08:53 +0000 UTCYes, I‘m also wondering who she or he is. Creator of the dragons - yes, that sounds reasonable. But also mightier than the three as it seems.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 05:07:07 +0000 UTCAs I get it, Trace was the champion of Mercurial, before Ephemural send him into amnesia in an intervention using the body of one of the master templars fearing he otherwise would have killed her champion Flora, who was ment to end the templar terror and kill Trace. We all know this went not well looking trough the eyes of the masks as their creations have their own minds and thus we have an exiting comic to read. 😎 I‘m wondering, when or if Eternal will choose to show. And also: who might be the sinister figure in the background? One of the old goods?
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 05:02:49 +0000 UTCThe obscured name in the back appears to end in -nal. Just before that looks to me like a u, or perhaps li, which would make it end with -unal or -linal. The first letter looks to me to be a Z or a T. Could it be Tribunal? Not sure if the missing letters would fit in the obscured area. But I'm horribly sick so my speculation will end here.
Cult of Dust
2025-01-18 04:59:49 +0000 UTCEphemural's mask is fragile, constantly cracked and occasionally breaking apart before reforming again. Eternal's mask is unbreakable. It refuses to change.
Thomas Fischbach
2025-01-18 04:56:33 +0000 UTCOr it could be one of the old gods, either being eclipsed or returning.
jeffh4
2025-01-18 04:51:33 +0000 UTCThe best kind too
▄︻デɖʝɮʍǟռ═══━一
2025-01-18 04:50:56 +0000 UTCSince they were not mentioned here, we have to assume the old gods that preceded these three.
jeffh4
2025-01-18 04:50:39 +0000 UTCMy guess is Mercurial pulled a prank of some sort to break away few groups, thinking it would be hilarious to have Basitin who were the opposite of their original purpose be about. Eternal was pissed but believed eventually the splinter groups could be re-absorbed into the fold.
Spillthefire6
2025-01-18 04:50:37 +0000 UTCTHE LORE!!!!
bowman502
2025-01-18 04:49:41 +0000 UTCI can tell the top mask ends in "inal" - maybe "Terminal" or "Zubliminal".
Brian McCloud
2025-01-18 04:46:44 +0000 UTCOh wow, lore! Very interesting.
Joshu Kel'Machan
2025-01-18 04:46:05 +0000 UTCit pretty clearly ends in -AL, but it’s anyone’s guess what the rest says.
Skye
2025-01-18 04:45:44 +0000 UTCHas it ever been mentioned if the gods are worshipped openly or if they are beyond the knowledge of the world? While Keidran and Basitins would probably approve of their respective deities, not sure if mankind would like that their progenitor is a sort of "chaos" god.
Spillthefire6
2025-01-18 04:45:39 +0000 UTCAlways love to hear more about The Masks and the greater story going on in the background.
Wesley Farber
2025-01-18 04:44:55 +0000 UTCAlways appreciate a lore Dump. For all of Toms excellent renditions of the female form or amazing backgrounds, Tom also does a great job drawing spectral, celestial environments to represent more complex things like hierarchies. I notice Ephemural didn't get a description for her mask, neither did Eternal but the gist of his mask seems apparent. Nice to get the origins of all the races. Also Based Mercurial, taking the initiative to create mankind.
Spillthefire6
2025-01-18 04:43:33 +0000 UTCScary question... who made the dragons?
JourneymanIK
2025-01-18 04:43:09 +0000 UTCAlso, how did the Western and Northern Basitin come about? The Westerners at least seem not to be bound by law and order, or is their definition different?
AetherSprite224
2025-01-18 04:42:57 +0000 UTCYes, they seem to be represented by Reni, too. So that seems a bit odd.
Vicroc4
2025-01-18 04:42:43 +0000 UTCMy somewhat-serious headcanon is that the figure behind is called "Eventual", because we've got to wait for more lore concerning it. ;)
AetherSprite224
2025-01-18 04:42:11 +0000 UTC4th Mask out there. It's name lost to time. I swear if it's Cthulu backwards.
Patrick Horton
2025-01-18 04:40:34 +0000 UTCWondering that too
Patrick Horton
2025-01-18 04:39:19 +0000 UTCNot a big surprise old Trace would a Chaos agent. But it was suggested that the Masks were also behind his change. I wonder who? This seems significant.
Wilford B. Wolf
2025-01-18 04:38:37 +0000 UTCI was thinking that too
ShineyStars
2025-01-18 04:37:00 +0000 UTCVery fascinating
ShineyStars
2025-01-18 04:35:59 +0000 UTCcan anyone tell what the top/back mask says? i’m guessing this is the creator of the dragons.
Skye
2025-01-18 04:35:14 +0000 UTCThis. This is awesome.
Ordithus
2025-01-18 04:34:12 +0000 UTCLORE 🗣️🗣️🔥🔥
1 week ago
2025-01-18 04:32:54 +0000 UTCWe haven't seen the masked gods in a good long while, and they look great! Nicely done Tom
wayne sampson
2025-01-18 04:32:13 +0000 UTC
