what's a cool reason to have a ruler or other person of power constantly wear a mask?
>>48005472
leprosy
pretending to be a different gendertranny leper
If they took off the mask, it would be extremely painful.
This
>>48005472
It looks cool.
>>48005472
They're secretly a luchador. Or a slasher. Or a slasher luchador.
>>48005472
The ruler used to be a comedian and play writer before the black death took all of his siblings and made him prince.
The absurdity of government and civil service makes the young man smile and laugh the entire time. After endless begging from his secretaries and heads of staff, he has agreed to wear a mask. It is made of special, giggle-absorbing material, and the magician who forged it has guaranteed (with his right hand) the mask will keep the prince looking serious and unapproachable in all weather conditions and times of day.
>>48005472
>The position or title they hold is passed down a line of worthy successors; the mask does not represent them as an individual, but as the symbol or ideal they embody,
or;
>The position they hold is one fraught with danger, earning the ire of many enemies. The mask they wear protects their identity, such that they may continue to lead a life of normalcy when they are not acting in their position of power,
or;
>They are a Char.
>>48005472
Ruler is immortal. The person wearing the mask of ruler just changes.
>>48005472
It's an extremelly ritualized society in wich the leader's actual identity doesn't matter, only their "role".
To become the leader you must prove you can identify so perfectly with the mask and what entails as to lose your identity.
>>48005472
Because if someone pulled it off, it would be extremely painful
>>48005638
>It's an extremelly ritualized society in wich the leader's actual identity doesn't matter, only their "plan".
For a twist on what other people have said - many people, one mask:
The ruler is just a single person. However, they frequently change masks to create the 'political fiction' that they are different people, rather than acknowledging that they have changed policies.
"A policy of nonaggression with the North? That was my predecessor, the Ice King. I am the Green Lord - you can tell by my mask - and I have always wished the North to be brought to heel."
>>48005472
The Mask is an ancient artefact worn by rulers of the kingdom from beginning of time an is impossible to forge. Whoever has The Mask is considered the king, his social status doesn't matter. Assassination of kings is perfectly normal, although the ruler can use all the kingdom's resources to protect themselves. The catch is they are expected to wear The Mask and act as a king only during public events and important meetings. Outside of them they can have normal lives without anyone knowing that they have The Mask an are the king. Therefore the conspirators are never certain who is the king at the moment and who to assassinate or steal The Mask from.
>>48005472
It is their face.
>>48005472
What's the source of the pic? I remember reading it before, but I forgot what it was called.
Nobody would care who they were otherwise.
They look really spooky under it.
>>48005485
/thread
>>48005663
>The ruler a single person with an extreme case of Dissociative Identity Disorder, who genuinely believes himself to be upwards of a dozen different people
>Anyone who has actually pointed this out has been subtly disposed of by the factions of the court who have noted that, while the man is crazier than a rabid hobo on cocaine, he is still exceptionally good at running a country
>Nonetheless, meetings of the Senate are a sight to behold
>>48005472
They're eccentric and believe that the mask stops the peasants from stealing their soul
>>48005676
Google search led me to a manga named el hazard
>>48005676
Might be http://kissmanga.com/Manga/Stravaganza-Isai-no-Hime
>>48005721
That's the one! Thank you!
>>48005472
Their head is actually a gourd. Their real head was stolen by a bat-monster, and to keep appearances they have concocted a story about an unfortunate accident in the royal garden. To this day they secretly hire adventurer parties and conscripted criminals to hunt down the bat-monster.
they're gay
Because multiple different people play the part of the great ruler where one person could not.
>>48005472
They're a shapeshifter that took the place of the real king, but now don't quite remember anymore what he looked like.
![that-feel-when-you-dont-know-what-to-feel_o_736303[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/YRGYoXN.jpg "that-feel-when-you-dont-know-what-to-feel_o_736303[1].jpg")
>>48005472
After the tragic death of his father, a young, kindhearted and sensitive young prince inherits the throne. This new king tries to rule kindly, to respect his subjects, to ensure everyone has enough food, to maintain friendly trade relations with his neighbors, to reduce crime and in all ways make his realm a better place to live for everyone. He eventually learns that it's not so easy. He learns severe crimes require severe punishment, that his neighbors will not give him peace purely because he asked nicely, that in times of famine certain regions and classes need to be prioritized in distribution of food while others have to stare purely for being of the wrong rank or in the wrong place. He realizes that being a ruler, by its very nature, demands a degree of cruelty and unfeeling.
Unable to fully accept this, the sensitive and kindhearted king starts wearing a mask. It's mostly a psychological aid: by wearing the mask, he becomes a different and faceless person that does not make decisions as a human being, but as a "force", unified with the entity of the kingdom itself. He does not do this out of cowardice or to rid himself of the responsibility of his actions, he does this to preserve the innocent man behind the mask.
>>48005787
Oh, I like this!
>>48005706
>it's actually many people in one body
>mask is to make it less upsetting when s/he speaks with multitude of voices
>king or queen starts wearing mask because reasons
>court follows suit
>now every position has a different mask
>wear a mask and suddenly you are minister of defence
>go out without mask and be part of the maskless servants
>>48005472
>what's a cool reason to
I smell bad GMing here..
The person isn't anyone important. The ruler is the intelligent magical mask.
>>48005472
They think the mask looks cool
![Louis_XIV_(Mignard)[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/iOYa6jC.jpg "Louis_XIV_(Mignard)[1].jpg")
>>48005900
>The king starts wearing a powdered wig because he's growing bald
>Court follows suit
>Now every position of power has a powdered wig
>Wear a wig and you're suddenly respectable
>Go out without a wig and you're a pleb
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction
>>48005910
joke's on you I'm not even GMing anything
>>48005620
This. A ruler is expected to discard their identity and sever all connections to their life before to dedicate themselves to the realm.
>>48005472
Religious reasons. Like with the Protectorate of Menoth in the Iron Kingdoms setting.
Because everyone wears masks!
I'm actually impressed no one has mentioned Orlais from Dragon Age.
It's a cultural thing, much like the right clothes sends a message, so does the right mask. As well as each face signifies a certain personality trait.
There's never going to be a good reason for a person in authority to wear a mask at all times, because it would be difficult to ascertain that person's identity, which is kind of important.
>>48005996
Probably because everyone dropped DA after the garbage that was DA2.
Also the society of people wearing masks was another thing Bioware ripped off from Star Control.
>>48005996
Because DAI was terrible and everyone quit before they got out of the first area.
same reason a queen might have face paint
so you can have a servant pretend to be you and prevent assassination
Reminds me about a thread years back about a village of people who all wore suits of armor all the time. It was cute, they all had different styles of armor for their jobs and so forth.
>>48005945
Pretty much this.
>>48005951
>>48005900
>>48005480
Lets combine these.
It's been tradition for centuries. The tradition was started by a much loved king after he contracted leprosy. Although he recovered from the leprosy it left him hideously disfigured.
So as not to disgust foreign dignitaries or his own people he started wearing an iron mask coated in a mixture of silver and gold without further ornamentation.
That particular king never produced an heir and was the end of the male line of that family as he had only sisters and they had only daughters. So he nominated his heir and a new tradition of royal succession was started.
Now all kings wear the Royal Mask rather than a crown.
Back in the old days they would heat the mask so as you would become as disfigured as the original wearer and symbolically burn away your old identity and allegiances to serve the kingdom as a whole rather than your old house or tribe. That tradition has fallen out of favour.
Impersonating the king or making replicas of the mask is the sort of offence that gets you branded and exiled if you are lucky.
In Forgotten Realms (yes yes I know) The 21 Lords who rule Waterdeep as a council are known as the Masked Lords. 20 go masked and their identities are unknown, attempting to reveal or discern their identities or to impersonate them by dress or claim is punishable by *immediate* execution.
The 21st lord is the 'Open Lord', his face and identity are known. He speaks for the Masked Lords publically, and there is only one at any time. They become the literal 'face' of the Masked Lords. The Open Lord throughout the 1300's (Dale Reckoning) was Piergeiron the Paladinson. Who was himself a Paladin. A Level 17 Paladin. His Bodyguard was Madeiron Sunderstone, a level 15 Paladin.
Basically what i'm saying is if you were Evil in Waterdeep you were pretty fucked. Probably why Skull Port existed.
>>48005472
>They have a disfiguring injury or illness
>It's a badge of office
>It's enchanted with heavy protective magic
>>48005472
its the kings brother. the original king had burn-marks in his face he got while slaying the dragon.
His followers were a bit confused about the sudden vanity of their king.
>>48005472
It carries the mind and soul of all those that have put on the mask before, they guide (or control) whoever has it now
>>48006341
Frankly I like this idea. Combines pragmatism with ritual. Because a continuity of succession was lacking by blood, the King was instead nominated by the King themselves and then ratified by a council of the nobility in secret. This practice continues, with many heirs not even knowing they ARE the heir or are being trained to be so until the king themself informs them, possibly not long before coronation depending when it's done. All that is publically known is that the new King is chosen from among the most worthy, and that *anyone* could potentially become the next king (of course no one really expects it could be a commoner or such nonsense, but folktales of such keep the peasantry happy)
This means 1. The Kings children will compete to be the best.
2. It de-incentives assassinating their siblings because they could ALREADY be the heir, or it might be someone not related to them. It could be their fucking page. They don't know, unless either the King or the ratifying nobles fuck it up by telling them.
3. It makes it impossible to curry favour with the heir apparent before they become king or otherwise try to manipulate them.
Of course potential for abuse or exploitation exists, especially by the king or the ratifying nobles who can fuck up the whole thing. But thats the stuff game plots are made of so 'scool.
>>48005472
the Mask IS the King. Its containing a spirit and chooses a new Host every 50 years. Sadly, the old hosts die , but for the people in the empire, it is an honor to sacrifice ones life for the ethereal King.
>>48006426
Of course the identity of the next king is revealed when they are crowned/masked, and supported by the ratifying nobles and the old king themselves if still alive. This system breaks down due to it's own inherent secrecy if one of the nobles involved is corrupt or gaming the system for their own benefit. I can also forsee ferocious back room politics as the king and nobles fight over who will become successor, and exchange favours for votes.
>>48006439
Elective monarchies were a thing in the past. For example Hungarian nobility chose their king when the old one passed.
>>48005485
You're a big guy
>>48005472
The mask whispers secrets to them.
>>48005472
Leprosy is a pretty good reason.
It just happens. Whenever the ruler does anything ruker-y, a mask coalesces on their face.
It's incredibly freaky and the entire court is spooked by it but nothing else seems to happen other than the ruler looks fancy.
The court mage and a couple high priests are flummoxed as to why it happens, though they will happily babble about magical jargon for half an hour that can be summarised with "pretty sure it's magical or some shit".
The Party, in addition to whatever else the ruler of a nation might have for them to do, mentions if they can solve the mystery of the mask with any knowledge they have found in their travels, they'd be most grateful.
>>48006426
It works out quite well that the kings chosen heir has to have the iron mask burned onto his face, perhaps he wouldn't chose his own children just to spare them the pain?
>>48005691
ACK-ACK-ACK
>>48005472
The ruler is meant to be a figure and not a person, surrendering their identity to the role they must play. They wear a mask and are only referred to by their title.
There will be no glory, no recognition, no one will ever thank them for what they have done, theirs is a silent anonymous task which must be done for its own sake, and not for their own.
It also allows the ruler to remove the mask and dress in common clothing to go among their people without being recognized.
Gonna steal some elder scrolls lore here.
>Masque of Clavicus Vile
>The best known story of the Masque tells the tale of Avalea, a noblewoman of some renown. As a young girl, she was grossly disfigured by a spiteful servant. Avalea made a dark deal with Clavicus Vile and received the Masque in return. Though the Masque did not change her looks, suddenly she had the respect and admiration of everyone. A year and a day after her marriage to a well connected baron, Clavicus Vile reclaimed the Masque. Although pregnant with his child, Avalea was banished from the Baron's household. Twenty one years and one day later, Avalea's daughter claimed her vengeance by slaying the Baron.
>>48005497
Man thats some bad acne
>>48009819
It's syphilis, anon
>>48005472
The "Crown" comes with/is actually a mask.
Assassination attempts from other nobles.
Magic curse/some power from the mask
They're headless.
The king is a fiction of political convenience for dealing with foreign nations and certain domestic political elements. The king is in fact an illuminati-esque organization of elites who manipulate the country through political and economic means. The mask passes between the members most suited for dealing with any given individual - any given visitor to court will probably have been dealt with by a member in a non-king context, so a specific member will usually have greater insight into the person. That person will use his experience to gain an edge in negotiations.
>>48005972
Felt nothing for her death
>>48005472
When one enters into power, one must sometimes make choices that offend the gods for the good of the nation. The ruler hides their true face so that the gods may not judge them for their stewardship.
>>48006435
I did something similar in my setting, where the Royal Crown is the spirit of the first king, who has godlike power but was bound to the crown itself, and it possesses whoever is the rightful heir and takes control of them.
the "rightful heir" tends to be the person who is easiest to control and mold.
A warring ruler
His armor is his royal garb
His helm is his crown
A blood soaked blade is his scepter
A warhorse is his throne
The battlefield is his kingdom
>>48005472
Vampirism
Also wear full-body clothing in general
>>48005472
Operatic singing
>>48005472
No reason.
It ALWAYS comes off as edgy bullshit
>>48005472
One of the setting's major villains is their identical twin.
>>48005472
There's a couple variations on a prince-and-the-pauper type thing
>The ruler hates ruling and decides to leave the job to a talented commoner. Unlike the Prince and the Pauper, they don't look anything alike, but their voices sound similar, so the commoner wears a mask under the pretense of it being one of the ruler's eccentricities.
>The ruler is actually softhearted and sensitive, and uses the mask to maintain the facade of a stern, stoic ruler. At night they go out without the mask to socialize with the populace incognito.
>>48005945
Same with Caesar's olive wreath
It's stuck to their face.
>>48010285
Yeah Facade 2 was probably the weakest part of the game for me.
>>48005472
religious tradition
>>48005472
cancer
>>48006439
>>48006426
The one problem with systems like this is that it makes it very easy to usurp the throne. When you teach people to respect the throne and not the ruler then stabbing the dude on the throne and sitting there yourself suddenly looks legitimate.
This is why hereditary systems are so durable. Even if you kill the king people don't recognize your legitimacy because the rules of who gets to be king next are rigidly defined and not governed simply by who is wearing the crown (or mask).
>>48005472
So the court can't read her reactions to their words so easily, making her seem more powerful.
In Thorgal the alien aryan overlord that is also thorgals dad had to wear a helmet to enhance his psychic powers so that he could rule as a god over the lesser races in south america and build a spaceship.
>>48013063
Source of the pic?
>>48009861
I think it's just good makeup.
The mask represents their official face, so to speak. When the ruler wears the mask, they speak as nothing but a ruler, when the mask is off, they are a person again.
So, for example, the ruler could show up at a party, and if he's unmasked, that's a sign to everyone that he's not here officially. While they still need to pay him respect, all the more traditional social rules don't need to be followed, no excessive bowing, no constant use of his title, things like that.
The ruler, on the same note, wouldn't be forced into acting as a ruler for the duration. While he still needs to keep a regal bearing, he wouldn't be forced to act on every little thing that requires his attention or demands his time. It would, for example, be considered a serious social faux pas to approach him about serious business while his mask is off.
This allows the ruler some more leeway in how he acts in a lot of situations while still keeping his power. The reality wouldn't be quite so easy, politics being politics, but there would be a clear shifting of gears between "Need to act incredibly officially" and "Can actually be a little laid back".
>>48005660
>>48005472
Its enchanted, probably to cover up any low stats the ruler has.
Enchanting their whole wardrobe would cost too much and enchanted jewelry is soooo cliche, totally beneath the consideration of a modern monarch. A good ruler needs to be at the height of fashion as well as civilization, so they need something that will make them stand out. Something like a sexy and mysterious magic mask!
>>48005472
The king is long dead and the royal servants couldn't tell that to anyone.
So he is now a walking armor with his soul bound to it.His final quest is finding his replacement and avenging him by killing the royal cleric/necromancer.
>>48005472
So they can walk around like a normal person if they want to.
Because the person in question thinks it looks cool.
It's disrespectful to look upon her face. So she wears a mask when others are around since nobody is worthy.
A group of evil cultists who rule the land all wear matching red masks to keep their identities secret, and to represent their group and make sure everyone knows one when they see it and fears them accordingly. A symbol of fear and oppression to most.
He's a lich and is vain, doesn't want anyone to see his vile face.
Everyone is a clone, they wear masks to give themselves a visual identity. The more ornate the mask the higher the social status of the wearer.
>>48005472
1. To hide an identity, perhaps they're wanted, perhaps they don't want to be held accountable for what they do with the mask on.
2. It commands more fear, respect, attention, and reputation. It makes you more significant in people's memories. It makes you less human, as if you were something higher than that.
Or you could be like Bane or Darth Vader, needing it to survive.
>>48005472
"The King is always worshiped as an eternal benefactor and ruler of the land."
The mask is to hide his aging facade and to pass it on to his heir who will continue on the king's "eternal" legacy.
Frankly, the people know the king gets old. But they also realize that the mask is just as synonymous to a crown now and that its more romanticized for them to imagine that behind the mask is always a young and just ruler instead of a shriveled old codger.
>>48005472
Tradition
The mask is a symbol of power
The mask is a religious symbol
The mask is a symbol of wealth
The ruler is deformed
The ruler is ugly
The ruler is shy
It's used to hide the expressions of the ruler in negotiations
>>48005485
For him.
>>48005619
This one is good. What's a Char though?
>>48005617
I had an idea kind of like this. A ruler wearing a mask and the government itself being joke-themed.
>>48005472
I am going to try very hard here to deftly circumvent all the memes implied by OPs post and come up with an original answer.
Traditionally, masked heroes/villains have a mask because they need to hide their true identity.
However, suppose there was nothing underneath the mask? Maybe just a void, maybe something supernaturally ordinary. Suppose the mask is the identity.
>The current Queen is believed to be the current incarnation of the ancient goddess who created the world
>The mask is worn as looking upon the Goddess is deemed sacrilege and punished with death
>Due to their position, the current queen only speaks to her highest minister.
>This prohibits any chance of marriage, with chosen men deemed to be divine enough used to carry her blood down
>>48005472
To express their feelings of constant shame and despair.
Masks as a source of power always seemed like a neat concept.
>>48016641
Love me some Master of Masks as a fluff concept, too bad the PrC was a one level dip and nothing else.
>>48016641
Of course, you can always have too many of them.
>>48005485
Here's your fourth (You).
>>48016641
It is, isn't it?
>>48013873
google it, its in the filename.
are you that retarded?
>>48005647
You're a big guy.
>>48005472
The ruler uses the mask (one of a set of six) to convey their general emotions to whom they are talking to. The six masks are set around their head an rotate into position as needed.
>>48017168
>The rotation mechanism breaks, the masks start spinning wildly
>>48017395
The new ruler is manic depressive
>>48005472
Could be part of their culture. The rulers wear a mask of the first god-king to signify that they are acting in his stead.
What if all the Masks where extensions of a single being?
Slasher Tranny Luchador with leprosy
>>48005472
Being a skeleton.
>>48017575
I like this!
>Am I really a powerful ruler, or are the people just weak? Weak like me?
>Nothing comes close to challenging me, and I live in constant fear of the day that something does
>>48006212
Don't be contrarian Anon and stop using hyperbole. It makes you look like a retard.
>>48005472
The mask is the ruler, the person is just a vessel who agrees to carry it around and let it control them for a while.
>>48005472
It's too useful to let out of his sight.
>>48005472
When you're someone important but presumed dead, a mask can help hide your true identity from your enemies, even those on your own side.
>>48005472
He's not wearing the mask.
The mask is wearing him.
>>48005540
Actually, I want to take this and expand on it.
The mask IS cool. The first wearer of the mask wore it because it looks cool, and proceeded to perform mighty deeds while wearing the mask. This first wearer gained a reputation, a legend, and eventually a Kingdom to rule. This mighty ruler, the Masked Monarch, would eventually pass it on down their line. The mask is nothing special on its own; it's well-made, sure, but not enchanted, not magical in any way. It is but a mask. But it is a COOL mask, a cool mask with a legacy behind it. Weight behind it. Each in the Masked Monarch's line cannot merely be granted it, it is something they EARN.
In order to wear the mask, they must become as cool as the mask is. To show themselves to be one worthy of leading the people by deed, not just birth. And, if one claims to be more worthy of the mask than them, to have the skills needed to defend their legitimate claim to it.
>>48005718
It's not El-Hazard. I was in love with El-Hazard, and that had a very different art style.
>>48005472
It's not a mask
>>48011730
>anon has something against edgy bullshit
>>48018600
best answer desu
>>48018600
>I couldn't put on the mask until everybody cared who I was.
Knights of Sidonia
The Captain was immortal and wore mask as part of captain uniform. Over her 600 years they would announce a new captain periodically and it would be the same old captain. Off duty she takes off her mask and pretends to be other people. Inn Keeper, Nurse etc for her reasons (recreation, mobility, intelligence gathering, )
So you're always prepared for an assassination attempt.
>>48018950
>it doesn't matter what my plan is... what matters is who I am.
>>48016717
thank (You)
>>48013620
But so long as the realm remains stable and the legitimacy of the crown/mask remains then all is well.
>>48005472
secret society
>>48005472
All of the major figures in a particular church wear what are essentially iron blindfolds, as they've given their eyes to their god. Some of them style these into masks.
>>48005472
The enchanted mask is incredibly terrifying, and they live in a hot desert.It's chilling.
>>48021755
You can do better than that, Carlos.
>>48018697
NO MASK? NO MASK!
>>48005839
Why are her eyes not level? Shit is distracting.
>>48021800
You don't have to give me the cold shoulder!
>>48005485
For thou!
Deeply disappointed nobody has mentioned this yet
>>48023947
Sorry bro but Son of the Mask was probably the worst film I have ever seen.
And I include Twilight in that.
The ruler apparent has a mental disability and always has a shit eating grin on, the mask is more of a courtesy to visiting nobles so they dont get uncomfortable or mistakenly take his smile as more than an effect of his mental status.
Pic related, the special kings smile would look like this.
>>48005472
Dread King Roberts.
>>48024311
Why wouldn't you want a king that constantly has a smile of insufferable smugness on his face that he can't remove no matter what? Imagine how uncomforting it must be to the enemy.
>A diplomat declares war on him
>The king silently stares at him with a smug grin
>The king's army arrives in the field
>The king looks down on his enemies with a smug smile
>The enemy cavalry pierces the king's flank
>The king looks over, a smug smile plastered on his face
>The king is captured
>Smug smile
>The enemy king approaches to discuss peace terms
>Still an unwavering, smug smile
His enemies would always assume the worst, always assume that he's so confident because he has one last trick up his sleeve. No matter how disastrous the war goes, the peace will always be favorable.
>>48024311
>>48026301
>The ruler is Faggot Dog
>>48026301
Ya I was thinking along those lines as well
