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The Masked Gods

🕑 Added 2025-01-18 04:30:14 +0000 UTC

Comments

Joe

Absolutely losing consciousness over this

Mr great ape

I liked the masked trace he looks cool

Eclipse(Adrakist)

OMG YES

Waterpicker

My 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.

Joshu Kel'Machan

Also nice to see a detail on page 1242 of the comic: sleeping Nora seems to have grown some crystals around her.

Joshu Kel'Machan

Maybe 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

When beeing in Mekkan, do as the Romans do… 😎

wjd1206

We 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

Kai Sörensen

Nobody notice what seems to be magic itself being an entity ?!

Icebird J

Where do thomas get these names for the mask?

Facelessbuster

Yes! LORE! YESSSS!!!!

Joshu Kel'Machan

Mh, 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.

Crimson Dragon

Looks like we know what the next color vote will be.

AstroChaos

Yes, was time well spent

Icebird J

Finally, we got their names

DarthKeidran

I know, right. This is far more than I expected.

DarthKeidran

That’s hilarious. I approve this comment.

DarthKeidran

I think that’s meant to be a 4th figure.

DarthKeidran

I 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

I’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

Thank you Tom! This looks phenomenal!

Tyler Dollarhide

In 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

Huge lore dump! I've been waiting for this!

wjd1206

I think so too. The reference sheet says: "though to have been destroyed by the other three" 🤔🤔🤔

Joshu Kel'Machan

After 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.

Literally J

Draconic or not, it's certainly related to dragons, if you remember what was said in the dragon lore sheet.

Literally J

I thought it was that the destruction of the mask created the dragons?

Literally J

Probably the mask mentioned in the dragon lore sheet!

wjd1206

Just 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

Really?! 🫨🫨

Xavier

Would 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?

wjd1206

Not 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.

Jadon Ayala

If only the actual comic showed this…

Joshu Kel'Machan

Flora was chosen by her, but then things went a little bit out of the way … fits for me nonetheless.

SpyreSOBlazx

LORE! 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...

Life

It looks like EPHEMURAL was also supposed to be up there with the other 2 names before being moved down to Flora's shirt

NightMedic

Honestly reminds me a lot as to how Skyrim was basically formed through their gods that inhabit the lands. This is very intriguing knowledge, Tom.

Tio Darth

Is there something written on the pillar in the background of the image or is it just my impression?

Netari Icefyng

Rumor is the dragons destroyed the mask that created them.

Netari Icefyng

Ironic Flora is chosen to represent Ephemural considering what happend in cannon.

Glenn Sellers

I'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.

Kurtis Ryan

What is behind Ephemural Flora?

Glenn Sellers

You 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

Plus, 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

"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.

Cult of Dust

Thank you both for your kind words! Nice to see

LaughMaker

"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

RemyHindle

So cool and ominous! :)

Drazgon

Perfect. Thank you. Needed that. p.s. fourth mask was mentioned in dragons reference sheet.

Ard Rí Sídhhe Dragon

To 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

It'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

That's not a dragon, that is a hooded cloak wearing entity obscured in radiant energy

Ilari Bystrouska

I 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.

jeffh4

My guess matches an earlier one from another comment: Tribunal

Joshu Kel'Machan

I 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.

AetherSprite224

Neutral is another name for Ephemural, being her moral alignment.

Ezekiel S. Miles

LOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEEE!

J. N. Squire

Who's this Neutral mentioned in the description then, since it's not the name of one of the masks? 🤔

Brady Radtke

dude seriously once the comic is done you need to make it into a series

Ridzwan Tenno

so..is that her future children curse?

Elvenhunter84

I love this. Especially the hinted existence at a 4th, higher mask which is part of my headcanon on the subject

Joshu Kel'Machan

That is Monopoly, but on a very special board thought.

Joshu Kel'Machan

And they created their races in their image … hopefully we will see.

SCD

Flora: S-ssss-smokin'!

Jonathan

GODLY!!!

Wild Space Saga

COLOR. THIS. NOW!

wjd1206

Mightier or maybe more mature... don't forget, dragons become more power with age...

Thisguy

And the dragons don’t care that much about the masks. Especially Nora.

wjd1206

Don't ignore the blurry fourth figure! Seems to havea vaguely draconic shape to my eye...

Anonymous1988

You know, if it's chaos Mercurial wants, he should invite the others for a game of Monopoly.

okami-zero

Yea, I am wondering about that as well...

wjd1206

🤔🤔🤔🤔 and as Joshu said, feel better and get well!

wjd1206

I have wondered about the parallel development of multiple 'humanoid' species concurrently. Nicely done!

wjd1206

🤔🤔 Seems to havea vaguely dragon shape... I seem to remember something about dragons not bothering with or listening to the masks...

Thomas Fischbach

The 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.

Mutterwolf

And that Dragon in the background?

Customaera

That's one way to explain why it's spelled that way haha

AstroChaos

Oh man, us lore lovers are feasting well tonight!

Notimeformeta

So, who's that in the back there...

Joshu Kel'Machan

Get better soon!

Spillthefire6

Human 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

Joshu Kel'Machan

I 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 …

Wilford B. Wolf

Per 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.

Darwinskeeper

Hmmm... 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?

Skye

oh 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!

Joshu Kel'Machan

Yes, 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

As 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?

Cult of Dust

The 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.

Thomas Fischbach

Ephemural's mask is fragile, constantly cracked and occasionally breaking apart before reforming again. Eternal's mask is unbreakable. It refuses to change.

jeffh4

Or it could be one of the old gods, either being eclipsed or returning.

▄︻デɖʝɮʍǟռ═══━一

The best kind too

jeffh4

Since they were not mentioned here, we have to assume the old gods that preceded these three.

Spillthefire6

My 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.

bowman502

THE LORE!!!!

Brian McCloud

I can tell the top mask ends in "inal" - maybe "Terminal" or "Zubliminal".

Joshu Kel'Machan

Oh wow, lore! Very interesting.

Skye

it pretty clearly ends in -AL, but it’s anyone’s guess what the rest says.

Spillthefire6

Has 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.

Wesley Farber

Always love to hear more about The Masks and the greater story going on in the background.

Spillthefire6

Always 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.

JourneymanIK

Scary question... who made the dragons?

AetherSprite224

Also, 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?

Vicroc4

Yes, they seem to be represented by Reni, too. So that seems a bit odd.

AetherSprite224

My somewhat-serious headcanon is that the figure behind is called "Eventual", because we've got to wait for more lore concerning it. ;)

Patrick Horton

4th Mask out there. It's name lost to time. I swear if it's Cthulu backwards.

Patrick Horton

Wondering that too

Wilford B. Wolf

Not 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.