Difference between revisions of "The Myriad-Masked"
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=== Books === | === Books === | ||
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+ | '''The Treaty of Kerisham:''' A small sheaf of papers, ratifying a treaty made between the Suppression Bureau and the Masked Multitude. Quite old, and unlikely to be in power anymore. | ||
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+ | ''Before reading:'' The demands made on the Suppression Bureau by the Masked Multitude begin with unassuming non-interference policies and demands of secrecy, but later degenerate into nonsensical pleadings of almost ritual nature. Why does the Suppression Bureau need to abstain from looking into pools of water through a mirror, and would they really agree to deliver a shipment of cut amethysts to a safehouse in Helsinki the second new moon each year? | ||
+ | |||
+ | ''After reading:'' The demands made on the Multitude by the Suppression Bureau are much more unassuming, but also more interesting. The list of signees is both filled with pseudonyms and likely outdated, but there is a list of areas that the Multitude isn't allowed to touch, and secrets they aren't allowed to sell. Hopefully, that list continues to hold power | ||
+ | |||
+ | Yields: '''4 {{Aspect|Knock}}, A Favor from Authority''' | ||
'''29.2.1922:''' The pleadings of a disgraced Suppression Bureau official to the Hour called the Geode, as transcribed by one of its knowledge-keepers. | '''29.2.1922:''' The pleadings of a disgraced Suppression Bureau official to the Hour called the Geode, as transcribed by one of its knowledge-keepers. |
Revision as of 15:47, 31 January 2019
Contents
History
Appearance
The Myriad-Masked is secretive above all else, and communicates mostly through subtle whispers to members, who in turn relay its message onward when necessary. It has, however, been known to take on a variety of forms:
The Fissure: The most common manifestation of the Myriad-Masked, though even the Myriad-Masked themselves is unsure whether it truly is a manifestation of the Hour itself or merely something created by its power. The Fissure, true to its name, manifests as fissures filled with numerous, faintly glowing, and very sharp crystals. Also the perfect size to crawl into, an idea which may seem unappealing until you're stuck in a Suppression Bureau cell. Where they take you is the up to the Myriad-Masked, as is how much space exists within them. The masks that the members of the Myriad-Masked wear can each open up into The Fissure when the right words are spoken, allowing for quick escape. The Fissure is the thing responsible for the distinctive flowing parallel lines that scar many members of the Myriad-Masked.
The Fissure-Faced: A tall androgynous humanoid seemingly composed of stone, with a large fissure where its face should be filled with glowing crystals. Despite its rocky composition, it moves fluidly like a dancer, with unearthly grace and speed. The light from the crystals in its face are said to induce revelations. Rarely seen.
The Geode: Accounts of this manifestation are apocryphal, and describe a large and hollow geode with one or several holes, often floating in mid-air. Most accounts describe it as existing either within a large chamber within the Fissure, or within the Mansus. All accounts share a common thread among them: An individual climbing into the geode through one of the holes, where they are pierced by sharp crystals and almost bleed out, but simultaneously gain great revelations.
The Fountain: Accounts of this manifestation are all both apocryphal and very old, describing a glittering pool with similar functions to the Fissure, but as a water-filled series of caves. The oldest accounts describe submerged caves with smooth walls and occasional air pockets. Newer accounts describe the crystalline walls characteristic of the Fissure, with the youngest seeing the Pool as a connection to a submerged part of the Fissure
Principles
Worship
Cults
Mark
- Temptation: Freedom:
- Dedication: Freedom:
- Ascension: Freedom:
- Ascension: Freedom:
- Ascension: Freedom:
- Ascension: Freedom:
Servants
Unlike the servants of most Hours, a majority of the Myriad-Masked aren't summoned, instead voluntarily offering their services to those walking the Streets Strange by Moonlight. For a price, of course. Ordinary money won't do, but Spintria are perfectly fine, as are artifacts, books (except language books), ingredients, and Secret Histories lore. The higher in aspects the item, the longer the Myriad-Masked will stay with you. Myriad-Masked carry the object given to them throughout the time they spend under you, thus giving them access to a little of its aspect.
An Opener: 5 3 Openers are the most common specialization among the Myriad-Masked, providing reconnaissance, security, and if the Myriad-Masked calls for it, violence.
A Keeper: 5 3 Keepers are the rarest specialization among the Myriad-Masked, acting as oracles and knowledge-brokers.
A Closer: 5 3 Closers are responsible for keeping the Myriad-Masked secret, hiding evidence, tampering with records, and coming up with cover stories
The Chirurgeon: 12 12 Summoning requires 10 8 2 After summoning them, they require payment just as the other Myriad-Masked. One of the few Names of the Myriad-Masked who have been allowed to keep an identity. Talking to them allows you to put in a wounded follower, which heals them for free and instead of giving them a scar, gives them a small scar which gives them only one of the scar's aspect instead of two, but only counts as half a scar towards killing the follower.
Locations
The Fansus
The Histories
Items
Tools
Ingredients
Influences
Books
The Treaty of Kerisham: A small sheaf of papers, ratifying a treaty made between the Suppression Bureau and the Masked Multitude. Quite old, and unlikely to be in power anymore.
Before reading: The demands made on the Suppression Bureau by the Masked Multitude begin with unassuming non-interference policies and demands of secrecy, but later degenerate into nonsensical pleadings of almost ritual nature. Why does the Suppression Bureau need to abstain from looking into pools of water through a mirror, and would they really agree to deliver a shipment of cut amethysts to a safehouse in Helsinki the second new moon each year?
After reading: The demands made on the Multitude by the Suppression Bureau are much more unassuming, but also more interesting. The list of signees is both filled with pseudonyms and likely outdated, but there is a list of areas that the Multitude isn't allowed to touch, and secrets they aren't allowed to sell. Hopefully, that list continues to hold power
Yields: 4 , A Favor from Authority
29.2.1922: The pleadings of a disgraced Suppression Bureau official to the Hour called the Geode, as transcribed by one of its knowledge-keepers.
Before reading: The official pleads to the Geode and promises to reveal the innermost secrets of the Suppression Bureau if the Hour lets him out of the cell where he is being held. After he recites a mystery of Knock from memory, a glowing fissure opens in the cell and the official enters.
After reading: The official crawls blindly through narrow tunnels filled with sharp crystals, revealing secret after secret. As the crystals tear marks into his skin, he curses the Geode and speaks of a "secret of secrets" that he refuses to reveal. Shortly thereafter, he finds himself back in his cell, still covered with wounds.
Yields: 6 , Dread, A Favor from Authority
A Manual for the Assembly and Disassembly of the Body: In Latin. The physician Henrik Lejonberg writes of a secret method for taking apart and reassembling the human body without the use of tools, learned by observing his enigmatic mentor.
Before reading: Lejonberg writes of the method's uses in removing plague-nodes and parasites from the body, occasionally including various aphorisms his mentor uttered during surgery.
After reading: Towards the end of the book, Lejonberg recounts a heavily wounded patient in a mask resembling a cracked geode asking for his mentor, who is nowhere to be found. Lejonberg attempts to utilize his mentor's techniques to mend the patient's wounds, but fails. The book ends with a transcript of the patient's last words, in which they beckon the mentor to return to the service of the hour called the Myriad-Masked.