The Masks of Yutonnel

Those who walk about in Yutonnel are expected to wear a mask or, in very rare cases, makeup so thick it resembles a mask. Not wearing a mask results in the person not being allowed access to services, buildings, or even conversation from the general public. They are not exempt from the law, and in many cases will receive harsher sentences and punishments for crimes committed, not to mention being quite easy to spot as a viewed trouble maker.
Masks generally help identify the person at a cursory glance and can be modified or added onto when events in a person's life changes. For example, becoming a chef in Yutonnel may also come with a small logo of the company painted onto the cheek of the mask, or the mask shaped to be more rotund and portly. The grandest of all masks belong to the ruler of Yutonnel with bright colors and intricate shapes, while the most simple, commoner mask is akin to a shallow, porcelain bowl with eye holes cut out.
It is considered a crime to purposefully craft a mask even more grand than the leader's, often cited as "political undermining and an attempt to confuse and mislead the general public".
Fortunately at checkpoints leading into the city, opportunistic vendors will sell masks. A standard, entry mask is often sold between 2-5 gold.

History

The tradition of mask wearing began even when Yutonnel was known as Allsdale (See The Curse of Yutonnel), as many of the shows incorporated masks into their storytelling, so much so that reoccurring characters were recognized less by the actors portraying them and more by the masks worn during said portrayal.
These characters would grow a following of fans, tittering at the prospect of seeing 'Mohad the Dune Rider' on his next adventure or 'Lady Greyscella' in her next knife throwing show, and so the loyal followers would craft their own fan made masks as a sign of solidarity with the actors and to feel even more a part of the show, even just as spectators.
Eventually fans would purposefully ignore the, now minority, group of people who didn't wear masks and attended the shows to the point to where if you wanted the 'True Theater Experience' it was mandatory to purchase or craft your own.
When Yutonnel was given rise the second ruler created a law that put into motion that all people in the city limits of Yutonnel must wear a mask at all times (Unless they were the city's silent guard) with exceptions being during bathing, sleep, and otherwise private (and out of the public's eye) affairs.

Execution

Typically when someone does not wear a mask they will not be allowed within the city stores will refuse service, larger entertainment venues such as the theater, arena, and casino will be entirely shut off, and even common folk will not acknowledge the maskless person's presence, leading to a sort of excommunication.
Since a mask determines social standing, having a more elaborate and aesthetically pleasing mask may lead to more agreeable social encounters and having defining features of a mask may shape how people view the person (For example, having the mark of the warrior on the mask for winning in the arena may have people asking for combat advice or for an autograph. Having signifiers that one is a cook may lead to people trusting that dishes made by the wearer are particularly delicious.)
Upkeep of the mask is also important, as a cracked or dirty mask often interpreted that the person beneath is slovenly or unkempt and generally a shady sort not worth conversing with. Rebellious youths and misguided teens may damage their masks as a sign of rebellion.
While it is possible for someone to trick and deceive by crafting a mask fit for a specific role or stealing a mask, there are other ways to identify the person underneath it (Tone of voice, posture, body shape, etcetera), and the person attempting the deception can be accused of falsehood.
In true Yutonnel fashion, this is handled through a dramatic reveal. If the person is found guilty of deception the mask, if stolen, will be returned to the rightful owner, and if falsely crafted, destroyed on the spot. The person will serve imprisonment time based on the intensity of the impersonation (Impersonating the ruler will impose a heavier sentence than impersonating a common chef, for example), and any future masks worn by that person will receive a dishonorable mark, generally in the form of a snake near the jawline, signifying them as a ne'er-do-well.
If the person is found innocent, the accuser must then kneel and proclaim a thought out (Usually two to five sentence long) apology. The accused then has the option to forgive them or can give a single nonlethal slap to the cheek. If someone makes multiple accusations that are proven false, their mask will receive a mark (TBD) to signify their propensity to falsely flag people.

Components and tools

Masks come a wide variety of materials, as low as animal hides dried and hardened to as regal as pure ivory, and are often decorated with a myriad of accouterments. Feathers, gems, beads, paints, metal hooks, and many other additions can help shape and determine the value of the mask.
The goal, however, is to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible, so simply sticking on patchwork globs of fur, or mixing clashing or otherwise uninteresting colors will often garner negative attention.

Primary Related Location

Yutonnel

An example of a Yutonnel mask owned by a musician or composer.

A mask crafted by a Sasoyan Elf for trips to Yutonnel.