Mask
Mask is the Faerûnian deity of intrigue, thieves, and shadows. Owing to his portfolio, his usual worshippers are thieves, spies, diplomats, courtiers, and anyone else that relies on stealth or intrigue. Those who fear the ire of Mask wear disposable purses as offerings to pickpockets, sacrificing a small amount of wealth to avoid a greater loss.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Perhaps fitting to his portfolio, the history of Mask is shrouded in secrecy and lies. It is believed that Shar either created him or otherwise acts as some mother figure, but the specifics of this are unknown. The first major event Mask is known to have taken part in is the Time of Troubles in 1358 DR, where his avatar took the form of the blade Godsbane. This sword had passed through a series of wielders, driving them mad before being murdered in turn by a new wielder. During the Time of Troubles, Godsbane was wielded by the adventurer Cyric, who first used it to slay the now-mortal Bhaal at Boareskyr Bridge. During the final battle in Waterdeep, Cyric again used it to slay his companion Kelemvor.
Several months after the Godswar concluded, Mask and the newly-ascended Cyric conspired together to slay the goddess of deception, Leira. They were seemingly successful, and Cyric was able to obtain her portfolio of deception and illusion. Mask and Cyric hid this murder from the rest of the pantheon, for a time. However, when Cyric took the portfolio of death from Myrkul, he had not found the soul of his former companion Kelemvor. This was because Mask had stolen the soul, keeping it safe within Godsbane. During this time, Cyric also commissioned a book called the Cyrinishad, which would magically convert any who read or heard it read aloud into a devout follower of Cyric.
Again unbeknownst to Cyric, Mask secretly worked with Oghma and the scribe of the Cyrinishad to pen a second book, called The True Life of Cyric. This book would have the opposite effect to the Cyrinishad, proving the treachery of Cyric to any who heard it. At this time, Cyric was focused entirely on his search for Kelemvor and affairs in the Material Plane, ignoring his duties as the god of death. Cyric eventually discovered the treachery of the Cyrinishad's scribe, ordering one of his minions to slay her. However, it was in reality Mask in the form of that minion, and was able to fake the scribe's death. However, during this, Mask was forced to read the Cyrinishad. It had the same effect as on a mortal, forcing him to transfer his domain of intrigue to Cyric and making him view Cyric as the one true deity. However, this did not stop Mask from scheming to recover his power.
However, Mask, using the soul of Kelemvor and the evidence of Cyric's misuse of magic, was able to convince the newly-ascended Mystra to cooperate against Cyric. The two of them were able to foment unrest within the neglected City of Strife, the destination of souls after death. This, coupled with the reading of The True Life of Cyric within the city, sent it into open revolt against Cyric. Upon discovering Mask's treachery, Cyric broke the Godsbane in two, which greatly weakened Mask. This had the side effect of releasing the soul of Kelemvor, who led the revolt against Cyric and deposed him. He was then made the new god of the dead, taking a part of the greatly weakened Cyric's portfolio.
At some point after the Time of Troubles, Mask released Kezef the Chaos Hound from his imprisonment by the gods. This was in order to kill Cyric, but Kezef instead attacked Mask. Mask was viciously attacked and hunted across the planes, eventually receiving the weapon Houndsbane from Mystra to defend himself with. Eventually, Mask was able to contain Kezef once more.
Mask's next scheme against Cyric was in 1371 DR. At some point since his deposal as god of the dead, he had made the mistake of reading the Cyrinishad himself, causing him to believe he was the only true god of Realmspace, even more powerful than Ao the Overgod. He had withdrawn to his own plane, completely abandoning his duties as god of strife. The other deities noticed a lack of conflict across Faerûn, and Mask was able to convince Tempus, god of war, to formally accuse Cyric of neglecting his faithful. Through various manipulations, Cyric attempted to have Mystra revoke access to magic to Cyric's followers, weakening him enough to steal back his portfolios. This, however, was unsuccessful, and Mask was left in a further weakened state.
Some time between 1371 and 1385 DR, Mask would be forced to grant his divinity to Shar to repay an ancient debt of some sort. This caused his ceasing to be. Like Bhaal before him, however, Mask was able to secret some of his divinity away in several mortals across Faerûn and beyond. The exact details of what happened are unknown, Mask returned as a deity in 1484 DR.
Several months after the Godswar concluded, Mask and the newly-ascended Cyric conspired together to slay the goddess of deception, Leira. They were seemingly successful, and Cyric was able to obtain her portfolio of deception and illusion. Mask and Cyric hid this murder from the rest of the pantheon, for a time. However, when Cyric took the portfolio of death from Myrkul, he had not found the soul of his former companion Kelemvor. This was because Mask had stolen the soul, keeping it safe within Godsbane. During this time, Cyric also commissioned a book called the Cyrinishad, which would magically convert any who read or heard it read aloud into a devout follower of Cyric.
Again unbeknownst to Cyric, Mask secretly worked with Oghma and the scribe of the Cyrinishad to pen a second book, called The True Life of Cyric. This book would have the opposite effect to the Cyrinishad, proving the treachery of Cyric to any who heard it. At this time, Cyric was focused entirely on his search for Kelemvor and affairs in the Material Plane, ignoring his duties as the god of death. Cyric eventually discovered the treachery of the Cyrinishad's scribe, ordering one of his minions to slay her. However, it was in reality Mask in the form of that minion, and was able to fake the scribe's death. However, during this, Mask was forced to read the Cyrinishad. It had the same effect as on a mortal, forcing him to transfer his domain of intrigue to Cyric and making him view Cyric as the one true deity. However, this did not stop Mask from scheming to recover his power.
However, Mask, using the soul of Kelemvor and the evidence of Cyric's misuse of magic, was able to convince the newly-ascended Mystra to cooperate against Cyric. The two of them were able to foment unrest within the neglected City of Strife, the destination of souls after death. This, coupled with the reading of The True Life of Cyric within the city, sent it into open revolt against Cyric. Upon discovering Mask's treachery, Cyric broke the Godsbane in two, which greatly weakened Mask. This had the side effect of releasing the soul of Kelemvor, who led the revolt against Cyric and deposed him. He was then made the new god of the dead, taking a part of the greatly weakened Cyric's portfolio.
At some point after the Time of Troubles, Mask released Kezef the Chaos Hound from his imprisonment by the gods. This was in order to kill Cyric, but Kezef instead attacked Mask. Mask was viciously attacked and hunted across the planes, eventually receiving the weapon Houndsbane from Mystra to defend himself with. Eventually, Mask was able to contain Kezef once more.
Mask's next scheme against Cyric was in 1371 DR. At some point since his deposal as god of the dead, he had made the mistake of reading the Cyrinishad himself, causing him to believe he was the only true god of Realmspace, even more powerful than Ao the Overgod. He had withdrawn to his own plane, completely abandoning his duties as god of strife. The other deities noticed a lack of conflict across Faerûn, and Mask was able to convince Tempus, god of war, to formally accuse Cyric of neglecting his faithful. Through various manipulations, Cyric attempted to have Mystra revoke access to magic to Cyric's followers, weakening him enough to steal back his portfolios. This, however, was unsuccessful, and Mask was left in a further weakened state.
Some time between 1371 and 1385 DR, Mask would be forced to grant his divinity to Shar to repay an ancient debt of some sort. This caused his ceasing to be. Like Bhaal before him, however, Mask was able to secret some of his divinity away in several mortals across Faerûn and beyond. The exact details of what happened are unknown, Mask returned as a deity in 1484 DR.
Divine Classification
Lesser Deity
Religions
Alignment
Chaotic Neutral
Church/Cult
Honorary & Occupational Titles
The Lord of Shadows
The Master of All Thieves
The Master of All Thieves
Children
Presentation
Masculine
Trickery
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