Mask & Mien
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 6:34 am
Mask and Miens is a difficult concept to explain. It's meant to be vague enough to let players and GM weave the stories that suit them best, but also leaves GMs in the position of having to say "well, here's my interpretation".
So, here goes:
Formed from the memories of who you were before you were taken, the Mask is what mortals see when they look at Supernatural creatures. People and animals that have not been touched by the supernatural interact with your Mask, it is what they see, and even what they touch. Things that are of the Supernatural—such as Vampires and Werewolves, as well as Changelings and the Fae—see through the Mask.
Seeing through the Mask doesn't render it invisible, and when looking at another Changeling, you are aware of both the Mask and the Mien. Exactly how this manifests is up to the individual Changeling; one may see a transparent overlay of the Mask, another may see the Mask glitching over the Mien like a Star Wars hologram, while another may "see" both simultaneously.
Because the Mask, at its core, represents what people expect to see when they look at someone, your Mask is always nude. Regardless of the appearance of your Mien, some effort must be attempted to "dress" yourself normally when mortals are around. Through the lens of the Mask, ll-fitting clothing, whether oversized or too small, will be seen in a way that is fitting for the "character" of your Mask's appearance.
For example: a grizzled, world-weary detective may still appeared somewhat rumpled, with a coat that's a little too big on his frame; while his younger, go-getting partner appears neat as a pin, with a tailored fit to his suit. Behind the Mask, one's suit doesn't fit over their massive Ogre frame, and was patchworked together from two similar suits; the other is slender as a rake, his clothes draping off him like an unstuffed scarecrow.
Attempts to dress are effectively (and mechanically) judged by intent. Some effort must be expended to blend your attempts into your Mask, lest they turn out wrong. The Wyrd rewards the creative and clever, but punishes the lazy as its whims see fit.
While in Arcadia, the Wyrd warped and changed you. Perhaps your Keeper did as well, pulling and tugging at the magic of the faery realm to make you more fitting for their purposes. Your mien may vary in infinite ways, from subtle changes, to fantastical ones. Escaping the Hedge has restored some fraction of your humanity, and your "final" mien will always be humanoid.
Appearances tend to be just that: a creature of fire doesn't actually burn , while one of stone is not actually invulnerable. However, wide antlers and wings may make stepping through doorways complicated, and people may notice an 8-ft Orge ducking under a beam, even though they don't appear to be more than 6'10".
So, here goes:
The Mask
Formed from the memories of who you were before you were taken, the Mask is what mortals see when they look at Supernatural creatures. People and animals that have not been touched by the supernatural interact with your Mask, it is what they see, and even what they touch. Things that are of the Supernatural—such as Vampires and Werewolves, as well as Changelings and the Fae—see through the Mask.
Seeing through the Mask doesn't render it invisible, and when looking at another Changeling, you are aware of both the Mask and the Mien. Exactly how this manifests is up to the individual Changeling; one may see a transparent overlay of the Mask, another may see the Mask glitching over the Mien like a Star Wars hologram, while another may "see" both simultaneously.
Because the Mask, at its core, represents what people expect to see when they look at someone, your Mask is always nude. Regardless of the appearance of your Mien, some effort must be attempted to "dress" yourself normally when mortals are around. Through the lens of the Mask, ll-fitting clothing, whether oversized or too small, will be seen in a way that is fitting for the "character" of your Mask's appearance.
For example: a grizzled, world-weary detective may still appeared somewhat rumpled, with a coat that's a little too big on his frame; while his younger, go-getting partner appears neat as a pin, with a tailored fit to his suit. Behind the Mask, one's suit doesn't fit over their massive Ogre frame, and was patchworked together from two similar suits; the other is slender as a rake, his clothes draping off him like an unstuffed scarecrow.
Attempts to dress are effectively (and mechanically) judged by intent. Some effort must be expended to blend your attempts into your Mask, lest they turn out wrong. The Wyrd rewards the creative and clever, but punishes the lazy as its whims see fit.
The Mien
While in Arcadia, the Wyrd warped and changed you. Perhaps your Keeper did as well, pulling and tugging at the magic of the faery realm to make you more fitting for their purposes. Your mien may vary in infinite ways, from subtle changes, to fantastical ones. Escaping the Hedge has restored some fraction of your humanity, and your "final" mien will always be humanoid.
Appearances tend to be just that: a creature of fire doesn't actually burn , while one of stone is not actually invulnerable. However, wide antlers and wings may make stepping through doorways complicated, and people may notice an 8-ft Orge ducking under a beam, even though they don't appear to be more than 6'10".