The Mask "Rule" should be altered

[blazerules]

We have a mask rule (at least ICly) for characters having to take off masks, helmets etc which seems to gel really poorly with characters who have cultural reasons they should have face coverings.

Because of it, all it does is completely and utterly block of multiple locations for a character because they decided to make a somewhat exotic character. This is kind of anti-Roleplay in a way, and makes little sense as people from these lands would make their way to the region. At the very least BG which is a trading hub. Do these people just get told to stay on the boat or get out and be arrested? Central point is really that it's just not fun for anyone and serves no purpose.

It makes IC sense that there are laws and rules in place for such to prevent criminals exploiting them. But I believe we have a warlock license, it'd make some sense to have a mask license of a sort. That can be granted based on a characters culture? At least if it makes good cultural sense for said character to have a mask. I'm sure it wouldn't even apply to half the people who wear face coverings but it would be better in general.

In case anyone wonders, this isn't for Yuri. He definitely doesn't apply

[Rhifox]

The requirement for BG is simply to remove the mask when asked by a guard. You can still wear one in the city so long as you reveal your identity when requested.

Any efforts to revoke any mask laws, or get exemptions, should be done IC, not OOC.

[blazerules]

The thing is for say the Wychlaran in the case of Nailya, removing once would mean killing the person who saw their face. And thus BG is closed to them. Im sure it applies to more cultures as well where its unacceptable to remove the mask even once. Or rather show the face. Heck we have same issues IRL where it clashes with religious not cultural reasons.

It obviously wouldn't be a problem if they could even do it once ICly. But if say the way to get the mask exception is to get inside BG and remove the mask, but they aren't allowed to remove the mask, they cant get the exception. There's also just no clear way of how to get one.

My suggestion isn't really an OOC exception, so much as an easier maybe laid out path to get the IC exception. Since it also applies to FAI.

[Rhifox]

The thing is for say the Wychlaran in the case of Nailya, removing once would mean killing the person who saw their face.

Wychlaran are only required to wear a mask in Rashemen. And they can remove it in private and around other witches. Of course, they are generally supposed to travel incognito when outside of Rashemen, but that might entail a number of different means. Some might not wear a mask in order to assume a fake identity and avoid exposing themselves as a witch of Rashemen. Though of course it's also likely that in many cases they would still be culturally inclined to wear masks even when outside of Rashemen, so long as the mask didn't obviously identify them.

And thus BG is closed to them. Im sure it applies to more cultures as well where its unacceptable to remove the mask even once. Or rather show the face. Heck we have same issues IRL where it clashes with religious not cultural reasons.

Then BG is closed to them. It's an IC law, efforts at getting an exemption or repeal should be handled IC.

It obviously wouldn't be a problem if they could even do it once ICly. But if say the way to get the mask exception is to get inside BG and remove the mask, but they aren't allowed to remove the mask, they cant get the exception. There's also just no clear way of how to get one.

Others can negotiate on their behalf IC, just like you are doing now OOC. And the way is by meeting with or sending letters to the political administration of the city. There are several NPCs who fulfill this role in the ducal court building. Contacting them is done the same way as with other NPC contact, through the DM Request form.

Of course, as said, arguing for an exemption on cultural reasons in this case would identify the person as a witch of Rashemen, which is generally

[ILLY]

Wychlaran are only required to wear a mask in Rashemen. And they can remove it in private and around other witches. Of course, they are generally supposed to travel incognito when outside of Rashemen, but that might entail a number of different means. Some might not wear a mask in order to assume a fake identity and avoid exposing themselves as a witch of Rashemen. Though of course it's also likely that in many cases they would still be culturally inclined to wear masks even when outside of Rashemen, so long as the mask didn't obviously identify them.

Are you basing this on the AD&D 3.5 campaign set?

[ILLY]

My personal search into the topic, which requires at least two sourcebooks (because the FR wiki is painfully barebones compared to the wealth of information is as follows). It is however worth noting that this information is presented through Elminster and not as cold hard facts.

AD&D 3.5 4th print


Which is frustratingly missing from the FR wiki or other online resources that aren't sourcebooks.

However, then Ed Greenwood expands and alters the description of their masks to be far more detailed, which is used in the wiki:
https://web.archive.org/web/20230125025 ... 5107290118
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Wychlaran

Rashemi witch-masks” (more properly: “face-veils of the Wychlaran Rashemaar”) do vary, but most half-masks are very old (or rather, worn by very old witches). The vast majority are “more than full face” masks: they cover the sides of the head (with biteouts in their edges so they can be put into place without fouling the wearer’s ears), are cloth-lined on the inside but a light rigid shell (like baked-hard, lacquered paper mâché, though they’re actually a hemp-fiber-and-certain-plant-leaves mix) on the “public” side, and have a headband incorporated (you don one by settling it over your head, with long hair if you have it piled up into a top-of-head bun and pinned pinned there, then pull the pins [which ride in boot sheaths, and are often coated with sleep-poison] and adjust the hair down to cover the headband).

The front or public surface of the mask may be of any hue (and some witches own and use a “fashion array” of different-coloured masks), has two eye-slits but no nasal slits (the mask “bumps out” along a center line down to the chin to provide not just room for the nose, but ample space for breathing air circulation), and is usually painted with small adornments, such as family marks, personal badges or sigils, and seniority/achievement marks (a long-axis-vertical-four-pointed-star is a mark of seniority among the Wychlaran, and a semi-circular “upper half of a human eye” drawing, like a protractor but with a long-axis-vertical-diamond eyeball at the bottom center, is a mark of advanced seniority among the Wychlaran).
Most masks are ofdark or metallic hues (navy blue and very dark green are particularly popular; black is rare because it denotes “angry mourning” [on the road for revenge]), and Wychlaran call them “asatheirr,” which means ‘world-face’.

The other sourcebook being The Unapproachable East, which speaks of the Wychlaran but does not mention their mask practices despite being full of far more information about Rashemen.

[Rhifox]

Wychlaran are only required to wear a mask in Rashemen. And they can remove it in private and around other witches. Of course, they are generally supposed to travel incognito when outside of Rashemen, but that might entail a number of different means. Some might not wear a mask in order to assume a fake identity and avoid exposing themselves as a witch of Rashemen. Though of course it's also likely that in many cases they would still be culturally inclined to wear masks even when outside of Rashemen, so long as the mask didn't obviously identify them.

Are you basing this on the AD&D 3.5 campaign set?

Uapproachable East, Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, and Spellbound.

[ILLY]

Ah, nice. I wasn't aware Spellbound had some resources as well. I suppose I will have to do some adjustments to my character and actually go through the process of writing a bio then have it checked.

Is there a specific channel through which to approach the DMs to lore check/adjust a bio and make sure that things are kosher?

[DaloLorn]

It's interesting to note that even the wiki doesn't claim the masks need to be kept at all times, whether in or out of Rashemen, any more than the sources you and Rhi have presented in this thread.

[ILLY]

It's interesting to note that even the wiki doesn't claim the masks need to be kept at all times, whether in or out of Rashemen, any more than the sources you and Rhi have presented in this thread.

As I pointed out previously, between the two, now three books that I am aware of. The Wiki has a paltry amount of information and misses some that I would consider critical.

[Rhifox]

Ah, nice. I wasn't aware Spellbound had some resources as well. I suppose I will have to do some adjustments to my character and actually go through the process of writing a bio then have it checked.

Is there a specific channel through which to approach the DMs to lore check/adjust a bio and make sure that things are kosher?

You can use the DM Request button at the top of the forum! And if you want to do a full bio review, you can follow the guidelines here.

[ILLY]

Ah, nice. I wasn't aware Spellbound had some resources as well. I suppose I will have to do some adjustments to my character and actually go through the process of writing a bio then have it checked.

Is there a specific channel through which to approach the DMs to lore check/adjust a bio and make sure that things are kosher?

You can use the DM Request button at the top of the forum! And if you want to do a full bio review, you can follow the guidelines here.

Thank you!

[Ghost]

Because of it, all it does is completely and utterly block of multiple locations for a character because they decided to make a somewhat exotic character. This is kind of anti-Roleplay in a way, and makes little sense as people from these lands would make their way to the region. At the very least BG which is a trading hub. Do these people just get told to stay on the boat or get out and be arrested? Central point is really that it's just not fun for anyone and serves no purpose.

I'm sorry, but this is basically saying that having laws against orcs, drow or spellcasting (like at FAI) is anti-roleplay. It is by definition pro roleplay. If you want to play a character that hides their face, your roleplay can easily be about finding ways to live without the access others have. I have an orc, i can't enter BG or any other town or city, really, except Soubar. So my RP involves finding other paths to getting what I need from those places, or accepting the fact that I can't.

If you want to play an "exotic" character, recognise the limitations that comes with.

[whatsittoya]

Not all chosen roleplay paths need or warrant equal access or opportunity. Some are going to be harder than others and will require giving certain things up and making certain adjustments. That's just an integral part of the play.

Baldur's Gate's law regarding face covering and concealment of identity is perfectly sensible from an IC perspective. Baldur's Gate (the city) is under no obligation to be more inclusive; it's already incredibly cosmopolitan.

Characters that take issue with the law as it is should consider sending a letter to the Dukes or someone else of sufficient authority on the matter to petition for some kind of special permit they can show the guards as an alternative 'proof of identity' or 'proof of sponsorship'.

This may require having a citizen in good standing vouch for you, though, and may come with additional caveats and addendums. After all, if Baldur's Gate is going to bend for you, you'll be expected to make it worth everyone's while.

Multi-pass. Show us your multi-pass.