Ranoi Adexai Mask
"Ranoi adexai" roughly translates to "warrior of the mountains" in the Rostran language of Iuxat. A ranoi adexai mask, or simply 'dex' for those who wear them, is a face covering traditionally worn by High Rostran warriors when defending or striking out from their mountain homes. In more modern contexts, ranoi adexai are worn for both festive and protective purposes.
Manufacturing process
Traditional ranoi adexai were round masks with two eye holes, a small mouth hole, and a long, tapering 'spigot' that covered the whole top of the wearer's nose. Each was carved either by the prospective wearer - usually a male warrior or sailor - or for him by someone in his close social circle as a sign of mutual care and respect. In general, the more likely the wearer was to be in direct combat, the darker and harder the wood used; archers and commanders would have light masks, while oarmen and shield-bearers would have dark masks. Ritual sigils designed to draw upon the protection of the ancient Esotericist spirits, faction emblems, and rank insignia were often inscribed upon ranoi adexai to help differentiate wearers in the heat of battle.
In modern times, armored ranoi adexai are constructed of metal plates padded with natural textiles to dampen impacts and reduce the impact of heat on the wearer. Armored dex are typically unadorned except for a (often khaki) pattern appropriate as camouflage for the terrain. This is done because to use traditional markings would mark out officers to enemy snipers. Armored dex are paired with broad-brimmed combat helmets to provide extensive head protection from the front and above.
Dex that can function as gas masks feature close-fitting rubber face gaskets and headwrap to prevent gas from permeating into the wearer's breathing space. The nose portion of these gas masks is enclosed and expanded somewhat to include another filter panel, giving the wearer more air to breathe overall than comparable human-made gas masks.
The MF-A2 "Kirie" Traversal Auto Armor features a helmet that replaces the carbon filters of a ranoi adexai gas mask with rebreather valves for use with oxygen bottles during amphibious assaults.
Significance
The decorative trappings of ranoi adexai are associated martial prowess in the Rostran Archipelago Confederacy. Thus, in addition to being worn at various festivals, decorated dex serve as status indicators among many local law enforcement and civil defense cadres. Members of the RACMF in the field wear armored dex to protect their faces from shrapnel and glancing shots, and Rostran gas masks also take the form of dex.
by Hero Forge
Item type
Clothing / Accessory
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