Funeral Masks

"In the face of the dead, we see only the whisper of what once was a voice."

— Unknown philosopher

An important item for the funerary rites and customs of Thripia, funeral masks are pottery face coverings worn by deceased persons when they are buried or entombed and typically designed in their likeness. Symbolically, they separate the visages of the living and the dead, confining the soul to the Underworld, and removing their true likeness from the mortal world. The Deathguard are known to wear bronze funeral masks which they are not permitted to remove.

Appearance

Funeral masks are made of pottery. Traditionally, they are painted white, sometimes with colored adornments to better represent the deceased or to decorate the mask itself. In shape, they extend from the top of the forehead down to the base of the chin and are specially molded for the head of the corpse, intending to match their likeness. Particularly wealthy individuals may choose to have their funeral masks made from gold, or other ornate materials, but this is rare even among the nobility as it is typically considered necessary that the masks be consistent. For poorer populations of the city, funeral masks may be homemade.

Usage

After the death of an individual, their body is taken to a specialized sculptor who will study the face and create from it a unique funeral mask. Sometimes, this sculptor is a trained Magi of Funerals who is thought to have more religious expertise in constructing the item. When the body is interred, the mask is placed over the corpse's face prior to the completion of the burial where it is intended to remain forever.

Significance

Funeral masks are of immense religious significance to the people of Thripia. According to myth, all souls upon their deaths travel to the Underworld, realm of the goddess Stygis, where they remain forever. Great importance is given to their mortal, corporeal form left behind. Belief states that the body must be protected and properly interred as a way to safeguard the well being of the soul. The funeral mask is one such protection. To be consistently reminded of the now dead person risks dragging the soul back and preventing i from entering the Underworld, it is believed; trapping them in the mortal world forever to wander. Therefore, it is necessary that the visage of the newly dead must be separated from the visage they had in life. The funeral mask accomplishes this task, forever removing their likeness from the world. It is considered an enormous sign of disrespect for a person to wear another's funeral mask, especially if said person is recently deceased or, most gravely, if the mask has been taken from their place of burial.

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic

Rarity

Commonplace

Base Price

Varies based on the artisan

Raw materials & Components

Pottery