The Masks are demigods, created by a higher god, who control the races of Mekkan. Each Mask can only control one race respectively. Though only two Masks have been shown so far, there are three. They are named Order, Neutral, and Chaos[1], but the names don't really reflect their intentions as these names were given to them by mortals. The races they control are pawns in a half power-crazed feud between them. If one race of them becomes extinct then the Mask who controls that race will cease to exist.[2]
Ephemural/Neutral[]
Neutral is the Mask in command of the Keidran race. This may symbolize how the Keidran were left mostly to their own devices before Trace's mental decay. Even in the current times of the comic with the slave trade and near genocidal plot of the Templars, the Fox and Snow Leopard tribes have not been shown to be doing anything in opposition, preferring to stay far away from conflict, unlike the Wolf and Tiger Keidran. Neutral had interfered with the world of Mekkan by wiping Trace's memory in order to stop him from slaughtering the Keidran race, something that would in turn kill her. After her battle with Trace and subsequent defeat, she retreated back to the Demigod realm damaged and weakened. Neutral has had the most appearances of the three Masks, seen always with a black/grey cloak with an equally black/grey cracked mask with a strange marking under its left eye and a crack over the right. The Mask since her defeat has since been broken in half, signifying her weakened state and will likely fuse back together when she is back to full strength. Neutral may be the weakest of the three Masks at the moment, not only because of her defeat, but the Keidran race are still losing in the battle against the Humans and the more they fail, the weaker she becomes.
It is unclear if Ephemural is her true name or perhaps just another moniker to address her as.
Chaos[]
Chaos is the Mask in command of the Human race. This might symbolize how the Humans are responsible for much of the discord going on in the world, or at the very least the Templar's are. When Trace seized power and expanded the Templar's control-and thus Human control-on the continent, he began a brutal genocidal run against the Keidran people and enslaved them without mercy and with little opposition. The Humans are the top dogs in the world of Mekkan and even with Trace's absence their plans continue, albeit less efficiently. Chaos has only been depicted twice: Once in the comic proper and one in the side sketch depicted above. In the comic he was shown to look rather similar to Neutral, an all black cloak with feathered black wings, a grey mask, though his is cracked down the middle, and horns as well. His hand is seen briefly, showing him with fairly light skin, almost yellow, and sharp nails/claws which make him almost appear like some kind of Dragon or other such monster. In the sketch, his cloak seems to look much more shadow-like, far less corporeal than his fellow Masks though his horns seem to have remained. His primary goal, like his fellow Masks, seems to be racial superiority for his race i.e. Humans. He may be the strongest of the three as his race holds the most power in the war and it shows in his appearance, being bigger and the art showing him almost surging with a red glow behind him while Neutral has nothing but an empty sky.
It is unknown if Chaos has another name-like Neutral with Ephemural.
Order[]
Order is the Mask in command of the Basitin race. This is understandable as the Basitin are an incredibly loyal, orderly and militaristic people. They follow orders without question, have strict and uncompromising laws and it is literally apart of their genetic makeup that they cannot refuse an order. Order is the only Mask that has not been shown in the comic proper, his only appearance ever being in the sketch shown above. He/she has an all white cloak with a black mask and seems to have some wings as well. When Neutral retreated back to the Demigod realm, Order was not seen or mentioned at all. This may infer that Order is busy meddling in the world of Mekkan like the Masks usually do.
Just like with Chaos, it is unknown is Order has another name to address them.
Rules[]
Technically speaking, The Masks can do whatever they please, being the penultimate power in Mekkan. However they have made rules for themselves to limit interference and a premature end.
- Rule One: The Masks cannot interfere in the world of Mekkan.
The Masks are limited to an observation role and must watch their respective races act and be acted upon. While this rule is normally adhered to, sometimes it has been ignored such as when Neutral erased Trace's memories. This rule was also slightly bent (if not full on broken) when Neutral went to the mortal world and took control over Mary Silverlock and then Flora but she had to convince the both of them to let her do it. The Masks are only allowed to step in if they can convince a mortal to allow them to posses their body, that way any actions committed are still technically done by a mortal and thus still a legal move in the game.
- Rule Two: The Masks cannot attack each other unless it is punishment for breaking the rules.
The Masks play this game for a reason. To attack each other and possibly kill one another, while possible, would end the game before it can even truly start. If one of the Masks is caught breaking the rules, that is the only chance the other Masks are allowed to attack each other but killing is still not the desired result. The primary punishment is banishment, as what happened to Neutral.
Trivia[]
- Ephemural's name may be based off of "Ephemeral" meaning "temporary" or "short-lived". This can be taken as a comment on their command of the Keidran, a race known for their short lifespan.
- It is unknown who or what made the Masks. With them being called "Demigods" one could imply that there is - or perhaps was - a more powerful God than all of them but they have never been referenced or alluded to in the series.