First of, I want to say that I have learnt my lesson from last time: TES world space does not equal the real world,
just so you guys don't have to make me aware of that again.


Now for the actual topic:
I was thinking back of the days I played Zelda: Majora's Mask (on the Nintendo 64) and remembered how mezmerised I was by those mask, they were so mysterical.
Then it came to mind that in many old (real) cultures masks had a special place in society and sometimes even were believed to have magical powers etc etc

Now I have yet to encounter any mask related lore in TES (except for the mask of Clavicus Vile and the gray fox, but I don't consider any of those as really having a fast social impact).
I wanted to suggest adding some masks to TES V, preferrably loaded with lore, but therefor I first need the go-ahead of some lore masters to say if this would fit into TES or not. (Would it come completely out of the blue and therefor be a pain to implement lore friendly? Or can it be made part of the next game without any problems).


EDIT: Made a typo in the thread title, sorry for that

Masks could easily be implemented into the game, yes, and it wouldn't be hard for the devs to make them mystical and lore filled if they felt like doing so. Masks are around already, apart from those you've mentioned, all three of the Tribunal have masks. Dagoth Ur had a mask and there are various other minor mentions of masks throughout the lore. I feel you completely, I'd love some nifty masks...

There are a thousand and one ways masks could be very well fit into the lore of the next game. As part of religious ceremony, or a tribal tradition. It depends on the province, but they could all be put in.

Lovely!
*hurries off to suggest it in the suggestion thread*

And could it also be possible to have mask traditions in some cities/towns? Or would those be less lore friendly?
example: In town x people get presented a mask at a certain age (fitted for their personality - as part of a maturity ritual) or they have some festival once a year (ok, directly stolen from Zelda here)

There are closed helmets with decorative faceplates, such as Ordinator armor, Daedric Helmets in Morrowind, and Orcish Helmets in Morrowind. In addition, the Chitin helm clearly has a facemask, although that's not what you're talking about.

And of course there is Vivec's Ashmask, that strange mask that Almalexia wears in the depictions of her and when she tried to kill the Nerevarine, Sotha Sil's mask, and Dagoth Ur's mask. So a lot of it is in Morrowind.

Dont forget th Daedric 'Faces', of Inspiraton, Terror, and God.

The lore is what the devs make it; if they want to have mask traditions in some towns then there are. The only possible objection would be if there were something saying that no towns have mask traditions but since there aren't the devs have free reign. Mask lore is minimal, so anything is possible; and frankly I'd like to see how they could work it in with perhaps mystical or metaphysical elements to it...

Ok then,
and I'd like the mystical and metaphysical elements aswell.

The most exciting part would be that they can't really break much previous lore, so they just have to worry that they don't disappoint us by making some half-baked story behind it.

As for the Tribunal, I seem to recall a mention somewhere of (someone of) them putting on their "warmask" or something like that. If I remember correctly, then it would perhaps imply that Dunmer uses such things as helmets.
Like the Ordinators do, actually.

Clavicus Vile gives you a mask that makes people love you. The only thing is though, it makes you look a Nord at an 80's disco, which quite frankly breaks the immersion for me.

I think that for the OP's purposes, Vivec's Ashmask best fits the mold; its a sacred, magical mask with an important part in Dunmer religion.

I seem to remember reading about the Ra Gada having alot of ceromonial ( I don't think I spelt that right ) masks made of stone and such.

During the Trial of Vivec, wasn't it said that Vivec put on his water-face? While I suppose it would be possible for Vivec to literally change his face, or for that to refer to something else entirely, it sounds like it might be refering to a mask to me.

Of course they could, but I don't know if they would.

I had forgotten those. The Daedric Face of God in particular was impressive to me, almost disturbing. I wonder what their inspirations were; the Face of God mask reminded me of a Native American mask for some reason.

The Tribunals' and Dagoth Ur's use of masks seems like a reminder of how ancient they were; like an archaic reminder of long-past tribal wars. The Ordinators are archaic too in that way.

I've always assumed that the Nerevar also had a mask, the same one the Ordinators wear (which was also in the design of his face).

In Morrowind especially I think masks would have a place. As a culture full of ancestor worship, having familiar masks would be interesting. Perhaps some might even have the ancestor's soul bound into them. That would make a nice mod, finding a different clan mask in every tomb. I should get on that.

The book http://www.imperial-library.info/mwbooks/withershins.shtml mentions "Jijjic death masks", for what its worth.

Like death masks? That sounds like a good idea for a mod.

:rofl:

Despite its unorthodox appearance I've always liked the tradition that high ranked Redoran house members are to own a redoran master helm. Which is a mask.