Conventions

The City of Masks follows a number of conventions which make little sense to an outsider such as Gregorius Bass. These conventions stem originally from Carnival, but have been greatly expanded upon by civil and religious edict over the years.

Masking

The best-known and most obvious convention is that everyone must wear a mask anywhere within even theoretical sight of the City (native Bonvidaeoans also wear the mask if they travel, although few do apart from those whose living is as sailors and traders). However, they must not only wear a mask; they must stay “in character” with it or be arrested as unmasked. Normally, their entire costume must be in accord with their mask unless there is some masking rationale to justify why it is not. To be without a mask is worse than being naked. In fact, some characters wear costumes which leave them practically naked, and this is perfectly acceptable as long as they have the appropriate mask. To take off one’s mask with another is an act of extreme personal intimacy, and a proper married couple, for example, would not do so.

Seeing and Not Seeing

Some conventions define conditions under which a person (or rather, character) may be “seen” (that is, taken notice of) by other characters, except those characters who can see what is normally invisible.

An uncast character may not be seen.
If an uncast character draws attention by his or her actions they are unmasked.
Someone who is on the High Paths may not be seen by someone who is not on them.
Any mask decorated with a peacock feather (or a feather dyed in a similar eye pattern) allows the wearer to see characters who would otherwise be invisible. All law enforcement and military personnel, the Keeper of the Book and a few other characters have this decoration.