The House of Masks (SL2)
The House of Masks is located in a small, discrete building on the western side of Ludyenhöeck, near Hatenjaan Canal. There is no name, only a dirty sign with the theatrical 'tragedy/comedy' masks leering at passersby. Most people totally ignore it, but every so often, a shady character can be glimpsed slipping in through a side door.
Inside, it is dark, the only light comming from candels of incredible girth. All the windows have been boarded up, and it gives the room an appearance of being underground. Hanging on all four walls off rusty iron hooks are flimsy rubber masks, locked in a silent expressions. The range is endless, monsters, comical faces, well known people replicated so accurately one could have sworn that it was the original face! In the eerie twilight, the masks seem to jump out of the wall at you. Hanging more precariously off various stands are more delicate face masks, such as would be worn at balls and dances.
Sitting crosslegged on the floor is a short, stringy man with raggedy grey hair intently studying a sketchbook. littered around him are various parchments and printed leaflets. He appears to be drawing. He is totally engrossed in his work, but attracted by some small sound, he looks up and greets you: "Welcome to the House of Masks. Whoose face would you like to wear tonight?"
Common Knowledge
"House of Masks...I don't think I know...wait a minute. It might be that odd place down by the Hatenjaan. All boarded up an' all. Got this dreadful' sign - two smarmy faces grinning down at you. That might be it."
"I know where that is all right. All the merchant famalies get there masks there for those grand balls they have. He ships outside Marienburg as well. 's possible that he supplies masks for all those noble dances in the Empire as well."
"If you want to buy, you'll 'ave to take pots of cash. If you want to sell . . . well you know what take (snigger)"
"Masks? Don't talk to me about masks. All these damned fashions. Why don't they spend some money on something useful huh? Beggars down at Riddra 'd kill for a couple of pennies and then there's them buying bits of cardboard for hundreds Guilders. Quite Crazy."
Oliver Oopjooper, Artisan (Mask Maker), ex - Artisan's Apprentice, Ex Illusionist (Lvl 3), Ex Apprentice
"Look at this one. See how he shines in the light? Would you like to try it on Sir?"
"You put this one on and walk into a restaurant. Just think what people'd say. I'd bet youd get better service than you ever have before!"
"100 Guilders a night, 4000 to buy. These masks are special."
Oliver is slat thin, and wears scrawny clothes that seem to stick to him. He has a largish nose, a grey gotee and rapid darting eyes. Some people say that there is a trace of Gnomish blood in him (and they would be quite correct in saying so as well). He is normally found sitting crosslegged, but when he does walk he uses such a gangling stride that his head bobs up and down beside you.
He doesn't say much, and never answers any direct questions other than over business. He is a practical joker at heart, though, and loves nothing more to see confusion and deception spread through the city, regardless of the consequences. He has a sharp wit and a sharper tongue, and if you are not very careful he will always get the better of you. He gets impatient with stupid people, but this never manifests itself more than sighs of desperation.
Oliver has been, for most of his life an illusionist a latent talent from his gnomic origins. However amusing he found it to be able to change his appearance and practice his deception and trickery, he was annoyed because he could never bestow such "Gifts" on anyone else. Under the tutalage of various wizards, he found a way of locking spells into specific items.
With his knowledge he travelled to Altdorf to work as an apprentice to one of the best mask makers of the age - Julian Weirlich. Mixing both studies, he created a magical mold - a flimsy rubber material that would mould itself to any face it was pushed onto. From this mould he could then create as many masks as he wanted.
Oliver has a great many contacts in both the highest and lowest areas of Marienburg. Nearly all the Merchant families (or at least their lackeys) know of the House of Masks, as well as do many other high standing members of society. However, these people come for his ballroom masks rather than the magical variety. The espionage arm of The Guild (SB38) and other spy networks accross the cities know of the House of Masks, and of the masks special properties.
Age: 51
Alignment: Neutral (Ranald)
Skills: Drive Cart, Magical Sense, Scroll Lore, Secret Signs Artisan, Art, Mask Making, Arcane Language Magick, Read/Write, secret language classical, identify plants, Rune Lore, Scroll Lore, Evaluate, Hypnotise, Meditation, Magical Awareness, Haggle, luck, Cast Spells: Petty, battle1, illusionist1, 2, 3.
Possessions: Mask Making Kit, Magical Mold, Knife, gold in locked iron box, Mask inventory,
Spells: Whatever you want. Oliver isn't that powerful magically.
The Masks
All of Olivers masks are magical, but with a very unusual property. If, for any reason, the mask is worn for any length of time, the mask will "blend in" with the face, until they are the same. This is obviously why the masks are so popular for spies, providing an effective "Magical Plastic Surgeory" on the wearer. This is also why Oliver only hires out masks by the night (and they have a pretty steep cost). Oliver never tells anyone this leaving much chaos in certain situations! He does, however, insist that upon first hiring out a mask to a new user, a mold of that users face must be taken to set the face back to normal. He has been known to charge high prices for that service!
Apart from the face masks, dance masks are also sold and are necessary for any masked ball. These are of excellant quality, of simple, elegant design, but are not magical - and yet, those who wear one of his masks are imbued with a sense of confidence and beauty (+5 Fel in relevant situations) He still charges the earth though rich merchants can pay.
Amoung all the magical items in the shop, there is one that stands out above all others. This is the mask of dreams, a fabled artifact mistakenly created by Oliver himself. The mask is a pure silver face, completly featureless, and as thin as paper. The mask allows the wearer to become whoever, or whatever he wants. Oliver sees this mask as a danger, and so will not sell it, and it is kept under heavy magical protection.
GMs Info
The masks are actually very dangerous for the wearer, confusing his personality. After extended use of a mask, insanity points will start to rack up, but wearing the masks has an addictive quality. Make up details as necessary.
