Visage: Difference between revisions
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There is only one face left uncovered on Visage: an enormous stone face looking skyward, called '''Flourishing-of-Years.'''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Visage|Visage|Sunless Sea|}} ''""This is the port of Visage, where faces may not be naked. Except one: a stone monument the size of a village church, serenely gazing upwards. Flourishing-of-Years.""''</ref> This face is hollow, and can be entered through its ear; entry is typically allowed during festivals. In the complete darkness within,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Festival_of_Flourishing|Inside the Hollow of the Ear|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The tunnel bends back on itself and all lights have now been extinguished. There is nothing to guide you but the hand of the person behind you on your back, and the movement of the person in front of you."''</ref> the island's inhabitants remove their masks and trade secrets,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Festival_of_Flourishing|Deep Within|Sunless Sea|}} ''"A voice speaks in the darkness, a ritual preparation: "Here at the new year, we gather under the One Mask of Flourishing-of-Years. Her face is turned to the gods. Protected by her mask, we may remove our own. Protected by her script, we may speak outside our parts.""''</ref> though nobody knows whose secrets are whose.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Festival_of_Flourishing|Receive the confidence of a stranger as holy|Sunless Sea|}} ''"In the deep shadow you hear things that you will never repeat. ... You needn't guard your face while you listen, because no one can see you. You needn't scheme about how to use the information, because you do not know whose secret this is ..."''</ref> | There is only one face left uncovered on Visage: an enormous stone face looking skyward, called '''Flourishing-of-Years.'''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Visage|Visage|Sunless Sea|}} ''""This is the port of Visage, where faces may not be naked. Except one: a stone monument the size of a village church, serenely gazing upwards. Flourishing-of-Years.""''</ref> This face is hollow, and can be entered through its ear; entry is typically allowed during festivals. In the complete darkness within,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Festival_of_Flourishing|Inside the Hollow of the Ear|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The tunnel bends back on itself and all lights have now been extinguished. There is nothing to guide you but the hand of the person behind you on your back, and the movement of the person in front of you."''</ref> the island's inhabitants remove their masks and trade secrets,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Festival_of_Flourishing|Deep Within|Sunless Sea|}} ''"A voice speaks in the darkness, a ritual preparation: "Here at the new year, we gather under the One Mask of Flourishing-of-Years. Her face is turned to the gods. Protected by her mask, we may remove our own. Protected by her script, we may speak outside our parts.""''</ref> though nobody knows whose secrets are whose.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Festival_of_Flourishing|Receive the confidence of a stranger as holy|Sunless Sea|}} ''"In the deep shadow you hear things that you will never repeat. ... You needn't guard your face while you listen, because no one can see you. You needn't scheme about how to use the information, because you do not know whose secret this is ..."''</ref> | ||
Other notable landmarks hint at the origins of Visage's culture. The '''Flood Court''' is always flooded to a certain degree, in emulation of what was once a yearly cycle | Other notable landmarks hint at the origins of Visage's culture. The '''Flood Court''' is always flooded to a certain degree, in emulation of what was once a yearly cycle;<ref name=":4">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Flood_Court|Ask about the purpose of this room|Sunless Sea|}} ''""It used to be," says the Moth, "that the water rose and fell of its own accord, and the People Before wrote down what height it reached. Now the water is still, but thanks to their actions, we can replicate the rise and fall so as still to be pleasing to the God of Flood." "''</ref> this seems to be a recreation of the way ancient Egyptians recorded the annual flooding of the Nile, with the assistance of detailed records left behind in Visage.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Flood_Court|Study the calendars drawn on the walls|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The sigils are tiny pictures, and the tiny pictures yield a meaning if you stare long enough. The calendar remembers the heights and depths of an ancient river, one that flowed far away and long ago. It remembers cycles of farming time and flood time and drought time. It remembers a circular stasis, a way of being that repeated in just the same fashion for hundreds of generations."''</ref> The '''Apis Temple''' is inhabited by a perpetually wounded bull,<ref name=":6">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Ashore_in_Visage|Visit the Temple of Apis|Sunless Sea|}} ''"In the center of the temple is a black bull with a white diamond on its face. It is tied in place with heavy ropes, and it is wounded in the thigh. From this wound it bleeds copiously without dying."''</ref> and by priests who are constantly collecting its blood.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Apis_Temple|Apis Temple|Sunless Sea|}} ''""The priests gather around the bull, capturing its blood in cups.""''</ref> For at least a millennium of Egyptian history, a series of ritually perfect bulls, identified by their specific markings,<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Citation|https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/570713|Apis Bull|The Metropolitan Museum of Art|}} ''"The bull selected for this important role had certain colorful markings, such as a white triangle on the forehead, and black patches resembling winged birds or scarabs on the body. "''</ref> were identified by the god's priests and housed in temples for their entire lives. If they lived past a certain age, they were sacrificed. In keeping with this, the priests of Apis Temple note that if the bull dies, a new one with the same markings will be born somewhere around the Unterzee and brought to the temple.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Apis_Temple|Ask whether the bull will be all right|Sunless Sea|}} ''"How ill-omened, even to suggest that the bull might die! If it does die, of course (says one in an aside), there will be another born with the same markings, if not on Visage itself, then somewhere around the Unterzee. Apis is never gone, but sometimes his spirit goes astray. "''</ref> | ||
While Visage's rituals bear marked resemblance to ancient Egyptian culture,<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> it is not made clear whether the island was ever an outpost of the [[Second City]], or whether it was at one point settled by ancient Egyptians who came to the Neath at some other time. Regardless, it was abandoned by its original inhabitants for unknown reasons, but repopulated by a different group.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Library_of_Parts|Look for books about the ritual in the Ear|Sunless Sea|}} ''"There are references, oblique but suggestive, that the ritual began long after the Ear was built, 'when the new people came to Visage.' But why they came, and what happened to the old people, is not recorded. "''</ref> The truth of how Visage was resettled is unclear, but has to do with a man losing his lover<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Beside_the_Face|Study ancient marks|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The pictures tell a story: this is the face of a woman, Flourishing-of-Years, who once was loved by one of the nobles inhabiting this island. But then she - what's this pictogram? ascended? bloomed? flew away? And consumed with grief he assembled those-who-carve-great-things-from-stone and remade the whole surface of the island."''</ref> and, for some reason, a [[jillyfish]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Jillyfish|Let it disperse|Sunless Sea|}} ''"It looks very like Flourishing-of-Years - the grand shrine-face of Visage. Something about the eyes, the sternness of the mouth. Perhaps only that it stares at the roof, just as Flourishing-of-Years does. Now it dissolves. You could swear it's mouthing a word. "HOME"...? "''</ref> | |||
==The Masks of Visage== | ==The Masks of Visage== | ||
[[File:Masks_visage.png|thumb|Which will you choose?]]<blockquote>''"Each mask declares a different intention towards the denizens of Visage, and must be accompanied by suitable behavior."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Ashore_in_Visage|Ask the significance of the masks|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote>For every part played in the ritual life of Visage, for every personality and caste within its society, there is a mask. Each person is expected to follow the nature of their mask, and play their part in the grand play that goes on here. Here are just a few:<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Ashore_in_Visage|Ask the significance of the masks|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> | [[File:Masks_visage.png|thumb|Which will you choose?]]<blockquote>''"Each mask declares a different intention towards the denizens of Visage, and must be accompanied by suitable behavior."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Ashore_in_Visage|Ask the significance of the masks|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote>For every part played in the ritual life of Visage, for every personality and caste within its society, there is a mask. Each person is expected to follow the nature of their mask, and play their part in the grand play that goes on here. Here are just a few:<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Ashore_in_Visage|Ask the significance of the masks|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> | ||
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There are, of course, many other parts in the great play that is Visage. These are just the main players. But be warned: to not play one's part, or to remove one's mask, is a recipe for disaster.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Library_of_Parts|Praise the literary traditions of Visage|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Moon-Moth considers you. Perhaps it thinks you are acting too much like a Frog. Perhaps it thinks this is a Bat gambit to gain favour. Misplaying your role would be bad, and correctly playing the Bat would be worse. Either way, there are penalties. You end up scarred and maskless, back at the dock. "''</ref> | There are, of course, many other parts in the great play that is Visage. These are just the main players. But be warned: to not play one's part, or to remove one's mask, is a recipe for disaster.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Library_of_Parts|Praise the literary traditions of Visage|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Moon-Moth considers you. Perhaps it thinks you are acting too much like a Frog. Perhaps it thinks this is a Bat gambit to gain favour. Misplaying your role would be bad, and correctly playing the Bat would be worse. Either way, there are penalties. You end up scarred and maskless, back at the dock. "''</ref> | ||
== | ==Historical and Literary Inspirations== | ||
In addition to the similarities seen in the Flood Court and Apis Temple, animal masks played a significant role in Egyptian culture. Priests and higher members of society often wore such masks to represent the animals of the region, and it is often thought that the mask would gift the wearer with the virtues and powers of the animal shown. Many festivals and religious celebrations often had such masks to hold reverence to the creatures who were thought to be messengers and eyes of the gods - almost all of whom were themselves depicted with animal heads. | |||
Almost all of Visage's masks feature animals or other symbols that were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, with two exceptions. The role of the Moon Moth is inspired by Jack Vance's short story "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_Moth The Moon Moth]," which concerns a diplomat tasked with catching a criminal on a planet where everyone wears masks that display their social status and mood.<ref>{{Citation|https://steamcommunity.com/app/304650/discussions/0/615085406677010794/|Alexis Kennedy|Sunless Sea Steam Community|}} ''"The story's an explicit homage to Jack Vance. I believe we snuck a quote from 'The Moon Moth' in there as an Easter egg."''</ref> As for the Bat... recall that [[The Masters of the Bazaar|a certain group of bats]] harbors some animosity around the Second City.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sidebar_Snippets|What's the problem with the Second City?|Fallen London|}} ''""Never mention the Second City to the Masters of the Bazaar. Mr Wines will look at you narrowly and give you its worst vintage. Mr Cups will fly into a rage. Mr Veils will harangue you for your discourtesy. Mr Iron will say nothing, only write down your name with its left hand.""''</ref> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 18:17, 10 September 2024
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Beyond this point lie spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include midgame or minor Fate-locked content. Proceed with caution. You can find out more about our spoiler policy here. |
"This is the port of Visage, where faces may not be naked. Except one: a stone monument the size of a village church, serenely gazing upwards. Flourishing-of-Years."[1]
Visage is an island of masks, located in the southern Unterzee.
Everyone Plays A Part
"Hide your face! Hide all your faces."[1]
Everyone on the island of Visage wears a mask, typically representing an animal. Each mask corresponds to a certain societal role:[2] for instance, traders and thieves wear locust masks,[3] soldiers wear crocodile masks,[4] and spies wear bat masks.[5] New arrivals learn the specifics and expected behavior of their roles at the Library of Parts.[6][7] Once a mask is chosen, its wearer must play their assigned part.[8][2]
There is only one face left uncovered on Visage: an enormous stone face looking skyward, called Flourishing-of-Years.[9] This face is hollow, and can be entered through its ear; entry is typically allowed during festivals. In the complete darkness within,[10] the island's inhabitants remove their masks and trade secrets,[11] though nobody knows whose secrets are whose.[12]
Other notable landmarks hint at the origins of Visage's culture. The Flood Court is always flooded to a certain degree, in emulation of what was once a yearly cycle;[13] this seems to be a recreation of the way ancient Egyptians recorded the annual flooding of the Nile, with the assistance of detailed records left behind in Visage.[13][14] The Apis Temple is inhabited by a perpetually wounded bull,[15] and by priests who are constantly collecting its blood.[16] For at least a millennium of Egyptian history, a series of ritually perfect bulls, identified by their specific markings,[15][17] were identified by the god's priests and housed in temples for their entire lives. If they lived past a certain age, they were sacrificed. In keeping with this, the priests of Apis Temple note that if the bull dies, a new one with the same markings will be born somewhere around the Unterzee and brought to the temple.[18]
While Visage's rituals bear marked resemblance to ancient Egyptian culture,[13][14][15] it is not made clear whether the island was ever an outpost of the Second City, or whether it was at one point settled by ancient Egyptians who came to the Neath at some other time. Regardless, it was abandoned by its original inhabitants for unknown reasons, but repopulated by a different group.[19] The truth of how Visage was resettled is unclear, but has to do with a man losing his lover[20] and, for some reason, a jillyfish.[21]
The Masks of Visage
"Each mask declares a different intention towards the denizens of Visage, and must be accompanied by suitable behavior."[22]
For every part played in the ritual life of Visage, for every personality and caste within its society, there is a mask. Each person is expected to follow the nature of their mask, and play their part in the grand play that goes on here. Here are just a few:[23]
- Frogs, normally newcomers to Visage, wear elaborate and noisy costumes[24] that prevent any attempts at stealth.[25] They are expected to be goofy, playful, and generally ditzy,[26] which doesn't make them very popular.[27]
- Locusts are the masks of traders, thieves, and various other greedy folk.[3] With the assistance of their masks, which help them spot valuables more easily,[28] Locusts are expected to put money above all other thoughts.[29] It is not uncommon to see them swarming over the money pools of the Flood Court.[30]
- Very few people play the part of the Bat, as these are always messengers or spies - and they always die.[5] They are to be killed on sight,[31] and as such stay hidden in the shadows.[32]
- Moon Moths are at once customs agents and tour guides.[33] Most new members of Visage are often shadowed by a Moon Moth in order to make sure the newcomer knows how to play their role - and that they don't cause trouble. The Moon Moth is often a senior member who has spent years on the island.[34]
- Cobras are respected members of society who hold more important tasks in Visage's society; the Chief Geometer is a Cobra who apportions land for each resident of Visage to forage for food.[35] To be invited into the home of a Cobra is considered an honor.[36]
- Lions fulfill a similar role to Cobras, but a more ceremonial one, as they are primarily worshippers of Flourishing-of-Years.[37]
- Crocodiles sail overzee to enforce the will of Visage.[38][39] At least some Crocodiles are performing their role as penance for violating the rules of the island.[40]
- Jackals are enforcers who protect the ritual of entering the Flourishing-of-Years. They ensure that every member plays their part,[41] and mete out punishment upon those who do not.[42]
There are, of course, many other parts in the great play that is Visage. These are just the main players. But be warned: to not play one's part, or to remove one's mask, is a recipe for disaster.[43]
Historical and Literary Inspirations
In addition to the similarities seen in the Flood Court and Apis Temple, animal masks played a significant role in Egyptian culture. Priests and higher members of society often wore such masks to represent the animals of the region, and it is often thought that the mask would gift the wearer with the virtues and powers of the animal shown. Many festivals and religious celebrations often had such masks to hold reverence to the creatures who were thought to be messengers and eyes of the gods - almost all of whom were themselves depicted with animal heads.
Almost all of Visage's masks feature animals or other symbols that were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, with two exceptions. The role of the Moon Moth is inspired by Jack Vance's short story "The Moon Moth," which concerns a diplomat tasked with catching a criminal on a planet where everyone wears masks that display their social status and mood.[44] As for the Bat... recall that a certain group of bats harbors some animosity around the Second City.[45]
References
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