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So despite how culturally significant masks are at the Magaambya, we see surprisingly few examples of this in the books so far. Sure there's the masking ceremony, which I admit is a pretty big thing, but outside of that event there's little to no mention of them at all. Book 2 only uses the word mask twice!
Page 43 of Kindled Magic says this, with regards to how important an initiate's choice of mask is:
"They’ll be known according to the appearance of their mask for the rest of their career at the Magaambya."
Takulu's statblock mentions he has an anteater mask, but no other NPC has theirs specified. We get no indication he ever wears it; in fact the only NPC we see wearing a mask is a nameless attendant during the Starday Tournament.
I get that it's up to the GM to fill in the blanks, but it still feels like it's something that got glossed over. I wish there were more 'show, don't tell' examples, but I understand that space is at a premium in the AP books.
Rambling aside, I guess I made this thread so people could share any ideas/plans for NPC masks, as well as suggestions for highlighting the significance of masks to the players.
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I've been thinking about this too! It's a bit frustrating this has been skimmed over, considering the Magic Warrior archetype requires you to replace even your identity with that of the mask.
My headcanon has been these:
Anchor Root: An avian mask made of bone, decorated with traditional gnoll iconography (not sure what that is). Doesn't cover the mouth/muzzle, but fully covers the eyes (though, somehow, can still see through). She feels a bit braver while wearing it, and keeps it on during classes.
Chizire: Originally planning something less on-the-nose, he picks a lion as a mask. Covering all of the head, most of it is uniformly painted dull earth tones, but the eyes are wide and vividly coloured. These are actually decoys, as the eyeholes are hidden lower down (to help naps).
Esi: A noble cape buffalo, carved with shocking realism. Humbly sized, but with grand multicoloured patterned horns. She chose this to represent her determination after a conversation with Teacher Ot. Covers the face.
Haibram: A somewhat abstract phoenix; a sharp cone covering his face, with fiery-coloured feathers pushed back away from the tip. This represents his fascination with wind and magic, and begins his switch from Rain-Scribes to Tempest-Sun Mages.
Ignaci: Somewhat resembling a black fox, with asymmetrical black silk fur in fashionable patterns. Covers half the head. The eyeholes magically enhance the blue in his eyes.
Mariama: An abstract red bat, somewhat mechanical in nature featuring metal and wood, covering just the eyes. Wide black-and-red bat wings. The eyes are glass lenses that can be refocused without touch.
Noxolo: A nosoi with an intricately carved white beaked mask, etched with a faint crocodile pattern. Wild black feathers extrudes behind. Sits fairly forward on the head, allowing for many hairstyles.
Okoro: A dire rhinoceros with several horns, covered with charming colourful patterns. The muzzle extrudes quite far, and leaves mouth free. He used a washable paint, allowing him to recolour it at will.
Tzeniwe: A colourful peacock spider. A bit stereotypical, she decided to choose this for her children's comfort. Masterfully carved to stay stable between spider/hybrid/human forms.
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Less details on the teachers, so I don't know what I'd imagine them.
Takulu: Canonically an anteater. Nose ringed in light blue stripes. Covers whole face, has an articulated tongue controllable by Takulu.
Koride: A colourful insect (of indeterminant origin). Wide around eyes with compound lenses, like horn-rimmed glasses, leaving mouth uncovered.
Zuma: A light green, serene-eyed gecko, similar in colour to his own skintone. Covered in many protective tattoos. The gecko is a symbol of luck and protection in his ancestral traditions. Often puts it on top of his head and forgetting where it is.
Mafika: (I didn't play Ruby Phoenix so I don't know if he canonically has a mask. If not:) A noble-faced gorilla, made of exceptionally thick wood, but carefully carved and painted in delicate brushstrokes. Marred by several large cuts, like scars.
Janatimo: A white/silver striped zebra.
Lesedi: A full-faced mix couatl, glittering blue, covered with Alijae symbology and demon bones.
Ahassanu: A large shark, using her natural teeth.