Dog Mask

Summary

The Dog Mask is an advanced technological device from The City that creates synesthesia, allowing the wearer to visualize scent trails as streams of color. Originally worn by the dog-masked cultist during a ritual beneath the Rex Tree in Session 3 of the campaign, the mask was torn off by Safia while she was in bat form, revealing an ordinary human face beneath. After the Dog-Masked Cultist fled, the mask was left behind on the chamber floor, where Sucks discovered and began to inspect it.

The mask represents the cult's attempt to obscure individual identity during their rituals to The Sniff Lord. The party considers it one of their most valuable treasures and uses it to navigate the underground complex by tracking scent trails.

Properties

The Dog Mask is designed as a half-mask that covers the eyes while the nose portion extends out flat, ending like a hat brim. When worn properly, it feels tingly where it touches the skin. Close inspection reveals imperceptible lines, pads connected to wires, and sensors throughout the device. These technological components amplify the signals received by the wearer's olfactory senses and translate them into visual information.

When activated through proper skin contact, the wearer's vision fills with streams of color representing different scents. During Session 3, Sucks experiences what he calls "dog sight" when first wearing it, seeing the environment through visualized smells. Safia later observes "a symphony of visuals" coming off the altar from different food and drink smells, as well as a grosser, dirtier scent billowing from The Sniff Lord's cavern entrance.

The mask provides a +1 bonus to discern realities rolls when used to track or determine environmental features through scent visualization. However, the device requires proper contact points with the face to function—it does not work when Vasso attempts to wear it over his circlet of leaves and sticks. When used to examine strong odors like the Purple Ooze, the mask creates an overwhelming gray cloud in the wearer's vision that stings the eyes and mouth.

History

Session 3

After the Dog-Masked Cultist fled the ritual chamber beneath the Rex Tree, Sucks found the abandoned mask on the ground. He inspected it and put it on, experiencing the tingly sensation where it contacted his skin. His vision immediately filled with streams of color representing different scents throughout the chamber.

Through examination, the party determined that the mask is technology from The City, with pads, wires, and sensors designed to amplify olfactory signals and render them as visual data. Sucks recognized it as "a synesthesia mask that lets you see smells" and recommended they keep it as one of their treasures.

Safia took the mask and used it to investigate their surroundings, searching for an escape route from the underground complex. She observed the colorful visual representations of food and drink smells from the altar, contrasted with the unpleasant scent stream from The Sniff Lord's cavern. Most importantly, she identified a fresh air trail heading down a corridor that suggested a way to safety.

After removing the mask, Safia offered it to Katniss, who appeared offended by the gesture—likely because it is a dog mask. Vasso attempted to wear it but discovered it would not function properly over his circlet. When the party used the mask to examine the Purple Ooze, the overwhelming strength of the smell created a blinding gray cloud effect that made close investigation painful and difficult.