The Masked Cultists

Summary

The Masked Cultists are a secret religious order discovered by Vasso, Sucks, Katniss, and Safia conducting rituals in the Underground Cavern Beneath Rex Tree, offering sacrifices to The Sniff Lord. The group consists of five robed figures, each wearing a distinctive copper animal mask: horse, dog or wolf, pig, raccoon, and anteater. The horse-masked cultist serves as the group's primary speaker and apparent leader, while the dog-masked cultist also participates in confronting and trapping the party. When the party is discovered spying on their ritual, the cultists force them into the underground tunnels as sacrifices, revealing the connection between the secret cult and the smuggling operation the party had been investigating.

The cultists describe themselves as an "order" that is "not one entered so lightly," suggesting a formal organizational structure with initiation requirements. They guard their secrecy zealously, considering anyone who witnesses their rituals to be "interlopers" who have "seen that which none should see."

Appearance

The cultists wear deep green robes with hoods pulled up to conceal their identities. Each member wears a distinctive copper animal mask over their face: one shaped like a horse, one like a dog or wolf, one like a pig, one like a raccoon, and one like an anteater. At least one cultist carries a knife. They maintain torches on poles stuck into the ground throughout the cavern, which produce greasy black smoke.

When Safia tore off the dog-masked cultist's mask during Session 3, he was revealed to be "just a guy, maybe in his late 40s, early 50s, olive skin, a mustache"—an ordinary appearance that stood in stark contrast to the intimidating facade created by the ritual garb. He wore a wedding ring engraved with "my beloved Janet" that Sucks had previously stolen.

History

Session 2

The Masked Cultists are discovered by the party conducting a ritual in the underground cavern beneath The Rex Tree. They mill about a Stone Altar heaped with food offerings including vegetables, fruits, and numerous acorns. The cavern ceiling above shows The Rex Tree's roots penetrating through the stone.

When the party is spotted spying on the ritual, the horse-masked cultist confronts them: "You have stumbled upon something you should not have. Interloper." The cultist continues, "You are an interloper," and explains that "this meeting should not be viewed by any who are not a part of our organization."

The cultists present the party with an ultimatum: "You end your life now or you wander the caverns." When Vasso attempts to negotiate, the horse-masked cultist responds sharply: "play not coy with us, boy" and "You do not get to dictate the terms." The cultist threatens, "would you like to know oblivion?"

The horse-masked cultist explains: "We are giving you the option to take your chances in the caverns, see where they may lead you, or you will be ended right here and now so that you may not share our secrets with anyone." When asked about the possibility of joining their order, the cultist states: "Our order is not one entered so lightly. If you return from the caverns unharmed, perhaps."

The cultists reveal the party's fate: "What has happened is you have become the newest sacrifices to the sniff lord." They then operate a wooden portcullis mechanism, sealing the tunnel entrance and forcing the party deeper into the underground passages.

Session 3

The dog-masked cultist pressed one of three carved stone buttons on the wall to close the portcullis, trapping Sucks, Katniss, and Vasso behind it to be sacrificed to The Sniff Lord. The cultist attempted to force the trapped party members deeper into the tunnel by grabbing a broom and jamming the handle through the portcullis to poke them.

When Safia swooped down in bat form and tore off his mask, the cultist's true identity was revealed. He briefly considered that "none of you know who I am" before the reality of the giant bat caused him to panic. As one observer wondered aloud, "Is it Mr. Jenkins who runs the mill?"—suggesting the cultist might be a known community member—he covered his face and began "flailing his arms around and freaking out" at the sight of the bat. He fled up the ramp along with the other cultists when the chaos erupted.

Key Attributes

Organization Structure: Describe themselves as an "order" with formal membership requirements and initiation processes
Religious Purpose: Conduct sacrificial rituals to The Sniff Lord, making offerings of food and living sacrifices
Secrecy: Maintain strict confidentiality about their activities, willing to kill witnesses or force them into the caverns as sacrifices
Leadership: The horse-masked cultist acts as spokesperson and decision-maker for the group
Equipment: Carry at least one knife, maintain torches, operate a wooden portcullis mechanism via carved stone buttons
Ritual Practice: Maintain a Stone Altar with food offerings including vegetables, fruits, and acorns
Membership: Five known members, each distinguished by their copper animal mask (horse, dog/wolf, pig, raccoon, anteater); at least one member appears to be an ordinary community member living a double life
Location: Operate in the Underground Cavern Beneath Rex Tree, directly beneath The Rex Tree
Connection to Crime: Their presence links the underground tunnels to the smuggling operation involving Katniss and Monster that the party was investigating