The Mask of the Matron is a porcelain mask of a woman's face given to Bells Hells by the Matron of Ravens herself.
Description[]
The mask is made of bright white porcelain, with the stylized features of a woman's face.[2] It feels cold and smooth when touched.[3]
History[]
Bells Hells communed with the Raven Queen in her temple in Vasselheim before their mission to deal with Predathos on Ruidus. In their meeting, when Chetney asked if she could provide any help, she replied that her abilities against Predathos were limited. Instead, she offered her mask, telling them to wear it and call her in a moment of need - she would send what help she could although she didn't know what form it would take, depending on where it was used.[4] At Imogen's urging, Braius Doomseed stepped forward to receive the mask from her.[5] Shortly afterward, Laudna asked to see it and Mage Handed it in front of her face, but nothing happened. She put it back down.[6] A new mask appeared over the Matron's face as the party was returned to Exandria.[7]
Later, Braius took the mask, saying it was so he could pray on it since the Matron had mentioned that he might be able to gain guidance on what path to take.[8] On the last night before Bells Hells faced Predathos, Laudna asked Braius to give the mask to Fearne Calloway for her to Identify it, but they could learn little.[9]
Laudna asked for it to be given to her before the party left (together with the Mighty Nein) to start on their respective missions, and Braius reluctantly did so when Imogen telekinetically nudged it from his hands.[10] However, in reality he gave her a duplicate he had secretly made[11] rather than the actual mask.[12]
Fan art of Laudna and the fake mask, by Elaine Tipping.[art 2]
Fan art of Laudna using the mask, by Elaine Tipping.[art 3]
During the battle against Predathos in the Hallowed Cage, Laudna attempted to wear what she believed was the mask, but when it failed to work, realized it was not the actual mask but a forgery. Knowing the only other person who had had the mask was Braius, she turned to him beside her and saw the bulge of the real mask hanging from his belt concealed under his clothing.[13] When she tried and failed to use Mage Hand to steal the mask from Braius, he noticed her attempt and confronted her.[14] She lunged toward him and somehow wedged her face under his clothing and into the mask. Cold encircled the party and time slowed to a stop in darkness, as they found themselves in conversation with the immense masked face of the Matron of Ravens.[15] After the goddess granted them boons and sent them back to the battle, Bells Hells managed to defeat Predathos, and its prison started crumbling. Laudna took the mask again to ask the Matron of Death for help, but the item had become gray after its use, breaking in her hands.[16]
References[]
- ↑ See "The Assembling of Legends" (3x112) at 0:48:30.
- ↑ See "A Test of Fate" (3x109) at 1:42:42.
- ↑ See "A Test of Fate" (3x109) at 4:25:36.
- ↑ See "A Test of Fate" (3x109) at 4:23:43.
- ↑ See "A Test of Fate" (3x109) at 4:24:59.
- ↑ See "A Test of Fate" (3x109) at 4:35:49.
- ↑ See "A Test of Fate" (3x109) at 4:36:59.
- ↑ See "In the Shadow of War" (3x110) at 0:27:31.
- ↑ See "The Nein Hells" (3x111) at 3:17:22.
- ↑ See "To the Arx Creonum" (3x115) at 1:14:58.
- ↑
CR Cooldown | C3 E119 at 03:44 (subscription required) (Transcript).
- ↑ See "Predathos Awakened" (3x119) from 2:11:28 through 2:13:40. It is slightly unclear when Braius actually created the duplicate. In "In the Shadow of War" (3x110) at 3:00:25, he mentions he is working on an ongoing work project and rolls a 21, after having earlier asking to have it to pray on. In "The Nein Hells" (3x111) at 3:19:05, he works on what he says is an Orym painting and rolls a 35.
- ↑ See "Predathos Awakened" (3x119) from 2:11:28 through 2:16:21.
- ↑ See "Predathos Awakened" (3x119) from 2:48:25 through 2:51:05.
- ↑ See "Predathos Awakened" (3x119) from 2:51:10 through 2:53:48.
- ↑ See "The Red End" (3x120) at 4:12:01.
Art:
- ↑ Official art of the Mask of the Matron featured in her holy symbol, by Conceptopolis from Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 15. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Fan art of Laudna and the fake mask, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Laudna using the mask, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.