“We all have Masks.
Those who hide their visage behind masks do not do so to avoid shame or harm. The Mask is our only defense against our world. It is a sign of our unwavering devotion and humility.
We wear Masks, as our Prophet does. We serve him, as he serves us. With Masks we purge ourselves of emotions. With Masks we purge ourselves from Pain and Fear.”
Words of the Prophet, Psalm of Subjugation
In this Devlog we would like to delve a little deeper into the rules that govern the world of Unholy, and the relationship between Masks and Emotions.
Simply put, the world of Unholy resonates with its inhabitants' emotions, it feeds on them and allows them to materialize. And when the Fear appeared in the hearts of citizens, it began to show in the world. Our Emotions govern our existence, and thus succumbing to fear means that the world will feed off it and let the fear grow.
How can one exist in such a world? Only through two things - attaining serenity or by wearing a Mask. The former requires work and knowing one self, the other just requires obedience to the words of the Prophet. We can already guess which one was preferred by the governing clergy.
As the world began to change, people who succumbed to their emotions began dying, as their emotions burst from inside. Deadly and unstoppable, these emotions crystalize on the bodies of the dead, giving us a glimpse into what has happened to them.
Devised by the Spring of Immortality, Masks will deprive you of your Fear, Pain… but also joy. Who would you become upon donning such Mask. What would be left of you upon purging all emotions? As all citizens began to wear Masks, a new hierarchy emerged - Warriors donning the Guard Masks, Reverent Nuns and the dreadful Inquisitors. Yet, the meek are granted no powers or status. Their mask is that of servitude. And thus began the age where your Mask not only steals your emotions but defines your role in the world.
In Unholy, the relations between Masks, Emotions and the inhabitants of this world, will define the entire future of this land. Our main protagonist - will also have her own Mask - an unique Ego Mask, that will allow her to retain her former self. This artifact will provide our hero with the ability to copy and mimic other Masks' powers. In order to find her son, she will have to master her own emotions, attain the powers of others and be armed in such a way to conquer her fears, the world… and the Prophet himself.
Emotions shape the world, they can be used against us if we show what really defines us. So the question is, how far will you go to hide your fear, shame or uncertainty. Imagine you are destined to rule over others, would you show your true feelings?