In darkness of midnight, the Gods of Varosha banded together and created masks of unique properties with the assistance of gods from other realms. There was the Boar, Human, Dog, Fox, Cat, Owl, Snake, Spider, Bull, Rabbit, Dragon, Otter, Deer, Unicorn, Bat, Raven, Skull, Mouse, and the Butterfly. Each mask was a representative of an element or energy, while others were properties of a singular arcana.
These masks were bestowed upon their children in the hopes of seeing the world they had created through their eyes. In return, the children were granted the powers of their parents through the masks they were given. Although, they had powers they followed a singular oath. “I will watch over the land and its inhabitants. For I am the Gods' Watchman of the Midnight Eye.”
As time went on after the gods disappeared the bloodlines began to slowly diminish in strength. Those who still have the blood of the gods within them became the only people who are able to wear the masks and use the powers. Those who fail to have the blood of a God were forever cursed by the powers of the mask.
The curse takes over the body and thus the mask became its own entity. Those who are taken over by the mask are “Lost Children”. A mask wearer of a God can become corrupted now due to the thin bloodlines. If they disobey their God they can be disowned and will succumb to the curse.
Through the eyes of their children, the Gods saw what was ensuing in all the lands. When the Great Demon War occurred, they used their children to seek out champions who were already born with extraordinary gifts and abilities. Once five champions were found their blessing were bestowed upon those selected. The Watchman acted as protectors to the newly born Great Sages and enhanced the Sages with their own abilities. Once the war was over and peace continued, the Watchmen continued to follow their oath as the Sages no longer relied on their protection.
To be a Watchman, one must be born through the bloodline of a God to wear the mask. A mask is only give to a successor when the first wearer dies. Once the wearer has passed, the mask undergoes a selection. Those who believe they are descendants of a God join the Midnight Eye and wear a blank porcelain mask. They will remove their selection mask and attempt to put on the God Mask. If successful, the wearer will fuse with the mask but have complete control over their actions. If the mask fails, the wearer will be hurt and undergo a curse even after the mask is removed from their face.
Those who succeed undergo a series of training until they pass their final test. This will allow them to ascend into the planes and travel and are known as Stalkers. The Sanctuary will always be their home base, and they may return from time to time. While those who fail have to undergo mental rehabilitation and training to rid the curse. Stalkers who fall corrupted can become Lost Children and the God’s lose their sight of them.
Over
the last century a total of seven masks have gone missing from the Midnight Eye
from corruption or theft. This prompted the remaining wearers to stay within
the Sanctuary under the protection of Master. The sanctuary has become a
training ground for not just the Watchers, but all who follow the same
ideologies and want to find a sense of belonging. Anyone can join the Midnight
Eye.
False masks were created artificially by a strong individual. These masks still bestowed gifts to the wearers as well as a curse. However, not as strong as the originals, these masks often take away the minds of the wearers and treat them like puppets. Other copy masks exists in the world but are made through other means. These masks are usually worn by those of Unknown blood or Unknown. These masks also have unique properties depending on the capabilities of the wearer.