D --> #equiusvault Number 4: Steinlich's Mask D --> Applicable warnings: #horror #body-horror D --> Status: Secured in vault, not for display D --> This mask is one of the more disturbing items in my vault D --> Visually, the mask is quite simple- it has a ceramic interior with the outside plated in gold D --> The appear however is f100id, as the mask, when worn, will contort itself to perfectly match the visage of the person who wears it, or the last person who had worn it D --> Unfortunately, it does this without consideration for what a person might need in order to survive, and effectively blocks one's airways and eyesight D --> Somehow, despite suffocating, the host seems to survive far longer than they have any right to- though we know that it does cause the sensation of suffocation, as this was reported by the last person to wear it, and as far as I am aware the only person to have survived the e%perience D --> It is not just the visage of the person that the mask attempts to mimic, indeed the mask itself will try to mimic the person underneath D --> Speech is possible through the mask despite the lack of an open mouth, and while worn it will attempt to adopt the mannerisms of the person who was wearing it, growing increasingly adept at the task the longer the mask is worn until the person inevitably perishes D --> Indeed, these impressions of a person- I do not believe the mask steals away their true soul based on the status of it's sole survivor- are forever imprinted onto the mask itself, and when the mask is without it's host, it will speak in their voices and with their faces D --> All of them, often overlapping at once D --> Many, disturbingly, beg for the mask's destruction, while others will argue against it D --> I do not know how the predominant voice is determined at any given time, but it appears personality has some effect on it- those with STRONGER wills seem to have more of a say D --> When the mask has a host, the host's personality takes complete control, though the knowledge of all the persons who were imprinted onto the mask appear available to the wearer D --> The cult I retrieved the mask from venerated the mask as a sort of avatar of infinite wisdom for their god, and would reg001arly sacrifice it's members to become the new host D --> An insidious cycle, as the cultist's own devotion would ensure the personality inhabiting the mask was happy to perpetuate the sacrifice and veneration of itself D --> This is despite the fact that the mask was not in fact an artifact of their god, and in fact was a false idol of sorts D --> It's true origins are unknown to me at this time, but I estimate there must be thousands of imprints contained within the mask D --> It is currently sealed inside of a soundproofed bo% in my vault, with a small radio with which to play music to the amalgam inside