Pakaquoia are Asthaomic spirits that inhabit the masks of mask-wearers. All masks contain a piece of the wearer’s spirit, but sometimes misuse can cause this piece to become an independent entity.

Most pakaquoia are considered benevolent tricksters that only act out to correct the wearer’s bad form. A formidable few may be moved to violence, however, and others arise under even stranger circumstances entirely.

What makes a pakaquoia?

Okay! Four things!

One part mask!

One part human artifice!

One part natural phenomenon!

And for the most part: Cognitive dissonance!

All pakaquoia arise from internal conflict. They may appear to the grief-stricken, the tormented, and the cruel. But while inner turmoil creates the perfect storm for a pakaquoia, most will manifest through smaller transgressions like white lies, bad habits, and broken traditions. Even improper mask etiquette can invite a pakaquoia into the wearer’s life. The nature of this dissonance— and the nature of the pakaquoia— is as individual as the wearer. Masks are conversations with the self!

 

Traditions

The typical pakaquoia is a mimic of the wearer’s habits and demeanor. They go about their day much like the wearer does— or they try to, because most have peculiar mannerisms and lack self-awareness. The pakaquoia of a Basedti watchman may do the watch’s rounds, but has trouble seeing over the ramparts due to their short stature; A warrior-poet’s pakaquoia may attempt to sing hymns at the local shrine, but instead spouts nonsense. These odd but benign spirits are called naoksul pakaquoia— meaning “common,” “mundane,” or “domestic” in Sarikote.

Pakaquoia are well-meaning entities, but there are a few who rise from such trauma and cruelty that they are moved to violence. They are the shadows of despots, tyrants, and murderers. These pakaquoia manifest not through lack of rapport within the wearer, but lack of rapport with the environment. They are much more dangerous than pakaquoia that come from internal conflict, because they embody the suffering of multiple individuals. Despite their severity, it is thought that they represent the fundamental goodness that the wearer has unlearned, and that empathy can be afforded even to the hard-hearted. These ghosts are thaumat pakaquoia— meaning “trial” in Sarikote.

 

Reconciliation

Pakaquoia are temporary phenomenons, mere visitors in the liminal phases of our lives. Like parables, they are meant to be learned from and ultimately reconciled with. When the source of conflict within the wearer is resolved, the pakaquoia retreats back into the mask and consolidates itself with the wearer. In this way, a pakaquoia that is no longer active is said to be reconciled.

 

The Third Way

There are a few pakaquoia who are not at all like their peers. This is because they are not guests in the lives of their wearers, but rather permanent companions. Instead of confronting disparity within themself and banishing the pakaquoia forever, the wearer may be repeatedly visited by it during difficult times in their life. Others receive constant, completely arbitrary visitations. These pakaquoia superficially resemble their thaumat and naoksul sisters, but many develop quirks independent of the wearer and other pakaquoia.

The reasons for their appearance are obscure. They are sometimes thought to be a testament of the wearer’s strength of character, which overflows into the mask and causes it to become sentient. Others are treated as guardians or guides, and others yet are thought to be an unusual expression of historical recursion. A few appear for seemingly no reason at all. These odd-fellows are senke pakaquoia— meaning “remains” or “endures” in Satik.

 

What’s the difference between “pakaquoia” and “nakaquoi?“

They’re the same. Pakaquoia is the original Sarikote word, and nakaquoi (or nakakoye) is the Beyentized version of it. Nakaquoi is considered a much ‘stronger’ word, and is often used as an interjection.

 

How are they named?

There is no formal naming convention for pakaquoia. The ones recorded here are given the name of the mask’s wearer (Specifically the alias they use while wearing the mask— not their given name.)

 

Okay, but do they really exist?

This depends on who you ask.

Pakaquoia are sometimes used as explanations for strange behavior, dramatic shifts in morality, or mysterious disappearances. They often appear in fables and parables, and as bogeymen in children’s stories.

But pakaquoia incidents are rare; Only about 10% of the people in high Asthaom practice mask-wearing, and fewer still will experience such a crisis that they are visited with a pakaquoia. Those who do witness them swear by their experiences. This is a mystery that may never be solved.

 

Will there be more entries?

Maybe.

 

Who made this?

1ore. Catch me here.