Mask On - Dagoth Ur
Hi and welcome to the first installment of a new series I’ve wanted to write since before I started this site called “Mask On,” where we look at masked characters across all forms of media and how they weigh up against each other. Or maybe it’ll be more of an exploration without judgment. Who am I kidding? Of COURSE there will be judgment. I have no idea how this will end up, but who cares! Masks are tight!
Dagoth Ur
The Sharmat and Lord High Councillor of House Dagoth
““What a fool you are. I’m a god, how can you kill a god? What a grand and intoxicating innocence. How could you be so naive? There is no escape. No recall or intervention can work in this place. Come, lay down your weapons, it is not too late for my mercy.””
Here he is. The ultimate baddie of Morrowind, Dagoth Ur. The King of Corprus, this extremely terrifying god lives inside a volcano where he seeks to use the Heart of Lorkhan (the source of his power) in order to create a giant mech to take over the world. His evil plans are made all the more threatening by the mer’s personality: a charming, seductive friend who wants nothing more than to meet up, share a drink or two, reminisce about old times (the player character turns out to be a reincarnation of his former best friend), and then turn you into a horrifying cancer zombie saxophone player that is fully dedicated to his destructive will. Dagoth Ur will show up in your dreams and scare the shit out of you, but also leaving you wishing you could talk to him just a little longer. His voice is hot. He likes red candle mood lighting. He’s definitely more than a little insane. He’s also a sick musician.
But let’s focus on the mask. Aesthetically - HOLY SHIT. Look at that thing. It’s large and in charge. It’s such a powerful statement piece, Dagoth Ur doesn’t have to wear anything else besides a loincloth and some ankle wraps. Your immediate attention is focused on the mask, a golden beacon with three spires converging in on the triple eyes. The concentric circles keep your attention focused on the eyes and those thick, luscious lips. There’s something distinctly African in the inspiration for this mask and a lot of people have drawn connections between Lord Dagoth and the cover for the Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters album. The mask in the album cover is called a kple kple mask and it is used in traditional dances in Côte d’Ivoire. The thin, angular eyes, distinctive nose and thick lips are reminiscent of many masks from that country and surrounding countries such as Liberia. Add in the gold, and you’ve got yourself a really beautiful and powerful visage to both beguile and terrorize your enemies.
Finally, let’s look at synergy. How well does the mask work for Dagoth Ur? Is it a mask worthy of a god? Is he a god worthy of the mask? Well, it is a resounding yes from me, friends. The Sharmat’s mask isn’t to work towards anonymity, nor for some sort of ceremony. It’s simply to work for his brand and showcase his power, might, and horror. It hits just right in all those places, radiating a nobility that outshines his otherwise naked and twisted body. Did you even notice the stained claws of his? It took me a while because his masked visage commands attention. And the attention is well deserved - Dagoth Ur is an extremely successful villain. He has created a blessing in the form of an extremely contagious and twisted disease called the Blight, which turns his enemies into his soldiers. He has backed his worst enemies into a corner. He has claimed the tools and alliances needed to enact his plans to take over the world. And Lord Dagoth is no slouch in a one-on-one fight either. He’s an accomplished sorceror, physically imposing and powerful, and also immortal. Having a shining golden mask that serves him both as beautiful adornment and a strong image to strike fear into his enemies. Dagoth Ur and the symbol of his mask are interchangeable.
So our first guest on Mask On is a strong start. Dagoth Ur has the charisma and power to pull of his mask, and the mask perfectly elevates his image to the masses. I’m not sure who our other guests will be, but stay tuned and let’s see if anyone will come even close to the Sharmat in terms of aesthetic and synergy. Until next time, thanks for reading and I’ll see you soon!