Editing Ailendamus (section)

=== Court of Masks ===
Located in Ailendamus' main court and overseen by Sophridel, the Court of Masks is a public forum for discussion, rather than a formal echelon of government. It was officially put in place by King Itorin the First, as a way for meritorious thoughts to inform good governance. It is open to people of any social standing. It is warded against harm and assassins, and minors may not enter unaccompanied until they reach their majority.

The Court is a circular hallway that appears as multiple rooms floating in a black void. The rooms appear as different locations and vistas through illusions, and have central topics of discussion. When entering, attendees select a mask, secretly sourced from Sophridel, and they are expected to use the same mask in subsequent visit. The mask lets them be anonymous while remaining identifiable, by repeatedly changing the appearance of all physical features beneath the mask, changing their voice, and even hiding their scent. However, it is possible to discern one's identity through speech patterns such as a lisp. Staff members and silent observers appear as shadows. Attendees use pseudonyms referring to their masks, and can freely express their opinions for debate. If someone's behavior is seen as rude and the majority of a group disagrees with them, they may be excluded and a barrier will prevent them from entering a conversation. It may even lock them out of all discourse without someone else interfacing with them.<ref name=":8.41" />

Secretly, the Court of Mask also serves the purpose of imprinting more identities in Sophridel's Masks. The effect is diluted is a mask has been worn by multiple people.<ref name=":4">[https://wanderinginn.com/2022/03/09/8-68/ Chapter 8.68]</ref>