Ofrues

Ofrues is a fictional term used in worldbuilding and speculative fiction to denote a class of ceremonial masks associated with a mythic or historical culture. The concept appears across multiple fictional settings as a focal element of ritual, storytelling, and social identity.

In the imagined lore, the term is said to derive from the Ofruan language, with orfu meaning face and the plural suffix -es. This etymology is typically treated as lore within the stories, not as an established linguistic fact.

Design and use of the ofrues vary by setting but share common themes. They are usually carved from wood, bone, or shell, and are decorated with pigments, inlays, and symbolic motifs. Masks are worn during public rites, dances, and harvest celebrations, often concealing individual identity while linking the wearer to ancestors or spirits. In some traditions, the masks are believed to borrow power from the displayed symbols, influencing the outcome of ceremonies.

Cultural role centers on memory and community. Ofrues serve as mediums through which communal history is remembered and transmitted, sometimes passed down within families or clanships and treated with care or taboo, depending on the culture depicted.

Variants and distribution reflect regional imagination, with differences in size, form, and iconography. Some versions emphasize protection, others ancestry, and still others mythic narratives. In fiction and games, ofrues are frequently used to explore themes of authenticity, heritage, and social cohesion.

Notes: as a fictional construct, details of the ofrues vary by author and setting, and there are no real-world references.