J.E.D.D. Mason

### Relations

Madame (mother), Isabel Carlos II of Spain (father), Cornel MASON (adopted father), Felix Faust (ba'pa), Hotaka Ando Mitsubishi (ba'pa), Ganymede (ba'sib), Danae (ba'sib), Dominic Seneschal (servant), Mycroft Canner (servant), Heloise (servant), This Universe's God (peer)

### Status

Alive

**J.E.D.D. Mason** is a twenty-one year old Hiveless minor, ostensibly an heir-apparent or confidant to each of the seven hives. He commands considerable, world-wide respect, and is known for his various advisory capacities. At this point in the series, he is revealed to be - or at least believes himself to be - the God of Another Universe, trapped in a human body.

Presently, J.E.D.D. Mason is the leader of one of the two factions in the upcoming War, the Remakers. He has pledged to build a new world order, but demands absolute unconditional surrender from the rest of the world in order to achieve his, currently, nebulous vision.

## Appearance

J.E.D.D. Mason is somewhat ethnically ambiguous, with long, almost-black hair tied back, a clean and beautiful face, a very still body, black eyes, and all-black clothing of the late 18th century.

## Personality

J.E.D.D. Mason speaks in a flat, affect-less voice, often in a variety of languages, including ancient Latin. He is profoundly adept at reading people, particularly at knowing their true religious/metaphysical beliefs, and will often wield such knowledge as a weapon. He values truth and goodness above all else, and is frustrated by the perceived failings of this world and of This Universe's God.

## Relationships

J.E.D.D. Mason is the biological child of Madame D'Arouet and King Isabel Carlos II of Spain, born and raised at Madame's in Paris. He is the adopted child and Porphyrogene of Emperor Cornel MASON. As part of the informal 'bash, he was raised by most of the world's powers, including Hotaka Ando Mitsubishi (incorrectly rumored to be his biological father), and Felix Faust. He commands the absolute devotion and service of many, including Mycroft Canner, Dominic Seneschal, and Heloise.

## Positions

As of the end of *The Will to Battle*, J.E.D.D. Mason holds the following positions and titles: Graylaw Hiveless Tribune, Porphyrogene, Cousin's Board Advising Member, Humanist Deputy Attorney General, European Council Counsel, Mitsubishi Directorate Advisor, Gordian's rising Brain-bash'Stem, Alien, Heir Presumptive to the Throne of Spain, and the God of Another Universe.

## Names and Aliases

**Tai-kun,** Japanese. This name has a double meaning:

"Tai-kun," as written, is applying the "-kun" suffix for "boy" or "young man" to the name or nickname "Tai." This is consistent with the book's description:

However, the word 'taikun' translates as "liege lord; shogunate." So even his name of boyish endearment is also one of power and lordship.

**Jagmohan,** Indian. *Jag* is the world, and *Mohan* is to captivate, delight, enchant, etc - combined, the name means "one who captivates/enchants the world." It's a title of Lord Krishna, who is one of the most important avatars of Lord Vishnu, the protector in the Hindu Trinity. The name itself is not an unusual one in India.

When J.E.D.D MASON is first referred to by this name, Mycroft comments that it is "practically a pun." It is possible this refers to the fact that "Jagmohan" has the same cadence, syllables, and many of the same letters as "Jed Mason", though this is unconfirmed.

**Xiao Hei Wang,** Chinese-strat name.

"Xiao," or "小" translates to small, in size or age. It is often used as a sign of endearment or affection, or someone's youthful, younger-sibling status. "Hei" or "黑" translates as the color black - in possible reference to J.E.D.D. Mason's favorite choice of clothing color. "Wang" or "王" translates as king or monarch, and is a common Chinese surname. Its Cantonese romanization would be "Wong."

**Micromegas,** Utopian, sometimes abbreviated to "Mike."

(The Michael/Heinlein reference refers to Heinlein's alien visitor Valentine Michael Smith, of *Stranger in a Strange Land*.)

**The *Porphyrogene*,** Masonic. Meaning is something like "child of the purple," with the purple being the imperial color, signifying royalty.

The significance of the name "J.E.D.D. Mason" itself is a crucial plot point in *Too Like The Lightning*. "J.E.D.D." stands for **Jehovah Epicurus Donatien D'Arouet** - sacrilegious in our own day; even worse in the Seven Hives, where public mention of religion is forbidden.

Madame D'Arouet explains that each of J.E.D.D. Mason's ba'pas picked out one of the names.

* "Donatien" is significant as the given name of the Marquis de Sade.
* "Epicurus" could be calling us back to Carlyle and Bridger's conversation. Carlyle referred to Epicureans as rejecting the idea of an afterlife, and believing in the importance of lasting pleasures. He also refers to the Neo-Epicureans - a fictional economic philosophy, maintaining that government's job is to *"make sure people live in ways that make them happy."* Neo-Epicureanism is also credited with the setting's bash' system, replacing traditional family structures. *(Is there additional significance to this choice of name?)*
* "D'Arouet" is a reference to Voltaire's real name, Arouet