Regent of the Mask

## Biographical information

### Ethnicity

Unknown mix heritage (possible Middle Eastern, European, and/or Egyptian heritage)

### Relative(s)

* Saya† (wife)
* Canna (daughter)
* Cliff Higgins† (twin brother)
* Ashtear Higgins† (grandfather)
* Mizuki McCloud (sister-in-law)

## Professional information

### Former Affiliation

* LOA (coerced)
	+ Regent's military organization (coerced)
	+ Alchemist Forces (coerced)

### Former Occupation

* Alchemist
* Terrorist leader (coerced)

## Real world information

### Appearance(s)

* Ninja Gaiden 3 (O•RE)
* NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection

> "*It's my...atonement. Now....for Canna. The rest is in your hands.*"
> ― Theodore to Ryu moments after undoing the Grip of Murder.[source]
>
>

**Theodore Higgins** was a alchemist who fell in love with Saya and opposed the Lords of Alchemy's plan to use her to create a goddess. Fathering a child named Canna and marrying Saya, both were killed in an accident staged by his brother.

Theodore was later revived by Cliff , his memories erased by his borther, and controlled him through an AI crafted into the mask. Becoming the **Regent of the Mask**, he was the high-ranking alchemist and assassin that plagued Ryu Hayabusa throughout his opposition against the Lords of Alchemy.

## Biography

### Early life

Theodore was born as the twin brother of Cliff and was also the grandfather of Ashtear, the Chairman of LOA. Throughout their life, he had a love for theater and Theodore proved to be the more charming twin of the two, giving Cliff a sense of inferiority enough to yearn for attention from family and others alike unbeknownst to him.

### Fatal "accident"

In his adult life, Theodore fell in love with Saya McCloud, a conspirator to Cliff's plan to creating the Goddess. Unable to bear with potentially destroying the world with someone she cared deeply for, Theodore and Saya abandoned LOA, ruining Cliff's plan for a time.
Years later, the both of them conceive a child after marrying and named their daughter Canna. The two would later reside in New York with their daughter.

With Canna born, she was a pure specimen for Cliff's plan and he arrange for the both of them to be killed in a car accident, leaving Canna seemingly orphaned. While he looked after her as her uncle alongside his sister-in-law, Mizuki, Theodore was secretly brought back to life and brainwashed into the Regent using a mask as an AI, a homage to his brother's love for theater.

## Appearance

Theodore wears a long red robe with two belts around his waist. Underneath his robes, he wears a gold and black armor. While in his Regent persona, his face is completely covered by a white and gold mask, his light blue eyes being the only thing visible. Unmasked, he is shown to be a handsome male with shoulder-length blonde hair.

## Abilities

Recognized as a Master Alchemist, Theodore is capable of performing alchemy, possessing a variety of knowledge on different kinds of mystic abilities, such as crafting realistic illusions and enochian magic. In both swordplay and martial arts, his skills are on par with that of Ryu Hayabusa.

In both his Regent persona and normal self, Theodore is an extremely nimble and powerful fighter and possess superhuman attributes, having dodged attacks from the likes of Ryu, withstand being cut and stabbed by the Jinran-Maru and Dragon Sword in two difference instances, and can dash at great speeds capable enough of creating after images in his movements as well as superb agility.

### List of techniques

Alchemy
* **Grip of Murder**: A ancient, Slavic curse that imbues a impure weapon by breaking it down in structure and merging it with a victim and allows them to feel the malice and hate of all the enemies they cut down or the weapon they hold possess while rotting them from the inside until the infection kills them. Theodore can cast and undo the spell on a victim, requiring his blood and repeating an incarnation three times.
* **Enochian Magic**: A type of magic that correlates to create barriers. Theodore was able to dispel said magic with ease.
* **Projectile Attack**: Theodore can send a conclusive projectile made up of magic, often using it to follow up with a attack while the opponent is disoriented.

### Equipment

* **Regent's sword**: Theodore's chosen weapon is a rapier created by alchemy. His weapon is durably enough to clash with the Dragon Sword, Jinran-Maru, and the Blade of the Archfiend.
* **Regent mask**: While under the control of Cliff, Theodore wore a mask with an AI that controlled his actions and engaged in the terrorist acts Theodore performed under the "Regent of the Mask" persona. According to Cliff, it was inspired by Theodore's love for the opera.

## Behind the scenes

The Regent of the Mask was created by Team NINJA and debuted in *Ninja Gaiden 3*, serving as one of the major main antagonist.

### Character concept

* Regent of the Mask concept art
* Regent of the Mask concept art
* Regent of the Mask concept art
* Regent of the Mask concept art
1/4
According to one of Team NINJA's developer diaries, the Regent of the Mask is Ryu's nemesis; adored in a red robe and a mask, he is a dark figure whose motives is as mysterious as his mask. He is also described as a Master Alchemist who uses alchemy to his advantage, is a swordsman of incredible skill, and the only thing known about him is his intent to see Ryu Hayabusa suffer.

Prior to the game's release, both the Regent of the Mask and the Chairman of LOA were known to be among the game's antagonist in accordance to the official website of both the original and enhanced edition of the games. This served as a partial red herring to Cliff's true role as a main antagonist and underplays LOA's role as the group spearheading the game's plot.

### Official descriptions

* "*A mysterious masked figure that appears wherever Ryu goes. His unusual appearance hides his mysterious goals.*" -- *Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge* official website
* "*This cloaked alchemist confronts Hayabusa wherever his fights take him. While his connection to the events is clear, his motives remain as hidden as the face behind the mask.*" -- *Ninja Gaiden 3* official website
* "*An enigmatic man who repeatedly appears to confront Ryu. Subject Ryu to the "Grip of Murder", a curse that makes the victim feel the anguish of those he has killed. A master of alchemy, he also possesses great skills in swordplay and the martial arts on par with those of Ryu*" -- Ninja Gaiden 3: Unmasked Art Book

## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 *Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge*
2. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 3: Unmasked Art Book* - The glossary page explains the origin of Alchemy, in which reveals it's origin being from ancient Egypt and passed down over the **generations** in Europe and Arabia
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Ninja Gaiden 3 official website*
4. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection Digital Artbook and Soundtrack* - Canna's concept design
5. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge* - Day 7
6. ↑ *Ninja Gaiden 3: Unmasked Art Book*
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 *Ninja Gaiden 3*
8. ↑ PS3/Xbox 360「NINJA GAIDEN 3」Developer's Diary EPISODE 2映像
9. ↑ Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge official website