Masked or concealed identity is a recurring motif throughout Gardens of the Moon. The motif serves a few purposes in the novel, moving the plot along by enabling secrecy and highlighting the theme of The Positive and Negative Aspects of the Human Condition.

Espionage and secrecy are at the heart of Gardens of the Moon. Several key events in the plot are facilitated by a main character concealing their identity. Kruppe masks his role as the Eel, enabling him to unite several of Darujhistan’s factions in their goals at Lady Simtal’s party. Quick Ben hides his identity as a former High Mage of Shadowthrone so that he can trick the god into killing Hairlock. Cotillion’s possession of Sorry is an extreme masking of his identity; pretending to be a young army recruit permits Cotillion access to the Bridgeburners, where he stabs Paran. The climax of the novel occurs at Lady Simtal’s masquerade party; concealing their faces allows both Rallick to go unrecognized in challenging Turban Orr to a duel and Anomander Rake to attend the party without causing alarm.

In addition to moving the plot forward at significant moments, the motif of masking one’s identity serves to develop the novel’s exploration of the positive and negative aspects of the human condition.