Mazzàlas

The Goat Keeper

Identity

  • Title(s) – Goat Keeper
  • Influence – Shepherding, Deformities, Taming Animals
  • Appearance – Mazzàlas is depicted as a deformed but muscular man dressed in farmer clothes with royal medallions and rings. He is commonly accompanied by trained animals or large bloodthirsty goats.

Attributions

  • Symbol – Shepherd’s crook
  • Focus – Goat’s horn
  • Color(s) – Gray, White, and Red
  • Element –
  • Animal – Goat

Cult

  • Center of Worship –
  • Scriptures –
  • Leader –
  • Priesthood –
  • Orders –
  • Aspects –
  • Touched –
  • Holy Days –
  • Friends –
  • Enemies –
  • Sayings –

Introduction

Mazzàlas was the youngest child of King Zirak and his First Queen, Erlànkha. At birth, Mazzàlas’ troubles were already apparent. His back was misshapen, his eyes were oblique, and his limbs were uneven. The doctor apologized to the First Queen and fetched a knife to kill the aberration, as was the custom. Erlànkha refused and had the doctor killed instead, baptizing the infant with his blood. When presented before Zirak, the king raged, knocking his wife and newborn to the ground and storming from the nursery. Zirak refused to see or hear of the boy thereafter.

Despite predictions that Mazzàlas would succumb to his deformities and die long before adulthood, the prince became the First Queen’s favorite. In addition to his physical afflictions, the prince was dim-witted and never learned to speak clearly. With all of these obstacles laid before him, Mazzàlas thrived under the First Queen’s care. With work, he learned all the basics he would need: caring for himself and keeping out of sight. Mazzàlas’ lone joy was listening to his mother’s birds. Many years later, when Mazzàlas was a young man, Erlànkha found him in the aviary speaking to the birds. She watched the spectacle from afar and was surprised to see the birds land on his hands and arms, listening to him. When she asked him about this later, he seemed confused. “You talk birds,” he answered. “But they don’t understand me,” his mother replied. Mazzàlas thought about this and asked about the hounds, the horses, and the hawks. Erlànkha explained that no one could talk with them either. Mazzàlas disagreed. The First Queen then took the young man around to each of the household beasts and found that the prince could communicate with each one. After visiting all the animals, Erlànkha prepared to leave Mazzàlas and sup with the king. Mazzàlas however, insisted they were not done. “Goats,” he insisted. The King owned a herd of large man-eating goats, a Dwürdèni breed that had been used in ages past during the wars with the Eylfāe. Zirak enjoyed throwing prisoners and traitors to the monsters, drinking wine as the goats tore the men limb from limb. The creatures thirsted for blood and could not be tamed. They were so popular with the King, that they dominated the family’s shield. Erlànkha hated and feared the creatures. To her, they were a constant reminder of the King’s barbarity. Mazzàlas insisted that they visit the beasts. His mother protested but could not deny her favorite son.

At the Goat Pit, Erlànkha wept as her crippled son climbed down to the hungry goats. Reaching the bottom, Mazzàlas walked up to the beasts, touched their horns and petted their gore-encrusted muzzles. The First Queen could not hear him, but could see Mazzàlas speaking to the beasts in the same manner he talked with the other animals. Soon, King Zirak burst into the chamber, angered that the First Queen had not shown for dinner. When he saw someone in the pit walking unharmed among his prized beasts, he was amazed. Asking who the new Goat Keeper was, Erlànkha explained that it was Mazzàlas, his son. Zirak was astonished that the boy had survived to adulthood. When Mazzàlas emerged from the pit the King enlisted him to train the goats for a new task, pulling Zirak’s war-chariot into battle. It soon became apparent that the goats would obey no one but Mazzàlas, so the King ordered the construction of a new two-man chariot. The King would wield his sword, spear, and flail from the chariot’s rear, while Mazzàlas controlled the terrible goats.

The Cult

There has never been an organization devoted solely to the worship of Mazzàlas. HIs name is invoked by teamsters, draymen, and by the lame.

The Priesthood

There are no priests of Mazzàlas.

Daily Activities

While there are no daily observances specific to Mazzàlas, it is common for parents of disfigured children to invoke in his name.

Holy Days and Rituals

Places of Worship

Nomenclature: Mazzalas Dekàlic: Mazzàlas (god), Mazzàlasi (pertaining to), Mazzàlasyn (follower), Mazzàlasyr (followers), Pryn Mazzàlas (priest), Pryr Mazzàlas (priests)