Makë

**Makë,** the **Moor Rider** was a major Euluskan diaspora goddess. She was the personification and representation associated with **death and equilibrium**. Her name was the word for *Death* in Euluska.

## Appearance

Makë often appeared as a black figure constantly in shadow or silhouette. She was tall, broad, and wore a duster and a wide-brimmed hat, thick boots, and long sleeves. In classical times, she might appear hooded instead in long black robes, or even wear a silver crown instead of a hat - she changed appearance through time and seemingly whenever.

The only parts of her visible were **silver spurs** which glinted and constantly spun erratically, squeaking; and a pure silver weapon at her hip. In classical tradition she carried at her side a short straight-bladed **silver knife**, but in modern depictions she carried a pure **silver revolver**. She carried a unmarked, perfect **white feather** in her belt, with which she would touch someone to send them to their destination.

Most of the time, on her back she carried a **silver man-catcher** tool - a long, silver rod with a spiked clamp at one side and hinged jaws, with which she would trip from horseback or ensnare on foot those who tried to flee judgement.

## The Rider's Horse

Makë almost always rode a **horse** whenever she appeared. Traditions varied as to the horse's appearance and identity - it was most often either pure black and silhouetted with gentle clouds of steam from its nostrils, perfectly white and beautiful, a dull red with a smouldering mane, or a sickly pale white-green.

It was the subject of much speculation that her horse signalled the fate of those who saw her, and this became a popular story in legend:

* On the eve of the 1490 plague blight that swept the Danderillon, some people in the village of Redhill reported seeing a black rider on a sickly, emaciated, pale white-green horse rearing atop the town's western hills, a grim omen of what was to come.
* When a virtuous soul reached the end of their life, they might receive the hallucination of a rider upon a beautiful white horse with a soft blonde mane and glistening grey eyes.
* One evening in 1517, as the Vortic fleet prepared to invade the city of Lusken, general Raul Azrapi of the city guard saw a rider on a red horse breathing smoke and fire ride along the ramparts of a collapsed section of the outer castle walls, and fainted. He wrote about it in his memoirs, wondering if it was a herald of war preceding the bloody battle that ensued.
* During the Lakayan Revolution of 1512, some in Fort Helena witnessed a dark figure trotting through the streets on a dappled dark grey horse with thin gold veins like marble upon it. It was speculated by some that this sighting represented the tyranny of the rulers who were about to witness great balance being restored.

## Divine Domains

Makë presided over death, equilibrium, balance, judgement, oaths, justice, law, transition, destiny, and ancestry.

She represented the natural cycle and balance of the world - she hated undeath and the undead. She was in charge of the natural cycle of life and death, and of balance between good and evil. She ensured the guilty were judged for their crimes. Also, Makë represented one's predestination and destined outcome for the end of their life, as well as guarding the spirits of the ancestors and keeping them safe. She oversaw the unraveling of the threads of one's tapestry of life, as well as the major moments in one's life, maintaining the equilibrium of nature.

## Symbols

Makë's symbols were (from most to least common): white feathers, candle flames, horses, man catchers, black cowboy hats or silver crowns, silver spurs, silver knives, or silver pistols.

## Reverence and Cultural Impact

### Daily ritual - Candles at dusk

More devoted and superstitious worshippers of Makë would light a candle each day at dusk, symbolizing the flickering and fragile nature of life. Dusk was an important time of day as it represented transition between day (life) and night (death).

### Only whispering in the presence of the dead, not speaking

In Euluska cultural tradition, when someone passes away, it is sometimes custom for people to whisper heartfelt final messages to the departed, believing that Makë's presence is close during their last moments. Superstitious people believe that these words will travel to the afterlife with the deceased. Speaking too loudly is said to disturb Makë or her horse. This has bled into cultural tradition among the Euluska to never speak loudly in a room with the dead in it.

### White feathers being important

White feathers, symbolizing purity and innocence, are left as offerings at altars or sacred sites dedicated to Makë. It is believed that she favors those who honour her with these feathers, bringing blessings and protection.

### Ghost light procession on Lukájo 12th

Once a year on Lukájo (February) 12th, people gather at sundown to participate in a solemn ghostlight procession. Each participant carries a candle or lantern, representing the guiding light of Makë. They walk in silence, reflecting on the transience of life and paying respects to those who have passed away. In some towns, some processions are led by someone on a horse, who dresses themselves in all black and carried a silver rod, staff, or banner - it's a great honour to be the villagefolk who does this.

### Removing spurs before entering

People believe that the erratic spinning of Makë's spurs is an omen of impending death. They avoid crossing paths with individuals whose spurs are spinning, believing it to be a sign that Makë is near and that the person's time may be drawing near. Therefore, it has become a cultural taboo over hundreds of years of farming that one must remove their spurs before entering someone else's home or an establishment - to do so is considered bad luck (think: similar to our real-world superstition of umbrellas indoors or walking under ladders).

### Don't whistle after dark

Whistling loudly after dark is seen as also bad luck. Superstitious people believe it attracts the attention of Makë's horse.

### Keep a balanced book

In matters of fairness, honesty, or accountability, the phrase "Keep a balanced book (or ledger)" refers to never forgetting if you owe or are owed a debt or favour., and to honour these obligations. It originates from the belief of Makë's domain of balance and how ignoring one's debts or becoming greedy and taking too many favours is rude and ill fortune.

### Crossroads are not to be lingered at

Crossroads are liminal locations where the veil between worlds grows thin due to their branching nature. It is unwise for the superstitious to linger at them.

### Don't cross paths without nodding

Some people believe Makë rides the roads of the wilderness, always on her way to visit someone who is about to die. It has become custom in Euluska culture that, when riding or travelling in the wild, it is unlucky to not acknowledge someone you cross paths with, even with a slight nod or a tap of your head toward them subtly; in the case that the stranger is someone who you don't want to upset.