Malachar
Malachar, also written Malakar, is the god of luck and outcasts, known as the Lord of the Spinning Coin, the Smiling Fate and the Darkwing. His domains are trickery, loss, charity and luck, and his symbol is a dark feather with coins.1
The spy of the gods
Malachar is the god of luck, but his rule rests on a deeper philosophy. Ages ago he served the gods as a spy against The Dark One, and the experience changed him at the root. He carries a hint of darkness within him that makes him seem distant and intimidating to others, though he has never done anything wrong.2
After what befell him, Malachar turned away from luck alone and became a god who protects all of society's outcasts.2
Teachings
In Malachar's view, not every wicked deed springs from darkness in a person's heart; circumstances often drive people down such paths, and no one chooses to be a thief who could be a noble or a wealthy merchant. He respects those who keep a sense of honour in what they do, such as thieves who steal without killing or swindlers who cheat only the rich.2
Luck never gives, it only lends. A wise one accepts it.2
Even the god of outcasts values the old principle of giving something in return for what one takes. This is why many thieves leave something of little or no worth behind in place of what they have stolen, for no wise person wants to anger Agmon and the other gods.3
Worship
Anyone in need of luck takes refuge in Malachar's name: a gambler about to roll the dice, or a lover hoping to find the right partner, prays for his favour. To worship him, one gives food and money to beggars, and his most devoted followers share out part of their earnings this way, balancing the scales of luck a little.2
Under the name Malakar he is also called the patron of thieves, and The Fang is a cleric devoted to him.4
Malachar's Day
Because a tenday cannot last more than ten days, the extra day that falls outside it is called Malachar’s Day in homage to the god of luck. It is believed that time stands still on such days, that work done on them will end well, and that those who die on them are blessed by the god of luck.5
Servants and legends
Each major god uses angels of its own as intermediaries, and Malachar's are raven-winged servants, as invisible as shadows.6
According to legend, the god of luck welcomes particularly unlucky souls from the Waiting Halls of Haraat into his own domain.2
Among the tales told of the imperial folk hero Fasbarn the Cunning, whose existence is uncertain, is one in which he gambles with Malachar.7
Notes
Sources
This article draws on:
Images in this article
Lands of Exile: Starter Setting Guide (Bad Badger Games, 2024), p. 30. Art by the Bad Badger Games team.
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