Culture and Customs of The Goat

[BobBox 3798]

Spoiler

 

Looking to recruit people into Goat Culture and potentially Naztherak. Feel free to send me a letter in game or a discord message if you're interested at all.

 

Culture and Customs of The Goat

Revealed to and transcribed by R E N, Scribe of Velkuzat in 184 of the second age.

 

Depictions of various goats.

 

In the year 124 of The Second Age, with the signal of a loud trumpet, the hordes of Velkuzat descended upon the mining city of Rokhard-maek upon his western border. Not long after this signal, the sweet metallic smell of blood, rakir, and sulfur combined into an awful, foul stench as the infernal slaves and workers of the town were all slaughtered and soon consumed.

 

Once the battle was concluded and the excess of rakir was drunk, the army of Velkuzat gathered within the central portion of the brimstone mine - roughly a full day after the battle. From an elevated position, the leading general spoke Velkuzat’s message to the assembled masses of inferi. Roughly translated, it reads:

 

“Yesterday as the brimstone mines filled with rakir, we drank until they emptied. Today as the bodies are piled high, we feast until we are full. Tomorrow, when all is mined, we glow in beautiful blue rokodra.”

 

 

The culture and practices of those devoted to The Goat are intertwined with the history of Velkuzat and the broader field of demonology as a whole. These traditions often originate from the sayings, teachings, and significant events associated with Velkuzat or his legions.

 

While strict adherence to all the traditions and practices listed below is not mandatory, those who seek to demonstrate exceptional loyalty or to gain favor with Him are encouraged to engage in as many of these practices as possible. This paper also does not contain all traditions and practices of those who devote themselves, though all listed below are core tenets.

 

 

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A mighty and redeemed creature.

 

Standing before a lesser lord's defeated and lowly worshiper, a Prince of Velkuzat lifted his sword high, positioned to kill. Speaking through a nearby familiar, Velkuzat commanded his faithful - “Offer a singular chance of redemption before their being is consumed.” Following this command, the false worshiper was offered repentance, though upon rejection of such an idea, was slain.

 

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Considered a core tenant of Velkuzat’s Worship, enemies of The Goat are to be offered the option to accept Him before their death. Frequently, this will appear as a simple prayer and the option to repent, should the heat of battle allow for such. Should it not, the phrase “Be Consumed.” is said in its place as a simple prayer and as an offering to The Goat.

 

This is to say that death is not the only option, but far from it. If a defeated foe accepts Velkuzat with all their heart, they may be spared in return for a life of worship. However, if even a little hesitation is sensed, their soul should be sent to Him to be wholly consumed.

 

These redemption prayers are often based on the ideas and actions of Velkuzat. A few of the common examples and stories behind the prayers are listed below, and being defeated in combat is not a requirement for someone to repent.

 

While wandering across the wastes of Moz Strimoza for many days, the army of Velkuzat grew hungry and wary. Zevn caused trouble, and zekul snapped their maws at the slightest inconvenience. 

 

After following a general of Velkuzat’ through a forest of gatrov, his army soon stumbled across a path carved by hooves in the ground, revealed to them by a shimmering green flame. Upon seeing this sight, Velkuzat’s forces traced the pathway, and they soon found themselves at the flank of an army of Kiiztria. It was only a few moments later that a decisive victory was found, and those of Velkuzat had earned themselves a feast.

 

The prayer “Velkuzat, guide my feet and my blade. In return, I dedicate this feast to you” is created from this story. This is primarily used against those who are entering battle, though a secondary version is often said by those who are repenting. “Velkuzat, I now walk your path. Guide my feet and my blade in your name.”

 

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Another story tells of an instance where a starved man wandering amongst humanity’s cruel battlefields had reached his end. With ribs showing and skin clung tightly to bone, the man turned to Velkuzat. 

 

While lying in a pile of mud, the poor soldier cried out “Velkuzat, hear my prayer, deliver me strength this day, and in return, I will offer you feasts from the kingdoms you oppose.” The man then fell unconscious, though miraculously he awoke as a fattened zar’ei soldier. Following this event, this zar’ei would work tirelessly to repay the debt of the endless life and power he had been granted. 

 

This prayer is considered a sign of good faith by those repenting with it, as they accept whatever powers they are granted and in return keep their life. In fact, many who speak this are not granted any powers but are instead given the strength to continue living while they fight in His name.

 

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The third and final story tells of a woman who, when captured, begged for her life and swore her life to The Goat. Despite this, when released, the woman soon retreated to a canonist town and repented her sins to a priest.

 

The Goat instantly knew of this betrayal, so he dispatched an Inferi warlock from one of his legions to deal with the situation. Upon arriving at the woman, the warlock enacted a horrible curse upon her and her family.  After a quick chant of Ilzakarn, the lady was stricken by an insatiable hunger that would persist throughout generations.

 

This woman would eventually go on to eat herself to death, the curse getting the better of her. Her sons too found this curse applied to them, and at a young age as their city was besieged, they could not even fit properly into their armor, and so they too died. The mother became known as “Mother Sinner” by those in the town who survived the attack.

 

Derived from this story is a prayer for those who seek repentance - “Dear Velkuzat, grant me strength to walk your path and follow your words, lest I turn into Mother Sinner, my generations cursed forever.”

 

 

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The information about The Lords was mostly unknown during the first ascension of the infernal powers to mortals. This caused the mortal demonologists to band together with little thought or purpose. People would often follow multiple lords or even none at all. It was not until the first Brotherhood of The Goat was formed that this changed.

 

This group of Velkuzat followers worked together, fought together, and even died together. They remained strong and were a leading force of demonologists that no one wished to interfere with. This was until a follower of Drazhana infiltrated the group. This follower, known as Ilza, had grown paranoid about the group’s strength and soon orchestrated an attack with a neighboring nation's army. Waiting until night, Ilza led a band of guards into the hideout of The Brotherhood and had many of them killed. Following this event, the Brotherhood disbanded entirely, with each remaining member retreating into hiding for a long time.

 

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Modern-day followers of Velkuzat view this event as a sad tragedy of the past, though they also allow it to influence their current and future decisions. It is due to the Brotherhood described above that worshipers and devotees still stick together, primarily assisting others of The Goat before other lords.

 

Likewise, those who are thought to be a potential Ilza, or who are bound to Him but do not worship are treated as traitors, cast aside and into shallow graves to be killed. 

 

Furthermore, every devotee and worshiper of Velkuzat believes that any battle fought should be in His name. This does not mean that it must be honorable, or anything akin to that, but rather that defeat is an embarrassment to Him.

 

 

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A splendid horde of treasure, dedicated to Velkuzat.

 

Standing before a deep pool of blood and gore, and beside a large collection of various foods, a humble servant of The Goat knelt and spoke a prayer out loud. “Velkuzat, hear my prayer, eat my food, enjoy my gifts. The fruit of my labor is yours, and in return I expect nothing. I offer this feast to you, o’ Lord.” Standing then, the servant pushed the food into the pool of blood.

 

The food quickly sunk into the blood. After a few moments, the substance began to boil, and as the bubbles began to break the surface, a simple rokodra weapon floated upwards. A gift from Him was received, an answer to the prayer, even when nothing was expected.

 

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Those who devote themselves to Velkuzat will oftentimes begin to stockpile large quantities of food, books, and other rarities. At first, it may only be their favorite foods or readings that are kept, but eventually, it always expands to whatever the followers can get their hands on.

 

This belief stems naturally from the gluttony of The Goat, a constant thirst for knowledge, food, and other objects to display. Those with larger collections are seen as more prestigious, however the most faithful will oftentimes send their entire collections to Him as gifts. The story below tells of a famous collection and the objects within it.

 

Shortly before the Inferi war, a lone demonologist stood in a square room, surrounded by his extensive collection of artifacts. To the west of the woman was a collection of nearly all materials known to man, filled with starsteel, thanhium, azhl, and stolen paladin and druidic crystals. Gazing upon these, the woman spoke:

 

“Velkuzat, bless my metals so that I may forge mighty blades to slay all who oppose you..” 

 

Turning to the south, she saw many pelts from rare animals and beasts, some made of fur such as kha tails, scales of draconic beasts, hides of large monsters, and bodies of otherworldly entities. As the woman glanced across these, the light danced across them and changed color with a beautiful hue. Seeing these, the woman said: 

 

“Velkuzat, bless my hunts to be bountiful so that I may display your wealth and enjoy your feast.”

 

Next was the east, and upon its wall was a pile of goods, rightfully taken from those who had been slain in battle. Torn Haenseti flags, destroyed Orenian uniforms, chestplates split from those of Aegrothond, and even an orcish helm from a prior rex. The woman once more said another blessing:

 

“Velkuzat, bless the battlefields with plentiful loot, starved soldiers, chipped blades, and weakened armor.”

 

Finally, there was the northern wall, where multitudes of rare and exotic foods rested upon wooden shelves and the jars that sat upon them. Exotic berries of prior lands were perfectly preserved, fresh meat of recently hunted boar, and food enhanced with magical essence. The woman spoke one last prayer:

 

“Velkuzat, I offer my food to you and your followers, so that none may ever be starved.”

 

Finally, looking upwards towards the ceiling, the woman could see an immense assortment of books that filled all the shelves, rivaling even the collection of Haelun’or at the time. She spoke no prayer, as she knew a previous one had already been answered.

 

 

Two symbols were present at the bottom of the page, denoting the author and his affiliation.

 

[ellielove15 547]

Spoiler

This would be really interesting to join, though the main character I played is known for hunting inferi lol. Really cool concept that I may try on a different persona.