Mavani and the Creatures

Ancient Quatrians raised large birds similar to Guinea Hens/Grey Partridges, which feature in a number of their folktales, and even in some of the post-Diaspora cave art.

One of the less well-known involves Mavani, the Quatrian Magician/Hero, whose association with birds led to her title, “Mistress of Feathers” (she was also associated with feathery sea stars):

According to legend, when she was a child, before she was able to speak, Mavani found herself lost in the forest. The animals of the forest had never seen a human girl before, and all wanted her to join their families, so they all tried to claim she was one of them.

After a series of long debates (eventually immortalized in the epic poem “Assembly of the Creatures”), the Eagle King, deciding to test her flying abilities, dropped her from a large height. Needless to say, Mavani fell to her death.

The Queen of the Guinea Fowl took pity on her. “She is a bird who cannot fly,” she said, “just like us.” She buried Mavani in the ground, and planted cabbage seeds on the grave.

The Guinea Fowl Queen ate the cabbage growing from Mavani’s grave, and then laid an enormous egg that sparkled with every color. After she sat on the egg for nine months, the shell cracked open….

… and out came Mavani, alive once again, and fully grown! From that day forward, Mavani was always accompanied by two of her giant Guinea Fowl brethren (and her mastiff dog, but that’s a subject for a different day).