Maahisy

Lore

Maahisy are not just forest spirits or malevolent beings—they are an entire subterranean people who live in the forest.

They resemble humans but are very small in size, often clumsy, and quite unattractive in appearance. For example, they might have a hand on their back or one foot turned backward; one ear might be in the usual place while the other is positioned oddly on their head. However, these descriptions apply to male Maahisy. According to legends, Maahisy can have beautiful daughters without any anomalies.

Some stories describe Maahisy as being so tiny that, compared to a common ant, they are only slightly larger.

By their nature, Maahisy are weak and don't possess any outstanding magic for attack or defense. The only thing they can do is camouflage themselves and hope they won't be noticed. Usually, Maahisy take the form of frogs, lizards, ermines, cats, and other animals.

Maahisy can also settle in hills or mountains; they don't necessarily have to live underground in the forest. But wherever these little people live, they form not just a settlement but an entire kingdom. The path to their kingdom follows ant trails, but they never, under any circumstances, wage war with ants—instead, they may live nearby and help each other.

They have an amazing trait: in the underground world, Maahisy walk upside down on the reverse side of the earth's surface. Anyone who enters their underground kingdom should not eat Maahisy food or drink their beverages; otherwise, they won't return to the surface, or if they do, they'll find that one year with the Maahisy equals fifty human years.

In their kingdom, Maahisy go about their daily lives just like ordinary people, but from ancient times, they've been considered skilled blacksmiths and weavers. It was believed that a needle bought from the Maahisy would serve a person for more than one generation and never break. Therefore, all the items created by these masters are highly valued and expensive.

Villagers living near where the Maahisy dwell usually leave honey or dried meat on the path for them. The Maahisy might thank them and, in return, give something valuable. An especially fortunate event is when the Maahisy gift a person their magical animal. Then the person becomes very rich and provided for several generations.