Category Archives: Monsters

BoL Bestiary: Quilitlconcuanacatl – Man-Eating Plants Of Tlactoztlan

Although they are largely immobile, Quilitlconcuanacatl pose a serious threat to jungle travelers. These carnivorous plants blend in almost perfectly with their surroundings and surprise all but the most alert eyes when they snap with their powerful jaws. Fortunately, Quilitlconcuanacatl require food only once every 6-12 days, and they will not attack if they are currently digesting a meal. The area immediately around a digesting Quilitlconcuanacatl is far more likely to be occupied by jaguars, crocodiles, and other predators as these awful plants emit a sickening aroma that attracts such creatures to the vicinity.

Quilitlconcuanacatl

When a character has been bitten by a Quilitlconcuanacatl, he or she must succeed at a Hard Agility-based task check or be swallowed whole by the massive plant. Creatures swallowed by a Quilitlconcuanacatl are immobilized and will suffer 1 LB damage each hour they remained trapped inside the creature, as they are being slowly digested. Only the complete destruction of a Quilitlconcuanacatl can save the “meal” from its fate. Once a Quilitlconcuanacatl has successfully swallowed a creature it will not attack or otherwise engage any other creatures in the vicinity. However, the aroma released by a digesting Quilitlconcuanacatl attracts other predators to the area, making it hard for “survivors” to focus on destroying the plant.

Attributes
Strength 5
Agility −1
Mind −3

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +3; 2d6
Defense: -1
Protection: d6 (tough, fibrous “skin”)
Lifeblood: 50

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BoL Bestiary: Hueyatocatl – Giant Spiders Of Tlactoztlan

With a tip of the hat to Jeff Mejia of Evil DM Productions for his work on the BoL version of Legends of Steel, I present the Giant Spider (Tlactoztol variant).

Eight-legged death awaits the foolhardy in the jungles and ruins of Tlactoztlan in the form of giant spiders the natives call Hueyatocatl. These malevolent creatures possess a deadly poisonous bite delivered with terrible mandibles. Look carefully before you step into that darkened room or seemingly innocent clearing, traveler.

Hueyatocatl

Hueyatocatl poison causes nerves to burn with a searing agony as it courses through the veins of the unlucky victim. Immediately after being bitten the victim must make a Hard Strength-based task check or take an additional d6 damage that bypasses any armor or other protection. Subsequent bites in the same encounter do only an additional d3 damage unless a Tricky Strength-based task check is made.

Attributes
Strength 3
Agility 0
Mind -1

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +1; d6 + poison
Defense: 0
Protection: 1 (chitinous hide)
Lifeblood: 10

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BoL Bestiary: Hueyacoatl – Giant Snakes Of Tlactoztlan

With a tip of the hat to Jeff Mejia of Evil DM Productions for his outstanding work in the BoL version of Legends of Steel, I present the Giant Snake (Tlactoztol variants).

From the tall grasses of the plains, to the dark depth of the jungles, to the fetid swamps, and sometimes even in the sewers and catacombs beneath the cities – cold-blooded death awaits the unwary in the lost valley. Whether striking with poisonous fangs, constricting with powerful muscles, or killing freely with both approaches, Hueyacoatl – the giant snakes of Tlactoztlan – pose a serious threat to human and animal alike.

Hueyiztlacoatl (Giant Venomous Snake)

Hueyiztlacoatl venom is a neurotoxin that impedes muscle movement, including the functioning of heart and lungs. Victims of a Hueyiztlacoatl bite must make a Hard Strength-based task check or be paralyzed for one hour. At the end of the hour – if the victim has somehow not been consumed by the snake – a second task check, of Tricky difficulty, must be made. On a success the victim shakes off the effects of the poison and recovers. On a failure, however, the victim expires.

Attributes
Strength 4
Agility 3
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d6+1 + poison
Defense: 2
Protection: none
Lifeblood: 25

Hueyaquilpicoatl (Giant Constrictor Snake)

A victim of a Hueyaquilpicoatl’s constriction attack may attempt to break free each round after the initial successful strike by making a Strength-based task check with the snake’s own Strength as a negative modifier. You might want to spend a Hero Point on that, son.

Attributes
Strength 6
Agility 1
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with constriction +1; 2d6
Defense: 0
Protection: d3-1 (tough hide)
Lifeblood: 35

Miquiztlicoatl (Giant Venomous Constrictor Snake)

Miquiztlicoatl show an almost human level of intelligence and appear to delight in tormenting their victims. See above for information on venom and constriction attacks.

Attributes
Strength 5
Agility 2
Mind -1

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +1; d6 + poison
Attack with constriction +0; 2d6-1
Defense: 1
Protection: d2-1 (tough hide)
Lifeblood: 30

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BoL Bestiary: Xotlatocazatl – Giant Centipedes Of Tlactoztlan

Somewhere in the world lies the lost valley of Tlactoztlan. The strange natives of this hidden place practice human sacrifice, pray to bizarre gods, adorn themselves with brightly-colored feathers, and – it is rumored – live in cities made of gold. Only the bravest and luckiest adventurers find their way to Tlactoztlan!

Deep within the jungles of Tlactoztlan there are giant red and black centipedes, some measuring well over 4 feet long. These horrifying predators possess a deadly, necrotizing poison which continues to harm those it has afflicted for days after they have been bitten.

Xotlatocazatl, as they are called in Tlacuatl, live primarily on the floor of the jungle, nesting under stones and dead wood, as well as inside logs. They do occasionally climb high into the canopy in search of prey, and sometimes drop form branches to ambush unwary travelers.

Anyone bitten by a Xotlatocazatl must make a Tough Strength-based task check when the adrenaline of combat has cleared his or her system. Failure indicates that d3 of damage is dealt from the poison. Success results in only a single point of damage. Twenty-four hours later a new Strength-based task check, which will either be Tough (if the initial check failed) or Hard (if the initial check succeeded). Failure of this check again results in d3 damage, while success yields a single point of damage. This cycle continues every twenty-four hours, with the task check becoming progressively easier after a successful check (up to Moderate difficulty) or remaining at the difficulty level of the last successful check. Once a character has succeeded in four successive task checks the poison ceases to be damaging.

Damage done by Xotlatocazatl poison cannot be healed by any normal means until the poison has been purged from the victim’s system.

Attributes
Strength 1
Agility 2
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d3 + poison
Defense: 1
Protection: d2-1 (chitinous hide)
Lifeblood: 8

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BoL Foes: Eagle Knights & Jaguar Warriors

Eagle Knights & Jaguar Warriors (Cuauhtli and Ocelotli in Tlacuatl), though representing two distinct orders within Tlactoztol society, ultimately serve very similar roles and are often considered sides of the same coin both inside and outside the lost valley. These two groups are primarily comprised of older, accomplished soldiers of noble birth, though truly valiant or noteworthy commoners are occasionally elevated into their ranks. To attain true membership in either the Eagle Knights or the Jaguar Warriors, a warrior (regardless of supposed birthright) must have successfully taken no less than four significant opponents alive in battle.

Despite their efforts to claim certain additional rights and assert themselves within Tlactozotl politics, these two groups have no true authority of their own and function more as “open” secret societies or fraternal orders than as actual power blocs. This in no way diminishes their role during time of war, nor does it make any particular Eagle Knight or Jaguar Warrior less dangerous a foe.

Both Cuauhtli and Ocelotli forego the traditional yellow-feathered headdress worn by the Coztli (the warrior caste of Tlactoztlan) in favor of their own order’s preferred helmets, which resemble the heads of their respective avatars.

Essences
Lifeblood 12

Attributes
Strength 2
Agility 1
Mind 0
Appeal 0

Combat Abilities
Brawl 0
Melee 2
Ranged 1
Defense 0

Career
Soldier 2
Noble 1

Protection: 1d6-1 (quilted cotton armor & shield)
Weapons:
Macuahuitl (obsidian-toothed wooden swords) 1d6+3 (-1 to hit)
Atlatl (dart thrower) 1d6+1
Tepoztopilli (spear), 1d6+2

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BoL Bestiary: Huecueyatl – The Giant Frogs of Tlactoztlan

Able to leap up to 40′, these enormous, boar-sized amphibians are scattered throughout the swamps of Tlactoztlan. Aggressive, vicious and utterly without fear, huecueyatl (as they are called in Tlacuatl) are ambush predators with large, round mouths that will attack anything that approaches their territory. Traveling priests report that several disparate vroups of villagers swear by the great Tlatoani that they have seen men with heads like huecueyatl deep with the marshes. It is unlikely, though, that these tlacueyatl, or frog-men, really exist.

Attributes
Strength 2
Agility 2
Mind -1

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d6-1
Defense: 2
Protection: d3-1 (tough hide)
Lifeblood: 13

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BoL Bestiary: The Bats of Tlactoztlan

Many different varieties of bats, collectively referred to as tzinacatli in Tlacuatl, are found throughout Tlactoztlan, ranging from the normal-sized to the truly gigantic. Below are stats for three different varieties, each of which can pose a significant threat to the unwary traveler.

Tzinacatliachitzin (Bat Swarm)

A swarm of twenty or more normal-sized bats, of the sort that might fly out of a cave and briefly trouble an unlucky adventurer. If three or more points of damage are inflicted on the swarm it will disperse and flee, but only 3-12 bats will actually have been killed.

Attributes
Strength -2
Agility 3
Mind -3

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +3; d3-1
Defense: 1
Protection: 0
Lifeblood: 3

Tzinacateztli (Giant Vampire Bat)

A large, carnivorous bat found in the deep jungle and occasionally in the mountains. These creatures often travel in small groups of 4-6, in search of food. The bite of this variety of bat is mildly poisonous, and anyone bitten by a giant vampire bat will suffer a -2 penalty to attack roles and move at half speed unless they succeed at a Tricky Strength-based task check. After two rounds the victim of a Giant Vampire Bat’s bite must make a second Tricky Strength-based task check or fall unconscious for d6 minutes. Giant Vampire Bats will drain d3 Lifeblood per minute from an unconscious victim if not driven away.

Attributes
Strength -1
Agility 3
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d6-1
Defense: 2
Protection: 0
Lifeblood: 10

Tzinacatahualo (Giant Bat)

These enormous creatures are large enough to be ridden by a man, though they make for foul-tempered mounts. Anyone attempting to ride a Tzinacatahualo who does not have significant prior experience in dealing with these beasts must make regular Tough agility or ride checks to remain mounted and keep the Tzinacatahualo on the desired path.

Attributes
Strength 5
Agility 3
Mind -1

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d6+1
Defense: 2
Protection: 1d3 (tough hide)
Lifeblood: 20

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BoL Bestiary: The Crocodiles of Tlactoztlan

Crocodiles, as well as the fortunately very rare Giant Crocodile, are found throughout Tlactoztlan, in the swamps as well as along the banks of the many rivers and streams that crisscross the lost valley. Both varieties are quite aggressive and can be incredibly dangerous to anyone unlucky enough to encounter them unprepared. In addition to biting with their massive jaws, crocodiles are able to lash out with their powerful tails, knocking foes from their feet. Any character or creature stuck by a crocodile’s tail must succeed at a task check against strength (Hard for normal crocodiles, Demanding for giant crocodiles) or be knocked prone.

Crocodile

Attributes
Strength 5
Agility 1
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +1; 1d6+1
Attack with tail slash +0; 1d6 damage
Defense: 1
Protection: d3-1 (tough & scaly hide)
Lifeblood: 20

Giant Crocodile

Attributes
Strength 10
Agility 0
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; 2d6
Attack with tail slash +0; 2d6-1 damage
Defense: 0
Protection: d3 (tough & scaly hide)
Lifeblood: 40

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BoL Foes: Izatacli – The Sorcerers Of Tlactoztlan

Wherein your humble scribe presents a set of opponents for his Mesoamerican themed setting for Barbarians of Lemuria.

The sorcerers of Tlactoztlan, when spoken of at all, are know by the appellation Izatacli, the white-headed ones. Like the white-crowned parrots whose feathers comprise their distinctive headdresses, Izatacli are aloof and distant from the world. As magicians, Izatacli are possessed of eldritch wisdom and the means to exert their wills over reality, a fact that makes them terrifying to the average Tlactozotl, and potentially terrible foes for those who are not consumed with fear. Izatacli seldom interact with Texotli or Coztli, preferring either the company of their own kind or else the solitude that allows them to pursue their magical studies more effectively.

Below are stats for Izatacli Rabble and Izatacli NPCs. Individual Izatacli Villains, like Nezatl Xomec, are unique and should be created as needed by the Game Master.

Izatacli Rabble

An apprentice wizard, or perhaps a dabbler in the arcane arts.

Essences
Lifeblood 2
Arcane Power 3

Attributes
Strength -1
Agility 0
Mind 1
Appeal 0

Combat Abilities
Brawl 0
Melee 0
Ranged 0
Defense 0

Career
Sorcerer 0

Protection: 0 (no armor)
Weapons: Jade Monkey Dagger d3-1

Izatacli NPCs

A seer. A witch. A crazy old hermit. Or maybe an advisor to the King.

Essences
Lifeblood 7
Arcane Power 12

Attributes
Strength -1
Agility 1
Mind 2
Appeal 0

Combat Abilities
Brawl 0
Melee 0
Ranged 1
Defense 1

Career
Sorcerer 2

Protection: 0 (no armor)
Weapons: Jade Monkey Dagger 1d3-1

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BoL Foes: Texotli – The Priests Of Tlactoztlan

Wherein your humble scribe presents a set of opponents for his Mesoamerican themed setting for Barbarians of Lemuria.

The priests of Tlactoztlan are called Texotli, the blue-headed ones. Like the blue-crowned parrots whose feathers comprise their distinctive headdresses, Texotli are uniquely in tune with the world around them and are prone to trance-like states of reverie and contemplation. Texotli serve the spiritual needs of the Tlactozotl, leading religious services, conducting human sacrifices, and interceding with the gods to bring rains and strong harvests. Texotli are frequently protected by the Coztli, whether traveling between cities or safely ensconced within their great temples in Xotepeclan and Tecali. The Texotli have at times pursued aggressive “witch hunts” against the sorcerous Izatacli, but for the moment, both sides are observing an unofficial détente.

Below are stats for Texotli Rabble and Texotli NPCs. Individual Texotli Villains, like Tlilpotonqui, are unique and should be created as needed by the Game Master.

Texotli Rabble

A typical temple priest.

Essences
Lifeblood 3

Attributes
Strength -1
Agility 0
Mind 0
Appeal 1

Combat Abilities
Brawl 0
Melee 0
Ranged 0
Defense 0

Career
Priest 0

Protection: 0 (no armor)
Weapons: Jade Parrot Mace 1d6-1

Texotli NPCs

A member of the higher order of clergy, or perhaps a traveling priest who is not afraid to venture into the wilderness to reach isolated villages.

Essences
Lifeblood 9

Attributes
Strength 0
Agility 0
Mind 1
Appeal 1

Combat Abilities
Brawl 0
Melee 1
Ranged 0
Defense 1

Career
Priest 1
Scholar 1

Protection: 1d3-1 (feathered cloak)
Weapons: Jade Parrot Mace 1d6

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