Tezcatlipoca (Intermediate God)
Tezcatlipoca’s name, which means “Smoking Mirror,” seems particularly appropriate. He was worshiped by the Toltecs, the Aztec’s predescessors, as a sun/warrior god who fought a daily battle against the night.
He was also credited with ripening crops, but was also feared because of his ability to bring on droughts.
Tezcatlipoca was the guardian of the First Sun until being knocked from the sky by Quetzacoatl as he ushered in the Second Sun.
Tezcatlipoca’s fall resulted in his transfonnation first into a jaguar, then into the constellation Ursa Major. After his fall, Tezcatlipoca’s role changed. Though the Aztecs still regarded him as a patron of warriors, he was now the god of night and the benefactor of witches, thieves, and other evil-doers.
A great spreader of disorder and strife, Tezcatlipoca never forgave Quetzacoatl for his fall, and eventually evened the score by using treachery to topple Quetzacoatl’s guardianship of the Fourth Sun.
In his home in Ursa Major, Tezcatlipoca is invisible and ubiquitous, or he appears as a one-footed man with a round mirror of black obsidian in place of the missing foot. By gazing into this mirror, he can see what any mortal on the Prime Material Plane is doing.
Roleplaying Tips
Tezcatlipoca is the second most powerful god in the Aztec pantheon, a position he guards jealously. He often assigns his priests tasks designed to erode the support of rival gods. On rare occasions, he has even been known to appear personally (though not on the Prime Material Plane) to further some particularly important scheme.
He is especially vigilant in regards to the Quetzacoatl’s worshipers, and places special emphasis on exposing schemes to help their deity prepare for his return.
Omens and portents from Tezcatlipoca tend to be direct and forceful. More than once, he has frightened a worshiper by causing his image to appear in a mirror and issue instructions.
Other omens include sudden darkness, being trailed by a jaguar, and evil faces appearing in obsidian utensils.
Because of his jealously, Tezcatlipoca tolerates no shortcomings in his priests, and he is particularly vigilant about watching their activities in his obsidian mirror. Minor transgressions are punished by a denial of spells and, usually, a visit from some of Tenochtitlan’s more unsavory thieves. In the case of major offenses, Tezcatlipoca usually sends an avatar to end the offender’s life.
STATISTICS
- Alignment. Chaotic Evil.
- Worshippers Alignment. Any.
- Spheres of Influence. Night, Treachery.
- Holy Symbol. Black Mirror.
Clerics of Tezcatlipoca
The first duty of priests of Tezcatlipoca is to promote their temple. Every cleric is required to produce at least one convert every six days.
Their second duty is to prevent Quetzacoatl from gaining too much power. To this end, clerics below fourth level are assigned to follow Quetzacoatl’s known priests and report on their activities.
High level priests must spend a great deal of their time performing ceremonies in order to strengthen and appease their god.
Alignment Restriction. Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil.
Weapons Allowed. Any.
Armors Allowed. Non-metal armors.
Divine Domains. Grave, Knowledge, War.
GRANTED POWERS
- Level 3. See in darkness, both natural and magical.
- Level 6. Advantage on Stealth skill check.
- Level 9. Sneak Attack as a rogue of half level.
- Level 12. Advantage on Athletics skill check.