Techotl Redsmoke – Techlotl, an Aztec god of the Underworld and a minor character from the Conan story “Red Nails”
https://www.wizard101central.com/wiki/NPC:Techotl_Redsmoke
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mictl%C4%81nt%C4%93cutli
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Aztec_gods_and_supernatural_beings
https://ambergriscaye.com/pages/mayan/aztecreligion-minordeities.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Nails
Techotl Redsmoke is the leader of the Smoking Mirror Scouts in Mangrove Marsh. He and his warriors are trying to find a safe haven from the hungry dead. They wish to return to Tula Village but the Avians have laid claim to the village. Techotl needs you to recover the war challenge, so battle can ensue and the Aztecasaurs can reclaim Tula Village.
Techlotl, Aztec god of the Underworld, held the owl as it’s symbol. The Mexica thought of the owl as a dreaded animal that brought death. Techlotl served under Mictlāntēcutli or Mictlantecuhtli, in Aztec mythology, is the Chief god of the dead and the king of Mictlan (Chicunauhmictlan), the lowest and northernmost section of the underworld.
“Red Nails” is the last of the stories featuring Conan the Cimmerian written by American author Robert E. Howard. A novella, it was originally serialized in Weird Tales magazine from July to October 1936, the months after Howard’s suicide. It is set in the pseudo-historical Hyborian Age and concerns Conan entering a lost city whose degenerate inhabitants are entangled in a murderous blood feud. Due to its dark themes of decay and death, the story is considered a classic of Conan lore while also cited by Howard scholars as one of his best tales.
“Red Nails” begins in the jungles far to the south of any known civilized or barbarian kingdoms. Valeria of the Red Brotherhood is fleeing persecution after she murdered a would-be rapist. She is followed into the wilderness by Conan, a fellow adventurer who wishes for an alliance with Valeria as her lover. Conan’s stand-off with Valeria is interrupted by a dragon (actually a dinosaur, described with the characteristics of a Stegosaurus and Allosaurus) which mauls their horses. Conan and Valeria escape the dragon by climbing onto a rocky outcropping. Though they are trapped there without food or water, Conan recognizes some poisonous fruit growing nearby. Acting quickly, he coats the tip of a spear in poison and pierces the dragon’s lower jaw with a well-aimed throw. Although blinded, the enraged beast pursues the two fugitives by their scent, but dies from the poison seconds before devouring Conan.
The couple emerge from their shelter and journey towards a mysterious walled city, which Conan sighted from the hill. Without grazing livestock or cultivated fields, the city appears deserted. Conan pries open a gate, long since rusted shut, and they enter a bizarre twilight world. The city, which is known as Xuchotl, is a massive structure completely enclosed by an emerald dome. A single great hallway runs across the entire city, without other streets or open courtyards. The structure consists entirely of four levels of rooms, chambers, and passageways. Xuchotl itself is carved from jade and other exotic materials.
The two separate and search the city’s empty corridors. Valeria encounters a man named Techotl, who she joins in his feud between the two factions which are all that remain of the once large population. Soon, Techotl invites Conan and Valeria into the stronghold of his tribe, the Tecuhltli, where are welcomed by the king and queen, Olmec and Tascela.
The current list of all the (known) Azteca references are located here.
Although I am well versed in Pop Culture references, I do not claim to have caught them all. Let me know your favorites in the comments and if I’ve missed one you caught, let me know so I can add it to the list.
Text for this article is excerpted from the linked wiki pages.
Techotl Redsmoke image is from Wizard101, and is copyright of KingsIsle Entertainment.
Mictlāntēcutli image is borrowed from Wikipedia. It is in the public domain.
Weird Tales cover image is borrowed from Wikipedia. It is in the public domain.
Image usage qualifies as fair use under US copyright law.
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