Aclazotz: Difference between revisions
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'''Aclazotz''', the '''Great Betrayer''', is the [[Bat]] [[God]] of the Night on [[Ixalan (plane)|Ixalan]].<ref name="Guide 3">{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-to-the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan|Planeswalker's Guide to the Lost Caverns of Ixalan|[[Miguel Lopez]]|November 10, 2023}}</ref> He is the eternal enemy of the [[Threefold Sun]]. He is responsible for [[Vampire|vampirism]] on Ixalan, as Saint [[Elenda of Garrano]] learned dark rituals from him. | '''Aclazotz''', the '''Great Betrayer''', is the [[Bat]] [[God]] of the Night and of the veil between life and death on [[Ixalan (plane)|Ixalan]].<ref name="Guide 3">{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-to-the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan|Planeswalker's Guide to the Lost Caverns of Ixalan|[[Miguel Lopez]]|November 10, 2023}}</ref> He is the eternal enemy of the [[Threefold Sun]]. He is responsible for [[Vampire|vampirism]] on Ixalan, as Saint [[Elenda of Garrano]] learned dark rituals from him. | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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===Birth of a betrayer god=== | ===Birth of a betrayer god=== | ||
In ancient times, before the birth of the [[Oltec]] civilization, a civilization known as the Fourth People inhabited Ixalan's core. The being who would become Aclazotz was a mortal member of this civilization, with a fear of death that drove him to find a way to escape his people's fate. Through an unknown method, he survived "the ending of all things" and found a way into the divine nothingness where the next realm was being shaped. He watched the birth of the [[God/Storyline#The Deep Gods|Deep Gods]] and realized what he would need to do to survive. As the final god was spawned forth, he killed it and drank its divinity, becoming a horrific bat god with dominion over the border between life and death. The god he supplanted would be reborn as a ghostly [[spirit]] known only as the [[List of secondary characters/Ixalan|Ancient One]].<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mtgvorthos/comments/17r5s5z/lci_mtg_discord_qa_worldbuilding_the_lost_caverns/|title=MtG Discord Q&A - Worldbuilding The Lost Caverns of Ixalan|date=November 9, 2023|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> | In ancient times, before the birth of the [[Oltec]] civilization, a civilization known as the Fourth People inhabited Ixalan's core. The being who would become Aclazotz was a mortal member of this civilization, with a fear of death that drove him to find a way to escape his people's fate. Through an unknown method, he survived "the ending of all things" and found a way into the divine nothingness where the next realm was being shaped. He watched the birth of the [[God/Storyline#The Deep Gods|Deep Gods]] and realized what he would need to do to survive. As the final god was spawned forth, he killed it and drank its divinity, becoming a horrific bat god with dominion over the border between life and death. The god he supplanted would be reborn as a ghostly [[spirit]] known only as the [[List of secondary characters/Ixalan|Ancient One]].<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mtgvorthos/comments/17r5s5z/lci_mtg_discord_qa_worldbuilding_the_lost_caverns/|title=MtG Discord Q&A - Worldbuilding The Lost Caverns of Ixalan|date=November 9, 2023|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> | ||
The other deities slumbered | |||
===Whispering War=== | |||
Aclazotz knew the power that fear could grant him, so he hardened that gossamer veil between life and death to impregnable stone. Life and death were split into rigid binary, and the living were separated from their ancestors: The dead did not echo, and the living now knew themselves to be alive. Death became something to grieve and fear, and Aclazotz fed off that fear. In secret, he hunted the most terrified, bereaved, and desperate, and upon trapping them, he whispered his dark promise: give yourselves to me, and you will live forever.<ref name="Guide 3">{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-to-the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan|Planeswalker's Guide to the Lost Caverns of Ixalan|[[Miguel Lopez]]|November 10, 2023}}</ref> | |||
Grief, fear, death, and whispers of an escape from that final end spread through the Core. Aclazotz's gift of everlasting life was available to any who could find him, and many tried. Pilgrims and evangelists raged through cities, forming cults intended to lure Aclazotz out into the light—if death and the embrace of a dark god awaited them, then let them try to win this dark god's favor through exulting in his tenets and be amply rewarded beyond the veil. These desperate rituals horrified much of the Komon Winaq but did not stop when leaders confronted these dark cults. Indeed, when elders and leaders first attempted to stop them, they were met with withering violence; the next officials who went to demand these cults cease their dark rituals brought soldiers with them. Aclazotz's cults fought back, and the fields and cities of the Komon Winaq raged with violence.<ref name="Guide 3">{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-to-the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan|Planeswalker's Guide to the Lost Caverns of Ixalan|[[Miguel Lopez]]|November 10, 2023}}</ref> | |||
The Deep Gods noticed and descended to defend their people. Ojer Axonil was the first to notice and to bring warning to the others before bringing battel to the Bat God. Ojer Axonil and Aclazotz fought in a climactic final battle, surrounded by regiments of their most faithful, ardent warriors. Ojer Axonil and his thousand champions faced down Aclazotz and his blood-drinkers in their deepest lairs, where the god of fury and strength tore out one of Aclazotz's eyes and subdued him. As Ojer Axonil dragged Aclazotz back beyond the veil he had hardened, the last surviving members of Aclazotz's most faithful slipped away from the Core, following tunnels and passages known only to them. Aclazotz had shown them, in his brief life in the Core, of a world beyond and below the known world: Darker, more fit for those who bore his gift. A world where one could climb up, away from the gentle Core.<ref name="Guide 3">{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-to-the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan|Planeswalker's Guide to the Lost Caverns of Ixalan|[[Miguel Lopez]]|November 10, 2023}}</ref> | |||
===Night War=== | ===Night War=== | ||
Aclazotz rose to prominence during the 320 years of darkness that followed the [[Coin Empire]] sealing [[Chimil]] in a [[cosmium]] prison.<ref name="LCI, Episode 1">{{DailyRef|magic-story/the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan-episode-1|The Lost Caverns of Ixalan - Episode 1|[[Valerie Valdes]]|October 20, 2023}}</ref> The [[Oltec]] banded together with the [[Malamet]] and fought against Aclazotz's force in a conflict known as the Night War.<ref name="LCI Episode 5">{{DailyRef|magic-story/the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan-episode-5|''The Lost Caverns of Ixalan'' - Episode 5|[[Valerie Valdes]]|October 20, 2023}}</ref> | Aclazotz rose to prominence during the 320 years of darkness that followed the [[Coin Empire]] sealing [[Chimil]] in a [[cosmium]] prison.<ref name="LCI, Episode 1">{{DailyRef|magic-story/the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan-episode-1|The Lost Caverns of Ixalan - Episode 1|[[Valerie Valdes]]|October 20, 2023}}</ref> | ||
The [[Oltec]] banded together with the [[Malamet]] and fought against Aclazotz's force in a conflict known as the Night War.<ref name="LCI Episode 5">{{DailyRef|magic-story/the-lost-caverns-of-ixalan-episode-5|''The Lost Caverns of Ixalan'' - Episode 5|[[Valerie Valdes]]|October 20, 2023}}</ref> | |||
Upon his defeat, he was bound inside the [[Core of Ixalan]] and the Oltec ensured his place of binding was kept secret. However, one of his temples still existed on the surface. | |||
===Imprisonment=== | ===Imprisonment=== | ||
Revision as of 19:11, 13 November 2023
| Aclazotz | |
|---|---|
| Bat God of the Night | |
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Aclazotz-real.png}}|250px]] | |
| Details | |
| Race | Bat God |
| Birthplace | Ixalan |
| Divinity | |
| Temples |
Temple of Aclazotz Temple of the Dead |
| Inspiration | Camazotz (Maya) |
Aclazotz, the Great Betrayer, is the Bat God of the Night and of the veil between life and death on Ixalan.[1] He is the eternal enemy of the Threefold Sun. He is responsible for vampirism on Ixalan, as Saint Elenda of Garrano learned dark rituals from him.
Description
Aclazotz's body is brown, with gilded wings.[2] He wears a collar of skulls and a black and gold crown. His single left eye glows red. He can lengthen and sharpen his fangs when imbuing his followers with demonic power. During his imprisonment, Aclazotz was wrapped in loops of thick golden chains inlaid with hundreds of cosmium crystals. As tall as three to four people stood end-to-end, he stands at roughly fifteen to twenty-five feet.
History
Birth of a betrayer god
In ancient times, before the birth of the Oltec civilization, a civilization known as the Fourth People inhabited Ixalan's core. The being who would become Aclazotz was a mortal member of this civilization, with a fear of death that drove him to find a way to escape his people's fate. Through an unknown method, he survived "the ending of all things" and found a way into the divine nothingness where the next realm was being shaped. He watched the birth of the Deep Gods and realized what he would need to do to survive. As the final god was spawned forth, he killed it and drank its divinity, becoming a horrific bat god with dominion over the border between life and death. The god he supplanted would be reborn as a ghostly spirit known only as the Ancient One.[3]
The other deities slumbered
Whispering War
Aclazotz knew the power that fear could grant him, so he hardened that gossamer veil between life and death to impregnable stone. Life and death were split into rigid binary, and the living were separated from their ancestors: The dead did not echo, and the living now knew themselves to be alive. Death became something to grieve and fear, and Aclazotz fed off that fear. In secret, he hunted the most terrified, bereaved, and desperate, and upon trapping them, he whispered his dark promise: give yourselves to me, and you will live forever.[1]
Grief, fear, death, and whispers of an escape from that final end spread through the Core. Aclazotz's gift of everlasting life was available to any who could find him, and many tried. Pilgrims and evangelists raged through cities, forming cults intended to lure Aclazotz out into the light—if death and the embrace of a dark god awaited them, then let them try to win this dark god's favor through exulting in his tenets and be amply rewarded beyond the veil. These desperate rituals horrified much of the Komon Winaq but did not stop when leaders confronted these dark cults. Indeed, when elders and leaders first attempted to stop them, they were met with withering violence; the next officials who went to demand these cults cease their dark rituals brought soldiers with them. Aclazotz's cults fought back, and the fields and cities of the Komon Winaq raged with violence.[1]
The Deep Gods noticed and descended to defend their people. Ojer Axonil was the first to notice and to bring warning to the others before bringing battel to the Bat God. Ojer Axonil and Aclazotz fought in a climactic final battle, surrounded by regiments of their most faithful, ardent warriors. Ojer Axonil and his thousand champions faced down Aclazotz and his blood-drinkers in their deepest lairs, where the god of fury and strength tore out one of Aclazotz's eyes and subdued him. As Ojer Axonil dragged Aclazotz back beyond the veil he had hardened, the last surviving members of Aclazotz's most faithful slipped away from the Core, following tunnels and passages known only to them. Aclazotz had shown them, in his brief life in the Core, of a world beyond and below the known world: Darker, more fit for those who bore his gift. A world where one could climb up, away from the gentle Core.[1]
Night War
Aclazotz rose to prominence during the 320 years of darkness that followed the Coin Empire sealing Chimil in a cosmium prison.[4]
The Oltec banded together with the Malamet and fought against Aclazotz's force in a conflict known as the Night War.[5]
Upon his defeat, he was bound inside the Core of Ixalan and the Oltec ensured his place of binding was kept secret. However, one of his temples still existed on the surface.
Imprisonment
While imprisoned, Aclazotz fell into a slumber.[4] He is said to be the creator of the first vampires, though if the first vampire Elenda of Garrano was only sired centuries before his freedom, it is unclear when or how this occurred.[4]
Freedom
Aclazotz was awoken by New Phyrexia's Invasion of Ixalan.[2] A year later, an expedition of vampires from the Church of Dusk, led by Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, delved into the Core of Ixalan.[6] They learned Aclazotz's location from his worshipers and brought him blood sacrifices to restore his power. He then burst free of his bindings and granted his supplicants demonic power. He flew to Chimil, the Inner Sun, and began trying to snuff it out; he would need more power from sacrifices to do so, and bade his minions bring them to him.[2] However, they were defeated by the forces of the Sun Empire present in the Core.
Aclazotz escaped, securing passage to Torrezon on a Dusk Legion ship.[7] He decided that he would find Vona, hoping that she would make better use of his power than Vito.
Inspiration
Aclazotz is inspired by Camazotz, the Maya Bat God associated with night, death, and sacrifice.
Gallery
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Aclazotz appears to Arguel during a blood fast.
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A medallion depicting the god, carried by worshipers.
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Depicted in:
- Referred to:
Trivia
Although black-aligned and seeking to bring about an eternal night, several creatures aligned with Aclazotz are white-aligned, including both vampires and bats (i.e. Ruin-Lurker Bat)
References
- ↑ a b c d Miguel Lopez (November 10, 2023). "Planeswalker's Guide to the Lost Caverns of Ixalan". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c Valerie Valdes (October 20, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan - Episode 5". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ MtG Discord Q&A - Worldbuilding The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. Reddit (November 9, 2023).
- ↑ a b c Valerie Valdes (October 20, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan - Episode 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Valerie Valdes (October 20, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan - Episode 5". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Valerie Valdes (October 20, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan - Episode 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Valerie Valdes (October 20, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan - Episode 6". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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