Oltec

Oltec
History
Founded on	Ixalan
Membership
Notable members	Akal Pakal, Anim Pakal

The Oltec, also called the Fifth People, are an ancient civilization living in the The Core of Ixalan. They are the living ancestors of the Sun Empire.

Description

The Oltec are the only civilization of Ixalan's core to have mastered the power of cosmium. They ride giant bats. They don't wear armor, because they are protected by Cosmium. Perhaps due to their regular interaction with Cosmium, their bones appear to be infused with it, glowing with pinkish purple magic.

Culture

The Oltec have worshiped Chimil, the Inner Sun, for millennia. They refer to Aclazotz as the Great Betrayer.

Oltec warriors known as the Thousand Moons ride great bats. As a coming-of-age ceremony, Oltec ride a bat to Chimil and attempt to claim a piece of cosmium to be forged into a weapon, armor, or other device. Oltec citizens wear ponchos and Khipus. Many make use of gnomes, and benevolent spirits known as Echoes wander the Core. The Oltec don't have prisons and instead possess only temporary detention rooms, as people aren't jailed as punishment — the very concept of punitive imprisonment being appalling the Oltec sensibilities.

Didacts are a class of Oltec who explore, learn, and teach.

A separatist faction of the Oltec known as "cosmium eaters" worshiped Aclazotz in secret during his imprisonment after the Night War, keeping the location of his prison a secret. These cosmium eaters carry or wear dim red crystals as a sign of their allegiance. They were turned into vampire demons by their god after freeing him from his imprisonment.

History

Age of the Sun

The Oltec have worshiped Chimil, the sun at the center of Ixalan's Core, for millennia. According to their didacts, the Core was invaded by giants who came on dark vessels in the sky. They blotted out the light of Chimil and then caged her within a metal prison.

Night War

After the invaders imprisoned Chimil, 320 years of darkness followed, and Aclazotz and his followers ruled the lands. A group of the Oltec known as Komon Winaq, or simply "Komon," would be instrumental during this dark time, leading to the conflict known as the Night War. During this time the invaders were driven out, Aclazotz was imprisoned, and Chimil was freed by the Thousand Moons. The cosmium that was once her prison created the cosmium reef which orbits the inner sun. The Komon later left the Core to explore Topizielo. As they left the world below, they constructed magic doors that led to the Core of Paradise, inscribed with a message to future generations of their roots and ancestors.

The Fifth Age

The Komon would be successful in establishing a new home outside the Core. They maintained regular trade with the Oltec until the spread of the mycoids forced the two to seal off contact.

Inspiration

The design of the Oltec was inspired by ancient Mesoamerican cultures. As a progenitor civilization, they are likely based on the Olmecs. They make use of khipu and their god Ojer Taq appears to be inspired by Viracocha, so there are Incan influences to their design.

Continuity

• The flavor text for Council of Echoes names the Komon Winaq as the ancestors of the Oltec, but the storyline describes them as descendants.

In-game references

Associated cards:

• Oltec Cloud Guard

Quoted or referred to:

• Arcane Signet (Treasure Trove)
• Braided Quipu
• The Core
• Cosmium Kiln
• Council of Echoes
• Dauntless Dismantler
• Didact Echo
• Expedition Map (Treasure Trove)
• Pugnacious Hammerskull
• Roar of the Fifth People
• Temple of Civilization
• Temple of Cyclical Time
• Temple of Power
• Temple of the Dead