"The observations in Corenzo's logbook suggest the coatl is a beast of some intelligence, wondrous and ancient -- a mystery even to the lizard-folk themselves."
- —High Priestess Stalmetz of Carroburg[9a]
A Skink riding a mighty Coatl.
The Coatl is one of the most rare and enigmatic creatures to be found on the New World continent of Lustria. They often serve as allies and even mounts to the Lizardmen of that jungle continent.[3a][5a][6a]
Role[]
"Death and magic often linger among the clouds."
- —Description of the Coatl from Total War: Warhammer II.[7]
A Coatl, as depicted in Total War: Warhammer II.
Sporting a long, sinuous, snake-like body, a Dragon-like head and massive feathered wings, the Coatl is more than an unlikely accident of evolution. The Coatl are powerful manipulators of the Winds of Magic, and are said to have the power to alter the jungle around them to draw invaders away from the sacred places in which they dwell, and into the leech-infested swamps surrounding them.[3a][5a][6a]
The Coatl are said to be a manifestation of the Old One Tepok, and are venerated by the Skink Priests as sacred creatures of the air, magic and of places of power. The Coatl are sometimes seen as messengers of the gods, beseeched when a sacred site is under threat that the power of the Old Ones will be granted to the Lizardmen.[3a][5a]
Pygmies, who are less sophisticated creatures than the Lizardmen, eat Coatl. Coatl have some dealings with the Lizardmen, although they are careful to avoid casual contact with humanoid races (especially Pygmies) whenever they can. Coatl are pacific creatures, as typified by their unwillingness to attack even Pygmies unless severely provoked.[8a]
When the Coatl attack, they rarely leave any witnesses. Those few who have lived to tell the tale speak of a terrible force of nature that is able to call upon the ancient mystical power that permeates the jungle. The Coatl appears from the skies upon a thunderous wind, churning the jungle canopy and stirring the undergrowth to a frenzy. The skies darken and the jungle shifts, and the invaders are soon hopelessly disoriented, lost within a swirling maelstrom of magical aspect.[5a]
Skink Priests gather the feathers shed by the Coatl over the centuries, for a portion of their mystic power infuses every one of them. They are then used to weave a Cloak of Feathers, a magical cape that shimmers with a power that not only wards away evil sorcery, but allows the wearer to soar into the air whenever they extends their arms.[6a]
Their bite is venomous.[1a][2a]
Appearance[]
Concept art of a Coatl created for Total War: Warhammer II.
Adult Coatl can reach 20 feet in length (a "clan feast" as the Pygmies put it) but are more commonly slightly over ten feet (a "family feast" to use the Pygmy terminology). They resemble large snakes, with a head similar to that of a Dragon and large, feathered wings. Sometimes their whole body can be covered in feathers.[1a][2a][8a]
The Coatl can shed and regrow plumage in any colour it chooses, leaving a cast of its own skin rather like that of an ordinary snake. These are prized by the Slann, and used by them to make ceremonial cloaks and banners.[1a][2a][8a]
Notable Coatls[]
- Avatar of Solkan - A golden Coatl who, by stalking a group of Humans over several weeks, inspired the formation of a small Cult of Solkan which saw it as supernatural emanation of the God of Law Solkan and was devoted to its mysterious presence.[9b]
- Spirit of Tepok - This powerful Coatl attacks on feathered wings of victory and vengeance.[7]
Canon Conflict[]
Earlier lore indicated that the Coatl, or flying serpent, is a strange Lustrian creature that figures strongly in the legends of the Lizardmen (called Slann in the early editions of Warhammer Fantasy Battle). The Slann associate the creatures with their god Quetzalcoatl, treating it as a sacred animal. Coatl are intelligent creatures, and may be magical. They speak their own rather sibilant tongue.[1a][2a]
Issue 11 of Town Cryer states that the Coatl is "often worshipped by the Lizardmen as a living embodiment of Sotek", rather than Tepok or Quetzalcoatl.[4a]
Trivia[]
The Coatl is based on the Feathered Serpent, a mythical creature found in various Mesoamerican religions. In particular the Aztec's deity Quetzalcoatl, who is even mentioned in older lore concerning the Coatl, was depicted as a Feathered Serpent. The Nahuatl word "coatl" also means "serpent."
Miniatures[]
Sources[]
- 1: The Third Citadel Compendium (2nd Edition)
- 1a: pg. 11
- 2: Warhammer Book 3: Battle Bestiary (2nd Edition)
- 2a: pg. 35
- 3: Warhammer Campaigns: Lustria (6th Edition)
- 3a: pg. 43
- 4: Town Cryer Issue 11
- 4a: pg. 17
- 5: Warhammer Armies: Lizardmen (7th Edition)
- 5a: pg. 16
- 6: Warhammer Armies: Lizardmen (8th Edition)
- 6a: pg. 63
- 7: Total War: Warhammer II (PC Game)
- 8: Warhammer Fantasy Battle Rulebook (3rd Edition)
- 8a: pg. 212
- 9: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Lustria (RPG)
Gallery[]
