Tzku'Ta, chief attendant to Lord Adohi-Tehga and chief Skink priest of Tlazcotl
Tzku'Ta is a diminutive Skink who was recently elevated to the dual status of chief attendant to the ruling Slaan Adohi-Tehga and Chief Skink Priest of the Lizardmen temple-city of Tlazcotl in Lustria. It is a role he takes extremely seriously.[1a]
Tzku'Ta is normally found either in the Plaque Chamber or at his master's side, wax tablet in hand should Adohi-Tehga make a pronouncement, or mutter a brief utterance in his sleep. As chief attendant, Tzku'Ta speaks with Adohi-Tehga's voice and it is therefore he who oversees Tlaxtlan's daily administration, along with the other Skink Priests and overseers.[1a]
History[]
Each evening, as the moon rises above the Great Temple of Tlazcotl, horns sound across Tlaxtlan. At this signal, high priests, patrol chiefs, and barrio overseers climb the temple's steps together. They are met near the summit by two Temple Guard. These Saurus wait until all the Skinks have gathered, before parting to reveal a diminutive figure, draped in silver. This is Tzku’Ta, chief attendant to Lord Adohi-Tehga. It is his task to deliver the ruling Slann's word to the population of the temple-city. It is he who stays by his master's side, day by day. He who ensures Tlaxtlan never wavers from its ruler's will, no matter how obscure that might be.[1b]
Tzku'Ta is small, even by Skink standards, and possesses a quick, sharp way of speaking, which among any other species might suggest nervousness. His predecessor, Chief Attendant Coyolqi, served as high priest of Tlazcotl for decades, and was known as well-learned in the ancient texts and the speech of Slann. Under his direction, Tlaxtlan guarded against the Chaos Moon's corrupting influence and Adohi-Tehga's guidance became a stabilising presence across Lustria. Tzku'Ta served as Coyolqi's apprentice for only a year before the old Skink breathed his last. Since then, Tzku'Ta has rarely left his master's side, ready should Adohi-Tehga utter the smallest whisper. So far, the Slann has remained silent.[1b]
As the Slann's chief attendant, Tzku'Ta speaks with the voice of Adohi-Tehga. All decisions regarding the temple-city's governance go through him. He dutifully takes every request to Adohi-Tehga, no matter how small, noting any reaction these produce. Even the slightest twitch might be a sign of approval, or a warning not to pursue such a course. To ensure each decree accurately conveys his master's wishes, Tzku'Ta spends long hours in the Plaque Chamber, carefully making sure nothing conflicts with the Great Plan. Tlazcotl teaches the values of patience and observation, and as that Old One's high priest, Tzku'Ta embodies these virtues to a fault.[1b]
A greater worry for Tzku'Ta is Chief Astromancer Tetto'eko. The ancient Skink is a figure respected by all, none more than Tzku'Ta who recognises the elder's experience and skill in unravelling the strands of fate. Whenever Tetto'eko speaks, the Skinks listen.[1b]
However, in recent days his predictions have conflicted with what Tzku'Ta has gathered from Adohi-Tehga's slight directions. Such contradictions are deeply disturbing, for how could the far-seeing Slann and the city's greatest astromancer be so opposed? More delays are the result, as Tzku'Ta and Tetto'eko search for answers.[1b]
The truth is Tzku'Ta is desperate for guidance from the wise Slann. With no response to his questions, Tzku'Ta has taken to noting the direction of Adohi-Tehga's gaze each day, hoping this might provide clarity. What he has observed is Adohi-Tehga's eyes remain open and unblinking all through the night. In those large, dark orbs can be seen the moon's reflection. When the True Moon sits above Tlazcotl's statue, Adohi-Tehga's eyes droop shut.[1b]
Tzku'Ta believes Adohi-Tehga is searching for Tlazcotl. The patient, impassive Old One supposedly placed its own eye in the sky to be the True Moon. If the True Moon is a piece of the Old One, Tzku'Ta reasons, Adohi-Tehga may be using it to find the Slann's long-vanished masters. As chief priest of Tlazcotl, and the Slann lord's chief attendant, Tzku'Ta has taken it upon himself to aid his master. Each night, he leads the other priests in a ritual, channelling Tlaxtlan's gathered power to feed the distant fraction of their god.[1b]
Through this, he believes he might one day allow the True Moon to glow bright enough for Tlazcotl to notice and find them once again. Tetto'eko and the Skinks at the Temple of the Eclipse have so far resisted Tzku'Ta's teachings. Tetto'eko has been alive a very long time. He has seen chief attendants come and go, and learned that all have their own methods for delivering the Slann's words. He would never question these Skinks, for they were chosen by the Old Ones. But the changes in the True Moon's orbit worry the old Skink more than he likes to admit.[1b]
Tzku'Ta wishes only to serve Tlaxtlan and Adohi-Tehga faithfully. He would rather take no action rather than potentially taking the wrong one. He takes particular interest in anything which might disturb Tlaxtlan's status quo and keeps a careful eye on the Cult of Sotek. Should something unexpected occur, Tzku'Ta will delay making a decision until all possible outcomes are known.[1b]
The one thing likely to stir him to quick action is his desire to empower the True Moon. He would leap upon any method to increase the moon's brightness, and stop anyone who endangers his rituals.[1b]
Tzku'Ta is slow to act, but is implacable once a decision is made. Anyone who threatens Tlaxtlan is dealt with harshly. Acts of violence towards Tlaxtlani satellite settlements may not see immediate reprisals, but eventually those responsible will find Saurus and Chameleon Skinks sent to capture them. Even then, Tzku'Ta is not eager to kill such enemies until he knows everything about what their actions imply.[1c]
Tzku'Ta's knowledge of warm-blood language is limited to a smattering of broken Elthárin, but there are scribes in the temple-city with greater knowledge of Reikspiel and Bretonnian. All knowledge is valuable to Tzku'Ta, allowing him more angles from which to consider his options. He would be eager to know of anything which might impact his city, whether this be the actions of warm-bloods or the growing support for the Red Cult in the temple-city's outskirts.[1c]
Tzku'Ta would be a powerful ally for any explorer, allowing access to parts of Lustria which only the Lizardmen of Tlaxtlan know, not to mention their own formidable talents in divination. However, this alliance would tie them to Tzku'Ta's careful inaction, and the Skink Priest would not look kindly on anyone who forces his hand.[1c]