Xyaquetzlatli

Photo by Max Letek on Unsplash

Mount of the Wíiniko'ob Kaano' kings of Yazatix, xyaquetzlatli are feared flying serpents of the jungle, sprouting huge, colorfully feathered wings and possessing deadly poison breath and innate magical powers. These creatures spend their days soaring over the dense rainforest, searching for a tasty snack like a human or anaconda. They are worshipped as gods by the native peoples of the continent, and are the distant relatives of the smaller winged snakes used by tribesmen to send messages. Xyaquetzlatli also superficially resemble coatls, however their origins are very different.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Xyaquetzlatli are by design, basically large, winged snakes with skulls like dragons. Their only limbs are their avian wings, and all their bones are hollow like a bird's for flight.

Dietary Needs and Habits

A xyaquetzlatl needs about 200 pounds of food each ten days, however they can go without food for a few days. They are carnivores, preferring meals like humans, anaconda, jaguars, caiman, and even the eggs of other xyaquetzlatli. For hunting, they generally soar above the canopy to search for prey, then swooping down and grabbing it's target with it's teeth.

Additional Information

Domestication

Xyaquetzlatli are domesticated by the Wíiniko'ob Kaano' as mount. During the domestication process, they were bred to be stronger and better flyers, as well to have more powerful poison breath. They were also made to be obedient and bond with their masters, as a xyaquetzlatl chooses it's rider for life. Their innate magical powers were somewhat weakened, though, so an aztlichponkoquoatl, or "serpent rider", will generally have less magic than a wild xyaquetzlatl.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The xyaquetzlatli are used as mounts, both ceremonial and military, by the Wíiniko'ob Kaano' of Yazatix. They make excellent tactical forces when paired with skilled riders with their flying, poison breath, innate magic, and intelligence. A xyaquetzlatl also strikes fear into the hearts of human thralls of its masters, and does appreciate a meal of a disobedient slave once in a while.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have exceptional sight and smell, however their hearing is less so. Like snakes, they possess infrared vision, and also some powerful xyaquetzlatli are able to use magic for enhanced perception.

Geographic Distribution

• Yazatix