CLAW AND STING
Claw and Sting
T
he Underdark of Maztica is a hidden world
unknown to even the most intrepid
explorers. It is the demesne of the
creatures known alternately as
scorpionfolk, scorpionmen, manscorpions
or to others as the tlincalli.
From beneath the sands they came. First one, then five,
then twenty! Before we knew it we were surrounded by
the half man, half scorpion monstrosities! The Legion
stood strong, but they just kept coming! I would never
have fled the battle had I not understood Helmsport must
be warned!
- Alanza DaNosta acting General of the Golden Legion
1364 DR the Year of the Wave
The Scorpionfolk of Maztica
The scorpionfolk is a generic name for a type of humanoid
who have the upper torso of a human or other
humanoids, and a lower body which is reminiscent of the
arachnid embedded within the name.
There are numerous subraces of the creatures in
Maztica, though only the populous tlincalli are generally
even recognized, if not at all understood. Beyond the True
World the other species are unknown, but with the
creature's increasing activity this might not be the case for
very much longer.
Much about the scorpionfolk way of life was learned in
the years preceding the Blue Breath of Change and it has
not been forgotten. Maztican elders and others are now
aware of the various scorpionfolk deities and a variety of
subraces that may be far more common than man, dwarf,
or halfling ever believed possible.
When one refers to a “manscorpion” sighting, Mazticans
are beginning to ask for more specific descriptions,
because the race is no longer painted all under the same
brush. Even the name "tlincalli,"" one that they have been
so commonly known by, has been proven to be a
misnomer. Tlincalli in fact, is the name given to the
inhabitants of only a single nation!
What is in a Name?
Scorpionfolk have been called a variety of names in the
past. Here are the origins of the most common.
Stinger
Although they are rare in Toril’s “main” continent of
Faerûn, scorpionfolk have shown up in various myths and
legends, particularly among the more primitive folk and in
the more uncivilized areas.
2
This name developed simply due to the absence of an
“official” race name and was given because of a
scorpionfolk's primary attack form. The name is slowly
falling out of use and native Mazticans will snicker when
Faerûnians use the term.
Scorpionfolk themselves have never used it and would
be as dumbfounded as if a human fighter were called a
“sword swinger,” or a giant simply called a “rock thrower.”
Tlincalli
Scorpionfolk of the T’lincal nation almost exclusively refer
to themselves as the tlincalli. Other nations use similarly
unique names, but since the tlincalli represent nearly 80%
of Maztica’s scorpionfolk population, most folk who even
know of this name assume it represents all scorpionfolk.
Only the tlincalli have ever set foot on the continent of
Faerûn, so its upper world inhabitants use this name
frequently. Incidentally, scorpionfolk who have been
separated from their homeland for many generations
have lost much of their heritage and culture and some
tlincalli of Maztica no longer even refer to their distant
brethren as such.
Manscorpion
This is still a widely accepted name in Maztica
(okichtlicolōtl in the Maztican tongue), but those who have
come across a female tlincalli diviner knows that it is not
necessarily the “man” in manscorpion that strikes such
fear into their hearts.
Scorpionfolk
The name most widely used today to refer to the race is
scorpionfolk. Above all others, it most accurately describes
the humanoids as they consider themselves.
From this point forward, this will be the only word used
to refer to the species as a whole.
Scorpionfolk Culture
Unknown to most surface folk, scorpionfolk are a deeply
religious people. Divination and communion with their
pantheon of deities dominates every bit of the social
aspects of their lives as well as playing into their city
design, magic and even their reproductive habits.
They are also an industrious folk, and the average
scorpionfolk would be honored to work itself literally to
death. Laziness is seen as the ultimate sin; a universal
belief found among all of the differing subraces.
Survival is also a key motivation, but only of the colony
as a whole. With the exception of the most powerful
diviners, individual lives are only a secondary
consideration.
Sacrifice and Stinger Racing
Much like the surface folks above, scorpionfolk have a long
history of bloody sacrifice. They sacrifice humans and
other sentient beings in much the same manner as the
priests of Zaltec are known to do on the surface world.
Hearts are cut out with great proficiency by clerics of
their eleven deities (actually, nine and two demon lords),
and the typical offering is accomplished with masterful
precision.
Scorpionfolk sacrifice their own kind far less frequently,
but do so in a bizarre ritual which they claim affords them
a great divination and direct line of communication to their
patron deity Huoxopica. When such a communion is
desired, two to twenty volunteers burst from the
Underdark and run in seemingly random directions. They
move at full speed stopping only to fight if attacked or
prevented from continuing their run.
Eventually, the scorpionfolk will die of exhaustion,
particularly since this event most often occurs in the wilds
of the Sands of Itzcala – directly above the Underdark city
of T’lincal. What observers may not realize is that deep in
the temples of T’lincal, scorpionfolk diviners scry both the
path taken and the location of each death.
Huoxopica will code his most important messages and
visions of the future within the created pattern. Needless
to say this event, which is naively known to Faerunians as
“stinger racing” is a rare one, and only occurs when the
scorpionfolk anticipate a dire threat.
Divination
In addition to the infrequent stinger races, upper worlders
have observed other seemingly random behaviors from
scorpionfolk. This is because the scorpionfolk believe that
their gods are always attempting to communicate with
them and every member of their society considers itself
able to read into at least some of these messages.
This will cause scorpionfolk to act in a manner that often
seems irrational and chaotic. Sometimes they attack
random strangers without provocation or oddly enough,
will even occasionally assist one. To the scorpionfolk, this
behavior is decidedly lawful. Every move has a purpose
and goal, even if the observer cannot understand exactly
what they are.
The tlincalli and their ilk feel no need or want to explain
their behaviors to those who are at best food.
3

The Nature of the Scorpionfolk City
Scorpionfolk hive cities are bustling centers of constant
motion and endless toil, much like the duergar cities of
Faerûn; though perhaps even more fatalistic. Sedentary
scorpionfolk are either sacrificed or banished from their
homeland with no opportunity to return.
City design does not always follow the most practical
arrangements of buildings and common areas, but instead
forms a grand mosaic that the diviners use to assist their
rituals. Sacrifices are almost always carried out in the
centermost region of any layout.
Households combine features of natural caves and
scorpion dens with some basic humanoid amenities. Stairs
almost never exist and ceilings are four to five feet higher
to accommodate their greater size.
The Theocracy
Diviners are considered the spiritual leaders of the hive
cities, and although the more martial types are respected,
they will always defer to the will of the theocracy. Unlike
other races (like the drow), there is no jealously in the
status quo. Among the diviners themselves, rank is
completely based on merit.
The titles of the most influential scorpionfolk in a city are
Lord Diviner (the most powerful diviner in the whole
settlement), War Chief (typically the cleverest martial
minded scorpionfolk who makes most of the wartime
decisions, but is still considered beneath the diviners) and
the Nest Keeper (responsible for protecting the well-being
of eggs and broodlings).
The Influence of Obox-ob
Scorpionfolk culture has remained consistent for
hundreds, if not thousands of years, but today the demon
lord Obox-ob is a decidedly chaotic force afflicting the
tlincalli.
Originally, his cult was not welcome in their lawful
society, but since the coming of Cordell, Obox-ob’s breed
of anger and hatred appealed to the race. The diverse
pantheon of deities is not happy with the demon lord’s
influence.
The Subraces
Only the ignorant believe that the scorpionfolk are of a
single breed and a single outlook. Similar to mankind,
elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings and even giants, the
scorpionfolk subraces have as many differences as
similarities.
From the diminutive opistacanthi to the massive and
ancient palophonti, there are almost as many types of
scorpionfolk as there are different human-appearing
races, and each has their own story to tell.
Note that all scorpionfolk speak the tlincalli tongue.
Tlincalli
The tlincalli are the race of scorpionfolk generally known
throughout Toril, and for good reason. The nation of
T’lincal, deep beneath the Sands of Itzcala, harbors the
largest population of scorpionfolk anywhere on Toril.
4
Their complex lives can seem almost human in many
ways. They trade, raise families, eat, kill, and work
incessantly. Many tlincalli also live in communities outside
of the main city, and these families must brave the
dangerous Maztican Underdark alone.
The tlincalli’s pantheon calls for many sacrifices, yet
there has always been a sense that sacrifice was for the
good of the nation as a whole. Their deities provided for
them all that is necessary for the city to prosper and the
tlincalli diviners rarely sacrifice out of sheer malice. The
gods are always hungry, but in return for the bounty of
blood, great wisdom is imparted on their diviners in the
patterns of death itself.
For ages, this has been the status quo for the tlincalli
race. It is a strength that has gone mostly unchallenged,
until now. Obox-ob the obyrith demon lord has always
been one piece of the complex zodiac of scorpionfolk
divinity, but as recently as 1345 DR he has renewed his
interest tenfold.
Why exactly the deposed Abyssal prince has developed
such an interest remains a mystery, but what is known is
that the tlincalli have changed since that year over a
century past. Somehow, Obox-ob has managed to keep his
intentions secret from even the great divinations of
Huoxopica.
The age of stability enjoyed by the tlincalli is certainly in
danger. Many among the tlincalli fear that with the unrest
among the pantheon, Obox-ob’s subtle influence, the
coming of the Golden Legion, the Spellplague and
subsequent Sundering that change is inevitable.
Faerûnian Tlincalli
There is no denying that there are differences in the
tlincalli of Maztica and those of their lost brethren in the
deserts of Faerûn. Physically, other then the generally
unkempt appearance that the Faerûnian tlincalli maintain,
there is little difference in physicality, but culturally the
Faerûnians have devolved into what the Maztican
scorpionfolk might consider barbarism.
Faerûnian vs Maztican Tlincalli
Beyond the cultural differences, the only
statistical change for Maztican tlincalli is that
they can use their arachnid nature to climb
quite proficiently. Give Maztican tlincalli a
Climb speed of 40 feet.
Palophonti
Giants among scorpionfolk, the palophonti’s upper halves
are more accurately described as those of aquatic titans
rather than humans. Their lower halves are also unique in
that they bear the form of ancient sea scorpions; creatures
no longer thought to exist except as fossils.
The sea scorpion lower half has not even evolved to the
point where it has developed a fully functioning stinger,
yet it is no less deadly. Fine filaments in a palophonti’s
whip-like tail carry a terrible disease rather of poison.
Palophonti can best the most powerful of creatures
alone on both land and in the sea.
The palophonti are an ancient race whose origin is not
entirely known. While most scorpionfolk believe they are
Huoxopica’s children as are all scorpionfolk, a few
maintain the belief that the palophonti have an even more
ancient origin.
Although some palophonti are known to pay at least lip
service to the pantheon, the majority maintain secrecy in
their true beliefs. Palophonti discuss close to nothing of
their religion or origins but clues are likely to exist in the
deepest parts of the western seas.
They are a rare species and have only come into contact
with humans from Kolan or Huacli in the past, though few
of these humans have survived to tell the tales.
Opistacanthi
The opistacanthi are one of the few races of scorpionfolk
that exist in as great a frequency on the surface as they do
the Underdark. They are tree dwelling beings who form
massive nests is the boughs of ancient jungle trees.
Opistacanthi are halfling sized and favor the use of poison
on their weaponry, much like the Maztican halflings
themselves.
Opistacanthi are nimble predators who will cooperate to
take down foes far greater than any one of them can
handle, and typically do so with envenomed arrows. They
have been known to come into conflict with both the
Green Folk and tabaxi on occasion.
The Obyrith Touched
While not truly a subrace per se, there are enough obyrith-
touched scorpionfolk as a whole to warrant concern and
include them as a separate subspecies.
In the early 1340s DR Obox-ob renewed his interest in
the scorpionfolk, particularly the inhabitants of the nation
of T’lincal. It is rumored that after eons of existence, he is
now seeking to ascend to godhood. The worship of these
horribly malformed scorpionfolk is his greatest
opportunity.
As they are infused with pure evil and chaos, the
obyrith-touched may only coincidentally resemble one
another, but they can all sense the presence of others of
their kind no matter how varied the appearance.
The obyrith-touched either avoid, slay, or convert all
others of their kind to the worship of their dreaded obyrith
lord. There is said to be a complex ritual that severs them
from Huoxopica’s great sight forever as it simultaneously
warps their minds and their bodies into horrid shapes.
The obyrith-touched are universally reviled by all other
scorpionfolk, particularly the proud imperatonti.
Charinti
Until recently the charinti were thought to be utterly
extinct. They have not been seen by other scorpionfolk
(and certainly not by man) for over a thousand years, but
rumors among the tlincalli have claimed that one
matching their ancient description was observed in the
presence of the obyrith-touched. The gods have remained
suspiciously quiet on the subject, even to the tlincalli
diviners.
The charinti were created by the god Ek-Chua as
servants to the tlincalli; a specialized race of bureaucrats
charged with endlessly cataloging the treasuries of their
lords and ensuring fair trade. To better equip them in their
tasks and to ensure their remained servile to their
masters, the charinti had no tail stingers.
5
 Instead, Ek-Chua gave them long whip-like feelers attached
either in pairs beside their legs or in a bundle of four, five
or six sprouting from the base of their thorax. The feelers
spasmodically darted in random directions as they
counted the wealth of the tlincalli. Rare charinti have no
feelers at all, and these tend to develop sorcerous abilities.
Over the centuries, Ek-Chua’s interest in mercantile
pursuits waned in favor of warfare, and his interest in the
charinti also dwindled. Neglected by their god, the
charininti fell under the sway of Obox-ob. With his
encouragement, the charinti began to quietly hide away
significant measures of their masters’ riches.
Their deceit was eventually discovered, and EkChua was
outraged. The auguries of the tlincalli diviners were
unanimous in their message - annihilate the charinti. Soon
after the the genocide began.
Imperatonti
Powerful and barbaric, yet perfectly content to be left
alone, the imperatonti are perhaps the only subrace of
scorpionfolk that might not capture or kill in a chance
encounter with a surface worlder. The subrace is truly
fearsome to behold and their courage is as legendary as
that of their hero deity Vulkoon.
Much like the species of emperor scorpions from which
their bodies are modeled, the scorpion half is near black in
color, while their heavily muscled human torsos display a
wide variation of skin tones. If an imperatonti’s human half
were on a full human body, they would be nearly eight feet
tall.
The tlincalli consider their southerly cousins exiled and
there is no love lost between the two races but they do
have a mutual enemy in Obox-ob. Vulkoon and the demon
lord despise each other and this enmity frequently passes
on to their mortal priesthoods.
A Historical Accounting
The history of the scorpionfolk is older than the recorded
histories of man, and approximate dates of a small
selection of important events are noted below.
All dates are given in Dalreckoning, though in some
cases (particularly in the distant past) the dates are only
estimated.
c. –31,200 DR
Two previously unknown deities named Huoxopica and
Ixtilli manifest for primitive tribes of man. They transform
the awed tribes into the first scorpionfolk in order to
better serve them and represent a joining of the parent
gods' physical forms. Palophonti, a sea-going subrace of
powerful scorpionfolk scoff at the notion that this event
marks their origin.
c. –30,000 DR
Other deities of the scorpionfolk make themselves known
at this time including Axipotl, Corantllil, Ek-Chua,
Malinalxochitl, Nantzintli Coloti, and Pachutalixi. Three
demon lords, Obox-ob, Rr’ikin’aka, and Tharzax are also
honored and together these eleven form the scorpionfolk
Zodiac.
6
c. –29,800 DR
The scorpionfolk found many cities in the True World
Underdark at this time, including the grandest of them all
which is known as T’lincal, home of the tlincalli subrace.
The tlincalli come to dominate all other scorpionfolk
settlements and much of Underdark.
c. –27,000 DR
Rr’ikin’aka makes a play to subjugate all of the scorpionfolk
and declare himself the Scorpion King.
The mortal imperatonti known as Vulkoon assists the
demon lords Obox-ob and Tharzax in foiling the plot and
Rr’ikin’aka is forever entrapped deep in the Abyss.
Tharzax grows distant and disinterested from the
scorpionfolk at this time and Obox-ob devours many of
Vulkoon’s own broodmates, predictably unappreciative of
their assistance.
Vulkoon heads far south underground, bringing the vast
majority of the imperatonti subrace with him and founds
the city of Vulkholme deep beneath the mountains of the
realm of Lopango.
He establishes himself, through popular opinion, as the
first Scorpion King (having taken the title from the
vanquished Rr’ikin’aka). Though the exact date of his death
lies unrecorded, it is known that Vulkoon ascended on that
day to fill the void in the Zodiac left by Tharzax.
c. 400 DR
The charinti abandon their former lord Ek-Chua for the
demon Obox-ob after Ek-chua orders their genocide.
Obox-ob hides the surviving members of the subrace from
Ek-chua on the Abyssal layer known as Zionyn (the 663rd
layer).
c. 600 DR
Huoxopica sires Sciorah with an unknown immortal being
of thunder and lightning in a brief encounter.
Once born, Obox-ob drags the creature to the Abyss
with the secret approval of Huoxopica. This act ensures
that Ixtilli's jealousy does not tear apart the pantheon, but
in exchange Huoxopica willingly gives up any and all
divination in regards to the demon lord or his actions.
1,179 DR Year of the Stalking Satyr
During his reign, the human Revered Counselor of the
nation of Nexal named Tolco delves deep into the lands
under Nexal. Briefly, Tolco comes into conflict with the
scorpionfolk of the nation of T’lincal.
After a series of massive defeats, Tolco offers one
thousand of his greatest warriors as sacrifices to T’lincal’s
Lord Diviner in order to appease the dangerous
scorpionfolk. Many of Nexal’s failures during Tolco’s reign
were widely attributed to this event.
The scorpionfolk accepted the sacrifice and disappear
from the general knowledge of mankind for centuries.
Their gods however, develop a taste for human blood and
hearts.
1,361 DR Year of Maidens
Obox-ob renews his interest in the affairs of the T’lincal
nation of scorpionfolk just as the Golden Legion brought
ruin upon the lands above. Obyrith-touched, foul
mockeries of the scorpionfolk riddled with madness,
appear among the scorpionfolk, as do the dreaded obyrith
demons known as ekolid and the charinti whom others
thought extinct.

1,362 DR Year of the Helm

After Cordell's invasion of Maztica, the scorpionfolk of
T'lincal read the appearance of the Faerûnians as a
divinatory sign. Led by their diviners and subtly influenced
by Obox-ob, they began a three-year mass ritual to follow
the invaders back to conquer their lands.
The ritual was completed in 1365 DR and successfully
gated more than a thousand tlincalli into the Underdark
beneath Amn. This expeditionary force quickly descended
deeper and came upon the abandoned dwarf kingdom of
Xothaerin, where they established a new city known as
Oaxapupta.
The scorpionfolk discovered a number of fire elementals
and outsiders in the vicinity of Xothaerin and immediately
launched a furious assault on the azers, efreeti, and
salamanders who lived nearby. The tlincalli overwhelmed
the other denizens of ruined Xothaerin and drove them
away from the old dwarven city.
Celebrating their victory with hundreds of sacrifices and
great divinations, the scorpionfolk began chiseling away at
the remnants of the dwarven city, remaking it in their own
image.

1,374 DR Year of Lightning Storms

The tlincalli of Oaxaptupa raid Murann and the Trade Way.
They demand reparations for the plundering of Maztica as
they perform all manner of atrocities.

1,376 DR Year of the Bent Blade

Oaxaptupa is sacked by an uneasy truce of the Swordbelt
Alliance. The alliance first discovers that the tlincalli are
utilizing a portal to the Abyss for reinforcements from
their demonic patron Obox-Ob. Remaining tlincalli escape
into the Underdark wilds, but Oaxaptupa as an
independent city state is no more.

1,380 Year of the Blazing Hand

The predictions of one of the fabled "stinger races"
anticipates great turmoil. It is unknown if Huoxopica
divined the specifics of the Spellplague, but his warning
gives the scorpionfolk five years to prepare.

1,385 DR the Year of Blue Fire

Maztica, along with its Underdark and all of the
scorpionfolk living within it is ripped from Toril and
brought to the twin world Abeir. The gods are left behind
and found to be unreachable, but the scorpionfolk
manage to survive and even thrive due to Huoxopica's
early warning. After the Second Sundering much of life
returns to what it once was prior to the Spellplague.

7
 The Scorpionfolk Zodiac
Deity Alignment Domains Symbol(s)
Axipotl, The Venomlord CE Grave†, Tempest, Death Scorpion Tail on Red Background
Corantllil, The Unceasing NE Tempest, Knowledge Anvil with a Scorpion
Ek-Chua, The Black Merchant, The Black Star CE Knowledge, War Lance on a Black Field
Huoxopica, He Who’s Throat is Never Dry LE Arcana††, Knowledge, Life Black Scorpion
Ixtilli, The Nestmother LE Life, Protection† Clear Egg with Scorpion Inside
Malinalxochitl, Grass Flower, The Seductress CE Trickery, Death Fist, Heart and Scorpion
Nantzintli Coloti, The Huntress in the Dark NE Death, War Tribal Scorpion
Pachutalixi, The Feathered Scorpion NG Arcana††, Life, Light Golden Winged Scorpion
Vulkoon, The Emperor Scorpion CN Tempest, War Lance Held by Pincers
Obox-ob (Demon Lord) CE -- --
Rr’ikin’aka (Demon Lord) CE -- --

† Protection and Grave Domains found in Unearthed Arcana.

††Arcana Domain found in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide.

Unearthed Arcana domains can be found here: http://media.wizards.com/2016/dnd/downloads/UA_Cleric.pdf

As the smallest of the gods he is often seen as an

Gods and Religion outcast, but he is still respected for his unbeatable
marksmanship with a bow and theft of the strange human
Life can be navigated through omen and divination and all magic known as hishna.
divination comes from the gods. According to the
When angered, the deity’s eyes glow with a fierce green
scorpionfolk, each day is preordained and the gods know
light. Axipotl is somewhat of a loner and avoids contact
all that has happened and most of what will (despite some
with the other gods. Historically, he has been subservient
glaring blind spots).
to Huoxopica, but since his relatively recent theft of hishna
The scorpionfolk also believe that their deities are magic he has come into his own. The human god Zaltec is
always trying to speak to them through even the most furious over the theft of hishna however, and actively
mundane of events, imparting their vast wisdom. Great hunts the small scorpion god.
investments in time and blood are spent attempting to
Much like Zaltec’s enmity to Qotal, Axipotl has grown to
interpret these messages.
despise Pachutalixi and the Feathered Scorpion’s pluma
The scorpionfolk are particularly superstitious when it magic. The worshipers of each respective god are typically
comes to the number eleven. enemies because of this rivalry, though Pachutalixi’s do
With eight legs, two arms, and a tail; eleven represents not tend to initiate hostilities.
not only the “perfect” form of their bodies, but also in the
six vices and five virtues along with the number of
immortal beings they venerate. Altogether this is known as
the scorpionfolk Zodiac.
The deities themselves are undeniably strange and most
are bloodthirsty and aggressive. They are also quite alien
in mentality to a human but they do share one thing in
common with many of the other Maztican deities – a love
of sacrifice.
Blood offered upon scorpionfolk altars go directly to the
gods’ throats and with eleven immortals to feed, sacrifice
is an almost constant activity (ten actually, considering
Pachutalixi does not partake in the bloodletting).
Individual deities and demon lords are described below.

Axipotl
The Venomlord

Axipotl is the patron deity of the opistacanthi scorpionfolk

and appears much like one of that tree dwelling offshoot.

8

Corantllil
The Unceasing
Corantllil plays a huge role in the everyday life of the
scorpionfolk. Work is considered second only to sacrifice in
sating the gods’ appetites and Corantllil is said to be the
fountain from which all industriousness flows.
He appears as an incredibly large and muscular
scorpionfolk with 16 legs instead of eight. His tail is capped
with a fine chisel (though it can still inject poison) and one
claw has been replaced with a massive iron hammer.
If friendship can be said to exist among the deities of the
scorpionfolk, it is best exemplified by Corantllil’s
relationship with Pachutalixi. The two are not brothers, but
act as if they are. Even with their vastly differing outlooks
and alignments they are quite overprotective of each
other. Together, the two scorpionfolk deities encourage
their worshipers to create healing potions in massive
quantities to counteract the great amounts of bloodletting
the other gods demand.
Corantllil’s work (and that of his worshipers) forging
weapons, tools and shelter are also looked on favorably by
Huoxopica, which keeps the worst of their ire from
Corantllil’s merciful friend. Malinalxochitl has had fleeting
relationships with Corantllil in the past but he often
chooses to return to work rather than waste time with her.
This annoys the Seductress to no end.
Ek-Chua
The Black Merchant, The Black Star
Ek-Chua holds two very different roles in the scorpionfolk
pantheon. As the patron of merchants and trade, he once
had a more neutral outlook, but in recent centuries he has
become violent and bloodthirsty.
Some believe he has become addicted to the pleasures
of sacrifice, and so now he desires conflict and warfare
over mutually beneficial trade. While many of the
scorpionfolk deities desire ritual sacrifices, Ek-Chua seeks
them out on the battlefield itself. All blood spilled in
senseless warfare is said to go directly to Ek-Chua.
Ek-Chua has grown in power since he began focusing
more on warfare. Many other deities now fear his rise and
wonder if one day he will seek to usurp their own divinity.
Huoxopica however, sees Ek-Chua as his right claw and
turns to the god for all matters that involve warfare. Ek-
Chua is a master tactician and the pantheon’s leader
knows it.
Huoxopica
He Who’s Throat is Never Dry
Huoxopica is the Scorpionlord, the true king of the
pantheon and undisputed ruler of the scorpionfolk. Such
has been the case since he found a tribe of primitive man
struggling to make fire and transformed them into the
powerful creatures which they are today.
His own form is that of the perfect scorpion. The glow
that radiates from his chitin is so dark that it is oft
described as a void, and none but the other gods can
remain in his presence.
Huoxopica has foreseen the fate of his creations and it is
a destiny of greatness. While the future is never truly set in
stone, if the scorpionfolk continue to follow him their
ascension is guaranteed. He is consumed with bestowing
his divinations upon his people, but such power requires
fuel – fuel in the form of blood. Much like his wife Ixtilli,
Huoxopica desires to the blood of sacrifice and demands
increasing amounts as the centuries pass by.
Huoxopica came to Toril long before the continents the
world looked as they currently do. He arrived as an
interloper god from a far away, alien world and starving
from lack of worship, he found no creatures suitable for
his attentions. Instead of fading away on Toril, he instead
chose to take one of the lowliest of creatures and change
them into a more suitable form. In the caves, forests and
deserts he found primitive mankind and gave them a gift
of great power.
Huoxopica painstakingly crafted each of their new
bodies, and the scorpionfolk would be his forevermore.
This he had foreseen, for Huoxopica was the god of
divination and of fate itself.
Huoxopica rules his pantheon with an iron fist and
allows no dissension. In truth, he sometimes fears his own
wife Ixtilli. Not for the fear of her power, but instead for
the what war amongst the gods could do to his favored
creations. It is not that he cares for the scorpionfolks'
welfare but rather disruption in the steady flow of sacrifice
he has received for so long.
Huoxopica’s talent for divination has helped him avoid
any attempts upon his power and he has been merciless
with challengers in the past. He currently has two
problems which he fears will lead the scorpionfolk into
unknown times. First, he has had numerous affairs with
other deities and immortal beings. If his wife were to
discover his infidelity, it would spell disaster for the
pantheon.
Secondly, he has avoided the attention of the human
gods for millennia, but now with the arrival of the
mainlanders, Pachutalixi and Axipotl’s use of human magic
and the influence of Obox-ob, the world above ground can
no longer be avoided. This will certainly lead to change for
his subjects, and it is change which he is having difficulty
foreseeing. Predicting and preventing the worst of the
repercussions of the Spellplague and the exile to Abeir
have drained much of his powers. His foresight is not what
it once was.
Ixtilli
The Nestmother
Ixtilli is the wife of Huoxopica and claims to be the mother
of the scorpionfolk race. She shares much in appearance
to her sisters Malinalxochitl and Nantzintli Coloti, but has
almost no physical traits in common with a scorpion itself.
This leads many to speculate that she was once in fact a
human deity, but those who claim as much to her
worshipers live very short lives.
9
 Ixtilli enjoys surrounding herself with all different sizes
of true scorpions. As the mother of the scorpionfolk race,
not even Huoxopica is willing to challenge her when she
sets her mind on a course of action. Her sisters are jealous
of her high standing and power, but would never raise
their voices in protest.
Ixtilli is said to determine the successful reproduction of
scorpionfolk and thus has as much power over fate as it
has power over her. If she so willed it, every scorpionfolk
in existence could become barren or exceptionally fertile;
therefore she can control the future of the race itself.
10
The goddess Malinalxochitl suspects that Ixtilli cruelly
cursed her barren body and holds a terrible grudge for her
sister.
Much sacrifice is offered in Ixtilli’s name to sate her
appetite while simultaneously beseeching her for many
broodlings. She is also a jealous goddess and were she to
ever discover Huoxopica’s trysts, the repercussions would
be drastic and could bring war to the gods as the Zodiac
would each be forced to choose sides.

Malinalxoxhitl
Grass Flower, The Seductress
Malinalxochitl is the beautiful and sultry sister of both
Nantzintli Coloti and Ixtilli, though she sees both women
as bitter rivals.
She is incredibly beautiful by human standards and the
males of very few species can withstand her charms.
Malinalxochitl often appears completely naked, even
shunning common items of jewelry or other adornments.
Malinalxochitl has few friends amongst the gods of any
pantheon, including her own. As the sister of Ixtilli, she is
considered part of the royal line and it is this fact that has
prevented the others from destroying her. Malinalxochitl
has had brief trysts with each of the male scorpionfolk
gods at one point or another, but the goddess herself is
barren and cannot produce offspring. Some of the most
ancient texts claim this curse was brought upon her
because she ate the entire clutch of her first offspring in
ages past.
Corantllil is the closest she has come to a true
relationship, simply because of all the male gods, he has
been the most unconcerned with gaining her attentions
and she sees him as a challenge.
As a goddess of sorcery, Malinalxochitl receives much of
her worship from scorpionfolk diviners but she wisely
does not flaunt this for fears of angering Huoxopica.
Though she feels she could easily seduce and distract the
god should they come to blows, her ever present sister
Ixtilli could make it more difficult than necessary.
Nantzintli Coloti
The Huntress in the Dark
The sinister deity named Nantzintli Coloti is the patroness
of hunters, cold-blooded rangers and druids. She is
primarily a scorpionfolk deity but she is also one of the
only deities to also have a small following among mankind.
In small centers of worship in Maztica or even Faerûn, she
is known as Glau, the Lady Scorpion.
The Lady Scorpion dispatches her minions to hunt down
and murder all those who cross her path and sometimes
even the paths of her worshipers. The huntress is
relentless, cold and methodical, making her quite popular
among the fatalistic scorpionfolk. In Faerûn, she is known
in Anauroch, where her cult is outlawed by most of the
Bedine tribes.
Nantzintli Coloti appears more human than
scorpionfolk. A trait she shares with her sisters Ixtilli and
Malinalxochitl, though she is not quite as alluring as either.
The church of Glau is a primal one, with very little in the
way of formal scripture or liturgy. Followers of Nantzintli
Coloti honor the Huntress in the Dark every night as the
sun sets and the time to hunt begins. Those who worship
her as Lady Scorpion offer their prayers at the stroke of
midnight and any time they use their poison to claim a
meal or a rival.
In days gone by as a deity of Faerûn, it was said Glau
had a rivalry with Bhaal, one that ended only at the
insistence of Malar. Malar, according to the tales, is either
Nantzintli Coloti’s father or her lover (some legends say it's
both), but this would make her only half-sister to Ixtilli and
Malinalxochitl.
Glau is bitter rivals with Talona and a sworn foe of Lolth,
who she considers clumsy and heavy handed in her
malice. She has a strange sort of friendship with Mask and
even Sharess - another Faerûnian deity said to have trysts
with Glau. It is known both sometimes visit Glau's lair
which are known as the Caverns of the Blacktalon.
Most good deities despise Glau, and she is particularly
hated by Torm, Mielikki and Eilistraee (who thwarted a
long-ago scheme by Glau to worm her way into the hearts
of renegade drow).
Amongst the scorpionfolk, Glau is well regarded by the
other deities despite her frequent associations with the
gods of humans, in part because it helps them to keep the
foreign gods out of the scorpionfolk world. She is vigilant
in keeping her people pure and secluded.
While most of the blame for the disaster that was
Oaxaptupa falls at the feet of the demon lord Obox-ob,
What few realize is that it was Nantzintli Coloti's insistence
that led Huoxopica to call for revenge against the Amnians
and the three year ritual that led to the city's founding
over a century ago.
11
 Pachutalixi
The Feathered Scorpion
As the only god of the scorpionfolk with a strong sense of
morality and an absolute abhorrence for sacrifice,
Pachutalixi is a pariah in the Zodiac.
Though he has no humanoid traits, his brightly colored
and feathered wings make his appearance far less
threatening than the other deities. The rare good
scorpionfolk almost exclusively worships this god.
Often picked on as the “weak” god of the scorpionfolk,
Pachutalixi might have been slain long ago were it not for
his close relationship with the well respected Corantllil.
Pachutalixi and his worshipers lend their powers to
helping Corantllil develop powerful healing.
12
Pachutalixi avoids gods other than Corantllil lest they be
tempted into slaying him and absorbing his divinity.
Though Vulkoon rarely interacts with his pantheon at all
these days, Pachutalixi is attempting to befriend the
barbaric god of the imperatonti because he has seen some
kindness in the Emperor Scorpion.
In order to counteract Axipotl’s discovery and theft of
hishna magic, Pachutalixi has made contact with the
human god Qotal. Qotal has taught the well meaning
scorpion god the magic of pluma and he now shares it
among his own worshipers. There are a significant number
of Pachutalixi’s diviners who are in fact talented
plumaweavers or plumacasters.
Vulkoon
The Emperor Scorpion
Vulkoon is an ascended mortal who once assisted Obox-
ob and another demon lord named Tharzax in imprisoning
the equally vile Rr'ikin'aka in the Abyss. Vulkoon was never
comfortable with Obox-ob’s treatment of its own
worshipers however, and eventually he led his followers to
seek out other lands.
Vulkoon became king of his people and eventually
ascended as their deity. The Emperor Scorpion’s powers
are certainly on the rise.
To Vulkoon, survival of the species is more important
than the individual. The greatest honor one can have is to
die in the service of scorpionfolk as a whole.
Rr’ikin’aka (Demon Lord)
King of Scorpions
The self-titled King of Scorpions is no longer a major player
in the divine politics of the scorpionfolk. Ages ago he made
a grab for ultimate power with the race in its entirety and
the demon lord was punished accordingly.
Huoxopica’s wrath was immediate and unmerciful. He
enlisted the help of the obyrith demon lords Obox-ob and
Tharzax to either slay or permanently remove the threat.
Obox-Ob in turn, enlisted the mortal (at the time)
scorpionfolk hero Vulkoon as bait to capture Rr’ikin’aka
within the Wells of Darkness on the 73rd layer of the
Abyss.
Few scorpionfolk these days still revere the imprisoned
demon lord, and those that do receive little power from
him. Rr’ikin’aka still exists in some strange form and has
been known to manifest himself, though he is only a
vestige and mostly powerless. There are scorpionfolk and
rare members of other species who do still gain power
from the shadow of this once powerful being.
Obox-ob (Demon Lord)
Prince of Vermin
Obox-Ob has been a part of the scorpionfolk pantheon for
thousands of years. This unknowable obyrith demon lord
cares nothing for his worshipers, but he is worshiped with
devotion nonetheless.
The most evil of scorpionfolk call him patron, and
Huoxopica is too busy demanding his own sacrifices to
notice. The patron god of the scorpionfolk has made a
deal with the ancient obyrith despite his hatred of the
entity and this is the source of his uncharacteristic
blindspot.
Despite his (its?) alien nature, Obox-Ob is an
opportunist. A century ago, he saw the invasion of humans
in Maztica as an opportunity to wreak havoc, both upon
the invading humans and the scorpionfolk themselves. In
this move, he may have finally overstepped. The gods may
not tolerate his presence for much longer.
Binder? Warlock Patron?
In March 2006, WotC released the Tome of
Magic for 3.5e which introduced the heretical
class known as the "binder" and beings
trapped beyond the mutliverse known as
vestiges. It is the intent of this author for
Rr'ikin'aka to be one of these vestige entities,
but as of this date there is no official update
to the binder class for 5e. In the time being,
perhaps Rr'ikin'aka could be used instead as a
patron for warlocks, whether this is as a pact
with a fiend or a homebrew pact specifically
for the self proclaimed King of Scorpions.
Locations
There are many locations in the Maztican Underdark that
are related to the scorpionfolk and there are certainly
countless others that have little to do with them, but are
interesting nevertheless.
In this section you will find descriptions of some of the
more important locations that fall into both categories.
Portals to Zionyn
Because of Obox-ob's burgeoning interest in the mortal
scorpionfolk, portals to Zionyn have begun to appear in
out of reach corners of the Underdark where few may find
them.
Zionyn is the 663rd layer of the Abyss and it is
indisputably ruled by the obyrith demon lord Obox-ob.
The layer is crawling with vermin of both a normal and
demonic sort. Vast hive cities dominate the landscape
where all else is jagged badland and oceans of a thick
syrupy resin.
These hive cities are occupied by the cruel ekolid,
insectoid obyrith demons of the most foul nature. When
the ekolids capture the rare intruder, they dip their victims
in the thick oceans, which harden at the moment of
suffocation resulting in grotesque statues that adorn the
hive cities.
Though they bear little resemblance to humanoid
markets, it is said that any known poison in the universe
can be found among the ekolid cities in addition to
thousands of slaves waiting for egg implantation. The
obyrith have no patience for mortal visitors and wise
poisoners would do well to stay out of the hives. This holds
true even for scorpionfolk unless they are directly in the
service of the demon lord itself.
The life of a Zionyn slave is quite short and choice
captives are implanted with the eggs of ekolid nobility. As
a favored pastime, the obyrith will gather in great numbers
to watch performance hatchings, where the more
gruesome deaths of a host creature are honored.
Zionyn is now also home to a titanic beast named
Sciorah, a bastard child of Huoxopica and an unknown
immortal entity of thunder and lightning.
Needless to say, Zionyn is not a realm to visit by mortals.
13
 T ’lincal
T’lincal is the capital city of the tlincalli scorpionfolk and it
has a population of approximately 3,500 residents.
It is located deep underneath the ground extendeding
under the Sands of Itzcala. It is the spiritual, economic and
cultural center for the tlincalli subrace.
Map Key
1. Underground Lake. Known only as Aklom (meaning
watering hole), this lake teems with aquatic scorpions and
the blind cave fish that serve as their prey.
2. Tlincalli Abodes. The visible part of the tlincalli homes
are only the surface portion of much grander homes
carved from the rock below. In truth, homesteads are
designed more like worked caverns than the human
homes that appear in the upperworld. Most tlincalli homes
do not even have a surface structure in T’lincal.
14
3. Workshops Though it might seem strange to imagine,
tlincalli still have some very basic human needs. Shops and
blacksmiths dominate this portion of the city.
4. Huoxopica’s Temple. Though the mosaic is largely
considered Huoxopica’s holiest site, official, non-sacrificial
ceremonies are usually found in this largest of T’lincal’s
structures.
5. Great Stone. In the earliest days of T’lincal’s existence a
great creature was said to be imprisoned by Huoxopica in
mortal form (others say by Vulkoon). The Great Stone is
rumored to be the “lid” to this eternal prison.
6. Temple District. The entire scorpionfolk pantheon is
worshiped in the many temples found in this district.
7. The High Walk. A unique form of sacrifice and
divination in T’lincal is generated by throwing victims from
atop the High Walk to the Mosaic below.
The unfortunate results of this form of sacrifice are said to
predict various future events.
8. Holding Pen. A great unmovable stone covers a pit
where future sacrifices are held until their time comes.
Tlincalli diviners use magic exclusively to enter and exit the
mostly underground structure.
9. Corantllil’s Eye. This unstable stone always appears to
be on the precipice of falling and destroying a significant
portion of the city. It is in fact quite stable, and is the
remnant of a stalactite that was destroyed long ago in the
city’s creation.
Many tlincalli claim that if the city’s inhabitants were ever
to grow lazy, Corantllil would cause it to dislodge to punish
the scorpionfolk and remind them of the holiness of
endless labor.
10. The Mosaic. If it were not so frequently covered in
the gruesome remains of sacrifices from the High Walk,
the Mosaic would be quite beautiful. A wonder of art
created by Huoxopica’s diviners, the Mosaic is the most
holy site in all the Tlincalli nation. The fortune in precious
and semiprecious stones used in its creation could buy
kingdoms.
15

Iercaloi
Iercaloi is another tlincalli city and certainly one of the
greatest feats of architecture developed by the
scorpionfolk. The city is located deep underneath the
Valley of Nexal in a vast waterlogged vault far below the
lava tubes and tunnels of Zatal.
A massive stone column formed by eons of dripping
mineral rich water was painstakingly carved for decades to
form a perfectly symmetrical pillar. Thirty three entrances
(a multiple of the sacred number) circle the pillar and
within it lies a bustling community of scorpionfolk.
The vault itself is in some ways a wonder of nature.
Phosphorescent lichen and swarms of the luminous
scorpion–like creatures known as the cibarius illuminate
the entire vault with the strength of a clear starry evening
in the world above.
The dim reflections in the vault’s shallow liquid floor give
the entire chamber a dizzying and surreal effect. The vault
stands at nearly a mile in height but at its longest point, it
reaches nearly five miles in length.
16
In a long forgotten age, equilibrium was established so
that approximately two feet of water stands on the vault
floor with little variation in depth from end to end. Land
only breaks the surface at the various stalagmites and
columns of the vault.
This shallow lake is remarkably fresh and a gentle
current flows from one end to the other. The water’s
source are the infamous lakes of Nexal in the distant world
above filtered through miles of purifying, carbon-rich
stone. While the lakes have risen and ebbed at the whim
of the gods from above, Iercaloi has remained
unbothered.
Humans have rarely encountered the scorpionfolk of
Iercaloi, and Corantllil is almost as highly regarded here as
the primary tlincalli deity Huoxopica. Ek-Chua once held
sway here as well, but his worshipers have since
abandoned the civilized life for the more savage wilds of
the Maztican Underdark.
Regardless of their opinion of humanity, encounters are
so rare in this deepest of realms that the whole concept of
extended conflict is moot.
The community is also known for some of its unique
inventions and the creativity of its populace. Flat, pad-like
extensions known as skimmers are often worn on each of
a scorpionfolk’s eight leg appendages that give the
scorpionfolk increased speed on the lake’s surface.
Although most simply take advantage of the surface
tension, some have relatively powerful enchantments.
Entire shops are also dedicated to the ancient
scorpionfolk craft of creating grafts. Tlincalli, imperatonti,
and even the upperworld tree dwelling opistacanthi will
make pilgrimages here to purchase one of these fine body
enhancements. Every scorpionfolk settlement of relative
importance in Maztica will have at least one individual who
has been the beneficiary of these magical grafts.
Other Locations of Note
While not as well known as the great city of T'lincal or as
great a feat of architecture as Iercaloi, here are other
locations of note in or around the lands inhabited by
socrpionfolk.
Vulkholme. Deep in the southern lands of Lopango,
Vulkholme is the primary and possibly only sizable city of
imperatonti. The city is sacred to Vulkoon and he has been
known to defend it in person in the past.
The Tree-Nest. A great tree lies somewhere in the
jungles in the upper world that has been the ancestral
home of the opistacanthi subrace since the earliest
histories of their race.
Despite its living status, the tree itself has been carved and
tunneled to form the hive like city in much the same way
that Iercaloi has far below ground.
Axipotl’s diviners are said to keep the tree hidden with
traps and other misdirectional magic.
The Chittering. A vast abyss located far from the
civilized hive cities of the Tlincalli nation is the frightening
location known as the Chittering. Many scorpionfolk who
have approached have been lost to unknown assailants.
The first hints that the abyss is near is the incessant
cacophony of what may be millions of unseen insects in its
depths. What really lies at the bottom of the chasm is
unknown.
The Fires of Zatal. The infamous mountain is said to
have an extensive network of caves and cavers which are
brimming with foul creatures.
The Serpent Skirt. Avoided by all but the insane, this
region of the Underdark refers to the garments of a long
dead goddess known in tlincalli legends as Cōātlīcue.
Though she may be dead, it is said that her skirt remains
alive and its serpents permeate the walls of these twisting
caverns. The similarly named abominations known as the
koatlicans are the only inhabitants of these maddening
corridors.
The Serpent Skirt is located far below the ruins of Olbi in
the Sands of Itzcala and it is uncomfortably close to
T'lincal.
17
 Magic of the Scorpionfolk
The scorpionfolk have access to a few forms of magic
which are not generally seen among other races.
While they are for the most part useless to non-
scorpionfolk, perhaps clever DMs could come up with
special circumstances which permit such players to
partake in their use.
In most cases, use of Sacrificial Boons are considered an
evil act.
Sacrificial Boons
Much like the charms found in the Dungeon Master's
Guide, sacrificial boons are gifts bestowed upon mortals
by powerful entities - in this case the members of the
scorpionfolk Zodiac.
It is no secret that the pantheon (with some exceptions)
is a bloodthirsty crowd of immortals and they feed on the
actual blood spilled in their name. When a sacrifice is
properly done, and then only on rare occasions or in times
of great need, the gods will grant a sacrificial boon in
return.
Any sacrifice will generally serve the gods but to truly
fuel the gifts that they provide, it must be performed in
ways specific to each deity.
Each god or goddesses’ specific favored mode of
sacrifice is provided below along with another that is
generally preferred when the favored mode is unavailable.
Roughly speaking, performing a favored sacrifice gives a
fifteen percent chance (roll of 18-20 on 1d20) that a boon
will be granted and a preferred sacrifice only five percent
(roll of 20 on 1d20). There is also a story element possible
to account for the granting of a sacrificial boon, and the
rolls may be ignored under special circumstances.
Only the “Great Emergence of Life and Death”
performed by a high priest of Huoxopica (foolishly called
the “Stinger Race” by mankind) guarantees a boon. Some
gods are known to grant a variety of boons, but only one
will ever be granted at a time and no more often than
eleven times for any one being in the entirety of their life.
Axipotl
Favored Sacrifice. Death of any restrained sentient
being, including other scorpionfolk, by a special venomous
concoction known as the Crimson Fountain. This terrible
poison leads to such a gruesome death that most would
actually have preferred to have their hearts torn out. The
poison must be injected from the specially preserved
stingers of a deathstalker scorpion (a common creature in
many upperworld deserts), though very little of this
creature’s own venom is actually in its composition.
Because of this limitation, and the fact that the poison
becomes inert within seconds of exposure to air, it is never
used as a weapon. The damage caused is 33 (6d10) poison
damage and also causes extreme pain (victim is
incapacitated for one hour). Blood pours forth from every
orifice and pore of the victim and they are given repeated
doses until death. The poison earned its colorful name
because of this gory effect.
18
Preferred Sacrifice. Sacrifice is only preferred by Axipotl
if three circumstances are met. The sacrifice itself must be
sentient, death must occur from venom (damage through
other means is acceptable as long as actual death is via
the venom itself), and the victim must be physically
restrained.
Axipotl does not shy away from battle and war, but he
does not consider deaths in actual warfare to be suitable
to be considered a preferred sacrifice even if death is
through the successful use of venom.
Sacrificial Boon. For eleven days after Axipotl’s grants his
boon, the recipient receives advantage on damage rolls
which are caused by its own natural poison only.
Axipotl will typically only grant this boon to the
opistacanthi, and then only when they are at war.
Corantllil
Favored Sacrifice. Corantllil’s favored sacrifice is one of
the few that doesn’t require the death of its recipient.
Corantllil is known as the Unceasing because he almost
never leaves the side of his forge. Like the other gods he
craves blood, but instead of consuming it he found that it
works quite well to quench a blade when it is being
tempered.
Before forging a tool or instrument of war, a
scorpionfolk craftsman can gain Corantllil’s favor by giving
of his own blood. The sacrifice must amount to half (or
more) of the blacksmith’s maximum hit points self inflicted
with piercing or slashing damage. This is, in part, why his
worshipers have come to depend on the administrations
of Pachutalixi’s faithful.
Preferred Sacrifice. Blood taken from other sentient
beings is still pleasurable to Corantllil, though Pachutalixi
has had some strong influences on his ally in this manner.
Years ago, he preferred that a sentient being have its
throat slit and the blood used for smithing, but this has
recently expanded to any warm blooded animal.
His more bloodthirsty priests are still willing to practice
the older ways, to the constant disappointment of
Pachutalixi’s clergy.
Sacrificial Boon. If a scorpionfolk blacksmith gains a
sacrificial boon, he will usually receive a proficiency in the
use of one set of tools for a full eleven days. If they already
have proficiency in a set of tools, they may choose to
double the proficiency bonus for that set of tools instead.
Ek-Chua
Favored Sacrifice. Ek-Chua has grown to love spilled
blood, particularly in the act of warfare. The more
powerful the foe felled, the more valuable the sacrifice to
this bellicose deity. No special rituals need be performed
in order to sacrifice to Ek-Chua, but a scorpionfolk warrior
merely claims out loud that his victim is a sacrifice, then
Ek-Chua claims the victim as such.
The deity however, is not easy to impress. In order for a
warrior to have a chance to receive his boon the sacrifice
must be fought in single combat, even in the chaos of war.
Preferred Sacrifice. Ek-Chua is still the patron deity of
merchant minded scorpionfolk even though in the present
day he is just as inclined to encourage his followers to
plunder.
Goods sacrificed in his name are thrown into the
bottomless abysses of the Underdark, and this action may
still occasionally curry his favor.
Sacrificial Boon. Almost as if it were an addiction, when
Ek-Chua tastes the blood of powerful individuals slain in
his name he becomes desperate for more.
In order to ensure a steady flow, he bestows advantage
on melee damage rolls for a full minute on three
occasions. The recipient can activate the boon as a bonus
action and if the three uses (which can all be consecutive if
desired) aren't used within eleven days, the boon
dissipates.
Sacrificial Boon. Ek-Chua still maintains his roll as the
god of mercantilism and can alternatively grant advantage
to all Charisma (Intimidation) checks for eleven days.
Huoxopica
Favored Sacrifice. Ignorant above worlders have had the
misfortune in the past of observing Huoxopica’s favored
method of sacrifice. This event, which they naively refer to
as the “Stinger Race,” is in fact an act of divinatory magic
that would have shamed a diviner as powerful as
Zalathorm of Halruaa.
Among the scorpionfolk, the true name of the ritual is
the “Great Emergence of Life and Death.” During the ritual,
dozens, hundreds, sometimes even a thousand
scorpionfolk speed to the surface and run randomly in
every direction of the compass. They run until they die
from accident, starvation, exhaustion, or even conflict.
No matter the mode of their demise, the pattern formed
by their collective deaths enacts a great divination which is
analyzed from afar by a powerful diviner of Houxopica.
Tlincalli of Faerûn attempt this ritual but can never involve
enough participants to enact its magic (the minimum must
be forty-four).
Following the last participant’s death, the diviner will be
given perfect insight into the future of the community or
even the race as a whole.
Preferred Sacrifice. Huoxopica learned much from his
few encounters with the gods of mankind. From Zaltec, he
learned of the power gained by eating hearts and since his
first taste ages ago, he has craved this divine feast.
Much like priests of Zaltec, Huoxopica’s faithful are
extraordinarily efficient at performing a sacrifice. In fact,
the best of them can rip out hearts at a rate of one every
17 seconds! When major battles are won, thousands of
captives may be taken and the festivities may go on for
days.
Sacrificial Boon. When the Great Emergence of Life and
Death is completed, the most powerful diviner involved in
the observance of the ritual is given a vision by Huoxopica
himself. There is no limit to what the scorpion god may
reveal to his follower. Huoxopica can see into almost any
being’s future with extraordinary clarity and accuracy as
well as that of an entire society in general. It is also
apparent the greater the number of scorpionfolk that
participate in the race, the more powerful the divination.
As his diviners are apt to express however, the future is
never truly certain. Huoxopica’s only limit is that he has a
notorious blind spot when it comes to Obox-ob. The
scorpionfolk have existed relatively unchanged and
unchallenged over the centuries, mostly due to
Huoxopica’s boon. They knew of Cordell’s arrival and of
the Spellplague long before either occurred and planned
accordingly.
Huoxopica's Favored Sacrifice and preferred sacrifice
are exceptions to the usual probabilities. His favored
sacrifice is guaranteed to grant the boon and his preferred
sacrifice only holds his retribution at bay, but grants
nothing else in particular.
Ixtilli
Favored Sacrifice. Ixtilli is constantly hungry for blood
since breeding requires great quantities of energy.
When a scorpionfolk female gives birth, she can gain
Ixtilli’s favor by consuming her own mate following her
impregnation.
Preferred Sacrifice. Like her husband, Ixtilli has
determined that the scorpionfolk are destined for
greatness. Breeding strong clutches of new scorpionfolk is
important to her but conversely, she feels that she can
weaken the hold other races have on the world by taking
their young. Ixtilli craves the blood of the young of any
other sentient race.
Other than the fact that there is a relatively elaborate
verbal and somatic ritual that accompanies the
bloodletting (requiring only a bonus action), there is no
preference as to how the victim is actually slain. The
resultant corpse must also be fed to young scorpionfolk so
that they may partake of the victim’s strength and stolen
potential.
Sacrificial Boon. If a scorpionfolk earns a boon from
Ixtilli and is a pregnant female, she is blessed with the
ability to better protect her own offspring. For eleven days
after the birth of her clutch, she has advantage on all
attack and damage rolls in melee when defending her
clutch only.
Sacrificial Boon. Males and females who are not
impregnated gain a temprary +2 increase to their
Charisma. This bonus lasts for eleven days or until the
next time the scorpionfolk copulates. Females are also
more fertile during this blessing and it is rumored that
great heroes are born under it.
19
 Malinalxochitl
Favored Sacrifice. As a sadistically vain goddess of sex
and seduction, Malinalxochitl will only consider a favored
sacrifice one in which the individual seeking the boon
copulates with another of exceptional Charisma (12 or
above).
However, the Grass Flower does not require this for the
furthering of the species, but rather for the enjoyment of
the act. This is also only the beginning of the ritual, and it
is not sufficient to gain her boon. Using sorcery, a
broodling (or child, in the rare case of worshipers who are
not scorpionfolk) must be slain within a year of birth. In all
ways the Seductress is the opposite of her sister.
Preferred Sacrifice. As much as Malinalxochitl requires
great beauty in her subjects, she ironically can have bouts
of extreme jealousy and lash out in anger to the gifted.
Therefore, the goddess allows for a simple removal of a
victims heart, as long as the victim is shockingly appealing
(Charisma of 15 or higher).
Typically, the victims face is horrifically marred before it
is slain in order to prevent the being from once again
gaining her ire in the afterlife.
Sacrificial Boon. When the cruel goddess grants a boon,
she may see fit to bless the one who performed the ritual
with advantage on all Charisma (Persuasion) checks for
eleven days.
Sacrificial Boon. When her preferred sacrifice is
committed, the Seductress may allow the recipient to use
alter self three times, but only to change appearance.
Extra uses disappear at the end of eleven days.
20
Nantzintli Coloti
Favored Sacrifice. The goddess also known as Glau is
primarily a huntress and is not one for formal rituals of
sacrifice, though she is just as bloodthirsty as any of the
other scorpionfolk gods and goddesses.
In order to perform a favored sacrifice in her name, a
sentient sacrificial victim must have been captured,
released and methodically hunted. The victim must also be
slain using only the gifts given by the natural form of the
scorpion. The hunted victim must be slain using only claws
and stingers and forged weapons are not allowed.
Preferred Sacrifice. In her frequent dealings with the
gods of mankind, Glau has developed a relationship of
sorts with mortal humans. She has been flirting with the
worship of humankind for some time now and wants to
breed a healthy competition between them and
scorpionfolk.
If a scorpionfolk sacrifices a human being (not elves,
dwarves or any other humanoid) in her name, she may
grant her preferred boon. Oddly, the reverse is also true.
On extremely rare occasions a human worshiper of Glau
has actually managed to sacrifice scorpionfolk (particularly
faithful of the “cowardly” Pachutalixi) in her name they too
may receive her boon.
The ritual performed during such a sacrifice is not
complicated and is known to all of her faithful.
Sacrificial Boon. Nantzintli Coloti can grant the ability to
gain advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) check once each day
for eleven days in order to become the more perfect
hunter.
Sacrificial Boon. As an alternative boon, Nantzintli Coloti
grants keen smell which gives the recipient advantage on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. This boon
lasts for eleven days.
Pachutalixi
Favored Sacrifice. The Feathered Scorpion has the heart
of a martyr and is said to truly bless the souls of his
faithful who die similarly. A favored sacrifice of Pachutalixi
is simply, but tragically dying in defense of another being.
It is no secret that Pachutalixi is seen as soft among the
pantheon. His faithful are frequently murdered simply
because they are seen as weak and the other gods believe
that this weakness can infect the race.
While martyrdom being a sign of weakness can be
debated, they are correct insofar as that for every
scorpionfolk that dies in such a manner, many more
convert to Pachutalixi’s faith.
Preferred Sacrifice. Pachutalixi once learned of the
human god Qotal’s legendary release of 13 butterflies in
ages past and was inspired by the symbolic sacrifice.
He has loosely modeled his own method of preferred
sacrifice after the ritual.
Pachutalixi accepts the capture and release of any
plumed creature, a rare thing in the scorpionfolk world, as
a favored sacrifice. The creature must not be harmed,
though some feathers may be removed in order to use in
future plumaweaving.
Sacrificial Boon. Unfortunately, it is not possible for a
martyr of Pachutalixi to receive his boon in this plane of
existence, but his spirit is nearly assured that it will reach
its final destination alongside its deity.
In addition, Pachutalixi will occasionally bless three of
the martyr’s closest allies whom the martyr may designate
years before his death. All of the deity's faithful keep such
a mental list should they ever be called by their god. This
blessing allows the recipient to return to 1 hit point should
they ever be reduced to zero hit points. This can happen
only once for each recipient though the ability can be used
up to eleven years from the date of the sacrifice.
This boon is only granted if the Feathered Scorpion's
favored sacrifice is performed, and should the martyr ever
return to life, the blessing immediately disappears.
Sacrificial Boon. In addition to their reputations as
talented plumaweavers, many of Pachutalixi’s faithful are
known to be remarkable healers. If a creature has been
granted this boon, they are granted the ability to brew
eleven potions which are half strength potions of healing
that heal 1d4+1 hit points each. Their brewing only takes a
single day and costs nothing.
Vulkoon
Favored Sacrifice. Vulkoon's hatred for the obyrith lord
Obox-ob and his ilk holds no bounds. If a demon in service
to Obox-ob or an obyrith-touched socrpionfolk is slain in
single combat with one seeking Vulkoon's favor, it might
be granted.
Preferred Sacrifice. Vulkoon is primarily a god of
survival and has little time for ritualistic sacrifice. However,
he is impressed by great feats performed in his name. If
one of his worshipers seeks his boon and rolls a natural 20
on a Wisdom (Survival) check, he might be granted his or
her desire.
Unlike many of the other gods, Vulkoon does not seek
nor crave the taste of blood shed on the altar.
Sacrificial Boon. In order to better hunt down both your
and Vulkoon's most hated enemies, the hero-god grants
you advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track
demons as well as on Intelligence Checks to recall
information about them (as if they were a ranger's favored
enemy). You can also speak Abyssal.
If you already have fiends as a favored enemy, you
either gain Survival as a proficiency or double your bonus
if you already have it when dealing with demons.
This benefit lasts eleven days.
Obox-Ob and Rr’ikin’aka
Both of the demon lords that are so heavily tied to the
scorpionfolk pantheon enjoy sacrifices made in their
name, but neither is capable of offering a sacrificial boon
in return. As a demon lord however, Obox-ob can do
better. As per page 30 of Mordenkainen's Tome of
Foes, Obox-ob can grant a demonic boon in specific
circumstances.
Rr'i'kin'aka (depicted on page 22) is entrapped in a
location known as the Wells of Darkness on the Abyss and
his power can not reach the few who worship him in this
manner.
Obox-ob Demonic Boon
Ability Score Adjustment. Up to a +4 bonus to
Constitution and Dexterity with an equal penalty to
Charisma.
Signature Spells. Signature Spells: Detect poison and
disease (1st level), web (2nd level), gaseous form (3rd
level)
Obox-ob's faithful are cruel when they aren't
dispassionate and they are obsessed with all manner of
creatures that crawl and sting. They enjoy poisoning
victims and watching them suffer for extended periods of
time. Obox-ob has been known to host a victim of his
torments for many years at a time, keeping the being alive
while vermin breed within the unfortunate soul's body.
Scorpionfolk followers gain the Obyrith-touched
template and the rare humanoid who obtains this
demonic boon gains the Envenoming Spittle trait.
Envenoming Spittle This creature has resistance to
poison and can use an action to envenom a melee weapon
or ranged weapon ammunition. An envenomed weapon
does an additional 1d4+1 poison damage on a successful
hit. The weapon stays envenomed for 1 minute before the
spittle needs to be reapplied.
Scorpionfolk Grafts
The City of Endless Toil also known as Iercaloi has a variety
of features that add to its wonder and uniqueness, but
scorpionfolk from other regions don't generally make their
pilgrimages here for sightseeing.
Rather, Iercaloi is known for its remarkable artisans who
can sculpt flesh and chitin like the greatest blacksmiths
can shape metal. Scorpionfolk view their form as perfect,
but they are not averse to enhancing this perfection with
grafts of their own devising. Followers of Corantllil, the god
of unceasing activity and patron of the most industrious of
the race, have developed these grafts for the good of the
race as a whole.
Each graft has a cost requirement in gold, time and pain.
It must also must be attuned to, using one of the three
attunements usually reserved for magic items (which the
grafts are considered).
The feat known as Scorpionfolk Grafting can allow for
multiple grafts without using additional attunements. In
extremely rare cases, creatures other than scorpionfolk
receive these grafts.
21

New Feat - Scorpionfolk Grafting
Prerequisite: Constitution 13 or higher
You become used to the body modifications known as
scorpionfolk grafts and can endlessly make alterations to
your body as long as you have the coin and fortitude to do
so. You gain the following benefits:
Increase your Constitution score by 2, to a maximum of
20.
No matter how many scorpionfolk grafts you add to
your body, they all only combine to a single magical
item attunement.
You take no necrotic damage from gaining a
scorpionfolk graft or levels of Exhaustion, but you lose
one point of Constitution for each graft.
Since your body is more acclimated to accepting
scorpionfolk grafts, they are easier to apply and only
require half the time and coin requirements.
22
Each individual graft is described below. Each entry
includes the graft's description, costs, and method of
activation.
Barbed Impaler
A massive chitin blade extends from a segmented and
curved tail. It is adorned with backwards pointing barbs.
The modification is a fearsome offensive weapon, allowing
you to skewer enemies with the tail blade.
Cost. The graft replaces your tail if you have one and
you lose any action or ability associated with your former
appendage, such as your sting. The graft requires you use
a tooth from a young or adult fang dragon and 4,000 gp in
other materials which are consumed at the conclusion of
the grafting process. The grafting takes four days to
complete and at the end of the process, you gain the graft,
receive two levels of Exhaustion, and take 6d6 necrotic
damage.
Activation. You make an unarmed attack with the
barbed impaler with a reach of 5 feet. The barbed impaler
does 2d4 + Strength modifier in piercing damage. A
creature which is struck must also make a successful
Dexterity saving throw (DC 10 + Strength Modifier) or
suffer double damage and become grappled.

Grafted Weaponry
Any scorpionfolk graft that is used as a
weapon counts as a magic weapon and you
are always proficient in its use. Using the
weapon is an attack action and cannot be
used in conjunction with other attacks unless
an ability such as a fighter's Extra Attack
allows you to.
Burrowing Claws
Two shovel shaped pincers extend from your torso like a
pair of spades made of chitin.
Cost. The graft replaces your arms or pincers if you
have them and you lose any action associated with your
former appendage, such as claw attacks. The graft
requires the full forearms of an umber hulk and 5,000 gp
in other materials which are consumed at the conclusion
of the grafting process. The grafting takes six days to
complete and at the end of the process, you gain the graft,
receives a level of Exhaustion, and take 4d8 necrotic
damage.
Activation. You gain a 20 foot burrow speed unless you
already have a burrowing speed that is equal or greater. If
you already have a burrowing speed you add 10 feet to it.
The burrowing pincers can also hold an item between
them, but cannot wield a weapon or activate an item.
Colossus Claw
One massive claw extends from your torso dwarfing your
other appendage.
Cost. The graft replaces either an arm or pincer and you
lose any action associated with your former appendage.
The graft requires a pincer of a chuul and 5,000 gp in other
materials which are consumed at the conclusion of the
grafting process. The grafting takes four days to complete
and at the end of the process, you gain the graft, receives
two levels of Exhaustion, and take 5d8 necrotic damage.
You may no longer wield a weapon using two hands, but
your ability to carry is unaffected.
Activation. On each of your turns, you decide if you
want to use your colossal claw as a shield or as a weapon.
If you choose to use it as a shield, it adds 2 to your AC until
the start of your next turn. If you choose to use it as a
weapon, you can use it to make an unarmed attack which
does damage as a maul (2d6 bludgeoning). You also do
double damage against structures as if you were a siege
monster.
Maroonmusk Glands
You have oozing blisters erupting through your rear and
the top of your legs. Each blister is the size of a human
child’s head, and a faint, maroon colored gas leaks from its
center.
Cost. The graft changes your body, but replaces no
body part. The graft requires the glands of a troglodyte,
demon ichor from a dretch, and 4,000 gp in other
materials which are consumed at the conclusion of the
grafting process.
The grafting takes four days to complete and at the end
of the process, you gain the graft, receives a level of
Exhaustion, and take 4d6 necrotic damage.
Activation. As an action, you may secrete an acidic
liquid with a foul stench. Any creature other than you that
starts its turn within 5 feet of you must succeed on a DC 12
Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of
its next turn. On a successful saving throw, the creature is
immune to your stench for 1 hour.
Pincer Claws
Two heavy claws resembling those of a giant scorpion
extend from your hips.
Cost. The graft replaces one set of legs. If you have
additional legs, this does not negatively affect you, but if it
is your only set of legs you lose any action associated with
your former appendages, such as walking. The graft
requires the pincers of a giant scorpion and 5,000 gp in
other materials which are consumed at the conclusion of
the grafting process. The grafting takes six days to
complete and at the end of the process, you gain the graft,
receives two levels of Exhaustion, and take 5d8 necrotic
damage.
Activation. You may make an attack with your claws
which has a reach of 5 feet, does 1d8 + Strength modifier
in bludgeoning damage and the target is grappled (Escape
DC 10 + Strength modifier). You have two claws, and may
grapple two targets.
Special Note. This graft is a favorite for tlincalli who do
not naturally have pincers and they tend to choose this
graft frequently. The existence of the graft is in part
responsible for the wide variety in artistic depictions of the
tlincalli throughout the world.
Projectile Barbs
At the tip of your tail, you have a soft, melon shaped bulb
with two dozen pointed bone barbs.
Cost. The graft replaces the tip of your tail and you lose
any action associated with your former appendage, such
as a sting. The graft requires the tail of a manticore and
5,000 gp in other materials which are consumed at the
conclusion of the grafting process. The grafting takes two
days to complete and at the end of the process, you gain
the graft, receives one level of Exhaustion, and take 3d6
necrotic damage.
Activation. You may fire your tail spikes to make a
ranged weapon attack for 1d8 + your Strength modifier in
piercing damage with a range of 100/200 ft. You have 24
such spikes which regrow after a long rest.
Spitting Stinger
The barb of your stinger has been replaced with a hollow
nozzle which can spit acid at your enemies.
Cost. The graft replaces the tip of your tail and you lose
any action associated with your former appendage, such
as a sting. The graft requires the gullet of a young or adult
black dragon and 4,000 gp in other materials which are
consumed at the conclusion of the grafting process. The
grafting takes two days to complete and at the end of the
process, you gain the graft, receives one level of
Exhaustion, and take 3d6 necrotic damage.
23

Activation. You shoot a line of acid 5 feet wide 30 feet
in a direction of your choice. All creatures within the area
must make a Dexterity saving throw with a DC of 13. Those
who fail the save take 2d6 acid damage and those who
succeed take no damage. You may only use this ability
once per minute as it needs to recharge itself.
Webhurler
Your tail has been entirely replaced with silk spinning giant
spider spinnerets.
Cost. The graft replaces your tail if you have one and
you lose any action or ability associated with your former
appendage, such as your sting. The graft requires you
possess the spinnerets of a giant spider and 4,000 gp in
other materials which are consumed at the conclusion of
the grafting process. The grafting takes six days to
complete and at the end of the process, you gain the graft,
receive two levels of Exhaustion, and take 6d6 necrotic
damage.
Activation. You make a ranged weapon attack with a
30/60 ft. range with one creature as your target. If you hit,
the target is Restrained by webbing. As an action, the
Restrained target can make a DC 12 Strength check,
bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also
be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 5; vulnerability to
fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and
psychic damage). You may only use this ability once every
minute.
24
Whip Feelers
Two remarkably thin, whip like appendages extend from
your shoulder area and flail about seemingly of their own
volition.
Cost. The graft changes your body, but replaces no
body part. The graft requires you possess the whips of a
pedipalp, muscle fibers from a chimera and 7,000 gp in
other materials which are consumed at the conclusion of
the grafting process. The grafting takes six days to
complete and at the end of the process, you gain the graft,
receive two levels of Exhaustion, and take 3d8 necrotic
damage.
Activation. Whip feelers are capable of holding any
item which weighs one pound or less, but cannot activate
an item. They can be used to deliver a spell attack with a
range of touch however up to 15 feet away.
Other Magic
The following section describes a small collection of other
scorpionfolk magic including new items and spells.
Magic Item - Tail Band
Tail bands are thick bracers typically made of rare metals
such as adamantine or mithril and inlaid with platinum.
They always have hinges on the opposite side of their
circumference from a clasp and can easily open or lock
solidly. Even with no magical properties such items could
be worth thousands of gold pieces. The ones worn by
tlincalli and other scorpionfolk are usually magical in
nature however and always of great use.
Tail bands only function on creatures that have tails and
most can only be used by a creature that has some form
of attack with it. Only one tail band can ever be worn at a
time and most require attunement. They magically
readjust to fit any sized tail.
Altered Venom
Wondrous item (tail band), uncommon
These tail bands come in a number of varieties. It only
affects a creature with a sting attack which does poison
damage. As their name implies, they can make subtle
changes to a stinger's venom allowing them to inflict
damage types other than poison damage.
Varieties are known which change the venom into liquid
fire, cold or acid. The venom still does the same number
and type of hit die of damage that it normally would and
the altered venom has the same additional properties
(such as causing the poisoned condition or a tlincalli's
paralysis) as it might otherwise have.
The tail band does not need to be removed for a stinger
to return to normal functioning and the wearer can simply
will it to deactivate or reactivate as a bonus action.
Impact
Wondrous item (tail band), rare (requires attunement)
An impact tail band allows the tail to secrete a small
amount of oil similar to the magical substance known as
oil of impact.
In addition to any other forms of damage, when a creature
is struck by a tail in a melee attack, it does an additional
2d6 force damage and the target must make an DC 12
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Swift Striking
Wondrous item (tail band), rare (requires attunement)
The swift striking tail band has eight charges when found.
If you use a charge as a bonus action, the swift striking tail
band allows you to make an additional attack with your tail
on your turn.
Each morning, the tail band regains 1d6+1 charges with
a maximum of 8 charges.
Virulence
Wondrous item (tail band), rare (requires attunement)
A virulence tail band only works if placed on a tail with a
stinger that does poison damage. The poison damage
inflicted by the sting attack of a creature wearing the
virulence tail band does 2d6 additional poison damage
and adds +1 to any save DCs required to avoid additional
effects such as paralysis.
Scorpionfolk Spells
The following is a collection of spells developed for and
used by scorpionfolk diviners. Players might be able to add
such spells to their spellbooks but scorpionfolk who
choose the Scorpionfolk Diviner background can add them
to their repertoire regardless of class.
Adamantine Claws
1st-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a tiny cylindrical bar of adamantine
worth 25 gp which is not consumed in the casting)
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
You touch a creature's claws and they become encased in
an adamantine sheen. Any attack with the claws before
the spell's duration expires attack with an increased
chance to score a critical hit. When rolling an attack, a
natural 19 or 20 now scores a critical hit.
Curtain of Stingers
6th-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
You create a magical curtain surrounding yourself in a 30
foot radius which lasts for the duration. Thousands of tiny
ghostly scorpion tails continually strike facing outwards.
They do not in any way obscure your vision, but you are
considered to have three-quarters cover from any
creature who attempts to attack you from outside the
curtain.
The curtain is 20 feet high but only a few inches thick.
Every five foot section of the curtain has 20 hp, but is only
affected by force damage.
When a creature passes through the wall, it must make
a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature
takes 4d10 poison and 2d10 piercing damage. On a
successful save, the creature takes half as much damage.
Read Pattern
3rd-level divination
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
You call upon the knowledge of your gods to gain some
insight into the future as they speak to you through
omens. The amount of knowledge given depends in part
on your skill as a diviner.
Roll 1d10 and add your Wisdom modifier. The question
you ask might be something like "Is their danger beyond
this door?" or "Should I trust this creature is telling the
truth?" At the DM's discretion, more difficult or involved
questions might incur penalties on this roll.
Read Pattern Result
1d10 + Wis
Mod Roll Cost
Information given is incorrect and
1-3
potentially dangerously misleading.
4-5 No omen is detected.
5-10 Useful and accurate information is given.
Additional information regarding the subject
11+
is given.
Note that the abilities of this spell cannot be abused and
the gods look unfavorably on characters who use it too
often. On the third occasion it is used in a 24 hour period,
the gods offer a warning through the omen itself, whether
or not the information given was good. On the fourth
attempt, the deities will either intentionally give wrong
information (on a roll of 1-3) or cause a dangerous
creature such as a Maztican manticore or scorilla to
manifest within 30 feet and attack the offender (any other
roll).
25

Monsters
There are a number of creatures like the hurachnid,
h'calan and koatlican found in Monsters of Maztica which
are appropriate for the Underdark of Maztica in and
around the regions dominated by scorpionfolk.
Below are additional creatures you can use to further
flesh out an Underdark adventure in the True World.
Charinti
Once thought to be extinct, the charinti do not have many
of the attack forms common to scorpionfolk. They have
always been considered a bit of a weak link among the
scorpionfolk but until Ek-Chua ordered their extermination
they were at least seen as useful.
Returned from Zionyn. The charinti only survive
because they were saved by the "grace" of Obox-ob's
whim. The obyrith sent a swarm of demons called ekolids
to the Prime in order to snatch up as many of the charinti
as they could before the extermination was complete.
26
Now, over 1,000 years later, the charinti are returning. One
thousand years on the Abyss can change a creature
however, and the charinti have become as sadistic as the
plane they called home for so long.
Whip Feelers. Charinti don't have a sting, nor do they
use their weak claws in battle. However, they typically have
whip-like feelers which they can use to cause horrifying
lashes which rot the area around the wound. Charinti's
feelers come in sets of two, with two, four or six feelers
being common, but can attack with only two. Some
Charinti have no feelers in which case they will typically
pick up a weapon such as a itztōpīlli (spear) or other
weapon.
Eidetic Memory. Charinti are capable of commiting to
memory everything they see or hear, and have honed this
ability down to the point where they are capable of
imitating the complex movements of the magic of cantrips.
Because of the magic involved, they may only know one
cantrip at a time, but can switch to another whenever
observed.
Charinti Necroblaster
In order to hold their own in hostile territory, some
Charinti have made pacts with Obox-ob who usually sees
fit to simply transform them into obyrith-touched.
However, those who he has plans for that require greater
cunning eventually become known as a charinti
necroblaster.
Cibarius Swarm
Cibarius are flying luminescent spider-scorpions that are
generally non hostile if left alone. When agitated, they
attack as a massive swarm which can generate a shocking
touch to their targets.
Natural Light Source. Cibarius swarms often lair on
the ceilings of great underground caverns consuming
insects and leaving anything bigger than a worm alone.
Their favorite meals are glowworms, and by shedding their
own bioluminescence they fool such creatures into coming
to them for an easy snack.
Caverns which contain cibarius swarms tend to be lit
with a dim light throughout, but the effect above is much
like a starry night to observers below. Cibarius swarms
often intermix with their glowworm prey, adding to the
effect.
Electric Swarm. The light produced by a single cibarius
is harmless, though it can generate a small spark if the
creature is handled. If the swarm is agitated however and
form up to attack, the sparks become a very real electrical
danger.

27
 Crystal Scorpion
A fearsome construct which harnesses the chemical
reactions found in harvested cibarius swarms, crystal
scorpions defend the hive towns and cities of the
scorpionfolk.
Created Guardians. Like most golems and other
constructs, the crystal scorpion is an animated creature
that is absolutely loyal to its creators as long as they
remain in good standings with their deity. Crystal
scorpions cannot be created without direct appeals to the
goddess Ixtilli whose takes her role as a protector to the
entire race of scorpionfolk very seriously.
They are almost always stationed at hive town or city
entrances and are almost never used as personal
guardians or to the benefit of a single individual.
Cibarius Glands. Part of a crystal scorpion's
construction requires the harvesting of the glands of the
cibarius spider-scorpions which generate electric energy.
Because these compounds are biological, they tend to
decay over time and the cibarius must be "recharged" by
its creator once annually. If the crystal scorpion is not
recharged with the glands of a swarm of cibarius in such a
way, it no longer does the additional lightning damage
from its claws, but the construct still functions otherwise.
Abandoned crystal scorpions are therefore less deadly
and have a CR of 6.
Constructed Nature. A crystal scorpion doesn't
require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Feathered Scorpion
Benevolent protectors and the children of the gentle god
Pachutalixi, the feathered scorpions are creations of
pluma magic that have begun to breed on their own. The
scorpionfolk do not yet know quite what to make of them,
because they are seen as weak creatures with a dangerous
morality, yet their help to scorpionfolk societies have been
quite valuable.
Pluma Magic Creations. When Pachutalixi first
learned pluma magic from Qotal, he also learned some of
the history of its creation and usage. In particular, he
looked to the writings of a notorious plumaweaver named
Itzamna Manik, who created the race of feather-beings
known as plumazotl.
Using the mortal's act as inspiration, Pachutalixi created
the feathered scorpions in his own name and introduced
them to the scorpionfolk as healers and what might stand
for a moral compass.

28
Healing Sting. The feathered scorpions have the ability to
heal friends and allies with a modified poison from their
sting. Feathered scorpions use this frequently on
scorpionfolk who hurt themselves through dangerous
work or sacrificial bloodletting and its use is appreciated.
In particular, these acts have strengthened the bonds of
friendship (and subsequent protection) with the god of
unceasing activity, Corantllil.
Shapechanger. Once each day, a feathered scorpion
can shapechange into the form of a couatl with a a small
and well hidden tail stinger.
In this form its statistics remain virtually unchanged,
except it has no claws with which to attack and it gains a
flight speed of 90 feet. It can hold this form only for a
maximum of one hour, and it uses this ability only to
escape dangerous circumstances or to encounter surface
dwellers who would otherwise be frightened of its natural
form.
This ability is also a closely guarded secret from
scorpionfolk, with the exception of the faithful of
Pachutalixi.
29
 Imperatonti
Brutal and barbaric, the imperatonti honor strength above
all. While most scorpionfolk are already stronger than the
average human, the imperatonti stand equally distant
from their smaller kin.
Code of Honor. While the imperatonti have no
aversion to killing (and doing so quite brutally) they still
follow a code which prevents them from commiting the
worst atrocities scorpionfolk are known for. They have
been known to return lost children to their human parents
and leave unarmed opponents to fight another day.
Woe to the enemy who attempts to take advantage of
this however, because the imperatonti will not be fooled
twice. For followers of Obox-ob and the obyrith-touched in
particular, they have no mercy. Vulkoon's enmity with the
demon lord has extended many centuries.
Far Wanderers. The imperatonti have distanced
themselves from their kin and have spread out far and
wide through the True World. The largest of their
communities are actually quite far south where no other
scorpionfolk dare to tread. These scorpionfolk forged their
kingdoms under the distant lands of Lopango, known to
some as the Land of Fire.

Imperatonti Cleaver
Some imperatonti forgo the use of forged weaponry and
have come to rely on their innate rage and the power of
their mighty claws. These imperatonti have been known to
sever limbs in a single attack, separating arms, legs and
even entire heads or ripping apart torsos.

30
31
 Manticore, Maztican
For those in the know, the Maztican Manticore is the true
and original manticore, while the flying monstrosities of
Faerûn are but a magically experimented on alteration.
Whichever came first, the date of their divergence is so far
in the past that none can really know for sure.
What is known however, is that the Maztican manticore
is just as deadly as its counterpart, and in place of its
cousin's ability to fire tail spikes at its opponents, the
Maztican manticore has a remarkably virulent poison.
Bred in the Underdark. Maztican manticores have a
long history standing alongside the scorpionfolk of the
Maztican Underdark. Naturally a cave dweller, the
creatures were caught and bred in the deep cities until
they became loyal beasts much like a war dog might
accompany a human warrior.
They are also fully capable of acting as mounts, except
that the scorpionfolk body structure does not allow for
such an odd pairing.
Scorpionfolk Cavarly. Despite the fact that they are
not ridden, breeding programs have been put into place
by the tlincalli to increase the manticore populations so
that they may serve as an effective cavalry should conflict
arise with the surface. The manticores are intelligent
enough to guide themselves into battle and an entire
contingent of these galloping monbstrosities will likely turn
even the hardiest of human warriors.

Obyrith-Touched
The obyrith-touched is a template which can be applied to
scorpionfolk, including charinti, imperatonti, opistacanthi,
tlincalli and even the occasional palophonti.
Blessing of Obox-ob. Scorpionfolk who displease the
former Prince of Demons known as Obox-ob are
sometimes "blessed" by the demon lord with becomeing
obyrith-touched. The process is horrifically painful, leaving
the creature with 1d4 levels of exhaustion once it is
complete and the process takes a full twenty four hours of
Physical Warping. All obyrith-touched gain numerous
agony where the creature is incapacitated.
changes to their physical appearances which make them
The template can only be placed upon his faithful, but
all the more horrifying. Some of these changes have an
even they may attempt to resist the transformation as
affect on their capabilities. Roll on the table below to
they feel it come upon them by making a successful DC 20
determine these special transformations.
Constitution check. If a scorpionfolk creature makes the
save, Obox-ob may never attempt to affect them in such a
Physical Changes
way again.
Once the transformation is complete however, the
Roll
scorpionfolk has been tranformed in both mind and body
1d6 Change Game Stat
and is now unshakably loyal to the Prince of Vermin. Such
creatures are often placed under the command of Add an attack (also to multiattack)
1 Extra Claw
which does 1d6 bludgeoning
powerful priests and priestesses of the demon lord.
Aura of Madness. Scorpionfolk who gain this template Can hold an additional item but can't
2 Whip Feeler
be used to activate magic
become chaotic evil and gain an aura of madness that the
faithful of Obox-ob and mindless beings are immune to. Oozes pus giving them resistance to
3 Pustules
This gives them a 30 foot aura which all creatures who slashing attacks
start their turn in the aura must make a successful DC 13 Can release a stinking cloud with a
Wisdom saving throw or gain a form of madness that 20 foot radius centered on the
4 Stink Glands
makes them unreasonably frightened of insects or obyrith-touched. Save DC is 13 Con
and can be used 3/Day
insectoid creatures. A creature that succeeds on the save
is immune to all obyrith-touched auras of madness for 24 Bifurcated Sting attack does an extra 1d4
3
hours. The madness lasts for an hour. Stinger piercing damage.
Roll twice on this list, ignoring repeats
6 Two Effects
and a roll of 6.

32
Obyrith-Touched Maztican Tlincalli
Tlincalli are Obox-ob's favored subjects if he could be said
to have such a thing. This does not mean that he cares for
them in any way, but he does find them to be useful.

Opistacanthi
The opistacanthi are a race of scorpionfolk that tend to be
much smaller than their tlincalli brethren. They are also
the only subrace where almost as many can be found
aboveground as there are below ground. Opistacanthi are
arboreal, and make well hidden systems of nests in the
most ancient of jungle trees.
Envenomed Bows. The opistacanthi use a Maztican
war bow known as the tlahhuītōlli to great effect. Unlike
most scorpionfolk, the poison from their tail stingers
remains potent for many hours after exposure to air and
more than enough drips from the tip for them to envenom
their arrows.
Monstrous Guardians. The opistacanthi are physically
the weakest of the scorpionfolk (though perhaps they are
the most clever) and they are aware of this shortcoming.
Therefore, many opistacanthi communities contain
guardians that they raised from birth.
The scorilla, whether created by the opistacanthi or
some mad hishnashaper in the past, is the most common
of these guardians.
Blessed by Axipotl. The powerful and stable venom
enjoyed by the opistacanthi is considered a gift by their
patron deity Axipotl. While not every opistacanthi is
devout, almost all of them pay the Venomlord at least lip
service.

33
 Palophonti
In the depths of the deepest oceans, a gigantic race of
aquatic scorpionfolk roams. They are cruel or at best
uncaring, but prefer more than anything not to be
disturbed. Their connection to other scorpionfolk is
tenuous at best and they claim to have existed long before
even the Zodiac of deities.
Prehistoric Race. The palophonti have existed in the
oceans of Toril since the Days of Thunder. Like other
scorpionfolk, their bodies are an amalgamation of a
humanoid torso and the body of a scorpion. The
palophonti, however, are enormous creatures, and their
scorpion halves are that of an extinct species of sea
scorpion that no longer exists in Toril’s oceans (as far as
anyone knows).
These scorpions had not yet fully developed their
stingers, and the palophonti has their bifurcated tail which Teoatl Magic
can spread a deadly disease that rots the flesh. If you have access to MZM1 Teoatl Magic, you
Historians of the Sea. The palophonti know secrets of might want to consider replacing the
the sea that are far beyond the knowledge of most others. palophonti's magic selection with teoatl
If they were not so cruel, they might be known as great spells. Many palophonti are masters of this
oracles of the oceans. It is nearly impossible to get these form of magic and perhaps the originators or
creatures to give up their vast knowledge of ancient times, the magic as a whole, despite what some
but exceptions have been known. Maztican gods may claim.
The reasons to approach a palophonti for hidden
knowledge would need to be dire indeed.

34
35

Sciorah
Sciorah is the bastard child of Huoxopica who was long
ago brought to the Abyss by Obox-ob. His very existence is
the worst kept secret among a pantheon that prides
themselves on their powers of divination. Perhaps if his
existence were acknowledged, the repercussions would
simply be too great.
Titan of Vermin. Huoxopica has had numerous trysts
but none had ever produced a child until the birth of the
Titan of Vermin. As the mother of the scorpionfolk race,
Ixtilli simply would not abide such infidelity in her chosen
mate and were she to discover the titan's existence, it
would mean a massive upheaval in the pantheon.
36
In an ancient agreement, set at some point after Obox-
ob's fall as the Prince of Demons, but prior to his
imprisonment of Rr'ikin'aka, Obox-ob brought Sciorah to
the Abyss far from the eyes of the Nestmother. This act
was done in return for Huoxopica's agreement to forever
turn his all-seeing eyes from Obox-ob's actions. This
agreement has held firm to this day, but Huoxopica is
coming to regret the loss of so many of his followers.
Duke of Zionyn. While some consider the silent titan
mindless, this is not entirely true and Sciorah is firmly loyal
to Obox-ob. As such, Sciorah commands vast contingents
of demonic insects on the 663rd layer of the Abyss known
as Zionyn. There are entire hive cities of ekolid and worse
on the plane which are dedicated to the duke.
37
 What is certain however, is that very few are found on
Scorilla their own so the diminutive scorpionfolk certainly
The dreaded scorilla, as its name implies, is a terrible domesticated them long ago.
amalgam of gorilla and giant scorpion that has adopted Poisonous Eggs. With uncanny similarity to the tlincalli,
the worst traits of both species. the scorilla's eggs are paralytic when touched. The
Guards of the Opistacanthi. The tree dwelling opistacanthi and tlincalli are both immune to this poison,
opistacanthi know they are physically the weakest of the but even other scorpionfolk (who are not immune to all
scorpionfolk races and the scorilla provides them with poisons) can fall prey.
muscle to both protect their villages and lead raids during
attacks on others when needed.
There is no deadlier a sight than charging scorillas
followed by a hail of poisoned and deadly arrows from the
trees where the opistacanthi hide.
Scorilla Origins. Like the owlbear, scholars debate the
origins of the scorilla. The opistacanthi claim to have
created the creature in a long past age, but others
speculate older origins.

38
 Interior Art (Page 24)
Credits Viktoria Verebelyi
Long before the fifth edition was even released, this book
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39
In the Darkness
Below, the
Scorpionfolk
Await...
Deep below where even the bravest Kultakan
warriors dare tread lies the demesne of the
scorpionfolk. For ages uncounted, they were
content to leave mankind and the surface
world alone.

Then the Amnians came and humanity could

no longer be ignored. Every time a traveler,
child or even an entire village is lost to the
claws from below, the Mazticans just have one
more reason to hate what occurred a century
past.