Somewhere in the world lies the lost valley of Tlactoztlan. The strange natives of this hidden place practice human sacrifice, pray to bizarre gods, adorn themselves with brightly-colored feathers, and – it is rumored – live in cities made of gold. Only the bravest and luckiest adventurers find their way to Tlactoztlan!

Deep within the jungles of Tlactoztlan there are giant red and black centipedes, some measuring well over 4 feet long. These horrifying predators possess a deadly, necrotizing poison which continues to harm those it has afflicted for days after they have been bitten.

Xotlatocazatl, as they are called in Tlacuatl, live primarily on the floor of the jungle, nesting under stones and dead wood, as well as inside logs. They do occasionally climb high into the canopy in search of prey, and sometimes drop form branches to ambush unwary travelers.

Anyone bitten by a Xotlatocazatl must make a Tough Strength-based task check when the adrenaline of combat has cleared his or her system. Failure indicates that d3 of damage is dealt from the poison. Success results in only a single point of damage. Twenty-four hours later a new Strength-based task check, which will either be Tough (if the initial check failed) or Hard (if the initial check succeeded). Failure of this check again results in d3 damage, while success yields a single point of damage. This cycle continues every twenty-four hours, with the task check becoming progressively easier after a successful check (up to Moderate difficulty) or remaining at the difficulty level of the last successful check. Once a character has succeeded in four successive task checks the poison ceases to be damaging.

Damage done by Xotlatocazatl poison cannot be healed by any normal means until the poison has been purged from the victim’s system.

Attributes
Strength 1
Agility 2
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d3 + poison
Defense: 1
Protection: d2-1 (chitinous hide)
Lifeblood: 8

Able to leap up to 40′, these enormous, boar-sized amphibians are scattered throughout the swamps of Tlactoztlan. Aggressive, vicious and utterly without fear, huecueyatl (as they are called in Tlacuatl) are ambush predators with large, round mouths that will attack anything that approaches their territory. Traveling priests report that several disparate vroups of villagers swear by the great Tlatoani that they have seen men with heads like huecueyatl deep with the marshes. It is unlikely, though, that these tlacueyatl, or frog-men, really exist.

Attributes
Strength 2
Agility 2
Mind -1

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d6-1
Defense: 2
Protection: d3-1 (tough hide)
Lifeblood: 13

Many different varieties of bats, collectively referred to as tzinacatli in Tlacuatl, are found throughout Tlactoztlan, ranging from the normal-sized to the truly gigantic. Below are stats for three different varieties, each of which can pose a significant threat to the unwary traveler.

Tzinacatliachitzin (Bat Swarm)

A swarm of twenty or more normal-sized bats, of the sort that might fly out of a cave and briefly trouble an unlucky adventurer. If three or more points of damage are inflicted on the swarm it will disperse and flee, but only 3-12 bats will actually have been killed.

Attributes
Strength -2
Agility 3
Mind -3

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +3; d3-1
Defense: 1
Protection: 0
Lifeblood: 3

Tzinacateztli (Giant Vampire Bat)

A large, carnivorous bat found in the deep jungle and occasionally in the mountains. These creatures often travel in small groups of 4-6, in search of food. The bite of this variety of bat is mildly poisonous, and anyone bitten by a giant vampire bat will suffer a -2 penalty to attack roles and move at half speed unless they succeed at a Tricky Strength-based task check. After two rounds the victim of a Giant Vampire Bat’s bite must make a second Tricky Strength-based task check or fall unconscious for d6 minutes. Giant Vampire Bats will drain d3 Lifeblood per minute from an unconscious victim if not driven away.

Attributes
Strength -1
Agility 3
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d6-1
Defense: 2
Protection: 0
Lifeblood: 10

Tzinacatahualo (Giant Bat)

These enormous creatures are large enough to be ridden by a man, though they make for foul-tempered mounts. Anyone attempting to ride a Tzinacatahualo who does not have significant prior experience in dealing with these beasts must make regular Tough agility or ride checks to remain mounted and keep the Tzinacatahualo on the desired path.

Attributes
Strength 5
Agility 3
Mind -1

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; d6+1
Defense: 2
Protection: 1d3 (tough hide)
Lifeblood: 20

Crocodiles, as well as the fortunately very rare Giant Crocodile, are found throughout Tlactoztlan, in the swamps as well as along the banks of the many rivers and streams that crisscross the lost valley. Both varieties are quite aggressive and can be incredibly dangerous to anyone unlucky enough to encounter them unprepared. In addition to biting with their massive jaws, crocodiles are able to lash out with their powerful tails, knocking foes from their feet. Any character or creature stuck by a crocodile’s tail must succeed at a task check against strength (Hard for normal crocodiles, Demanding for giant crocodiles) or be knocked prone.

Crocodile

Attributes
Strength 5
Agility 1
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +1; 1d6+1
Attack with tail slash +0; 1d6 damage
Defense: 1
Protection: d3-1 (tough & scaly hide)
Lifeblood: 20

Giant Crocodile

Attributes
Strength 10
Agility 0
Mind -2

Combat Abilities
Attack with Bite +2; 2d6
Attack with tail slash +0; 2d6-1 damage
Defense: 0
Protection: d3 (tough & scaly hide)
Lifeblood: 40