Malitazum one-eyed
The Yang to Lutazum's Ying, the grand totem of the Maletanalu, the 5th tribe of the Hanaset.
Full Description
Malitazum appears as an alligator of extraordinary size - its head is broad enough for a man to lay across. One eye is missing and the other remaining orb is oddly human in appearance. The beasts foot-long fangs are brilliant ivory, a spectacular and deadly display few survive seeing.
Additional Information
In the great salt-water marsh at the south end of the Enerith peninsula, the land of the Hanaset, dwells the god-beast Malitazum. Another of the earthly creations of the Hanaset Gods, Malitazum is the patron of the Maletanalu. Where Lutazum is peaceful and orderly, Malitazum is vicious and chaotic.
Executions by the Maletanalu invariably involve being thrown to Malitazum.
Malitazum is not a distant, aloof patron, but is heavily involved with the doings of the Maletanalu tribe. Although he does not directly issue commands to his people, he communicates through the tribal shamans he keep in close thrall. Malitazum's shamans are in near constant mental contact with the great gator, and are micromanaged to a great degree, giving them all a distracted, schizophrenic demeanor. Malitazum is not supremely intelligent, nor a very good administrator, and his constant interference with bizarre projects, contradictory commands and inconvenient loss of interest has limited the effectiveness of the Maletanalu. Once he requested all of the tribe's children be fed to him, and the resulting chaos (families leaving rather then comply, outright rebellion, and the impact of losing a generation) nearly destroyed the tribe. He is unlikely to repeat that error again - it took generations for the Maletanalu to recover.
Should a shaman of sufficient strength of personality arise, he might be able to channel Malitazum's efforts and perhaps take control of the beast. If that happens, the 5 Maletanalu tribes may be much more of a threat to the other four tribes of the Hanaset.
Any being approaching the great beast is in dire peril, and this can only be done relatively safely when he has been sated by food. If he is hungry, even his own shamans are fair game.
Abilities
Malitazum's physical attacks are of tremendous strength - his tail whip can shatter stone structures and fell trees, while his bite can shear most things asunder. Victims who somehow survive his bite will be subjected to a terrible rotting disease, while his gaze is capable of enchanting those who meet that of his single eye. Those who succumb to this power become enthralled and telepathically linked to the fell lizard.
Due to his low intelligence, moderate madness, and absence of usable hands, Malitazum is not capable of casting spells, relying instead on his proxies for such aid.
Malitazum is quite resistant to weather, being so large it would take an extended period of cold to slow him down. Heat of less then volcanic temperatures does not bother him.
Campaign Use
While still only flesh, blood and ridiculously thick armor, Malitazum' s power is between that of a Dragon and a Demigod. As such he is more appropriate as a background motivator.
Plot Ideas
Errands..
PC's encounter Maletanalu warriors carrying out a bizarre mission on behest of Malitazum. Delighted to have something to do other then the Mad croc's orders, the warriors will fall upon the PCs with vigor and gusto.
Into the Lair
Malitazum is in possession of some important Dingus the PC's must retrieve. How they do it is up to them. Better make sure he has eaten recently...
Battle of the Icons
Once in a great while, the entities Lutazum and Malitazum cross paths, and the encounter is always a violent one. Malitazum hates Lutazum and always seeks to kill the great tortoise. The battles are always inconclusive - both beings are extremely durable, and generally the jungle is what suffers - trees felled by the lashing tail of Malitazum. PC's happening upon the conflict best should avoid it or remain spectators.
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? Responses (12)
Updated: Figure this needs something more? Any suggestions?
Ah! History! Thats what he needs!!!!
I really like this character, he made me laugh when I read about his random commands and projects, like an ADD child. A history would make this sub better, but its already very good. The idea of gods being tangible and flawed appeals to me, even if this enormous croc cannot be killed by the PC's.
it cries for release
You think it is done? :)
Okay, based on Muros input, am releasing :)
Blame him if you don't like it! :P
What if his missing eye could be healed somehow?
Let's blame Muro then. :)
But it is finished. One question based on Cheka's - how did he lose that eye? He won't be certainly forthcoming with the story, but the Maletanalu may have some legend.
And when is the next Clash of the Titans oncoming? There's a few I love Lutazum T-shirts I need to sell. (Oh, and link the two. And you have already a freetext for the Hanaset culture.)
A very nice foil for Ol' Lutazum! He doesnt capture the imagination quite as thouroughly as the tortoise, but its another fun monstrosity, and I find myself agreeing with Demagogue's comment!
As far as blaming me, hey, I said it cries for release, I didnt say it couldnt use another tid-bit or two :) More details are always welcome!
manfred and cheka may be on to something here. Perhaps the legend of Malitazum's lost eye could be the clincher!
A myth of the Anihuolsu Tribe, neighbors of the Maletanalu and the Hanaset
Long ago, when skies were moist, Lutazum and Malitazum burst from their respective eggs, and scurried forth into the world. No larger at birth they were, than their respective totems, a newborn tortoise and crocodile, though few, if any, know the god-beasts were once mortal.
Malitazum, lithe and sinuous, a malevolent gleam in his eyes even then, rushed toward Lutazum jaws agape, hoping to make the newborn tortoise his first meal.
Just then, fate intervened in the form of Azyu'yi, Damp-Green-Father, who had come down from his divine aerie to play in the mud of the earth, and upon seeing the tortoise and crocodile was amused, and touched each creature with his godly hand, and from that day forth, Lutazum and Malitazum grew in size and legend.
But before they went their respective ways, they fought. And Azyu'yi watched. Malitazum lunged and caught Lutazums tiny tail, and pulled and pulled until he ripped it forth, while Lutazum, wise and crafty even then, managed to spin around, and bite the crocodiles exposed eye, popping it like a grape. And then Azyu'yi, still smiling, disentangled the twin combatants, not wanting his own divine favors wasted, and sent them on their respective journeys. He picked up Malitazum and threw him into the water, then picked up Lutazum and placed him gently along a marshy path, and the two reptiles went their separate ways, for the time being, only to discover each other once more centuries later. And to this day their rivalry continues, though the crocodile has more contempt for the tortoise, and the tortoise, in turn, indifference toward the crocodile.
And that is why Malitazum has one eye, and Lutazum has no tail.
?
Love it :) But Lutazum had a different origin, though that might change!
This is really great and very concisely told.
One they challenges I had as a young DM was writing societies that could fit my a iron age tech aesthetic, but in which my PC could behave with roughly modern western values. Neyathis solves that problems with the transworld origin story. Thus in Neyathis it is entirely reasonable that somebody describing the savage beast-like god of a primitive tribal people could use terms like schizophrenic or micromanaging.