Itzpapalotl, Goddess Of Sacrifice And The Underworld, Obsidian Butterfly

“Meet Itzpapalotl: The Deadly Aztec ‘Obsidian Butterfly’ Goddess Who Could Bring Life—or Total Destruction!”

Pantheon: Aztec
Deity Title: Obsidian Butterfly
Deity Symbol: A butterfly with obsidian wings and claw-like appendages
Home Plane: Tamoanchan (mythical paradise and sacred realm)
Deity Level: Greater Deity
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Aliases: Itzpapalotl the Fearsome, Clawed Goddess, Lady of the Stars
Superior: Tezcatlipoca (God of the Night Sky, War, and Sorcery)
Traditional Allies: Tlazolteotl (Goddess of Purification and Fertility), Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent God)
Traditional Foes: Mictlantecuhtli (God of the Underworld), Tlaloc (God of Rain and Storms)
Divine Artifact: The Obsidian Blade of Sacrifice
Servants: Tzitzimimeh (Star Demons), Cihuacoatl (Goddess of Childbirth and Midwives)
Servitor Creatures: Bat spirits, large predatory birds, and spectral butterflies
Sacred Animal: Butterfly (specifically the obsidian butterfly)
Manifestations: Storms, eclipses, and the appearance of spectral butterflies
Signs of Favor: Abundant harvests following drought, visions during dreams, and sudden, powerful storms
Worshipers: Aztec priests, farmers, warriors, and those seeking balance in life
Cleric Alignments: Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Good
Specialty Priests: Tzitzimimeh Priests (intermediaries during eclipses), Temazcal Healers (who use steam baths for purification)
Holy Days: The Festival of the Obsidian Butterfly (held during the rainy season and lunar eclipses)
Portfolio: War, sacrifice, life and death, transformation, and cosmic balance
Domains: Death, Nature, War, Chaos, and Trickery
Favored Weapon: Obsidian dagger
Favored Class: Ranger (for their connection to nature and survival)
Favored Race: Humans, particularly those of Aztec heritage
Duties of the Priesthood: Conduct rituals for balance and fertility, perform sacrifices (with an emphasis on sustainability), and maintain sacred sites in Tamoanchan
Major Cult/Temple Sites: The Temple of the Sun in Tenochtitlan, shrines in Tamoanchan, and various local shrines dedicated to fertility and harvest
Benefits: Favorable weather for crops, guidance in warfare, and protection from starvation and disease
Significant Others: None explicitly noted, but she is sometimes associated with Tezcatlipoca in mythological stories as a partner in cosmic balance.

Itzpapalotl stands as a figure of fierce beauty and haunting power, a goddess whose very presence blurs the line between life and death. Her form is striking: tall and imposing, with wings that stretch behind her like a midnight cloak.

But these wings are no ordinary wings—they shimmer darkly, feathered with glistening obsidian shards that catch the light like glass, razor-edged and deadly. Each wing moves with an unnatural grace, sending a ripple through the sharp edges, and in their shadows, one might almost see the fleeting flicker of stars. Her skin has a deep, earthen tone that hints at the soil and stone of her sacred lands, while her eyes burn with a dark, captivating intensity, a gaze that holds both the mysteries of the afterlife and the promise of rebirth.

Her hands end in long, claw-like fingers, blackened as if touched by fire or forged from the very obsidian she bears. Around her neck and arms, she wears ornaments made of bones and precious stones, a grim reminder of her role as a goddess of death. She is dressed in garments woven from butterfly wings, the vibrant colors in sharp contrast with the darkness that surrounds her. Skeletal motifs adorn her attire, symbols of her dominion over life and death alike, and her headdress is crafted from jagged stones and feathers, further accentuating her paradoxical nature—a being of war and beauty, of nurture and annihilation.

Bio and Purpose

Itzpapalotl, known as the “Obsidian Butterfly,” holds a pivotal role in Aztec mythology, embodying the paradox of beauty and terror, life and death. She is one of the tzitzimimeh, star deities who dwell in the cosmos and descend during eclipses to bring chaos to the earth, a force both revered and feared. She serves as the guardian of Tamoanchan, a mythical paradise where the gods created humanity, ensuring that life continues in cyclical renewal. Her existence is a bridge between creation and destruction, as she wields both powers to protect the balance of the universe.

Driven by a profound sense of duty to maintain this cosmic harmony, Itzpapalotl acts as both a destroyer and nurturer. Her actions, often seen as ruthless, are motivated by her desire to preserve the life cycle that feeds into the Aztec understanding of eternity. She embodies the need for destruction to give rise to new growth, ensuring that death’s dark hand makes way for life’s radiant renewal. Ultimately, her purpose is to secure this eternal cycle, feeding the cosmos with each transformation and ensuring the world remains in a state of perpetual rebirth.

Itzpapalotl, The Obsidian Butterfly

Goddess of Life and Death, Protector of Balance

Large Celestial (Deity), Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 30 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 600 (40d12 + 240)
Speed 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (hover)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
30 (+10)	26 (+8)	24 (+7)	22 (+6)	30 (+10)	32 (+11)

Saving Throws Strength +19, Dexterity +16, Constitution +15, Intelligence +14, Wisdom +20, Charisma +21
Skills Perception +20, Insight +20, Persuasion +21, Arcana +16, Survival +20
Damage Resistances Psychic, Radiant, Necrotic; Immunity to poison and charm effects
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 30
Languages All, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 36 (120,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +10

Abilities

Legendary Resistance (3/Day): If Itzpapalotl fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
Aura of Balance: All creatures within 30 feet of Itzpapalotl must succeed on a DC 28 Wisdom saving throw at the start of their turn or have disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws until the end of their next turn.
Cosmic Guardian: Itzpapalotl is immune to damage from spells of 9th level or lower.

Actions

Multiattack

Itzpapalotl makes three attacks: one with her Obsidian Blade, one Wing Attack, and one with her Claw attack.

Obsidian Blade

Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 45 (8d10 + 10) slashing damage plus 27 (6d8) necrotic damage.

Claw Attack

Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 30 (6d6 + 10) slashing damage.

Wing Attack (Recharge 5-6)

Melee Weapon Attack: Itzpapalotl beats her wings. Each creature within 15 feet of her must succeed on a DC 28 Dexterity saving throw or take 35 (10d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. Itzpapalotl can then fly up to half her flying speed.

Cosmic Storm (Recharge 5-6)

Itzpapalotl calls forth a tempest that deals 70 (20d6) lightning damage and 70 (20d6) thunder damage in a 60-foot radius. Creatures in the area must make a DC 28 Dexterity saving throw, taking full damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful one.

Legendary Actions

Itzpapalotl can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Itzpapalotl regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

Wing Strike: Itzpapalotl makes one Claw attack.
Teleport: Itzpapalotl magically teleports to an unoccupied space she can see within 120 feet of her.
Eclipse (Costs 2 Actions): Itzpapalotl creates a 30-foot-radius sphere of magical darkness centered on herself that lasts for 1 minute. Creatures within the sphere must succeed on a DC 28 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until they leave the area.

Itzpapalotl’s Spells

Death Domain Spells

1st Level: Inflict Wounds, Ray of Sickness
3rd Level: Blindness/Deafness, Vampiric Touch
5th Level: Animate Dead, Bestow Curse
7th Level: Finger of Death, Cloudkill
9th Level: Power Word Kill, True Resurrection

Nature Domain Spells

1st Level: Entangle, Speak with Animals
3rd Level: Barkskin, Spike Growth
5th Level: Tree Stride, Plant Growth
7th Level: Guardian of Nature, Dominate Beast
9th Level: Shapechange, Foresight

War Domain Spells

1st Level: Shield of Faith, Divine Favor
3rd Level: Magic Weapon, Crusader’s Mantle
5th Level: Haste, Spirit Guardians
7th Level: Freedom of Movement, Holy Weapon
9th Level: True Resurrection, Mass Heal

Chaos Domain Spells

1st Level: Chaos Bolt, Fog Cloud
3rd Level: Confusion, Fear
5th Level: Cloudkill, Dominate Person
7th Level: Maze, Prismatic Spray
9th Level: Ruin Delve, Gate

Trickery Domain Spells

1st Level: Disguise Self, Charm Person
3rd Level: Mirror Image, Pass without Trace
5th Level: Mislead, Seeming
7th Level: Greater Invisibility, Phantasmal Killer
9th Level: Weird, Power Word: Stun

Additional Spells

Cantrips: Guidance, Druidcraft, Toll the Dead
1st Level: Detect Magic, Entangle
2nd Level: Hold Person, Silence
3rd Level: Dispel Magic, Wind Wall
4th Level: Grasping Vine, Stone Shape
5th Level: Conjure Elemental, Wall of Thorns
6th Level: Heroes’ Feast, Transport via Plants
7th Level: Fire Storm, Symbol
8th Level: Earthquake, Sunburst
9th Level: Gate, Meteor Swarm

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Itzpapalotl can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects; she can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:

Obsidian Shards: Itzpapalotl summons shards of obsidian that rain down in a 60-foot radius, dealing 40 (10d8) slashing damage to all creatures in the area. A DC 28 Dexterity saving throw halves the damage.
Nature’s Fury: The flora around her becomes animated, entangling creatures. All creatures in the lair must make a DC 28 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the end of their next turn.
Celestial Storm: Itzpapalotl creates a storm within her lair, causing a 60-foot radius of difficult terrain and dealing 20 (4d10) lightning damage to all creatures in the area at the start of their turns.

Regional Effects

The region surrounding Itzpapalotl’s lair is affected by the following magical effects:

Crops Blossom: Crops grow in abundance and provide bountiful harvests. Those who cultivate land near her lair receive +2 to their survival checks.
Eclipses: During solar eclipses, creatures within 120 feet of Itzpapalotl experience a sense of dread, imposing disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws.
Butterfly Spirits: Spectral butterflies flutter around her lair, granting advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks to detect hidden creatures.

Divine Artifact

The Obsidian Blade of Sacrifice — Create

The Obsidian Blade of Sacrifice: A magical dagger that grants +3 to attack and damage rolls. On a critical hit, the target must succeed on a DC 28 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute.

Lore and Role

Depiction of Itzpapalotl from the Codex Borgia., Itzpapalotl — Depiction of Itzpapalotl from the Codex Borgia.

Itzpapalotl, known as the Obsidian Butterfly, holds a vital role within the Aztec pantheon, embodying the duality of creation and destruction. She acts as both a nurturer and a fierce guardian, maintaining the delicate balance between life and death. Revered for her beauty and feared for her wrath, Itzpapalotl teaches her followers the importance of harmony with nature and the cyclical nature of existence.

Her relationships with other deities, such as Tezcatlipoca, signify her role as a partner in cosmic balance. She calls upon the tzitzimimeh, star demons, to aid her in times of need and to enact divine punishment upon those who disrupt the natural order.

As she oversees the mortal realm, her presence ensures that beauty and terror coexist, and through her legendary powers, she guides her followers toward enlightenment, growth, and respect for the cycles of life. Those who heed her teachings may find themselves blessed with abundance, while those who challenge her will face her fierce wrath and the full force of her divine powers.

Currently in the World

In the beginning, Itzpapalotl emerges from the void, a creature of darkness and chaos. She is a fearsome goddess, with wings that spread wide and talons that glint in the dim light. Her skin is as black as obsidian, and her eyes shine like two stars in the night sky. She is a creature of duality, both beautiful and terrible, embodying the destructive force of nature itself.

As the world takes shape around her, Itzpapalotl revels in the chaos and destruction that it brings. She delights in the storms and earthquakes that ravage the land, and she takes pleasure in the suffering of mortals. She is a goddess of death and sacrifice, and her followers offer her blood and hearts in her honor.

Despite her ferocity, Itzpapalotl is not without allies. She has a close relationship with the god Tezcatlipoca, who shares her love of chaos and destruction. Together, they create new monsters and wreak havoc on the world. She also has a tenuous alliance with the goddess Tlazolteotl, who governs purification and penitence. While they are opposed in their aims, the two goddesses share a fascination with death and the ways in which it can transform the living.

As the centuries pass, Itzpapalotl becomes more and more entrenched in her role as a goddess of destruction. She takes on a fearsome reputation, and mortals tremble at the mere mention of her name. Her followers become more fanatical, and they perform increasingly gruesome sacrifices to appease her.

In the 1450s, Itzpapalotl is as powerful as ever. She is working closely with Tezcatlipoca to create a new breed of monster, one that will bring even more destruction to the world. Her ultimate goal is to plunge the world into chaos, to bring about a new age of darkness and death. She is motivated by a deep love for destruction and chaos, and she believes that the world will be reborn in a better form once it has been razed to the ground.

Itzpapalotl’s greatest strength is her power over death and destruction. She can cause earthquakes and storms, and her touch is said to be fatal. Her weaknesses lie in her single-minded pursuit of destruction, which can blind her to opportunities for growth and change. Her relationship with Tezcatlipoca is her most important, as he provides the strategic thinking that she often lacks.

The most powerful artifact associated with Itzpapalotl is her obsidian knife, which is said to be able to cut through anything, even the fabric of reality itself. She also has a number of magical creatures in her service, including giant moths and spiders that she uses to hunt and kill her enemies.

In summary, Itzpapalotl is a powerful and terrifying goddess, one who embodies the destructive force of nature itself. She is motivated by a deep love for chaos and destruction, and she works tirelessly to bring about the end of the world. While she has allies in the god Tezcatlipoca and the goddess Tlazolteotl, she is ultimately a solitary creature, driven by her own desires and ambitions.

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