Buy me a coffeeGod of Wind and Learning, Creator God, Quetzalcoatl the Feathered Serpent
Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican deity known as the Feathered Serpent, associated with fertility, creativity, and knowledge.
- Pantheon: Aztec
- Deity Title: God of Wind and Learning, Creator God, Quetzalcoatl the Feathered Serpent
- Deity Symbol: Feathered serpent, serpent with wings, the wind, Venus, the color white
- Home Plane: The 13th level of heaven, the heavens in general, the sky, the four cardinal directions
- Deity Level: Greater Deity
- Alignment: Neutral Good
- Aliases: Kukulkan (Mayan), Gucumatz (Quiché Maya)
- Superior: None
- Traditional Allies: Xolotl, Tlaloc, Ehecatl, Huitzilopochtli, Tonatiuh
- Traditional Foes: Tezcatlipoca, Mictlantecuhtli, Mixcoatl, Xipe Totec, Xiuhtecuhtli
- Divine Artifact: Serpent of the Four Winds (Staff)
- Servants: Feathered Serpents, Priests, Ocelotls, Jaguar Warriors, Eagle Warriors, Quetzal Warriors, Itzpapalotls, Coatl
- Servitor Creatures: Feathered Serpents, Coatl, Earth Monsters, Owls, Serpents, Xolotl
- Sacred Animal: Serpent, Quetzal bird
- Manifestations: Pale-skinned bearded man, feathered serpent, bird, priest, ruler, god of knowledge, creator deity, god of the arts
- Signs of Favor: Feathers, jade, gold, turquoise, white shells, butterflies, rainbows, maize
- Worshipers: Priests, nobility, merchants, artisans, rulers, farmers, students, inventors, musicians, artists
- Cleric Alignments: Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, Lawful Neutral, True Neutral
- Specialty Priests: Jaguar Knights, Feathered Serpent Priests, Obsidian Warriors
- Holy Days:
- 1st day of each Aztec month
- Day Ce Acatl (Aztec calendar)
- Day 9 Wind (Maya calendar)
- Day 1 Snake (Quiché Maya calendar)
- Portfolio: Creation, wind, knowledge, arts, crafts, agriculture, fertility, rulership, priesthood
- Domains: Air, Knowledge, Life, Light, Nature
- Favored Weapon: Xiuhcoatl (flaming serpent weapon)
- Favored Class: Cleric
- Favored Race: Humans, Aarakocra
- Duties of the Priesthood:
- Maintain temples and sacred sites
- Conduct rituals and offerings
- Preserve and study knowledge
- Provide education and wisdom to the people
- Uphold Aztec tradition and law
- Major Cult/Temple Sites:
- Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Teotihuacan
- Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan
- Temple of Kukulkan, Chichen Itza
- Benefits:
- Blessings of fertility, prosperity, health, and wisdom
- Divine protection and miracles
- Access to unique spells, visions, and sacred relics
- Ability to invoke Quetzalcoatl’s power to shape reality or call upon the wind
- Significant Others: None explicitly named, though strongly associated with his twin Xolotl and often mythologically opposed to Tezcatlipoca in stories of cosmic balance
In his serpent form, Quetzalcoatl is a long, sleek creature with iridescent green and blue feathers covering his body, highlighted by splashes of gold and red. His body is muscular and lithe, with a long, powerful tail that he uses to move gracefully through the air. As a human, Quetzalcoatl is depicted with a noble countenance, a thick beard, and long hair. He is often adorned with feathers and wears a headdress made of quetzal plumes.
Quetzalcoatl is known as the creator of humanity, and is also revered as a god of knowledge, culture, and wisdom. His main goal is to bring prosperity and enlightenment to his people, and to promote the flourishing of civilization. He is also associated with agricultural fertility and the arts, and is often portrayed as a benevolent deity who seeks to help humans in their struggles.
According to legend, Quetzalcoatl was responsible for the creation of the world and of humanity. He was also the patron of the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan, and was seen as a protector of the people. However, his story is complex, and he is also associated with the destruction of the world in the form of the feathered serpent, which was believed to bring chaos and upheaval.
Despite his role as a protector and provider, Quetzalcoatl was eventually overthrown by his brother, Tezcatlipoca, and forced to leave the Aztec empire. Legend holds that he sailed away on a raft made of snakes, promising to return someday to bring peace and prosperity to his people once again.
Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent
Greater Deity (CR 40), Neutral Good
Armor Class 30 (Divine Aura, Natural Armor)
Hit Points 1,445 (65d20 + 780)
Speed 120 ft., fly 180 ft. (hover), teleport 1/day (anywhere)
Ability Scores
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 (+10) | 28 (+9) | 34 (+12) | 32 (+11) | 36 (+13) | 38 (+14) |
Saving Throws: Str +20, Dex +19, Int +21, Wis +23, Cha +24
Skills: History +21, Insight +23, Arcana +21, Religion +21, Performance +24, Persuasion +24
Damage Immunities: Radiant, Lightning, Thunder, Psychic, Poison; Bludgeoning/Piercing/Slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Petrified, Exhaustion
Senses: Truesight 240 ft., Passive Perception 36
Languages: All (including Nahuatl, Celestial, Draconic); Telepathy 500 ft.
Challenge: CR 40 (1,200,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +10
Divine Domains & Spellcasting
Cleric (20th-level) | Spellcasting Ability: Wisdom (DC 33, +23 to hit)
Domains: Air, Knowledge, Life, Light, Nature
Quetzalcoatl knows all cleric spells and can cast them at will, without expending slots. In addition, each domain grants these domain spells, prepared automatically:
- Air (½):
- 1st: Fog Cloud, Feather Fall
- 2nd: Gust of Wind, Wind Wall
- 3rd: Call Lightning, Control Winds, Sleet Storm
- 5th: Chain Lightning
- 9th: Storm of Vengeance
- Knowledge (¼):
- 1st: Command, Identify
- 2nd: Detect Thoughts
- 3rd: Speak with Dead, Legend Lore
- 5th: Modify Memory
- 9th: Foresight
- Life (½):
- 1st: Bless, Cure Wounds
- 2nd: Lesser Restoration, Revivify
- 5th: Mass Heal
- 7th: Raise Dead
- 9th: Power Word Heal
- Light (½):
- 1st: Burning Hands, Faerie Fire
- 3rd: Daylight, Flame Strike
- 5th: Wall of Light
- 7th: Sunbeam
- 9th: Prismatic Wall
- Nature (¼):
- 1st: Entangle
- 2nd: Spike Growth, Barkskin
- 3rd: Plant Growth, Dominate Beast
- 5th: Insect Plague
- 9th: Tree Stride
Legendary & Lair Features
- Mythic Trait (Avatar of Civilization, 1/day): If reduced to 0 HP, Quetzalcoatl instead transforms into a colossal wind-serpent of pure light and air, regaining full hit points. For 3 rounds, all his damage doubles, and allies within 120 ft. regain 50 HP per round.
- Legendary Actions (3/round):
- Wind Lash (1): 120-ft. ranged Dex save DC 30 or take 8d10 slashing + 8d10 thunder.
- Words of Wisdom (2): Grant one creature Legendary Resistance, Inspiration die (1d12), and +5 to one skill for 1 hour.
- Summon Serpentkin (3): Summon a Coatl (CR 18) or Itzpapalotl (CR 20) for 1 hour.
- Lair Actions (on initiative count 20):
- Divine Windstorm: 60-ft. radius; creatures fail Dex save DC 25 → pushed 60 ft. and knocked prone.
- Echoes of Knowledge: Next spell cast in lair duplicates against a second target.
- Serpent’s Rebirth: Revive one fallen ally at 100 HP (once per long rest).
- Regional Effects (6-mile radius):
- Perpetual gentle winds carry quetzal feathers through the air.
- Crops double yield and never spoil.
- Artists, musicians, scholars gain advantage on related rolls.
- Jade or feather offerings become +1 magic items for 24 hours.
Equipment & Artifacts
- Serpent of the Four Winds (Staff):
- Weapon (staff), artifact (requires attunement by a deity or chosen priest)
- Functions as a +5 staff of power.
- Wind Serpent Strike: Melee attack +20, 15 ft. reach, 6d12 lightning damage. On hit, DC 30 Con save or be pushed 30 ft. and stunned until end of Quetzalcoatl’s next turn.
- Divine Gust (Recharge 5–6): As an action, unleash a 90-ft. cone of wind: DC 30 Con save or take 18d10 thunder + force damage and be stunned 1 round.
- Regalia of the Feathered Serpent:
White cloak, jade headdress, turquoise jewelry. Grants immunity to mind-affecting effects, advantage on all mental saves, flight (hover), and truesight.
Actions
- Multiattack: Three Serpent of the Four Winds strikes, then one spell cast.
- Staff Strike: +20 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 6d12 lightning.
- Voice of the Creator (Recharge 5–6): Allies within 60 ft. may each end a condition, regain 100 HP, or cast a 5th-level or lower spell without expending a slot.
Quetzalcoatl’s Forms
| Feature | Avatar of Civilization | Mythic Wind-Serpent |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale-skinned, bearded humanoid over 20 ft. tall, clad in white cloak, jade headdress, turquoise jewelry, faint feathered scales along arms, radiant aura of wind and light | Colossal serpentine form composed of swirling wind and luminescent feathers, length ~200 ft., eyes like glowing jade, body crackling with thunder and radiant light |
| Hit Points | 1,445 (65d20 + 780) | Resets to full HP when transformed; lasts 3 rounds or until reduced to 0 HP |
| Damage & Spells | Standard damage (Serpent of the Four Winds strikes 6d12 lightning), full cleric spellcasting at Will, domain spells | All melee and spell damage doubles (e.g. Divine Gust deals 36d10 thunder+force), can’t cast lower-tier spells**; focus on storm-and-wind effects |
| Speed | 120 ft., fly 180 ft. (hover), teleport 1/day | Fly 300 ft. (hover), swim 150 ft., immune to difficult terrain |
| Legendary Actions | Wind Lash; Words of Wisdom; Summon Serpentkin | +2 extra legendary actions per round (5 total), can use Wind Lash as a free action |
| Regional Effects | As listed in main stat block (6-mile aura of gentle winds, crop blessings, inspiration buffs) | Intensified: 12-mile radius, storms constantly churn, nonhostile creatures gain resistance to thunder/lightning, winged creatures can’t land within area without DC 30 Wis save |
| Special Traits | Divine Domains & Spellcasting; Regalia of the Feathered Serpent; Staff of the Four Winds | True Form: immune to all conditions; Tempest’s Wrath: once per turn can force all creatures within 60 ft. to make a DC 30 Str save or be pushed 60 ft. and prone |
Currently in the Word
As the world begins to take shape, Quetzalcoatl emerges as one of the most powerful beings in the universe. His divine powers allow him to manipulate the elements, command the forces of nature, and create entire worlds. He is revered by all living beings as a god of knowledge, wisdom, and creation.
As time marches on, Quetzalcoatl becomes more involved with the affairs of mortals. He takes on the role of a benevolent patron, teaching them the ways of agriculture, art, and civilization. He becomes their protector and their guide, always striving to ensure their well-being.
However, not all of Quetzalcoatl’s siblings share his benevolent nature. His brother Tezcatlipoca, the god of chaos and war, resents Quetzalcoatl’s influence over mortals and constantly seeks to undermine him. In one particular instance, Tezcatlipoca tricks Quetzalcoatl into committing a terrible act, causing him to become disillusioned and withdraw from the world.
Despite this setback, Quetzalcoatl remains committed to the betterment of mortals. He continues to teach them and guide them, always seeking to bring them closer to the divine. His greatest desire is to see them prosper and thrive, living in harmony with each other and the world around them.
In the 1450s, Quetzalcoatl remains active in the world, although his influence has waned somewhat in the face of the rise of the Aztec Empire. He continues to teach and guide those who seek his knowledge, but also begins to take a more active role in the affairs of mortals. He sees the growing conflict between the Aztecs and their enemies and seeks to bring about a peaceful resolution.
However, Tezcatlipoca’s influence remains strong, and Quetzalcoatl knows that a confrontation with his brother is inevitable. He seeks allies among the other gods and begins to gather his forces, preparing for the coming conflict. Despite the challenges ahead, he remains steadfast in his commitment to the mortals he has sworn to protect, and his faith in their ability to rise above the conflicts that threaten to tear them apart.