#mask of Tezcatlipoca

[paulpingminho]

[gotta-bail-my-quails]

i gave up on this version so here's my unfinished masquerade ball toland submission like. ten months late

yes i do not know how to draw pants, yes he is wearing his chains from prison around his neck to a ball presumably filled with people who would love to put his ass back in prison. he's funny like that

[darabeatha]

ANYWAYS- I don't have much energy in general but I just wanted to drop by and say I had a thought in regards to the rather unique shape of the scar on his forehead in his fate design (which is a reference to the oftentimes more commonly known version of his story that recounts the motif of his death being by dying from his people throwing rocks at him which is the version f.ate seems to have followed) that it's not just there to represent this version of the story but could also be a reference to an iconographic pre-Hispanic attribute from Tezcatlipoca itself that is called the Ezpitzal, which is this:

(though in this piece, Tezca is shown under the guise of Tepeyollotl, it's still tezca) The Ezpitzal is often shown as a stream of blood that emanates from Tezcatlipoca's head. Professor Batalla pointed out that this term also relates to the Nahuatl concept of expressing anger

'it’s worth remembering that Tezcatlipoca was a god notorious for sowing discord and deceit'

So I just thought of how fitting it would be for M.octezuma to have this and how similar it looks to his scar (or well, how fitting it would be to a fictional stylized version of course) as M.octezuma's name is basically a compound of the noun 'lord' and the verb that means 'to frown in anger' which altogether gets interpreted as 'he who frowns like a lord' or 'he who is angry in a noble manner' and well, how this ties back to the Ezpitzal as a symbol that expresses anger

NOW IT COULD just be the shape of his scar and there's no deep meaning behind it but I still think it would be a nice little detail about his design if that was the case (if not then its just me overthinking symbolisms again), not to mention that even after the Spanish conquest took place and how as a consequence, a lot of characteristic traits and symbolisms were lost in regards to images, even then the Ezpitzal was still depicted (though barely there) with these protruding rounded edges

[pof203]

A Summoner Birthday

Special Quest: Wakan Tanka (Part 2)

WARNING: NSFW scenes maybe present.

Though this merely an illusion created by zeroes and ones, the beach of the virtual fairytale world shown brightly as if it were really, giving off the same feeling.

ALRIGHT! LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

(ignoring the picture above) For our boy, Lupin, and Wakan Tanka, let's celebrate.

(also ignoring the picture) Yes, this is happy day for them both. Even thought it's just pretend, I bless them with the magick of their bond.

Thank you, Mother. we really appreciate this.

Wakan Tanka: Yes, My Hecate, you're love is a deep as ours. Maybe even more.

Wakan goes to a table full of gifts.

Wakan Tanka: For this wedding potlatch, Our Lupin and I have prepared these wonderful gifts for you. Don't worry, the real ones are being delivered to your homes in the real world as we speak.

Your friends and loved ones go to the table and take their gifts with their names on it.

I've been looking for this book for a long time. Thank you.

And me and Choji have been looking for this sauce for a long time, too.

I know. We've looked everywhere, even online. How'd you get it?

I hope it's not an Invaders thing.

Everyone just became silent.

Seriously, Xolotl? You're bringing that up?

(also ignoring the pictures) I think someone needs to learn a lesson. Has anyone seen my mask? ... Or my chainsaw?

Xolotl: (panicking) Lo sientos! Lo sientos! I was just thinking of what Lady Hakumen said! Here, Wakan Tanka, take this magazine! You can roll it up and beat me on the head with it, or just spank me with it! Just please, forgive me!

Wakan Tanka: Of course I forgive you, My Xolotl. But please, just be careful of what you say. This is your brother's wedding, even if it is just pretend. And you're sort of right. Though I am now a Summoner, I am still, in some way, an Invader.

Xolotl: (relieved) Gracias.

Lupin: If you're wondering where we got the sauce, you have Claude and Snow to thank for that. It's a shame he the others couldn't be here.

Taurus Mask: I called them and they said they were busy... And Claude said he wouldn't come if you really were getting married... To him, that is.

Wakan Tanka: That's a shame. We have a gift for him, too. Perhaps another time. But for now, let us enjoy this day. (happy) Into the water we go!

I like your way of thinking. Let's go!

Everyone:

Yeah!

With that, you, Wakan, and everyone get into the sea and begin your fun, swimming, splashing, and playing. When you feel you swam enough, you return to the beach where Choji already had food ready. After that, you play some beach games such as volleyball, building sandcastles, and smashing watermelons.

After a while, you and Wakan go to one of the tents that are set up.

Wakan Tanka: This has been a wonderful day, My Lupin. Though this was just a mock wedding, it makes me excited for the real thing.

Lupin: I know. I really look forward to the day when this virtual wedding becomes a reality.

Wakan Tanka: I know... (curious) But, I do have to ask.

Lupin: What is it, Wakan?

Wakan Tanka: When you do get married for real... Will I be the one to join you at the alter? Or do you have another in mind? Claude himself said he wishes to marry you and he is pretty much an emperor who can give you the whole world if you ask for it. Me? I'm just a little buffalo whose only achievement is on the football field.

You sense Wakan's feeling and you place your hand on his big strong arm.

Lupin: It's true, I don't know for sure who I will marry for real when the time comes. Maybe I will be with Claude. Maybe I will be with you. Or I'll be with another. The future is not set in stone, it is always changing. But I do know one thing about you, Wakan Tanka.

Wakan Tanka: What's that?

Lupin: You are a little buffalo. But you're also a happy little buffalo. And, in the here and now... You're my happy little buffalo. It is you that I love here and now. And no matter what, we will always have each other. What we have between us is real and it will always be real. So please, don't be sad, because, right now and for a long time... I'm yours.

Wakan Tanka feels happy. This is probably the happiest he has ever felt in a very long time. You feel the same way as you both wrap yourselves around each other's arms. You both then share a passionate and strong kiss on the mouth. You feel your hearts beating very fast with such energy and warmth.

Before you know it, you and Wakan were now lying in the hammock with Wakan on top of you. You continue to kiss, not just on the mouth but almost every part of your bodies.

Lupin: I want to see... all of you.

(removing his briefs) And you will. Come to me.

You begin sucking Wakan's cock. You feel it getting harder and harder and yours does the same. Finally, as his cock was as stiff as it could get, you remove your own trunks.

Wakan, I need you... Come into me.

Wakan lifts your legs and sticks his dick into your butt. He begins pounding hard, but it was a perfect fit. He then takes your own and begins stroking it. His strong hand and fingers moving against your dick is so exhilarating, you were sure you would cum too quickly. This goes on for several more minutes before you both get off the hammock. You bend over on the hammock as Wakan continues to devour your ass and you begin rubbing your cock. He holds you strong and true as this goes on. After what seems like hours, you both get back on the hammock. You were now sitting on Wakan's lap, his dick still up your ass, and facing each other. You have one hand on your dick while Wakan's is also on it. He moves you up and down as hid dick keeps drilling into you and you were both stroking your own with the movements. You both then pull in for another long kiss.

Wakan: (grunting) My Lupin. I'm cumming. I'm cumming now!

Lupin: I can feel it cumming, too! Hold me!

Finally, your dicks could no longer hold it in as you both shoot. Wakan's cum shoot up into your butt, you feeling how warm and strong it is as your own cum covers Wakan. You both take a moment to enjoy this as you each take a taste of the other's cum... You both have never felt so alive... Even though this is just virtual sex.

(putting his briefs back on) I love you, My Lupin Stone. I love you more than anyone else.

Lupin: (also putting trunks back on) And I love you, Wakan Tanka, my happy big little buffalo.

You both pull in for one more kiss.

Shiro's Voice from outside the tent: Lupin, Wakan, we're wrapping up the party! Be ready to leave soon!

Lupin: We'll be there shortly!

You turn to Wakan who looks a bit down.

Wakan Tanka: I'll... be leaving ahead of you all.

Lupin: Are you going back to the Invaders?

Wakan Tanka: I have to. There's still work to be done with them and I have to do it. But we'll see each other again. Sooner than you think. After all, I have reason to come back, now... It's you.

Wakan takes a step back, but you trust him because you know what he is about to do next. A bright light surrounds him like a cocoon. And in a flash, he changes.

We will meet again, Heyoka, Our Lupin.

Then, it a flash, Wakan Tanka∞ flew out of the tent like lighting (basically as lightning). You quickly leave the tent after him.

You watch the lighting bolt that is your true love fly into the sky and vanish... But you are not sad. You are happy... He'll be back. Love always find a way.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: And that's the end of this fanmade event. It took me over a year to do this, but it was worth it. I hope you enjoyed it because I put a lot of time and work into it to show how Tokyo Afterschool Summoners is a really great game. Though some of these things that happened here are fanmade, including marriage, I hope this will give you much sense of wonder and joy.

Until we meet again.

[thebardostate]

This mosaic is believed to represent the god Tezcatlipoca, or "Smoking Mirror," one of four powerful creator deities, who were amongst the most important gods in the Mexica (Aztec) pantheon. Tezcatlipoca is often depicted with obsidian mirrors at the head and is conventionally cast as an adversary to Quetzalcoatl. The name "Smoking Mirror" derives from the Nahuatl (Mexica) word tezapoctli, meaning "shining smoke" and representations of Tezcatlipoca are typically characterised by distinctive black stripes on the face and a smoking mirror generally displayed in his headdress, at his temple or in place of a torn-off foot.

[talonabraxas]

Quetzalcoatl 🐉 Talon Abraxas

Creation Myths

Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl and his crafty brother Tezcatlipoca were in the business of creation. In some incredible escapades, they created the earth, sea and night sky and were regents of the first two ‘suns’, or world eras of the existing five. When the brothers separated the sky from the earth, they even turned into the trees that held the two apart, earnings the names of Quetzalhuéxotl and Tezcacahuitl.

Quetzalcoatl’s life-giving ability gave rise to many of the things around us. On a lone voyage, he went to find the bones of the dead in the underworld, known as Mictlan. After many trials and tribulations he was able to escape Mictlan and carry the bones to Tamoanchan, home of the gods. He ground the bones and mixed them with his blood, creating the first humans of the 5th (and current) sun.

In another act as creator, Quetzalcoatl threw his semen at a rock and from it grew a bat that approached the fertility goddess Xochiquetzal (Quetzal Flower), biting her between the legs. From her wound burst beautiful flowers that the bat took to the lord of the underworld, Mictlantecuhtli, who bathed them in the water of his subterranean rivers and perfumed the blossoms.

Many other creation myths revolve around Quetzalcoatl, some including the creation of the maguey plant, and the discovery of corn

Quetzalcoatl was often represented as the life-giving wind, with a beak or mask protruding from his face. With this appendage he was able to sweep the roads clean before the arrival of the rain gods (pic 5). Under the guise of wind, he was called Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl and was considered a great cultural hero. This image from the sixteenth century Codex Borbonicus (pic 8, right) shows his conical hat made from the fur of an Ocelot. A recurring feature in Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl’s iconography is a conch chest ornament. Called ehecacózcatl (wind jewel), the shell has been interpreted as an association with the womb and the generation of life. The conch shell is symbolic of the ancestral bones from which Quetzalcoatl created humankind as we know it.

Quetzalcoatl-Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, the Morning Star

The legend of Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl goes on to tell us that after a long pilgrimage towards the east, our hero found himself so thoroughly defeated by his brother Tezcatlipoca that he threw himself on a burning pyre in an act of self-sacrifice. From the smoking remains rose the morning star, Venus, who is represented by Quetzalcoatl in his guise of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli. He accompanies the sun across the sky during the day. This image from the Codex Borgia (pic 9) shows Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli displaying the quincunx: five circles associated with Venus. His hair is red and his body painted with red and white stripes. He is featured on the left in the upper and lower panels of the page. On the right hand side is Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl.

Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli served as patron deity of astrological knowledge and was of profound importance in religious books in the Central Highlands and Oaxaca. Used for divination, these documents were called Tonalamame (sing. Tonalamatl), and displayed the portents of the 260 day lunar calendar known as the Tonalpoualli (Counting of the Days). Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was considered patron of this calendar (Yólotl González-Torres,1991).

Xolotl, the Evening Star

Tlahuizcalpentecuhtli could only guard the sun as it crossed the daytime sky. However, Quetzalcoatl had another invocation that would help Venus through the underworld as the Evening Star: Xolotl, the dog (pic 10). Considered by some to be Quetzalcoatl’s double, assistant or twin, Xolotl aided Quetzalcoatl when he descended to the Mictlan to recover the bones of humankind. In Náhuatl, the word Xolotl was often associated with the concept of twins and physical deformity, so statues of the deity often portray a dog with twin heads, or ragged ears and running sores.

Interests: Saving the world (or making it), preserving life, cultivating knowledge and recognising beauty.

Day Sign: Wind

Trecena (13 day week): 1 Jaguar. According to sixteenth century friar Bernadino de Sahagún and his native informants, he also presided over 1 Reed. This last period was considered to bring bad luck because it was represented by Quetzalcoatl in his forceful guise of Wind. The trecena was marked by the Aztec nobility who made offerings in Calmecacs, learning institutions for noble children. Children born during 1 Reed were thought to be ill-fortuned, and the calendar foretold that all they gained in life would be “taken by the wind” (Sahagún, book III, chapter VIII). To save children born during the worst phase of 1 Reed, the Aztecs held childrens’ naming ceremonies on or after the 7th day of the week (7 Rain) as the following days were more auspicious.

Powers: As we know from stories of old, Quetzalcoatl’s physical powers and intelligence knew no bounds. But what were his monster-killing, sky-lifting and star-forming capacities in the face of his sneaky brother Tezcatlipoca? Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca were brothers in divine myths, where they worked together as creators, and against each other in acts of destruction. In the Legend of the Suns, their battles saw them topple each other as regents of individual worlds. As humans, Tezcatlipoca’s trickery thwarted the priest Quetzalcoatl (myth of Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl). The cosmic battle between the two brothers has been interpreted as a dualistic opposition between creative and destructive forces (Taube, 1993, p82).

[whencyclopedia]

Tulum

Tulum, on the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula in southern Mexico, was an important Mesoamerican centre which displayed both Maya and Toltec influence. Tulum was a major trading and religious centre between the 11th and 16th centuries CE and, dramatically situated near the sea, it is one of the most evocative ancient sites in Mexico.

First settled in the 6th century CE, Tulum prospered, especially so under Mayapán influence from c. 1200 CE, and was an important centre trading in such typical barter goods of the period as cotton, foodstuffs, copper bells, axes, and cacao beans. Protected by the jungle of Quintana Roo, the site survived the general Maya collapse and was largely left untouched by the Spanish.

The ceremonial complex of Tulum, built on a 12 metre high limestone cliff, was surrounded on three sides by fortification walls, while the fourth side faces the Caribbean Sea. Indeed, the very name Tulum is a colonial one and means 'wall'. The original local name may have been Zama meaning 'dawn' in reference to the site's position facing east across the sea.

Residential buildings were built outside the sacred walled area which was reserved for the rulers of Tulum. The largest structure is the Castillo (Castle) which is in fact a temple pyramid displaying architectural influences from the Toltec civilization, such as over-door niches and serpent-columns. In addition, the stucco sculpture which decorates the building recalls those at Mayapán. The halls of the Castillo, and also Structure 25, are also notable for their well-preserved examples of beam-and-mortar roofs.

The Temple of the Frescoes is a squat square building which has undergone several modifications over the centuries. In the Classic period there seems only to have been a vaulted shrine, but this was later surrounded by a larger structure which had a four-column facade. Later still, the second storey was added. Stucco faces on the exterior suggest the building was dedicated to the god Itzamnaaj.

The earliest wall paintings, which give the building its name, date to the 11th or 12th centuries CE, but some are certainly later, perhaps post conquest. They depict figures performing various actions such as a woman grinding corn on a stone (metate), the goddess Chak Chel carrying two images of the god Chahk, and the Aztec god Tezcatlipoca with his black eye band and turquoise mask. The latter strongly suggests contact with central Mexican centres. Most figures are strikingly painted in blue on a black background, and panels are divided by twisted snake-like borders, perhaps representing umbilical cords and therefore a genealogical connection between the figures. Frescoes appear on both the outer and inner walls of several other buildings at Tulum but always using only three colours – red, blue, and yellow – with outlines painted in black and accompanied by Maya glyphs.

Other structures at Tulum include the dramatically sited Temple of the Winds which was built in honour of the wind god and helped guide sailors through the reef, a palace building in a poor state of preservation, various platforms, and the Temple of the Descending God. This latter building and the presence on several other structures of stucco figures of winged gods descending suggest the site was specifically in honour of this strange deity also known as the 'diving god' and perhaps connected to the planet Venus and the associated Maya god Xux Ek.

Continue reading...

[santoschristos]

The significance of this day Day Ehecatl (Wind, known as Ik in Maya) is governed by Quetzalcoatl as its provider of tonalli (Shadow Soul) life energy. Ehecatl is a bad day for working with others. Its influences are inconstant and vain. A good day to root out bad habits. Quetzalcoatl Quetzalcoatl The god Quetzalcoatl, is the Feathered Serpent or Precious Twin. He is the god intelligence and self-reflection, a patron of priests. Quetzalcoatl is a primordial god of creation, a giver of life. With his opposite Tezcatlipoca he created the world. Quetzalcoatl is also called White Tezcatlipoca, to contrast him to the black Tezcatlipoca.

Mask of Quetzalcoatl --Mahaboka

[themightyfoo]

Announcing my new sideblog, @welcome-to-the-night-gallery, featuring art of the macabre, numinous, and liminal. These are all artworks originally posted to my other sideblog, @thebardostate.

Credits:

Mosaic mask of Tezcatlipoca, Mexica peoples, ca. 1521-1400 CE

Paleolithic bull painting, Lascaux cave, France ca. 17000 bpe

Heaven, Simon Fujiwara, 2017

Egyptian funerary mask, late 18th dynasty, ca. 1400-1300 BCE

Habitation, Marvin Cone, ca. 1938-9

Sunbeams penetrating Temple of Amun-Re, Karnak Egypt, photographer unknown

Mycenaean death mask, Greece ca. 1600-1450 BCE

Moby Dick, Gerard Dubois, date unknown, artist website

Fayum mummy portrait of unidentified young lady, Roman Egypt, 2nd Century CE

Dryad, Andrew Wyeth, 2007

[strawberryhenisey]

Denise's Masterlist

RoR

Them having a picture of you in their wallet pt. 1

I'd let the world burn for you pt. 1

Apollo x tezcatlipoca's daughter reader

JJK

JJK characters with a model s/o pt.1

TWST

Them having a picture of you in their wallet pt.1

Do you think you'd kill for me one day? Pt. 1

HSR

Do you have a girl? I don't see a ring on your finger pt.1

Do you think you'd kill for me one day? Pt.1

Do you think you'd kill for me one day? Pt.2

Time of the month pt. 1

Genshin Impact

Capitano shows you what's underneath his mask for the first time

You as Capitano's wife

Do you think you'd kill for me one day?

Obey me

Do you have a girl? I don't see a ring on your finger pt.1

Others

BSD

Blue Lock

Black butler

Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Revengers

[narukaminigga]

ORT and Subliminal Bigotry: A paranoiac leap

This is a little long. There is discussion of Nasu, xenophobia, racism, and some weirdo thoughts. under the cut contains all of this, so if you are looking for thoughts on lostbelt 7’s whiteness, here you go. also spoilers.

No introduction needed—just look at this thing.

This is what will destroy the planet; a big, foreign, jet-black alien. On the flip-side is that thing’s heart:

Now, for good measure, here’s Camazotz:

These are the two major antagonists of the Lostbelt, besides Daybit and Tezcatlipoca. The one thing in common is that they’re both black, blood-sucking vampires. The story slowly codes specific characters as darker skinned to depict their motifs and their role in the story, and weirdly, it begins with clothes. I made a list:

U-Olga Marie and her tacky ass weird ass design. She is promptly turned into a good guy.

Rasputin, or Kirei Kotomine. He wears a black-ish robe with blue. He’s basically sort of on the side of the heroes.

Daybit and Tezcatlipoca, who both are insanely pasty people, are the bad guys here. They both wear clothing that is jet-black and modern—an allegiance to ORT.

The Black Panther Guy. His army is faceless and has masks, setting up the motif of mask = faceless enemy. You can’t see their emotions.

Kingprotea Alter, who wears latex. She is white, but the latex makes it near impossible. When she dons the mask, she becomes a faceless hostile enemy. When it’s off, she is the gentle white woman.

Nitocris Alter, who serves as “the token dark skin” of Chaldea. She becomes an Alter solely to fight against the evil, destructive Camazotz who goes berserk. At this point, alter is coded as “dark” in the Fate series, so the clear distinction is made that Alter here literally notes a character’s melanin.

Ereshkigal Alter, who is another dark skin. After Nitocris goes, she fills this role.

Camazotz, who is a blood-sucking vampire. He’s the only character who remains fully antagonistic throughout (besides ORT), and transforms into his beast state out of grief and rage. He is literally the de-facto dark-skin here.

ORT, who is jet-black. While without his heart, he is white, ORT progressively advances color after color, reaching a state of brown / bronze before being eliminated. He has no face (repeating the masks as a faceless), and serves as the hostile, Chaldea hating wall.

This escalation is important—it depicts an increasing level of hostility through melanin until we reach the level of blackness. ORT unironically shares fears of destruction from an outsider (he’s an alien) destroying the beautiful nation (which is nahui mictlan), a common conspiracy pointed towards immigrants and other minorities (especially blacks), and ORT steals powers to get stronger and stronger to kill his enemies faster and more efficiently. By the time you reach the Beast Class of Camazotz, you are used to the usual trope of sympathizing with the Beast; they’re people, after all, and they want to change the world in their own stagnant, awful ways. ORT, however, is different. ORT is literally not from here, and ORT doesn’t care.

Veering off this topic, for a moment, which does relate, Nasu depicts America as having the worst magecraft.

TYPE-MOON wiki summarizes here: “[…] but it is also known to be aiming for the complete degradation of Magic into Magecraft through the advancement of human technology. On bad terms with the Clock Tower due to its apparent hostility to the concealment of Mystery as enforced by the Assocation.”

I am bringing this up specifically because primarily, America has been given a bad rap in the Nasuverse. Yes, america sucky doodoo it’s racist and borderline fascist. But it’s mostly because it’s *outside* Japan. What I am positing sounds weird, but Nasu has been known for not really liking his international audience. Authors tend to insert their beliefs into their works, and so Nasu is literally shitting on America. He has always not liked the place. And the thing is that this is easily connected to Nasu’s fear of space — he’s afraid of the damn solar system! He’s afraid of what’s out there! America and his foreign audience can be scary, it can be insane! Hence, his reluctance to get official TLs of Mahoyo, Tsukihime, and other Fate works until very recently.

Veering back to ORT, the reason why I am saying all of this is because ORT is representative of the unknown. The Nasuverse has been known for it’s antiblackness and sometimes flagrant disrespect of deities outside of Britain and Japan (The Australia debacle, for one), and ORT serves as like, this weird “colonizer” metaphor. The black alien monster is going to destroy this beautiful culture, this beautiful world, and I have to stop it, because if I don’t, I can’t get back home. It’s impossible to reason or talk to it or do anything except fight it. It’s not a leftist thing at all. It’s more like James Cameron’s Avatar where it’s a conservative film, fighting off the “globalist” humans in the name of nationalistic interest. And it doesn’t help that ORT is basically the face of blackness here, as far as a reach it may sound. He is the culmination of these themes in Lostbelt 7 surrounding these characters.

Kukulkan also is a major factor in this—when ORT lost his heart, it became *white*. Weak. Kukulkan is white, though, and she’s really nice… she’s strong… she wants to have sex with you…

And really, that’s ORT’s heart! It’s beating, living heart! ORT without it is just an angry angry shell that raves and roars for bloodlust (like it already wasn’t), and ultimately Nasu creates no avenues to talk to ORT. It’s not the point. ORT is the enemy. But we can romance a piece of ORT—the piece that is kind, the piece that loves, the piece that is a whitey, and the rest is trying to attain it’s blackness again so it can finish everyone off.

See, historical accuracy is something I ignore for Fate. It’s impossible. But ORT is not real—and is conducive to a strange reading of antiblackness. This fear that this foreigner, the most powerful thing in existence, is a giant black spider monster who is faceless and can’t talk, and hates you, wants you, your family, your nation dead, and it’s coming, and it will kill you.

Maybe I’m just overthinking this. Maybe ORT being jet-black was just the nightmare vision.

[hasquetzorkukudoneanythingwrong]

While this ask was prompted by Tezcatlipoca I'm expanding it to be more general: What do you think about the Mesoamerican Servant designs overall? Good parts? Bad parts? Something they can do better/fix? Moments where they dropped the ball entirely?

I'm not Mexican so I want to know what others think. I've seen people bash Tezcatlipoca for whitewashing reasons but I've also seen others say it sorta works because some people do look pale.

Alright then, I'll try to elaborate on my feelings as much as I can. There will be somewhat minor spoilers for LB7, so be warned.

So, starting off with the first one fgo has ever had, Quetzalcoatl.

If you couldn't tell from this blog, and the fact I've never brought it up, I absolutely ADORE her design! In fact, her design is the first thing that got me to start liking her. Then I found out about her dynamite character and the rest followed suit. Her outfit, while not technically being fully accurate, still looks very nice and her appearance is very beautiful. I'm not really sure what it is, but her design feels like it works well for a mesoamerican deity. Even if the people themselves never looked like this. There are some depictions that described Quetzalcoatl as being more pale in appearance, which might be part of what inspired it? Blonde hair has also been mentioned, tho not as frequently as just being pale. Overall, it's a banging design, and my favorite among fgo in general, even as a mesoamerican servant.

Since her design is pretty similar, let's do Kuku next. Now, obviously since she's a sorta copy of Quetzalcoatl, she's gonna look similar. In fact, before it was revealed she was an Archetype, I thought it was Quetz, just with a different but similar host. With the fact she looks similar to Quetz, I'm gonna love it. As for stuff unique to her, I am in love with the crystal looking hair, along with the cute western type outfit in her first ascension. Since Kuku is an odd case, she doesn't have a more traditional looking mesoamerican outfit, tho there are influences. Like her headrest in the final ascension, and the serpent imagery on her other 2 ascensions. Overall, more of Quetz but with a new spin, so great!

Next up, let's address Tenochtitlan. Her design is, generally decent. With all 3 ascensions kinda doing something different each time. The first one is the only one trying to be actually traditional. Now, if you've seen a decent amount of mesoamerican clothing, like I have in my research attempts, you could tell like Quetz's it's only vaguely a mesoamerican type outfit. With Quetz's tho, it does feel more genuine. Meanwhile, Teno's 1A has elements that stand out a bit too much. Like the weird top she has, and the prominent heels, and the weird face mask thing? Now, given her unique nature, there isn't a direct depiction of a deity to draw inspiration from, tho there were 2 decent ones. Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli. Tho, while I can see some details present in Tlaloc, like her headdress, not so much with Huitzilopochtli. Her 2nd ascension is meant to be more like a modern fashionista, to kinda go with her "big bro's" modern day obsession. Which also kinda goes with the indigenous mexican gods still being somewhat active post age of gods, Somehow. Her final... is a mixed bag. While I generally do like it, it's clear something else entirely is being tried here. It's a sorta sci-fi-ish look, with mesoamerican inspiration that I'm assuming is meant to tie in with her mecha noble phantasm. Which is pretty nice still, tho a lil confusing as to why. Overall they're decent designs, but a bit further away from greatness in my eyes.

Now then, Tezcatlipoca. I will use this opportunity to mention that yes, many Mexicans and Latin Americans in general come in a wide variety of skin tones these days. While the original indigenous peoples didn't, Fate doesn't inherently have to limit themselves that way, given the unique lore around the gods taking human hosts. This is at least part of why I don't have a huge issue with Quetzalcoatl and Tenochtitlan looking not as tan. However, with Tezcatlipoca it doesn't work as well. For one thing, Tezca is very strongly associated with darkness, the color black and so on. Another thing, is that since we've already had other mesoamerican characters, who are paler and who's designs work well enough even with that, it starts to get a bit oversaturated now, especially with one that doesn't work nearly as well. As for the clothes, I do like the first ascension, going for the vibe of a rich and stylish war profiteer, to coincide with his modern obsession with guns. The 2nd is also very fun, cause it feels like a super hero/villain's costume. While I'm not the biggest fan of the mask, or the unnecessary opening in the one shoe, it's otherwise very fun, and I'm imagining going for something similar to Teno's 3a. But then when you get to his 3rd ascension is when his general appearance especially clashes with the rest of the design. A pale, blonde person dressed like that feels downright offensive. Something about the weird leather boots and gloves, along with the unnecessary skull inclusions and the poor looking headdress and facepaint, on this scrawny looking white dude feels like all kinds of wrong. Even ignoring the appearance of the wearer, it feels dumb. I dunno if you guys realize, but mesoamerican clothing was actually quite colorful, not this semi-monochrome mess. Which is another fact that makes the other designs work, but not this one. While black was an important color for Tezcatlipoca, he was also associated with other colors, like gold, red, blue and so on. If you threw a few of those colors and got rid of some of the edginess, it'd be a vast improvement. Overall, somethings work, but a lot don't too.

That's all for now, as I'd rather not get into npcs atm, maybe another time. So overall most of the designs are good in my opinion. Pale skin isn't inherently a deal breaker in my eyes, especially when other bits work aswell. Tho we very much could use more variety now, with many other skin tones like how modern day Mexicans have.

[darabeatha]

Trope trope trope trope!

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 “𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞” 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐓𝐕 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞. / @caemthe

𝐌𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐳𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐈𝐈

Animal motif: jaguar! a reference to not only Tezcatlipoca but also to the Ocelomeh (Ocelotl in singular and Ocelomeh in plural; jaguar warriors. They were basically members of the Aztec military elite) to whom he's the leader of.

Back from the dead: it's his second chance at life! "Moctezuma II, the unfortunate ruler of the Aztec Empire during its fall to Hernán Cortés' conquest. Having felt pity for his betrayal and terrible end, Tezcatlipoca had summoned Moctezuma into the South American Lostbelt for a second chance at life."

God in human form: technically he is Tezcatlipoca's impersonator! Putting a small parenthesis to fgo; to the Mexica, this person was called the 'Ixiptla' who for one year was seen as the god (in this case Tezcatlipoca) on earth. They were highly respected and seen as the god, and at the end of the year, they were sacrificed. Despite this, being the deity's impersonator was seen as an incredibly high honor and not a tragedy or something bad like how we would think in the present (this sacrifice just like death in battle was like the absolute honor). Real Moctezuma wasn't an Ixiptla in this sense, but I think that for the fictional narrative, it was an interesting choice especially considering the second reason as of why he was summoned by Tezcatlipoca (besides him taking pity of how his life ended) which i won't say how it ends bc it'll be spoiler

Rage helm: except that in this case, even if you take off his mask he is still frowning !

Perpetual frown: Rarely will you see him not looking angry or frowning even if he's literally just vibin' . Sometimes this scares people away and it doesn't help that he tends to have airs of grandeur moments (tm) sometimes (king moment), but when you get to know him, he's pretty considerate and chill person ! U just have to ignore his king-ly traits at first

Clean freak: inspired by his real counterpart, my Mocte is very much into cleanliness and tidyness. On a single glance u think he wears the same black body suit all the time but then u open his closet and he just has a bunch of exact same copies of it. U will not catch him wearing the same clothes he did again till 4-5 days or the next week. He's like that one lil robot in wall-E that can't stand stains, u leave a ketchup stain over the counter and even if it doesn't involve him, you'll see him going like -SCRUBS-

War is glorious: Or more specifically speaking; death in war. 'Dying in war was the highest honor and was something that was longed for. The concepts of war and sacrifice responded to the needs of cohesion and reproduction of society, by dying in war or through sacrifice, the warrior would be able to pay the gods their mythical sacrifice which had given origin to life'. Mocte is not devoid of this line of thinking.

Foreshadowing: goes by the name Izcalli when first introduced and then his true name is revealed; Moctezuma II the last Aztec emperor (which he's technically not really -the- last, as two other rulers succeeded him after his death but their reigns were quite short-lived so it's not uncommon to see him referred as the last)

[pof203]

A Summoner Birthday Wedding?

Special Quest: Wakan Tanka (Part 1)

You suddenly feel yourself stirring awake, almost like you just had a long sleep. You then feel your eyelids opening. You let them. When you do...

You are in a church that looks like it was decorated for a wedding. You also see that you are in your Princely Regalia. You also notice that you are not alone.

All those you know and love are also present, all dressed up and smiling.

You're awake. Good, it's almost time for the wedding.

Wedding?

Yes, a wedding... Your wedding, partner.

Lupin: Oh, that's right, I'm getting married today... Now if only it were real.

You remember: You and your loved ones came to the virtual fairytale world where they had the idea of holding a mock wedding... for you. And the lucky one you will be marrying is...

We're about to get started. First... Let's see if this things Kurogane's been working on works. And...

FLASH

In a flash of light, you and your loved ones were surprised by what they see.

Zabainyya: Well, someone has to conduct the music since I have to conduct the wedding.

So glad you thought of me.

No way, how is that possible!? Don't you two share a body?

Israfil: In the real world, yes. But in a virtual one, anything's possible.

Really? Then maybe... No, that can wait another time. Today is suppose to be about Lupin and...

I think everyone's waiting long enough. Let's get started.

The rest of us will be up front with you.

I still wish I had something formal to wear. (We're still waiting, LifeWonders.)

It's alright, Oniwaka. For now, you like fine in that.

Oniwaka: (cheering up) I guess you're right.

You go up the aisle to the altar with Zabaniyya, Israfil, Oniwaka, Taurus Mask (Daisuke), and Boogeyman.

Israfil: Alright, let's begin. Are you ready, Lupin?

Lupin: (a bit nervous, but) Ready.

Israfil begins conducting the music. Everyone turns to the doors at the start of the aisle... The doors open...

Seeing Wakan Tanka and him seeing you, you feel the song in your hearts.

Wakan Tanka meets you at the altar as you both face Zabaniyya.

Zabaniyya: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Lupin Stone and Wakan Tanka in bonds of matrimony. If anyone here objects to this union, speak now, or forever hold your peace.

This is a happy day for Quetzalcoatl and Wakan Tanka. I don't see how any of us are going to object to this.

(ignoring the picture above because SumoSnap still hasn't updated) Yes, as his Dark Mother, I have never been more proud.

I always cry at these things! Are little brother's all grown up. Wakan, you're lucky to have him! If you screw up and hurt him or give him any reason to cry, I'm gonna thrash you into next week!

Wakan Tanka: (laughing) You don't have to worry, My Xolotl, Our Lupin will be in good hands.

Zabainyya: (a bit surprised) Well, I guess that settles it. So, your vows. Who would like to go first?

Wakan Tanka: I came in with a bride role. Our Lupin shall go first.

You and Wakan Tanka face each other.

Lupin: With this hand, I will life your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.

You take a ring Oniwaka gives you and you put it on Wakan's finger.

Wakan Tanka: With this hand, I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.

Wakan takes a ring from Taurus Mask and his places it on your finger.

Zabaniyya: Lupin Stone, do you take Wakan Tanka to be yours, for better or worse, for rich or for poor, to have and to hold, to love him, comfort him, honor him, keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, so long as you both shall live?

Lupin: I do.

Zabaniyya: Wakan Tanka, do you take Lupin Stone to be yours, for better or worse, for rich or for poor, to love and to hold, to love him, comfort him, honor him, keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, so long as you both shall live?

Wakan Tanka: I do, more than anything.

Zabaniyya: You both have shown us time and time again that no matter our background, no matter where we came from, including worlds, no matter what form we take, and no matter what may happen, love blooms and gives us a light that will shine the brightest, giving us hope in hopeless places. A fact that all of us can truly appreciate.

With Zabainiyya's words, everyone gets together knowing that they are true. You and Wakan then take each other's hands, holding tight as you feel your spirits become one, looking deeply into each other's eyes.

Zabaniyya: So, by the power (unofficially) invested in me by this world, I now pronounce you married... You may kiss.

You and Wakan Tanka both embrace each other and your lips lock in completely along with your love for each other... No other words can be found to describe this moment. In that moment... it was just you two.

You both part your lips as everyone in the chapel applauded you both.

Zabaniyyya: Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the happy "almost" couple.

Everyone:

Congratulations, Lupin and Wakan!

Israfil: Well, with that done, it's time to head to the reception. So, everyone...

Let's hit the beach!

Shiro: (surprised) Prepared for anything, I see.

Ryota: But he does have the right idea, since that's where the reception is.

Toji: I wonder how someone like Zabaniyya is going to react to this.

Everyone's eyes were now on Zabaniyya.

Israfil...

I'M RIGHT BEHIND YOU!

The two almost naked angels both run out of the chapel in excitement.

Kengo: (also excited) Well, there ya have it. Let's get to it! Beach Party!

Everyone in the chapel excitedly run out of the chapel.

Wakan Tanka: So what do you say, My Lupin?

Shall we charge forth?

Lupin: (happy) Okay, let's go.

With that, you both follow your friends and loved ones to the reception.

To be continued...

[infrared135-36]

This is something I honestly want to ask FGO fans if they’re still playing - what would it take (if anything) for you to stop playing the game? Like what would be your absolute line in the sand. Or will you keep playing until EoS? I’m not asking this to proselytize, I’m genuinely curious. These are some recent events: There’s the addition of Wandjina as a character you can gamble for in the gacha, which you can see people discussing here in the FGO tag. Right before this there was yet another little girl added with a highly sexualized outfit, chloe (summer). In the summer event they even took the time to draw a giant version of her stomping through town so the fans could look up her microbikini bottoms. She was preceded by Nero-Draco whose second ascension is a little girl in another tiny micro-bikini. The designers and animators made sure the first ascension dress had huge slits in it so you can see those tiny strips of fabric covering her body when she makes any type of movement. Her third, adult ascension is completely locked behind the completion of a limited time event. Anyone who plays that missed it and don’t have her will default see her on their friends list in the second ascension. This is also the one that is advertised in the gacha banners. These two characters join multiple other little girls in fetishwear the game had added over time, to say nothing of the many pandering craft essences as well.

Before Nero Draco, the game advertised its newest Ordeal Call chapter with an animated commercial that included a scene created with AI. In the chapter itself they gave us a whitewashed Rani.

Before AI Ordeal Call, there was Lostbelt 7. The 3 summonable servants on the “Latin American Lostbelt” were all white: Tezcatlipoca, Kukulkan and Tenochitlan. There were 2 NPCs with darker skin (tbh optics are not great labeling the darkest skinned npc a “Beast” when you think about it), and every single other NPC in the chapter was a dinosaur or an “Ocelomeh” - ape-men wearing jaguar masks that the player cannot understand.

For the anniversary, the game’s “QoL update” was a brand new way to give them money- another paid gacha banner. The “secret” update the NA server got was also another paid gacha banner.

Again these are just recent things I’ve seen people stop playing over, of course in the game’s older events there’s things like the emiya alter design & tamamocat line for him in seraph, agartha chapter, Boudicca interlude etc. This isn’t a callout or anything, the descriptions above are because I wanted to add context with what’s happened in the game recently. I’m just genuinely curious if you’re still playing after the type of content they’ve put out, is there anything FGO could do to legitimately make you stop?

[talonabraxas]

Quetzalcoatl: The Feathered Serpent

The name of the deity Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language, and it means “Precious Serpent,” which is a reference to the serpent that is associated with the god. Quetzalcoatl was a prominent deity in the Aztec pantheon, as he was related to various phenomenon such as the planet Venus, the wind, and the sun and was also the patron of the Aztec priesthood. Aside from these, he was also associated with other gods such as Tlaloc, Huitzilopochtli, and Tezcatlipoca.

In ancient Mesoamerica, Quetzalcoatl was one of the most important gods. He was known for his role in the creation of the world and its inhabitants. His name combines the Nahuatl words coatl and quetzal. From 1200, Quetzalcoatl was regarded as the patron deity of merchants and priests in Central Mexico. He was also known for inventing the calendar and was associated with various animals, such as the opossum and also the Morning Star Venus. He also discovered a mountain full of seeds and grains.

Following the arrival of Nahua-speaking tribes in the north, Quetzalcoatl’s cult underwent significant changes. During the Toltec era, his temple was the centre of ceremonial life in the city of Tula and the culture emphasises war and human sacrifice.

Physical Traits Aside from being a plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl was also known as a man with a beard. He was depicted as Ehécatl, the wind god, and he wore a conical hat and a mask made out of tubes.

Quetzalcoatl was also known to have a flower, a black and yellow feathered fan, jade earnings and spiral shells inside a hat-band holding sacrificial implements. He was also known to wear a cross section of a pectoral that was made from a conch whorl which was in fact a wind jewel called Ehecailacozcatl. He is often black, wears a red mask like a duck’s beak and has long canine teeth. As a god of the cardinal directions, he was associated with various colours representing each of the directions.

Family There are various stories about the life and times of the serpent. In one story, a virgin named Chimalman is said to have given birth to Quetzalcoatl after the god Onteol appeared to her in a dream. In another story, Chimalman conceived Quetzalcoatl after she swallowed an emerald. In another story, a man named Mixcoatl accidently shot an arrow into her womb and nine months later, Chimalman gave birth to a child who would later be called Quetzalcoatl. One of the stories states that Quetzalcoatl was the child of the god Coatlicue, who had hundreds of children.

According to another version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl is one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl. The four Tezcatlipocas, each of whom presides over one of the four cardinal directions are White Tezcatlipoca (Quetzalcoatl), Blue Tezcatlipoca (Huitzilopochtli), Red Tezcatlipoca (Xipe Totec) and Black Tezcatlipoca (Tezcatlipoca). It is also suggested that he was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl.

Other Names He was known as Kukulkán to the Maya, Gucumatz to the Quiché of Guatemala, and Ehecatl to the Gulf Coast Huastecs.

Powers and Abilities Quetzalcoatl was regarded as the patron deity of merchants, priests, and scientists. In the Nahua tradition, he is also the creator of the universe and the creator of humanity. Quetzalcatl was regarded as the creator of the calendar and books as well as the protector of goldsmiths and other craftsmen. He was said to have gone to Mictlan with Xolotl to obtain the remains of the dead and was also the symbol of death and destruction. Those bones he anointed with his own blood, giving birth to the men who inhabit the present universe.

In an alternative form of creation, Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca worked together to form the first man, the rain gods, and the sun. When they were created, they transformed into snakes and ripped apart a reptilian creature known as Cipactli.

Quetzalcoatl by Talon Abraxas