Apoca

### Residents

Centeōtl, Chalchiuhtlicue, Chantico, Chicomecōātl, Huēhuecoyōtl, Huītzilōpōchtli, Nanahuatzin, Ītzpāpālōtl, Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, Tlāloc, Tlazōlteōtl, Tōnacācihuātl, Tōnacātēcuhtli, Xipe Totec, Xiuhtecuhtli, Xōchipilli, Xōchiquetzal...

## Summary

Acopa, the Teōtl Godrealm, has many subrealm layers. Some are reserved for the Gods, while others are the abodes for certain classes of dead souls deemed worthy of dwelling there by the often unyielding Aztec Pantheon. The Godrealm itself takes the form of a gigantic step-pyramid that stands in the middle of a dense tropical jungle. It was atop this structure that Nanahuatzin sacrificed himself and became the Pillar of the Sun that connects Acopa to the Mortal World. The Pillar is most evident here, a column of flame that reaches up to pierce the sky of Acopa and stretches beyond even the sight of the Gods, although it is present in some form at every level of Acopa. While this flame provides the spirits here with access to the Axis Mundi, few have the sufficient essence to activate it, or the blood required for its sacrifice.

At the base of the temple stands a massive stone ritual table. Every time a priest, a worshiper, or a Scion of the Teōtl makes a human sacrifice to them in the world, the table overflows with blood. Its surface is deeply stained rust brown, the mark of hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of sacrifices over the centuries.

Traveling from one level of Acopa to another is possible through means unique to each level. For example, one might climb the smoke of the Rich Earth’s cook-fires to enter the Night Sky, and then delve into one of the water-based constellations to travel on to the Great Sea. Each step is progressively more difficult to achieve. Travel from the twelfth to thirteenth levels is widely thought to be impossible for any but the Ōmeteōtl themselves.

### First Heaven: Mocuiltono (The Rich Earth)

The first level of Acopa is actually outside of the Great Temple, in the clearing and jungle around the structure. The soil here is rich with potential, and all manner of good things that are required for daily life grow freely here, including fruits and grains, roots and vegetables, and the animals that feed upon them (or lesser animals). It is a heaven of rich bounty, and home to those who took dutiful care of their homes, farms and families before their deaths. Each of the cook-fires here is an aspect of the Pillar of the Sun, and all are qualified to be used as Axes Mundi.

### Second Heaven: Yoalli (The Night Sky)

The second level of Acopa is the Heaven of the Night Sky, a place of eternal darkness lit only by the Milky Way and constellations that, rather than appearing overhead, surround those who walk in the Night Sky. There seems to be no earth here. Those who travel through the Night Sky walk on what appears to be solid air. This realm is uninhabited, save for the subrealm of Tezcatlipoca whose obsidian mirror reflects the great starry void back upon itself. Each of the stars here is an aspect of the Pillar of the Sun, and all may be used as an Axis Mundi.

#### Tlatocatezcatl, Mirror of the Gods

In the depths of the Night Sky of the Second Heaven, the entrance to Tlatocatezcatl, Tezcatlipoca’s private realm, can be found by those willing to risk the God of Darkness’ ire by intruding on him. Darker even than Yoalli, Tlatocatezcatl appears to be a deep and winding cave that eventually leads to a stony chamber of obsidian, which is Tezcatlipoca’s home in the Overworld. Within it can be found his Smoking Mirror, a private Axis Mundi that can access any mirror in the World. Tezcatlipoca is not a generous God, however, and is notoriously unwilling to grant the use of his mirror to others, save for (perhaps) his own Scions.

### Third Heaven: Āyauhcōzamālōtl (The Rainbow Realm)

Few places in the Overworld encapsulate sheer beauty and creativity as well as the third level of Acopa does. Home to Quetzalcoatl, this lush jungle realm embodies all of the potential of the Teōtl and their worshipers. While technology and building are the domain of the sixth level, here pure creativity blossoms in every facet of the land. Flowers and fruit fill the air with rich perfume. Birds and beasts call out an endless variety of songs; even the wind in the jungle canopy seems to whisper in a melodic and promising fashion. Paths through this enticing domain shift without notice, taking travelers constantly in new directions.

The Axis Mundi from this realm is not a physical fire, but instead the fire of creation. To use it, something new must be created: a poem, a song, a drawing. Any creative work will suffice, regardless of quality, but they must be intentionally burned as a sacrifice to Quetzalcoatl and the Pillar of the Sun before it can be activated.

### Fourth Heaven: Tlālōcān (The Great Springtime)

The fourth level of Apoca is Tlālōcān, the Heaven of the Great Springtime, a peaceful paradise of intense greenery, pristine lakes, flowing mist and eternal spring. This realm is the home of those mortals who have drowned or children who died before birth, and it is watched over by Tlāloc, God of Rain and Lightning, his wife Chalchiuhtlicue, Goddess of the Waters, as well as the tlālōque, his lesser immortal servants.

It is also home to the thousands of children who have been intentionally drowned as sacrifices to Tlāloc throughout the centuries, and those who have been struck by lightning and thereby chosen by the God to dwell here. The Pillar of the Sun is present here in the personification of the numerous glow-worms and fireflies found in the realm, which glow with an otherworldly light. Any of these insects may be used as an Axis Mundi.

### Fifth Heaven: Cīcitlālloh (Home of the Comets)

The five Aztec Gods of Excess, the Macuiltonaleque (consisting of Macuilcozcacuauhtli, Macuilcuetzpalin, Macuilmalinalli, Macuiltochtli, and Macuilxochitl), rule over the fifth level of Acopa, which is believed to be the home of the comets - or the "smoking stars" - that occasionally appear in the Night Sky, but are not native to it. The realm here appears to be a giant comet upon which the Macuiltonaleque ride. No mortals exist here, and the comet’s fiery tale is the representation of the Pillar of the Sun and can thus be used as an Axis Mundi.

### Sixth Heaven: Māmalhuāztli (Home of the Fire Drills)

The sixth level of Acopa is the home of the minor deities who gifted the Aztec people with their technological devices. Here, the first knife was crafted and given to the Aztec that humanity might more easily make sacrifices to the Teōtl. Here the first fire drill (a means of creating fire in a damp jungle environment by using a bow-drill to create heat through friction) was created and given to the first Aztec tribe.

The sixth level of Acopa appears to be a small village, within which many minor deities gather around campfires and share stories of past creations and ideas for new ones. These fires, of course, are a manifestation of the Pillar of the Sun and can be used as an Axis Mundi.

### Seventh Heaven: Tzompanco (The Left Paradise)

Huītzilōpōchtli rules over the seventh level of Acopa, and few dare to disturb his domain. The Aztec believed the south (also the left) to be the direction of paradise and perfection, hence the name. It is a place of wanton violence, where the unworthy are sometimes taken for punishment, much to the War God’s delight. Huītzilōpōchtli's throne is backed by a great glowing sun, which is a manifestation of the Pillar of the Sun and can be used (by those willing to risk his wrath) as an Axis Mundi.

### Eighth Heaven: Tlālloliniliztli (Birthplace of Earthquakes)

If the first level of Acopa is the home of the fertile earth; the eighth is its fury. Here, the ground constantly shakes with tremors, and frequent devastating earthquakes crack open the rocky ground to reveal molten magma (an aspect of the Pillar of the Sun) beneath its crust. This magma may be used as an Axis Mundi.

### Ninth Heaven: Ehēcatlan (Storm Capital)

While the Great Springtime of Tlālōcān is watched over by Tlāloc and his servants, the Storm Capital is his home. Here, storms rage fiercely at all times, buffeting all who travel in this domain with icy rain and sharp hailstones. Lightning is also frequent here, and while those struck by it can use its connection to the Pillar of the Sun as an Axis Mundi, they are not immune to its power and will suffer lethal damage for any strike they receive.

### Tenth Heaven: Tōnatiuhican (The Endless Fire)

The Tenth Heaven of Acopa was once the domain of Nanahuatzin, the God of Humility, who sacrificed himself to become the new Sun when the prior one was extinguished. Since his fiery sacrifice, the realm remains ablaze, but unchecked by his presence. Those who would travel through the tenth level are subject to infernos and explosive concussions of napalm-like material that clings to whatever it touches as it continues to burn. This flame is an aspect of the Pillar and can be used to travel, however any who do so automatically take five levels of aggravated damage from this uncontrolled fire.

### Eleventh Heaven: Neltiliztli (The Hidden Truth)

While many aspects of Apoca are physical or elemental in nature, the eleventh level of the Aztec heavens is a place of mystery. It is here that the Aztec priests who seek glimpses of the future attempt to cast their consciousness, as it is believed that all that has happened or all that will happen is held within the maze-like expanses of this realm. Sequestered in the depths of this labyrinthine realm is the subrealm of Tlazōlteōtl, and those who are aware of the presence of the sewer-realm can work their way through the maze's challenges and seek the Filth Goddess' audience.

The Pillar of the Sun is likewise hidden in this subrealm of Acopa. Most who would enter this realm do so through the hellish domain below it. But for those who are willing to brave the depths of stench and detritus, the Pillar can be found within Tlazōlteōtl's domain.

### Twelfth Heaven: Quichia (The Waiting Place)

Like many cultures, the prophets of the Teōtl believe that the current era is only one of many that have passed, and that another will come in the future. When that time comes and the current human race is destroyed, the Teōtl will require souls strong and pure enough to repopulate the new world. Here in the Waiting Place, the souls of babies and the strong warriors who would protect them await the end of the current world so that they may be born into the new one.

Xipe Totec, God of Rebirth, reigns here. He alone controls access to the Pillar of the Sun from this realm, so that the waiting souls may not accidentally be freed and leave the new era without people to populate it. Those who wish to access the Axis Mundi from the Waiting Place (or the Waiting Place from the Pillar) must negotiate directly with the Flayed Lord, who may well send them on physical or metaphysical journeys to prove their integrity and commitment to their quest before allowing them passage.

### Thirteenth Heaven: Ōmeyōcān (Home of the Creators)

The Ōmeteōtl are said to rule this level of the Aztec heavens. Unlike the Teōtl, the two Primordials - Tōnacātēcuhtli and Tōnacācihuātl, or Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl (whatever names they feel like going with at the moment) - have withdrew from the world shortly after creating it and have rarely been seen ever since. There is no easy entry to the Home of the Creators, and it is rumored that, to gain entry via the Pillar of the Sun, it would require a God sacrificing his life into the fire in order to be accepted into Ōmeyōcān. Over the years, several Gods and Scions have done so, but none have returned, so it is uncertain if their sacrifice was successful - or just foolish.