The Aztevran Quadruple Alliance is a powerful federation of four reptilian tribes.
The chief race of the Alliance are the Aztevran. These are highly active, predatory sentients with a complex society and religion. The chief mortal commander is the Aztevran Chosen Speaker, a canny and ruthless leader on the battlefield. In action, the Chosen Speaker rides Cauallo Tlacuani, "Horse Eater." Cauallo Tlacuani will only
accept a scarred battle veteran of indomitable will as his rider. Aztevran Braves are superb duelling foot and usually form the center of the battle line. On their flanks ride the Aztevran Veteran Cavalry, battle-hardened and proven worthy of a Cipactli -- a terrestrial crocodilian -- as a mount. Cipactli are not as fast as horses,
but are extremely dangerous opponents in close combat, and their thick hides are as protective as a horse barding.
Far above even the Chosen Speaker in Aztevran society are the Huacas, great wizards from the distant past whose mortal bodies have long ago died, but whose spirits still inhabit their skeletal remains. A Huaca is carried into battle on a litter by two of the Caimain Knight Order of Aztevrans, who will defend the relic to the
death. While a Huaca is able to hurls bolts of lightning at the enemy, its most potent sorcery can envelop an entire unit of mortal enemies in a pallor of cosmic despair, hindering their fighting and often making them flee. It is also capable of casting ethereals, such as ghosts and demons, out of our plane of existence.
If present on the battlefield, a Huaca is always accompanied by a contingent of Caiman Knights, an elite military order of suit-wearing warriors who protect the Huacas in their temples as well as when they are carried into battle.
The massive Asquamats are the largest race in the Quadruple Alliance. Millennia ago, they ruled the entire earth, but in a centuries-long war against a worldwide demonic infestation, they prevailed -- but with only a handful of their population surviving. Because of their slow birth rate, the Asquamats were soon overtaken by smaller
and more active races, and retreated to the margins of the world, including the Great Tlaceltia, the massive jungle in the southern realms. It was only there that they endured to the present day. In the armies of the Quadruple Alliance, the Asquamats serve as bastions and rallying points, their immense strength and thick scaly
skin making them terrifying opponents. Asquamats scorn missilry and fight exclusively with enormous two-handed weapons.
Although the Quadruple Alliance is ruled by the Aztevran as dominant species, by far the greatest champion of the Alliance is an Asquamat -- the legendary hero Tlatoquilia, a demigod said to be over a million years old. This mightiest of all warriors rides the invincible predator Tecemachcuah into battle on the very rare
occasions he appears -- but this is only in times of the very greatest peril.
The most numerous warriors in the Quadruple Alliance are the Anguids, subjects conquered by the Aztevran long ago. They are slightly shorter than humans. Although they are considered "barbarians" by the Aztevran, Anguids are actually as intelligent and somewhat more enterprising, and conduct most of the day-to-day
business of the Alliance. In battle they are to be found in the advanced guard and on the flanks, skirmishing with javelins and bows, the javelinmen closing up formation and charging if the enemy seems to be wavering. Anguids are adept at taming animals, and some are able to ride the huge Quetzl flying reptiles to war.
The smallest race is the Alliance are also the most feared. They are called the Calumma by the Anguids -- "The Killers." These live in the jungle and formerly preyed upon the other races, using silent blowpipes to deliver toxins causing instant paralysis in even the largest Asquamat. After several unsuccessful
attempts to eradicate the Calumma, The Aztevran changed tack and offered the Calumma a place in the Alliance, and the Calumma joined freely, retaining much of their tribal independence. They are usually present in field armies in only small numnbers, but are greatly feared as stalkers and silent killers.
Although some Aztevran wear some bronze armour on their chests, and the Order of Caiman Knights have bronze discs studded into their suits, Aztevran and Asquamats rely on their thick scaly skin for protection — at least equal to chainmail. Anguids and the Calumma “Killers” have scaly skin as well, but this is
thinner and less protective.
Range notes: the Asquamats are about 30mm tall and so would also make great lizardmen in 28mm scale. The stripes on the skin of the Anguids in the images below are painted on. The Quetzl flying reptiles are cast flat, but if carefully bent can be depicted in multiple poses (please bend carefully, as we cannot
replace breaks). The Aztevran are inspired by monitor lizards, and the Anguids by the Western Alligator Lizard. The Calumma are of course based on Old World Chameleons.
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