The Tolmec Empire

Little is known of the ancient empires of the Warmwinds Sea and, of that precious little, most is only a collection of well educated guesses made by the College Archaeology Team, led by professors Lewis and Clarke. The indigenous peoples of the area have no written language but for enigmatic pictographs and statuary, mostly of gods and heroes, but also of animals. Jaguars and eagles, in particular, seem to have had some strong connection with the peculiar religions of the area.

Of one thing, however, we are certain; they were very warlike. Battles between island kingdoms were frequent and bloody, with some of those slain being consumed by the victor in a large feast indulged in by the entire little village, 'in order to gain their power'. Soldiers, farmers, peasants or leaders of rival kingdoms and clans often found themselves on the sacrificial altar, as well. There are detailed pictorial accounts of the rituals, also, involving tearing a still-beating human heart out of a victim and tossing it onto a brazier of some sort, the resulting smoke delivering the offering to their gods.
Their language was a real mouthful, with consonant sounds serving to twist up the tongue in a very alien way. There are pockets of people, still, who speak the language, or close dialects thereof, which the College has sent teams to document and preserve through these last few generations of its use. It will soon go the way of so many others, and disappear from natural speech patterns altogether. New evidence, artifacts, and studies are always welcome at the:
Bardic College, Greynor Campus
Vestigial Primordial Valley, South End
King's Code 73-4278
Sentient Life Arts Tower

Financial remuneration may be available for quality specimens and peer-reviewed scholarly work. Submissions must be made in person.

Structure

Theocratic, with priests held in the same regard as the royal family.

Culture

They believed that the entire world was built for them, and really them alone. They sacrificed enemies and slaves regularly, staging riads on the surrounding island nations for sacrificial fodder.

Public Agenda

To honor the gods, our creators. To build great works and infrastructure. To crush our enemies.

Assets

Pearls, several silver mines, a very active gold mine, wild fruit and vegies, medicinal plants, as yet unstudied ancient ruins.

History

They grew strong enough that eventually their absolute power corrupted them, absolutely, and the empire fell into the throes of a death cult.

Disbandment

It is unclear to scholars why the great cities were abandoned.

DISBANDED/DISSOLVED

Life feeds on life

2766 - Circa 4500

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Alternative Names

The Cannibal Islands, the Southrend islands, the Orphan Archipelago

Demonym

Teotlan

Leader Title

Emperors of the Sun

Subsidiary Organizations

• The Reenlightened

Location

The Warmwind Sea

Related Ranks & Titles

• Sultan

Controlled Territories

• Ahuatl

Neighboring Nations

• Cerulean Senate
• Merchant and Sailors' Guild
• The Reenlightened
• The Worcesters

Notable Members

• Aglethal
• Teatach I

Related Myths

• A Friend in Need: Body and Soul
• A Friend In Need: Flood or Famine
• A Friend in Need: Man of the People
• A Friend in Need: Salted Wounds
• A Friend in Need: So Many Mouths to Feed
• A Friend in Need: The Beginning
• The Birth of Daolmecc

Related Plots

• The Couatl Caper