Monster Monday: Xiuhcoatl, Aztec Fire Serpent

Today's Monster Monday is the xiuhcoatl, a fire serpent from Aztec mythology. This serpentine dragon has turquoise. Waves of heat ripple around it as it vents steam and breathes fire. When angered, it can charge with lightning speed, striking its target with an explosion of fiery force.

Xiuhcoatl sculpture at the British Museum (author's photo)

In Aztec mythology, the god Huitzilopochtli used his atlatl to throw xiuhcoatl like lightning-bolt javelin. It was how he killed his sister Coyalxauhqui when she led the Southern Star Gods to war against their pregnant mother. Xiucoatl was also a form of Xiuhtecuhtli - the Turquoise Lord - Aztec god of fire. Xiuhcoatl is the lightning bolt that starts a brushfire in the grasslands, the fire that rains out of a volcanic eruption, and the heat of the sun in the dry season.

The following text in gold is available as Open Game Content under the OGL. Open Game Content is ©2018 Jonah Bomgaars.

Steam vents from beneath the scales of this turquoise serpent, and flames pour from its mouth

Xiuhcoatl   CR 5

XP 1,600

CN Large dragon (fire)

Init +7; Senses low-light vision, darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +15

Aura heat aura (20 ft., 2d6 fire)

DEFENSE

AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+3 Dex, -1 size, +8 natural)

hp 63 (6d12+24)

Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +8

Immune electricity, fire, paralysis, sleep

OFFENSE

Speed 60 ft.

Melee bite +13 (1d8+12 plus 2d6 fire)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.

Special Attacks breath weapon (20-ft. cone, 6d6 fire damage, Reflex DC 17 for half, useable every 1d4 rounds), explosive charge

STATISTICS

Str 26, Dex 16, Con 19, Int 11, Wis 17, Cha 17

Base Atk +6; CMB +15; CMD 28

Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills Acrobatics +9, Bluff +12, Diplomacy +12, Intimidate +12, Perception +15, Sense Motive +12

Languages Draconic, Ignan

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Explosive Charge (Su)

When making a charge attack, the xiuhcoatl can move up to four times its base speed. If its attack hits, it deals 2d6 points of fire damage to all creatures within a 15 foot radius centered on the target (DC 17 Reflex save halves; the target of the charge gets no save). This damage is in addition to the fire damage normally dealt by the xiuhcoatl’s bite attack. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Heat Aura (Su)

All creatures within 20 feet of the xiuhcoatl take 2d6 points of fire damage at the start of their turn. Readily flammable materials, like dry grass or paper, within this radius instantly burst into flames. Attended objects and magic items are entitled to a DC 15 Reflex save each round to avoid combusting, but unattended items get no save. The xiuhcoatl can suppress this aura as a free action. The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a -2 penalty.

ECOLOGY

Environment warm forest or plains, or Plane of Fire

Organization solitary

Treasure triple

This swift serpent is coated in opalescent turquoise scales. Liquid fire drips from its curved fangs like venom. These creatures are primal beings of fire, said to have been thrown to the earth as flaming javelins by some ancient fire god. Xiuhcoatls scorch the air around them, setting brush fires wherever they go.

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Plot Hooks and Encounter Ideas

• As the party makes its way through the grasslands, several bolts of fire fall from the sky, setting the land ablaze. The fallen fire bolts begin to slither toward the party, bringing the conflagration with them.
• The Pyramid of Flame is an ancient temple to a long-forgotten fire god, located somewhere in the trackless jungle. It is said to hold a great treasure, including the god's own atlatl which turns javelins into lightning bolts. But it is also said to be guarded by a swarm of fire serpents.
• The Wizard-Lord of Tacemoq desires five turquoise scales from a xiuhcoatl. He is looking for an adventuring party willing to anger Huitzilopochtli in order to become xiuhcoatl-bait.

-your xihuitl d20 despot