The Mother's Child
Xōchitl, the Lord of Flowers, was among the very first direct offspring of the Verdant Mother. They flickered between genders frequently, though he more often than not assumed a male shape, used masculine pronouns, and presented himself as a "god-king".
- As a Tlahtoāni (god-king) appointed by his Mother, he was put in charge of an Altepetl (a city-state of Eastern Landmass Civilisation) called Xochicalco, and guided it to immense prosperity, growing it into a full-fledged country. Eventually, similar countries of the region were united, and their demigod leaders formed a ruling coalition, with neither of them holding more power than the others.
- Xochicalco expanded and gained influence and power not via conquest, but via extensive trade, and access to incredibly rich natural resources.
- Xōchitl is the distant progenitor of the royal line of Dryads, which currently ends with King Aseron and Lord Asculith. Lord Attys is a distant offshoot of this line as well.
- Xochitl would throw indulgent parties and celebrations, aiming to live to the fullest possible extent. The rare leftovers from such feasts – which included human sacrifices – would be given to the corpse-gardens, where the most exotic and strange produce was grown – a prised export of Xochicalco, and a closely guarded secret. Once a year, sacrificial blood would be released into the canals, to nourish all harvests of the city.
- Xochitl reminds the Mother of her roots, and the cannibalistic feast that took place when she ascended. Apart from this indulgent excess (which involves prodigious taking from nature), he does not embody her withering aspects that much, instead focusing on the nourishing, lively side. As a result, despite being chosen and favoured, he often came into conflict with the Mother, and never managed to fully garner her support, acceptance, and approval, and thus their relationship is shaky at best.
Nature Adapts
To better blend in during the following ages, Xochitl assumed forms that matched the common ancestries of those times.
- During the The Ōmagato Empire, he took the form of Master Bhari, which he uses even today while extending his patronage to Niloufer and his Lotus-eaters, a secret society of hedonists in Cynosure. However, he rarely shifts to a fox or hybrid shape, preferring a more Elven appearance.
Trivia
- Based on Xōchipilli, the Aztec, Tlaxcaltec, and Toltec (Nahua) god of art, painting, creativity, games, dance, summer, flowers, fertility, feasting, pleasure, love, song, souls, young men, male prostitutes, and homosexuality.
- Further inspiration stems from Ahuiateteo.