Yaxun B’alam: The Half God of the Olmoy
Overview: Yaxun B’alam, known as the Half God, was a towering figure in the ancient Olmoy civilization centered in Chan Kanul, ancient Seregon. He was a wizard of unparalleled skill and an architect of both wonders and horrors. His genius was matched only by his madness, and his relentless pursuit of power led him down dark and dangerous paths. Revered by some and feared by most, Yaxun B’alam’s legacy is one of both incredible achievements and devastating consequences.
His signature spell, Yaxun's Draining Mist, is known by all wizards. In traditional schools, when a wizard in Seregon attained the rank of Warlock, they would go with their mentor and friends to the Hall of Records, gain access for the first time to the third floor down, where they would transcribe Yaxun's Draining Mist. This ritual would continue with spells of levels 5th through 9th. A year and a day after the 9th floor is opened, the wizard is granted a special key for the special collection.
Background and Legacy:
Origins and Rise to Power: Yaxun B’alam was born into the Olmoy civilization, a society known for its construction of megalithic structures and its worship of the Great Old Ones. From a young age, Yaxun displayed an exceptional intellect and a natural affinity for magic. His talents quickly set him apart from his peers, and he was drawn into the highest circles of Olmoy society, where he honed his skills as both a wizard and an architect.
Yaxun B’alam’s architectural prowess was legendary. He built the city of Chan-Kaanul, the predecessor to Seregon. He designed and built many of the Olmoy’s most iconic structures, including the Kaanul’s Snare labyrinth beneath what is now the Hall of Records in Seregon. This labyrinth was not only a feat of engineering but also a masterful trap, designed to contain and protect dangerous eldritch knowledge and artifacts associated with the Great Old Ones. His work in creating new spells and crafting magical items further solidified his reputation as a genius, though his methods were often seen as ruthless and his motivations questionable.
Worship of Power: Yaxun B’alam was not content with merely serving the gods; he sought to become like them. His amoral pursuit of power led him to embrace dark and forbidden knowledge, delving deep into the mysteries of the Great Old Ones. He conducted experiments that others deemed blasphemous, creating new spells and magical items that harnessed the raw, chaotic energies of these ancient beings. His obsession with power led him to see morality as a weakness, and he cared little for the consequences of his actions on others.
This relentless pursuit of power earned him the title of the Half God, as many believed that he had ascended beyond mere mortality, touching the divine—or the demonic—in his quest for ultimate knowledge and strength. However, this moniker was as much a curse as it was a compliment, as it highlighted the growing fear and mistrust that surrounded him.
War Against the Dwarves: Yaxun B’alam’s hunger for dominance eventually led him into conflict with the dwarves of the Island of Moog, a race of albino Moog Dwarf who lived deep underground. These dwarves, known for their white hair, pale skin, and pink eyes, were highly sensitive to sunlight and only emerged at night. Their underground kingdom, known as The Domain, was a place of great wealth and secret knowledge, and Yaxun coveted its riches and resources.
The war against the dwarves was brutal and unrelenting. Yaxun’s forces, bolstered by the dark magic and monstrous creations he had conjured, drove the dwarves deeper into their subterranean home. In a final act of desperation, the dwarves sealed themselves within The Domain, cutting off all contact with the outside world. This victory was seen as a testament to Yaxun’s power, but it also marked the beginning of his downfall.
The Downfall and Death: Yaxun B’alam’s unchecked ambition and growing insanity eventually led to his undoing. His disregard for the well-being of his people and his willingness to sacrifice anything in his quest for power turned many of his followers against him. A group of heroes, The Dawnblades, once loyal to the Olmoy civilization, rose up to challenge him, believing that he had become too dangerous to be allowed to live.
In a titanic battle, Yaxun B’alam was finally defeated and killed by these heroes. His death marked the end of an era for the Olmoy, and the civilization entered a steep decline in the aftermath. The loss of their greatest mind, combined with the chaos unleashed by his experiments, left the Olmoy vulnerable to external threats and internal strife, leading to their eventual downfall.
Aftermath and Legacy:
Yaxun B’alam’s legacy is a complex one. He was a genius architect and wizard whose works continue to influence the world long after his death. The labyrinth of Kaanul’s Snare remains one of the most enigmatic and dangerous places beneath Seregon, a testament to his skill and vision. However, his amoral pursuit of power and his disregard for the consequences of his actions left a trail of destruction in their wake.
The war against the dwarves of Moog drove them deep underground, where they remain isolated to this day. The Moog Dwarf, now largely forgotten by the surface world, have adapted to their subterranean existence, trading with the Beastmen of the island but avoiding contact with outsiders. Their existence serves as a reminder of Yaxun’s destructive ambition.
Yaxun B’alam is remembered as both a visionary and a madman, a figure whose contributions to magic and architecture are undeniable, but whose legacy is forever tainted by the darkness he embraced. His life and death serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power.
Summary: Yaxun B’alam, the Half God of the Olmoy, was a wizard and architect whose genius was matched only by his madness. His relentless pursuit of power led him to create some of the most extraordinary and dangerous structures and spells in history, but it also drove him to war, tyranny, and ultimately, his own destruction. His legacy lives on in the labyrinth of Kaanul’s Snare and the deep, sealed halls of The Domain, where the echoes of his ambition and his downfall still linger.