The Maztican Empire is a civilization whose capital city was Nexal, home to the Great Pyramid where the Eye of Zaltec was housed. The empire practiced ritual sacrifice as part of the cult of Zaltec, using the Eye—a fist-sized ruby with a dagger-like point—to pierce the hearts of countless victims during these ceremonies.
Connection to the Adventure
The Eye of Zaltec is one of the fabled treasures hidden within the Tomb of the Nine Gods. An adventuring group called the Company of the Yellow Banner entered Omu seeking this artifact but never returned. The Eye is now guarded by a stone juggernaut in area 62 of the tomb.
Significance
The Eye of Zaltec represents both the Maztican Empire’s religious practices and serves as a valuable relic tied to the death cult of Zaltec. Its presence in the tomb connects the ancient Maztican civilization to Acererak’s deadly dungeon and the broader death-focused themes of the adventure.