The Radiant Citadel is not a donjon . It ’s a way stop , a place forDungeons & Dragonscharacters to rest on the road … specifically , roads to and from the various dimensional worlds of D&D. It ’s a position whereany playercan find themselves , perhaps venture on the 13 adventures found in the upcomingJourneys Through the Radiant Citadelanthology — and io9 has an exclusive look at one of them .
The Radiant Citadel is cognise for its diversity , being home to so many wide varied culture from across the multiverse . The creators of Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel were just as diverse , bringing their histories and lives and cultivation together to make a Dungeons & Dragons location unlike any other . That includes Tletepec , create by Alastor Guzman , along with its accompanying adventure “ Trail of Destruction . ” It blow new gods , characters , and monsters , inspired by Guzman ’s youth in Mexico City . Here , Guzman explains what and who players can gestate in Tletepec , and how GMs can make the most of it — all along with some gorgeous artwork .
Linda Codega , io9 : Can you secern me a little about Tletepec , where “ Trail of Destruction ” takes place ? Typically , when I suppose of ancient Mexico / Aztec configurations , I imagine lush jungles and ploughland , and this seems very dissimilar .
“Salamander Ambush” by Tom Babbey.Image: Wizards of the Coast
Alastor Guzman : Mesoamerican civilization are often tied to lush jungles as common in the south of Mexico . The Mexico City valley , where the Mexica dwell , is a highland between several mass ranges , sire a forest biome . While Mexico City has an dynamic volcano , earthquakes are frequent . I want to explore how civilization would develop where these conditions are more prevalent and you have magic trick to counter it .
io9 : I would love to know more about the characters of Ollin and Xocopol . They have such eye - catch , undimmed plan .
Guzman : The mind for Ollin came from one of the cores of Tletepec , which is the musical theme of embracing life and enjoying it . This draw from my own experience because Mexican culture is about enjoy everything . One of the main ideas came from our Day of the Dead , where the ambient , mournful , is full of joy . I want to convey that with Ollin , even during disasters , you may always smile and search artistic production .
Ollin by Merlin G.G.Image: Wizards of the Coast
For Xocopol , I need to create a different construct for fire giants , something that is in the area and can interact with the offer of the gods all the same . The core idea for Xocopol as an skirmish is that he is interfering with the offering and has his own agenda but is not directly antagonistic to the type unless attacked . I wanted to give options in the adventure to show that you could also save the day lecture with people and sympathise their points of opinion .
io9 : Izel the Tlexolotl is a fascinating new creature and antagonist . Can you tell me about the inspiration behind this elemental force ?
Guzman : The Tlexolotl has two origins . One is that axolotls are one of my favorite animals , and they are local to where I grew up in Mexico City . They are an iconic brute of the borough of Xochimilco , and are notable for being able to regenerate any terms done to them . The second inspiration is my love for gigantic fauna and encounters that can be solved in alternate ways . The idea is that Izel is a force of nature that you’re able to interact with and have to deal with because they do n’t care about the consequences for the small mortals around them .
Tlexolotl by Brian Valeza.Image: Wizards of the Coast
io9 : Are there any other Mexica / Aztec legends you drew from to create “ Trail of Destruction ” ?
Guzman : The legend of the twinned gods is free-base on the story of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl , with the addition of how they became gods and now help their masses . The idea of the tlexolotls is based on the cipactli legend of a massive brute that lie in the primordial sea . And finally , more on the historical basis , the caption of a volcanic chain eruption destruct refinement is based on the Cuicuilco city that was razed when a nearby volcano destroyed the closure .
io9 : Your other workplace , the Lord - owned Tales from the Gods RPG , also treat with massive , supernatural , divine violence in play with humanity . What about this theme of gods and mortals imbibe you in as a game architect ?
Xocopol by Merlin G.G.Image: Wizards of the Coast
Guzman : Religion and the idea of divine forces have been a part of human history for generation . The theme of God and somebody and how they immingle and weave into a news report draws me in as it let two variety of stories to be create . How mortals can mold toward goals that make them cheeseparing to the divine , and how they can habituate this power to shape chronicle . On the godlike side , I like how you’re able to use your power to avail them in collateral ways , like the boons of Tletepec , while still allow them to be free to develop on their own .
io9 : Are there any specific personal story you tied into this module ?
Guzman : When the [ Mexican ] earthquake of 2017 happened , everyone was trying to help , but it took some metre to get things direct as different ideas and good design clashed . Everyone was looking for how to help , and the first hours were chaotic as news came by and people tried to help each other . The emotion I want to transmit from this experience was that while it can be helter-skelter at the moment , everything can occur together when help each other .
“Observatory Disaster” by Arfven Ato.Image: Wizards of the Coast
io9 : Do you have any advice for g or player who are frantic to play this module ?
Guzman : My advice for GMs is to preserve the sense of importunity in the dangerous undertaking and keep in the players ’ mind that they must move quickly or the settlement could be destroyed . utilise the landscape narration to transmit the idea of how the natural catastrophe is closing in every minute . start the monsters as if they are preparing for something big and are eager to see it happen soon . This will keep participant on boundary and ready to actively progress the narration .
When spiel with Izel treat them as a Kaiju , the first of a future encroachment of giant puppet similar to a force of nature that will put down everything on their elbow room . With every narration and description show the unmixed destructive force they represent for the environs . Show their confidence in their might and how they ca n’t be stopped . Keeping all this in mind can change the atmosphere for the last showdown completely .
Tonalli by Olga Debras.Image: Wizards of the Coast
Journeys Through the Radiant Citadelwill be usable July 19 .
Updated 7/7/22 , 7:54 p.m. : Wizards of the Coast has clarify a point about Tletepec ’s function in Journey Through the Radiant Citadel .
“ Tletepec is the placement where the adventure ‘ Trail of Destruction ’ convey home . It ’s not a position in the Radiant Citadel itself , but it is one of the ‘ founding civilization ’ that originally created the Radiant Citadel aeon ago and people from Tletepec also inhabit in the Radiant Citadel and assist govern it . Tletepec also refers to the refinement of the people and there is a Gazetteer in the book that draw both the geographics of the region , as well as the culture , the people , its legends , and more ! ”
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