Buluc Chabtan ("Stands So Far" Series)

[madimpossibledreamer]

Sources: Wikipedia, https://www.worldhistory.org/article/415/the-mayan-pantheon-the-many-gods-of-the-maya/, https://www.learnreligions.com/buluc-chabtan-buluc-chabtan-god-of-war-250382, https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2019/08/disturbing-mayan-deities-associated-with-death-and-war/

Mystery blood has been discovered in one of the aisles. Fortunately it didn’t make it onto any of the books where it might have caused decay. However, no one has admitted to potentially having a nosebleed or other similarly benign causes, and it was a lot of blood. If you know something, please, tell one of the head librarians about it, as it’s making everybody even more on edge than they already were.

Most of the Mayan gods are...well, inadvisable to meet or interact with. They were worshiped more out of fear than belief, one of the reasons why the Hero Twins tried to release their people from the grip of the Mayan deities, specifically the Xibalban ones. Buluc Chabtan is the worst of the worst in this regard. Any blood spilled in his name was done to try to appease him and protect the self, the nation, rather than to try to make the crops grow or as a kind of transaction.

A lot of this has to do with Buluc Chabtan’s specific role in war. Some deities in the world specifically preside over honorable combat or the like. This Mayan deity is not one of those. Much of the Mayans’ bloodthirsty and ‘savage’ reputation can be traced back to this single deity. He is often depicted and discussed potentially inventing various war crimes, and presides over war, violence, and death.  His skill with blades is well-known, but his skill is such that he can probably rival if not exceed Buffy’s ability to instinctually make a weapon of anything. Unlike her, he does not opt for the most efficient method, but rather the most violent one (if given the option; he is also not above poison or other quicker methods of death).  His tie is closer to Lord Kisin than Lord Akan, but it’s unclear if the cause is loyalty as of such. If he is, it’s likely it’s mere proficiency in violence that earned his respect, rather than pragmatism (the Xibalbans fighting would cause far more damage to each other and prevent them from any real mischief) or any belief in the superiority of the natural superiority of the leaders. If not for the power that sacrifices give, I doubt he would care much for the ‘honor’ at all.

He was also a deity associated with gambling, although he is rarely depicted in that capacity.  It might explain some of the riskier and more reckless decisions he made while fighting, and the desire to watch and grow accustomed to the enemy’s fighting style before making a move. Some of it might also be the desire to learn new methods of attack and incorporate them into his fighting repertoire.