Today’s subject in Mythological Figures pushed the borders of the Aztec Empire to their furthest reaches before its precipitous fall: Moctezuma II!
Born in 1466 and taking the reins of power at the age of 36, Moctezuma II ruled the Aztecs for 18 years during which the first Europeans—led by the infamous conquistador Hernán Cortés—made landfall in Mesoamerica. Both before and during those initial years of contact this respected king engaged in battle at first among his warriors and then as the commander of all the empire’s soldiers, expanding the borders to include what is today Honduras and Nicaragua. There was great confusion with the Spaniards however (including a ridiculous story about Moctezuma interpreting Cortés as the revered deity Quetzalcoatl returned that I’m 99% sure is entirely made up), and after many unarmed Aztec nobles were slaughtered in the unprovoked Massacre in the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan things came to a head. Graciously hosting the Spaniards in his palace, in the aftermath of the massacre he was taken hostage and ultimately died before he could escape or be released. The details of his demise are uncertain; Spanish accounts claim he was struck by stones thrown by his own subjects when peaceful talks with his generals broke down following the rise of his uncle Cuitláhuac to replace him as the new tlatoani and then he refused treatment, while indigenous people portray his death to be directly in the hands of the invaders. Regardless of how that came to pass, Moctezuma's corpse was delivered to the Aztecs and cremated afterward.
Design Notes: What follows is a build for the last great Aztec tlatoani in his prime—a warrior among warriors, able to hold his own and enhance those under his command. The warlord archetype was considered but as a banneret fighter he is in an awesome place to do that without having to keep squads of carefully formed platoons, and alongside the Inspiring Words feat Moctezuma has the marks of a true leader able to rally others in battle. Let’s do the numbers! The DMG came in at 6.75 and the Blog of Holding 7.2. Given his capacity for amplifying his allies in combat while delivering a beatdown himself, he’s getting a little bit of a nudge to end with a final Challenge Rating of 7.
Armor Class 18 (hide, shield, defensive fighting style)
Hit Points 78 (12d10+12)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Str +6, Con +5
Skills Athletics +6, History +6, Insight +5, Perception +5, Persuasion +10
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Nahuatl
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Background: Noble. Due to his position as a ruler, Moctezuma is treated with a measure of respect wherever he goes. He is treated as royalty (or as closely as possible) by most peasants and traders, and as an equal when meeting other authority figures (who make time in their schedule to see him if requested to do so).
Feat: Leader’s Words. When Moctezuma spends 10 minutes speaking inspirationally, he can choose up to 6 friendly creatures (including himself if he likes) within 30 feet that can hear and understand him. Each creature gains 14 temporary hit points but cannot gain more temporary hit points from this feature until after they have completed a long rest.
Feat: Master of the Spear. Moctezuma can increase his reach with a spear by 5 feet until the end of his turn by using a bonus action. In addition, he can prepare his spear to resist a charge by using a bonus action. Moctezuma chooses a creature within 20 feet that he can see and if on his next turn it moves within his reach, he can use his reaction to make a melee attack against it using his spear. On a hit he deals an extra damage die. A creature that used Disengage does not provoke an attack from Moctezuma.
Feat: Medium Armorist. Moctezuma does not have disadvantage when making a Dexterity (Stealth) check from wearing medium armor, and his maximum Dexterity modifier bonus to armor class increases to 3 while wearing medium armor.
Indomitable (1/Long Rest). Moctezuma can reroll a saving throw that he fails but must use the new roll.
Inspiring Action Surge (1/Short Rest). Once on his turn, Moctezuma can take an additional action on top of his regular action and a possible bonus action. In addition, he chooses one allied creature within 60 feet that can see or hear him. The chosen creature can use its reaction to make a melee or ranged weapon attack.
Second Wind Rally (1/Short Rest). On his turn, Moctezuma can use a bonus action to regain 1d10+12 hit points. In addition, he chooses 3 creatures within 60 feet that can see or hear him. Each target regains 12 hit points.
ACTIONS
Extra Attack. Moctezuma attacks three times when he takes the Attack action.
Tlacochtli (Spear). Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage, or 7 (1d10+2) piercing damage when wielded in two hands.
Born in 1466 and taking the reins of power at the age of 36, Moctezuma II ruled the Aztecs for 18 years during which the first Europeans—led by the infamous conquistador Hernán Cortés—made landfall in Mesoamerica. Both before and during those initial years of contact this respected king engaged in battle at first among his warriors and then as the commander of all the empire’s soldiers, expanding the borders to include what is today Honduras and Nicaragua. There was great confusion with the Spaniards however (including a ridiculous story about Moctezuma interpreting Cortés as the revered deity Quetzalcoatl returned that I’m 99% sure is entirely made up), and after many unarmed Aztec nobles were slaughtered in the unprovoked Massacre in the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan things came to a head. Graciously hosting the Spaniards in his palace, in the aftermath of the massacre he was taken hostage and ultimately died before he could escape or be released. The details of his demise are uncertain; Spanish accounts claim he was struck by stones thrown by his own subjects when peaceful talks with his generals broke down following the rise of his uncle Cuitláhuac to replace him as the new tlatoani and then he refused treatment, while indigenous people portray his death to be directly in the hands of the invaders. Regardless of how that came to pass, Moctezuma's corpse was delivered to the Aztecs and cremated afterward.
Design Notes: What follows is a build for the last great Aztec tlatoani in his prime—a warrior among warriors, able to hold his own and enhance those under his command. The warlord archetype was considered but as a banneret fighter he is in an awesome place to do that without having to keep squads of carefully formed platoons, and alongside the Inspiring Words feat Moctezuma has the marks of a true leader able to rally others in battle. Let’s do the numbers! The DMG came in at 6.75 and the Blog of Holding 7.2. Given his capacity for amplifying his allies in combat while delivering a beatdown himself, he’s getting a little bit of a nudge to end with a final Challenge Rating of 7.
Moctezuma II
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral fighter (banneret) 12Armor Class 18 (hide, shield, defensive fighting style)
Hit Points 78 (12d10+12)
Speed 30 ft.
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 13 (+1) | 14 (+2) |
Skills Athletics +6, History +6, Insight +5, Perception +5, Persuasion +10
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Nahuatl
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Background: Noble. Due to his position as a ruler, Moctezuma is treated with a measure of respect wherever he goes. He is treated as royalty (or as closely as possible) by most peasants and traders, and as an equal when meeting other authority figures (who make time in their schedule to see him if requested to do so).
Feat: Leader’s Words. When Moctezuma spends 10 minutes speaking inspirationally, he can choose up to 6 friendly creatures (including himself if he likes) within 30 feet that can hear and understand him. Each creature gains 14 temporary hit points but cannot gain more temporary hit points from this feature until after they have completed a long rest.
Feat: Master of the Spear. Moctezuma can increase his reach with a spear by 5 feet until the end of his turn by using a bonus action. In addition, he can prepare his spear to resist a charge by using a bonus action. Moctezuma chooses a creature within 20 feet that he can see and if on his next turn it moves within his reach, he can use his reaction to make a melee attack against it using his spear. On a hit he deals an extra damage die. A creature that used Disengage does not provoke an attack from Moctezuma.
Feat: Medium Armorist. Moctezuma does not have disadvantage when making a Dexterity (Stealth) check from wearing medium armor, and his maximum Dexterity modifier bonus to armor class increases to 3 while wearing medium armor.
Indomitable (1/Long Rest). Moctezuma can reroll a saving throw that he fails but must use the new roll.
Inspiring Action Surge (1/Short Rest). Once on his turn, Moctezuma can take an additional action on top of his regular action and a possible bonus action. In addition, he chooses one allied creature within 60 feet that can see or hear him. The chosen creature can use its reaction to make a melee or ranged weapon attack.
Second Wind Rally (1/Short Rest). On his turn, Moctezuma can use a bonus action to regain 1d10+12 hit points. In addition, he chooses 3 creatures within 60 feet that can see or hear him. Each target regains 12 hit points.
ACTIONS
Extra Attack. Moctezuma attacks three times when he takes the Attack action.
Tlacochtli (Spear). Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage, or 7 (1d10+2) piercing damage when wielded in two hands.
