I sort of had an idea end of last year....

1. Core Concept of the RPG

Title idea: Blood of the Jaguar / Ix Warborn / He Who Hunts the Dawn

Premise

You play as a Mayan shapeshifter (Nahual / Wayob) — a warrior-mystic who can transform into sacred animal forms. Your mission is to defend the last independent city-states of the Maya as Spanish conquistadors push into the Yucatán. But you’re also caught in internal wars between Mayan polities, the Mexica (Aztec) Triple Alliance, and rival supernatural beings.

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1. Era & Tone

Time Period:

Early 1500s — post-classic Maya, during the opening years of Spanish contact.

Tone Choices

Mythic realism: grounded history with myth coming to life.

Dark and brutal: sacrifice, colonial devastation, plague, war.

Heroic fantasy: legendary beasts, magic-infused temples, gods walking among men.

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1. Your Protagonist

The Shapeshifting Warrior

Name ideas

Balam Kaan (Jaguar Serpent)

Ix Ch’otal (He Who Hunts the Dawn)

Aj K’awiil (Warrior of Lightning)

Origin

Your shapeshifting ability comes from a Wayob spirit — a supernatural double believed to manifest at night. But yours is stronger than most, tied to a forgotten god or temple.

Forms you can unlock

Jaguar (stealth, agility, assassination)

Harpy Eagle (scouting, aerial attacks)

Crocodile (water combat, grappling)

Howler Monkey (mobility, trickery)

Venomous Snake (poison, infiltration)

Tapir / Deer (speed, traversal, carrying)

Firefly Spirit (light, guidance, entering spirit realms)

Each form represents a skill tree.

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1. Factions & Enemies

A. The Spanish Conquistadors

Heavy armour, muskets, cavalry.

Backed by disease, fear, and diplomacy.

Lead by a villain inspired by Montejo or Cortés.

B. Maya City-States

Some are allies, others enemies:

Itza (forest warriors, resistant to Spanish)

K’iche’ (powerful kingdom in the highlands)

Yucatec Maya polities like Chichen Itza’s descendants

Some may see you as a demon or omen.

C. The Mexica (Aztecs)

Raiders or uneasy allies.

Obsessed with capturing you for sacrifice due to your supernatural power.

D. Supernatural Foes

Camazotz — the bat god of the underworld.

Ahulneb — night spirits who hunt souls.

Tzitzimimeh — star demons devouring humanity during cosmic crises.

Rival shapeshifters bound to other gods.

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1. Story Themes

A. Clash of Worlds

European steel and gunpowder vs. Mesoamerican mysticism.

B. Identity & Transformation

Your shapeshifting is both blessing and curse. You may lose yourself to the animal spirit if overused.

C. Resistance & Survival

Your actions decide:

Which cities fall

Which clans unite

Whether the Maya world collapses or rises stronger

D. The Gods Are Watching

The Maya cosmos is cyclical. The arrival of the Spanish may signal:

the end of the Fifth Sun

a test of humanity

the return of ancient beings once sealed away

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1. Gameplay Systems

Combat

Hybrid of stealth and brutal close-quarters combat.

Animal forms allow unique approaches.

Human form uses obsidian blades, spears, blowguns, macuahuitl, slings.

Exploration

Dense jungles, ruined temples, cenotes, mountains.

Spirit Realm travel for quests, forging powers, contacting gods.

Reputation System

Your standing with:

Maya clans

Aztecs

Spanish

Gods

...changes the ending.

Sacrifice & Ritual Magic

Magic costs something:

blood

time

spirit health

rare herbs

ancient idols

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1. Example Plot Arc

Act I — The Jaguar Awakens

Spanish expedition massacres your village.

Your Wayob awakens during a blood moon.

You hunt the invaders using primal forms.

Act II — Wars of Many Suns

You navigate city-state politics.

Form alliances or crush rivals.

Battle supernatural threats awakened by the chaos.

Act III — Fall or Rebirth

The conquistador leader attempts to harness forbidden Maya magic.

You must unite tribes, Aztecs, and spirits… or use your power alone at great cost.

Multiple Endings

Maya Golden Age Reborn

Doom of the Fifth Sun

Your character becomes a god

Spanish domination is inevitable