In Mayan mythology there is a god named Kamazotz Zootz (various spellings). It appears in oral tradition and in the Popul Vuh, one of the few surviving manuscripts of the Maya. A lot can be determined from what is writ on the walls of palaces, from oral traditions, and scattered references. But it is incomplete. Kamazotz Zootz is a bat god who famously cut off one of the heads of the Hero Twins. The head was used by the gods in their ballcourt – as a ball.
Kamazotz Zootz appeared as a man/bat hybrid. He had the arms and legs of a man, a mixed torso, and wings of a bat. His face was probably a mixture as well. Bats in general are associated with darkness, death, and sacrifice. Kamazotz Zootz is associated with the same. It is likely Kamazotz Zootz bargained with man such that, in exchange for human sacrifices, he would give man fire. The deal was struck and sacrifices were enjoyed by all (except the one being sacrificed I suppose). Fire was given to man and used for all its various purposes.
It is unclear, though can be inferred, that there were mini-Kamazotz Zootz’s. The House of Bats is referenced in the Popul Vuh as messengers of Kamazotz Zootz . These messengers and servants likely variously served the purpose of collecting sacrifices, presiding over ballcourt games and rituals, and, interestingly, chasing down and killing cowardly warriors.
Kamazotz Zootz is not in any of our bestiaries (Monsters and Treasures, Gods and Monsters, Codexis). At least to my knowledge it is not. Because I like the deity, it will make an appearance somewhere. Kamazotz Zootz and his minions will most certainly appear in the upcoming Gods and Legends book and the mini-Kamazotz Zoots may appear in the Monsters and Treasure book in the future. However, there is no name for these and mini-Kamazotz Zootz is not going to hack it. I will probably make a derivation name from the Ki’che word for bat or something.
Here are a few ideas for the appearance of a mini-Kamazotz Zootz for your game (I will tentatively name them Camazootz with a soft "C or 'S' sound). Mind you, I have not written up a stat block for them and the following is really off the top of my head.
Adventure 1: A priest serving Kamazotz Zootz failed in his duty to protect a shrine and ran away in a moment of danger. This cowardly act angered Kamazotz Zootz so he sends several Camazootz to kill him. The priest is trying to regain his honor before being killed. His plan is to retake the shrine from those who took it and desecrated it. He needs allies. Can the party help him retake the shrine before the Camazootz find him? Once the party discovers who the priests worship, will they care?
Adventure 2: Reviled by nearly all, the priests of Kamazotz Zootz sacrifice humans to their deity. A farmer’s daughters have disappeared and no one cares. He suspects foul play and begs the party to help find his daughters. Should they care to help the farmer, they find a hidden shrine where a priest is planning to make sacrifices to his dread god. The proceeding is presided over by several Camazootz who intend to deliver the heads of the victims to their master.
Camazootz (This lawful evil extraplanar’s vital statistics are HD 5d8, HP 29, AC 17, BtH +5, and Move 30/60 feet walk/fly. Its primary attributes are physical. It attacks by weapon or with two claws for 1d6 damage each and a bite for 1d4 damage. Its special abilities are ethereal jaunt 3/times a day, darkvision to 120 feet, twilight vision, and decapitation on a natural 20 if using a weapon.)
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