Most people will find this obsidian-inlaid club quite convincing indeed.
Jillian
This story is also talked about in Obsidian Codex — Tenoch is called “a king bright as the newborn sun, warm as the budding dawn” who rose from the “dark lands,” wore a crown woven from golden flowers, and took his “great blade of obsidian” around to all the tribes to unite them against the Abyss.
As Tenoch gazed upon the vast burning plains, a turbid black tide welled up from the horizon. He blew his bronze horn, and raised his colossal obsidian club to his shoulder.
”The crisis emerges, yet the tribal leaders bicker endlessly. “Let Tenoch bring his ‘talking stick’ over, and let it mediate the discussion. “Tenoch belongs no longer to any tribe, yet his fury still burns, unquenched.”
Jillian
The “turbid black tide” is the cataclysm.
This “fury” burning in Tenoch reminds me of the fury Maawe was searching for. Is this a hint that Tenoch is part-dragon?
And thus did lonely Tenoch go forth, his colossal obsidian club resting on his shoulder, traversing the rugged wilds where dragons roamed, that wilderness of hot springs and lava.
The first to come forward and receive the hero Tenoch was the great runner Wanjiru and her raucous companion, Kayeke. Her dark skin showed traces of her journey with the hero, the deep scars still visible. Though the constant infighting among the major tribes was exhausting, Tenoch’s invitation had reignited her vigor. A ferocious battle for the burning lands of Natlan loomed — what reason did Wanjiru and her tribespeople have to refuse?
Jillian
The name Wanjiru may come from this story, about a woman who is sacrificed by her people to save them from a drought but is later rescued by a man who followed her to the underworld to take her back.
Can’t really be sure which tribe these two are from, but since the Flower-Feather clan seems like it’s more about flying than running, I’ll guess that Wanjiru is from the Collective of Plenty.
The second to step forward and embrace Tenoch was the brave Menilek and his faithful companion Ngoubou. “Come, come! Though every tribe has chased you from their sight, though we are always at odds — in my eyes, you, club-carrying Tenoch, are a hero among heroes, a brother amongst brothers!”
Jillian
The name Menilek could be a reference to Menelik, the son of King Solomon.
The only tribe left for me to guess here is the Flower-Feather clan, so mayyyybe this is them.
The third to be found by the hero Tenoch was the cunning Sanhaj Kompore and his enigmatic companion Mahamba. Sanhaj had been persuaded by the “talking stick” before, and the hero agreed to give him the spoils before he agreed to join the fellowship of warriors.
Kompore had foreseen his and Tenoch’s heroic end, and how the place that would become known as the “Mare Jivari” in later days would be born. “But nay, it matters little, it matters not! Perhaps there may come a day when the scoundrel made famous for being clever as a viper shall become a hero.”
Jillian
Sanhaj Kompore is from the Night-Wind tribe. We can also assume from this that the Mare Jivari was the outcome of this upcoming battle.
The fourth willingly volunteered to join the hero Tenoch. This was young Burkina and his reckless companion, Kongamato. Burkina had never experienced the hardships of battle with Tenoch, but the imposing obsidian club guided him towards the perilous journey.
War had left countless scars upon Tenoch’s body, and for Burkina, these were the proof of the path that he too must tread … Revolution should be the fate of the young, to bleed for burning justice, rather than rotting on a comfortable bed of grass.
Jillian
Burkina and Kongamato are from the Scions of the Canopy. Burkina is also the one with the ancient name “Malipo” that Kinich was given.
The fifth to be persuaded by the hero Tenoch was Sundjatta, chief of the mines, and his steady companion Muhuru. “For the stability of all the tribes, and to avoid further conflict, I once petitioned the Pryo Archon to vote for your expulsion.”
Jillian
Since Sundjatta is “chief of the mines,” we can assume he’s from the Children of Echoes tribe.
I wonder which Pyro Archon he petitioned — and are they still around?
”But even today, you have yet to give up on bloody battle … It’s just as well, then, that this may be the final battle of our generation. “If you are so determined to go, then I have no reason not to accompany you, but do not involve my tribe.”
The sixth to go with the hero Tenoch was his greatest foe in his youth, the giant Tupac. No mount could possibly support his massive body. When Tenoch carried his huge club to Tupac’s dwelling to speak with him, he found him carefully counting the multitude of scars left on his body by challengers.
Jillian
Tupac is from the People of the Springs tribe.
”Over 300 scars, twenty broken bones, and over 100 shards of obsidian buried deep within my flesh, like tiny jewels."
"Two hundred minor wounds, two broken ribs, and one eye that will never again perceive distance. The trophies you left me are equally generous.”
The two former enemies burst into riotous laughter, and they joined hands. And thus, Tenoch found allies from each of the six major tribes. Glittering like the flames of roaring wildfire, they crashed into the mountains of darkness…