The Storm Runner (The Storm Runner 1)
Ixtab (eesh-TAHB) goddess (and often caretaker) of people who were sacrificed or died a violent death
Jun’ajpu’ (HOON-ah-POO) one of the hero twins; his brother is Xb’alamkej. These brothers were the second generation of hero twins. They were raised by their mother (Ixkik’) and grandmother. They were really good ballplayers, and one day they played so loudly, the lords of the underworld got annoyed and asked them to come down to Xib’alb’a for a visit (no thanks!). They accepted the invitation and had to face a series of tests and trials. Luckily for them, they were clever and passed each test, eventually avenging their father and uncle, whom the lords of the underworld had killed.
Jun Jun’ajpu’ (HOON hoon-ah-POO) father of the hero twins, but nothing more than a severed head
K’ukumatz (koo-koo-MATS) (also known as Kukuulkaan) one of the creator gods. He is said to have come from the sea to teach humans his knowledge. Then he went back to the ocean, promising to return one day. As Kukuulkaan, he is known as the Feathered Serpent. According to legend, he slithers down the steps of the great pyramid El Castillo at Chichen Itza in Yucatán, Mexico, on the spring and autumn equinoxes; festivals are held in his honor there to this day. El Castillo is definitely a cool—but also hair-raising and bone-chilling—place to visit.
Kukuulkaan (koo-kool-KAHN) see K’ukumatz
Ma’alob áak’ab’ (MA-ah-lobe AAH-kab) a Mayan good evening greeting
Muwan (moo-AHN) a screech owl that Ah-Puch used to send messages from the underworld (Good thing she couldn’t text!)
Nakon (nah-CONE) god of war
nawal (nah-WAHL) a human with the ability to change into an animal, sometimes called a shape-shifter
nik’ wachinel (nikh watch-een-EL) a Maya seer, a diviner who can forecast the future
puksí’ikal (pook-SEEK-ahl) Mayan word for heart
Saqik’oxol (sock-ee-kh-oh-SHOLE) the White Sparkstriker; a being that lives in the woods, wears a red mask, and dresses entirely in red. The Sparkstriker pounded lightning into the first daykeepers (diviners).
Sipakna (see-pahk-NAH) an arrogant giant who was killed by the second generation of hero twins when they dropped a mountain on him
Xb’alamkej (sh-bah-lam-KEH) one of the hero twins; see Jun’ajpu’
Xib’alb’a (shee-bahl-BAH) the Maya underworld, a land of darkness and fear where the soul has to travel before reaching paradise. If the soul fails, it must stay in the underworld and hang out with demons. Yikes!
Yant’o Triad (yahn-TOE) three evil deities who happen to be brothers: Yant’o, Usukun (ooh-soo-KOON), and Uyitzin (ooh-yee-TSEEN). Also referred to as Good, Bad, and Indifferent, they love nothing more than to see human suffering. Hmm… where’s the good in that?