An Anzu is a bygone creature of Mesopotamia.
Overview[]
A huge lion-headed bird, the Anzu appears in one of the tales of Gilgamesh. Nesting in the huluppa tree, the Anzu apparently lived with both a great serpent and Lilith herself. Gilgamesh shattered the huluppa tree and scattered its inhabitants to the mountains, but the Anzu is clearly mentions as having offspring - other Anzu may survive in some distant mountain or Umbral Realm. It is said that a tree still grows in Uruk commemorating the Anzu, so perhaps the huluppa tree, twisted and gnarled by Gilgamesh's attacks upon it, still stands somewhere.
In another myth, the Anzu steals the tablets of destiny from Enki, the god of wisdom, but is captured and punished. By stealing the tablets, the Anzu gains control over fate, enabling it to curse its attackers and even slay gods. Ninurta brings the Anzu back to Enki as a prisoner. A modern mage might experience that tale again himself, if the Anzu takes an interest in his tomes and steals them, requiring a quest to regain the stolen knowledge.
Character Sheet[]
Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3
Willpower: 5
Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -3, -3, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: Bite for 6 dice
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 5 (Flight), Brawl 3, Dodge 2
Trivia[]
- Anzu is based on the mythical Anzû, also known as Zû or Imdugud.
- Anzu: The Lion-headed Eagle who Wanted to Rule the Universe by Dr. Steve Tinney, Penn Museum's Associate Curator for the Babylonian Section, has a video lecture on Anzu (Oct. 2016). Anzu was originally a benevolent god from the Sumerian city of Lagash. Anzu could grant or change one's destiny if one sought after the god. This aspect of Anzu's role dies out around 1730 BCE as the tradition changes. Anzu's story is then twisted and Anzu becomes an evil monster that steals destiny after King Eannatum takes over the city of Lagash.
References[]
- MTAs: Dead Magic, p. 58-59