Tlaízt

Tlaízt is a fictional political and cultural entity used in worldbuilding and speculative fiction. In most depictions, it denotes a highland-valley region and the autonomous polity that governs it, set in a Mesoamerican-inspired setting during a pre-colonial to early-contact era.

Geography and society: The core lies in a compact plateau basin flanked by hills, with a fertile river valley and terraced fields. The economy centers on maize and legumes, with cacao, cotton, and river trade supporting exchange. Population figures vary by source, but the capital and surrounding towns are depicted as tens of thousands.

Government and culture: The polity is a confederation of city-states united under a ceremonial ruler and an elected council. Local districts manage agriculture, trade, and ritual life; a high priest oversees the calendar and temples. Social status rests on lineage, craft specialization, and ritual service.

Culture and language: Tlaíztic culture is known for stepped pyramids, painted pottery, and woven textiles. The calendar blends solar and ritual cycles; observatories align with solstices. The language, Tlaíztic, is described as agglutinative with SOV word order; some sources posit a pictographic script, while others describe an oral tradition.

History and legacy: Foundational myths place Tlaízt in the early centuries of its world. It expands through irrigation works and trade, experiences episodic conflict, and preserves religious institutions that sustain its identity. In contemporary worldbuilding, Tlaízt serves as a recurring setting for archaeology, myth, and cultural exchange.