Spearthrower Owl

"His Eminence, the Supreme Master, says that you cannot offer us anything that we desire. Your extinction is our desire. Because of the kindness and compassion of Atlatl-Cauac, you have been granted four years-four entire years-to prepare for the events that will unfold in two days' time. In two days we will annihilate every soul of the race known as Nephites. We will erase from the world all memory and evidence of your existence. Your warriors will die by the tens of thousands. Your women and children will be slaughtered like fattened dogs. Your records will be smashed and burned and stripped from the minds of humankind. Your traditions will be outlawed. Your religion will be banished. Your language will be eradicated and forgotten. In two days nothing will remain of your culture and civilization. A sentence of death will be discharged upon anyone who utters the name of your race or the names of your gods."

- Spearthrower Owl's message, spoken by Fireborn

Spearthrower Owl, also known as Atlatl-Cauac, is one of the villains who appears in Chris Heimerdinger's ''Tennis Shoes Adventure Series. He serves as one of the overarching antagonists of Warriors of Cumorah, Kingdoms and Conquerors, Sorcerers and Seers, and Drums of Desolation. He first physically appears as a major antagonist in Sorcerers and Seers and Drums of Desolation''. He is the emperor of Teotihuacan during the time of the historic battle of Cumorah where the Nephites fell. Spearthrower Owl is the father of Blue-Crocodile and the supreme commander of Fireborn.

Past
Spearthrower Owl's past is revealed through dialogue. He and his warriors invaded Teotihuacan around 378 AD and overthrew the line of Yax-Chaac-Xok. With the rulers of Teotihuacan and Tikal gone, Spearthrower Owl took over the throne of Teotihuacan and made his son Blue-Crocodile the emperor of Tikal.

Spearthrower Owl is also instrumental in the secret organization known as the Gadianton Ghosts, elite Lightning Warriors trained to sneak into Nephite campgrounds and murder selected individuals.

Sorcerers and Seers
Towards the end of the novel, a meeting between Spearthrower Owl, Fireborn, Lamanai, and a group of Nephite commanders is held. Zenephi stresses that they are only there to try to forge a peace treaty, and they do not want to wage war against the Lamanites. Fireborn tells his guests to welcome Spearthrower Owl as Spearthrower Owl exits his tent. Zenephi tries to speak with Spearthrower Owl, but Fireborn scolds him for doing so. Fireborn tells everyone that he will speak Spearthrower Owl's thoughts for him. He relays Spearthrower Owl's message that he desires the annihilation of the Nephites, and that they plan to destroy every record of the Nephites. Fireborn goes on to relay Spearthrower Owl's offer that, if the Nephite commanders present at the meeting give up their lives, then their people will be allowed to live as the Lamanites' slaves. Several of the Nephite commanders step forward, indicating that they are willing to take up Spearthrower Owl's offer, whereas their comrades are not. Zenephi offers to vouch for all of the Nephite commanders and surrender on their behalf, but he is shot down. Spearthrower Owl wills for the Nephites to leave, and they do so.

Drums of Desolation
Spearthrower Owl, having heard that the Gadianton Ghosts have blinded Meagan Sorenson, and that she has been blessed with supernatural senses from God, sends his Gadianton Ghosts to kidnap Meagan. Meagan, along with her fiance Apollus, is brought before Spearthrower Owl's throne. Spearthrower Owl offers Meagan a place in the Gadianton Ghosts' ranks, along with her sight restored. Meagan flatly refuses his offer, insisting that God is the only rightful source of any power she possesses. Spearthrower Owl angrily banishes Meagan and Apollus to what he calls the Great Maw of Xibalba, which is actually the time period where dinosaurs were alive.

Thorns of Glory
In the upcoming thirteenth book, it is likely that Spearthrower Owl will return as an antagonist.

Trivia

 * He is based on the actual historical figure of Spearthrower Owl.