Fearful peasants tell their children that when they hear great wings flapping quietly in the dark, it is the great bat, the camazotz. These terrifying creatures are native to the rainforests and lower mountainous regions in equatorial lands. The camazotz resembles a gigantic black bat with expansive membranous wings and an elongated head dominated by its oversized jaw. The creature has two sets of arm-like limbs, with one set extending from its upper torso and the other from its lower torso. These appendages end in humanoid-like hands bearing curved claws.

Camazotz live in small groups occupying caves or clusters of trees. Despite their monstrous appearance, camazotz possess above-average intelligence and cunning, which makes them dangerous predators.

Those dwelling near a camazotz lair often refer to these creatures as death bats or the winged death. Many believe the camazotz are either messengers or avatars of the god of death. To many, the sight of one camazotz represents an omen of impending death, while a sighting of multiple camazotz promises an oncoming disaster with many deaths.

Camazotzes are rarely seen, emerging from their remote lairs only a few times each year in search of unwary prey. A camazotz doesn't require food or drink, subsisting on other beings' fearful feelings and the metaphysical energy manifested in the death of a mortal. The death of a victim in the throes of terror sustains these mortal fiends.

The first camazotz was created by the god of death to lead the souls of the dead to the underworld. The experiment failed when the camazotz refused to turn the gathered souls over, instead hoarding them for itself. As the creature's collection of stolen souls grew, it split into two identical creatures. The second camazotz immediately departed for its own territory, not wanting to vie with its progenitor for sustenance. Since their origin, each camazotz periodically multiplies in this fashion, and the newly spawned creature finds its own hunting grounds.

Some cultures view the local camazotz as a god, and they leave sacrifices for it, hoping it will leave them be in exchange. Depending on the society, a sacrifice might be a maiden, a young warrior, or a wizened elder. A few settlements have made deals with a camazotz to bring it their condemned criminals and other unwanted miscreants as tribute. Camazotzes, being creatures of avarice, rarely turn down such offers though they prefer to find their own victims.