Page 59 - Tomb of Annihilation

A massive chunk of earth and rock torn from the earth
drifts over the swampy forest, about a hundred feet
above the ground. A petrified tree towers above the
stone, with its stone roots protruding from the bottom.
Between the shape of the rock and the branching of the
tree's limbs, it creates the impression of a gigantic stone
heart hanging in the sky. The impression is only made
VALI NDRA more gruesome by the red liquid dripping from the roots.
5 H ADOWMANTL E
You see a cave mouth in the side of the slowly rotating
"heart," and a staircase winding from the cave up to the
Aattened top where the petrified tree stands. The stair·
case definitely isn't natural; it was carved with tools into
the rock.

The Heart of Ubtao (map 2.8) is an earth mote- a mas-
sive chunk of earth held aloft by magic that can't be dis-
pelled. It hovers 200 feet above the ground and rotates
slowly counterclockwise, completing one revolution
every hour. Chultans call it the Heart of Ubtao because
the earthmote is vaguely heart-shaped, and the petrified
tree adds the impression of veins and arteries. The drip-
ping red liquid is rainwater that was stained by filtering
through iron ore deposits in the rock.
Chultans who've seen the earthmote believe it's actu-
ally the petrified heart of the god Ubtao, and they con·
sider it sacred. Priests ofUbtao used to travel here on
lOH. GAUNTLETS' ROOM
the backs of flying dinosaurs to seek visions inside the
This ready room was intended to house a squad of sol-
heart and to beseech Ubtao to return. Many Chultans
diers assigned to regular guard duty in the bailey, but it's
would be incensed to learn that the Heart of Ubtao has
been taken over as quarters by Sigbeorn Dunebar (see
become the lair of an uodead monster.
area lOD) and three other veterans who serve as corpo-
Valindra Shadowmantle works for Szass Tam, the
rals (gauntlets) in the Flaming Fist garrison.
most powerful lich among the Red Wizards of Thay,
though she is not a Red Wizard herself. She found the
101. COMMAND QUARTERS
heart and converted it into a base to use while her min-
Liara Portyr sleeps in the southern chamber, while
ions search for the Soulmonger. Her orders from Szass
Gruta Halsdottir sleeps in the smaller, southeastern
Tam are to seize control of the Soul monger, if possible,
chamber. Both rooms contain books, clothes, and other
or destroy it otherwise. Valindra created a teleportation
personal effects.
circle inside the heart that she uses to travel instantly to
Treasure. A character who searches under the bed in
and from Thay (where her phylactery is safely stored),
Liara Portyr's chamber finds a locked iron strongbox. A
to deliver reports to Szass Tam and pick up new in-
character using thieves' tools and succeeding on a DC
structions.
18 Dexterity check can pop it open. The box contains
Characters who explore the Heart ofUbtao are cer-
220 gp and a sending stone that Liara uses to communi-
tain to meet Valindra. She's considered the possibility
cate with the pirates of Jahaka Anchorage.
that adventurers might cross her path, and she won't
IOJ. GUEST QUARTERS necessarily be hostile toward them. Her mission is to
Important guests sometimes come to the fort: a mer- seize the Soulmonger by any means; if adventurers can
help her achieve that, she'll use them.
chant prince from Port Nyanzaru, a high-ranking
Valindra is an elven lich, with these changes:
officer of the Flaming Fist, or a noble from Baldur's
Gate. Such individuals are housed in one or more of • Valindra is neutral evil.
these chambers. • She speaks Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish,
Characters might be given the use of one or more of Elvish, and Infernal.
these rooms if they do something to earn that privilege. • When preparing her spells, Valindra can swap out any
Examples include turning over a valuable discovery to
spell on her list of prepared spells for another wizard
the Flaming Fist, leading a counterattack against as- spell of the same level.
saulting undead, or bringing proof that they drove off an • As a bonus action, Valindra can mask her shriveled
incursion by frost giants. flesh and appear to be a living elf. This magical illu-
CHAPTER 2 I TllE LAND OF CHULT