Page 79 - Tomb of Annihilation

any creature that joins them, except for Zalkore, whom damage or until it succeeds on a saving throw against
the snakes obey. The walls of the pit can't be climbed this effect.
without gear or magic. A character who has proficiency in both Medicine
Rainwater pouring into the pit through holes in the and Nature recognizes these plants as soporifics after
roof drains via pipes through the tyrannosaurus spout 2 rounds of examination. A character with proficiency
at the head of the main concourse (area 1). The snakes in either skill, but not both, recognizes the plants with a
can also come and go through the pipes, which are 6 successful DC 15 check in the trained skill.
inches wide. A single character who spends 30 minutes in a gar-
Mezzanine MessaiJe. The message scrawled on den can strip it of its hallucinogenic plants, gathering 3
the inside of the dome can be read only by climbing to pounds of leaves in the process.Jessamine (see chapter
the mezzanine, but the decrepit condition of the stairs 1) is willing to pay 20 gp for each pound of leaves.
and balcony makes this venture risky. A character Zalkore and the eblis don't miss the opportunity to
who climbs the steps must make a successful DC 10 strike while characters are drugged, or to offer them
Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to move without jarring poisoned fruit and wine if they've done nothing offensive
the flooring; otherwise, the steps collapse and the char- (see area 8).
acter takes ld6 bludgeoning damage from the fall. A SA. Southwest Garden. An open archway in the
Small character has advantage on the check. Without south wall of the garden overlooks a flooded tunnel with
the steps, climbing the inward-curving wall requires a a collapsed roof (see area 1). Written on the south wall
climbing kit and a successful DC 15 Strength (Athlet- in Old Omuan are the words "Without dreams, eternity
ics) check. is unbearable."
The message, scrawled in Old Omuan, states, "True 58. Southeast Garden. Three tri-flower fronds
love, faithful general, safe will you rest in Nangalore (see appendix D) grow in this garden. Any character
eternal. None will disturb you while I live. Such is my who moves through the garden can't help but brush up
vow of penance, and for my sins I cannot die." against one of these beautiful but deadly plants. Written
Statues. The large statue portrays Thiru-taya. Zalkore on the south wall in Old Omuan are the words "Great
had it commissioned out of appreciation and affection, Ubtao, free me!tt
but defaced it when she believed the general betrayed SC. Northwest Garden. The steps leading to the up-
her. The face is completely destroyed. Gouged across its per walkway are overgrown by tree roots. Scrawled on
back in Old Omuan are the words "Forgive me." the north wall in Old Omuan are the words "For the lies
The smaller statue is actually a petrified adventurer of a few, all must pay."
named Gowl (NG male Chultan human scout). He came SD. Northeast Garden. This garden has been taken
to Nangalore in search of riches and was turned to stone over by a mantrap (see appendix D), which lies hidden
by Zalk.ore while reaching for the urn. Scratched into under other plants. It attacks any creature that's not
the floor next lo him are the following words, in Old Zalkore or an eblis. Scrawled on the east wall in Old
Omuan: "Once a thief, forever a slave!" Omuan are the words "To dream, to dance."
Urn. The clay urn contains Thiru-taya's ashes.
6. PAGODA
5. HALLUCINOGENIC PLANTS
Zalkore cultivates hallucinogenic plants in these four
sheltered gardens. From the plants, she brews a nar- This crumbling pagoda must have been lovely once,
cotic tincture that allows her to dream ofThiru-taya. with its wide, graceful arches inviting the breeze to blow
Without it, she can't recall his face. through, and overlooking the silent pool below. But time,
decay, and some bestial presence have given it a sinister
The plants in this enclosed garden are like nothing you've air. It smells foul, and dark stains cover the floor and
ever seen. Their shapes are fantastic, and their colors are seep down the white steps.
like gems sparkling in the sun. Enclosed by 5-foot-high
walls, this strangely beautiful garden imparts a sense
This pagoda houses six eblis (see appendix D) that
of serenity. serve as Zalkore's sentries and servants. The interior
A message is deeply scratched into the wall. is filthy, with gnawed bones strewn everywhere and
the floor thick with droppings. Unless the characters
creep through the garden with uncommon stealth, the
Four of these gardens are situated around the palace eblis see or hear them coming, in which case this nest
(area 4). Any humanoid that spends 1 minute or longer will be empty. Three eblis move to Zalkore's lair (area
in any one of them muse make a DC 10 Constitution 8), while the others cake up positions in trees, on walls,
saving throw. On a failed save, the creature becomes or on rooftops. Their job is not to attack intruders on
poisoned. While poisoned in this way, the creature is sight, but to alert Zalkore and be ready to back up what-
also charmed by every other creature in Nangalore. A ever she does.
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each Treasure. Characters who search through the refuse
hour, ending the effect on itself on a success. If any find some baubles tucked away by the eblis, including
saving throw after the initial one fails by 5 or more, the a pouch containing seven assorted gemstones (10 gp
creature falls unconscious and remains so until it takes each), a painted gold bracelet shaped like a couatl (SO

CHAPTER 2 THE LAND OF CHULT