Page 80 - Tomb of Annihilation

gp), and a wooden scroll tube engraved with skeletons, The medusa isn't completely insane, but thanks to
which contains a scroll of protection (undead). her plant extract, she continually hallucinates that
Thiru-taya is standing at her side. Most of Zalkore's
7. FLOODED GARDEN comments include him somehow; try to make these
references as puzzling as possible for the characters.
She also believes that she's still queen of Omu while si-
The water in this pool is unusually clear. A dozen or more
multaneously remembering and understanding that she
large fish, turtles, and lizards swim lazily through it, and
was exiled here. She can make contradictory statements
waterbirds paddle on the surface. Their ripples obscure
about herself and her past without any apparent cogni-
something on the bottom of the pool, so you can't quite tive dissonance.
make it out, but he bottom appears blanketed in oddly Characters can have a pleasant, somewhat infor-
mative encounter with Zalkore if they abide by three
shaped stones.
conditions:
Bits of shattered stone rest atop a square dais that
rises from middle of the pool-evidence of a sculpture Disturbing Thiru-taya's ashes or damaging his statue
are unpardonable. H characters did either, then a fight
that once stood atop it. Part of the sculpture lies in the
to the death is guaranteed.
pool, west of the dais: a large stone face staring up at
The first time someone makes a disparaging remark
the sky. about Thiru-taya or refers to his "betrayal," they draw
a furious response from Zalkore, but she recom-
poses herself. If it happens a second time, a battle
An immense stone bust of Zalkore once rose above the
is assured.
pool atop the dais. It was the most beautiful sculpture
• If someone snatches away Zalkore's veil, makes a grab
in the garden. After Zalkore learned the truth about
for the black orchid, or brings out a mirror, their fate is
Thiru-taya, she destroyed the likeness of herself in an
sealed. If someone asks why she wears a veil, Zalkore
act of self-revulsion.
replies that she no longer desires to show her face to
The stones in the pool are a 2-foot-deep layer of fish,
anyone but her beloved Thiru-taya.
turtles, lizards, and water birds petrified by Zalkore as
they swam in the water. They've been piling up in the As long as the meeting remains cordial, Zalkore can
bottom of the pool for centuries. The petrified animals reveal much about Omu. She can direct characters to its
could be sold to collectors in Port Nyanzaru for 1 gp general location ("between the fire peaks and the great
apiece. Each one weighs 1 pound. Beneath the petrified iron mine of the dwarves") and warns them that yuan-ti
animals are the petrified forms of Kwani and Shabarra, covet the city. She knows nothing about the Soulmonger
two adventurers (CN female Chultan scouts) who ran or the death curse. She's heard that at least one of her
afoul of ZaJkore many decades ago. descendants is in hiding with the bird folk of Kir Sabal.
awaiting the restoration of the monarchy. (These are ex-
8. ZALKORE'S LAIR amples of how Zalkore simultaneously thinks of herself
This bell-shaped dome appears intact: it has no ob- as still the ruling queen of Omu as it was centuries ago,
vious holes in the roof, and the bronze double door and is also aware the city has fallen and she's in exile.
hangs squarely in its frame. The doors are closed but Both situations coexist in her hallucinatory reality.)
not locked. Unless characters have been uncommonly Black Orchid. Characters in search of a black orchid
stealthy (or Zalkore is already dead), the queen is ex- for Asharra's ritual (see "Kir Sabal," page 68) find
pecting them. one here, but Zalkore won't part with it unless the char-
acters offer her something of equal beauty. As payment,
she demands a gemstone, a piece of jewelry, or an art
The single, large chamber inside the dome is obviously a
object worth at least 500 gp. (She won't accept lesser
royal apartment- or was, centuries ago. Now the bright, quality goods of equal value.) Zalkore is also attracted
Roral murals are dim and gray, bits of colored glass are to characters with a Charisma of 16 or higher and will
heaped beneath a cracked mosaic, enameled wooden accept one such character as a slave in exchange for the
tables are split and tilting, and every bit of cloth is frayed Hower. The black orchid in Zalkore's passession is the
only one to be found in Nangalore.
and streaked.
Poisonous Hospitality. If Zalk.ore resolves to kill the
At the center of the room, a long divan stands atop a
characters over an offense but the situation is still more-
circular dais. Reclining on the divan is a woman dressed or-less cordial, she offers food and drink. She rings a
in a flowing robe made from parrot feathers in stunning silver handbell, and an eblis servant (see appendix D)
arrives with a tray of fruit and wine. All of it is artfully
colors. Despite the heat, her arms, head, and face are
drugged; the contamination can be detected only by
covered in feathery veils. Next to her, a black orchid
someone who has proficiency in Medicine and who suc-
grows out of a large clay pot at the head of the divan.
ceeds on a DC 13 Wisdom (Medicine) check. Zalkore
She addresses you in a voice tinged with odd inflections. partakes, but she's built up such a tolerance that this
"Strangers have come to Nangalore, my love. What boon dose won't affect her. Characters who eat or drink
do our subjects beseech?" must make a successful DC 15 Constitution saving

CHAPTER 2 I THI:: LAND OF CHULT
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