Tower of Obala
From FiranMUX
The Tower of Obala, located in Ellish, is the primary temple for the Shamibelian deity Obala.
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Structure
The tower itself is hundreds of feet high and constructed of a pitch black stone, likely obsidian or black marble, that shines as though it were glass. It appears to rise straight from the ground, indicating the presence of an underground base. Rumor speaks of a temple to Obala contained in this enormous base, which seems to stretch lengthwise as far as the tower is high. Windows are carved at various intervals in the stone tower, revealing its hollow interior.
Uses
Though Obala's priests jealously guard the secrets of the Tower, it is known to be the chief temple of the Shamibelian deity and the site of numerous sacrifices in his name. A mansion stands nearby, occupied by a sect of religious fanatics who seem connected to the Tower and its inner workings. The Tower is believed to act as a conduit of Obala's powers, demonstrated during the Liberation of Ellish when a sacrificial ritual enabled it to shoot bolts of blue lightning at Firan combatants. The Tower constantly emits a pulsating hum when activated, audible throughout the city and accentuated by crackles of lightning that pervade the surrounding air. Popular rumor holds that the tower's mysterious properties are activated by "negative energy". Efforts have been made to explore and study the temple, but due to resistance on the part of Obala's priesthood, little progress has been made; word has it that Shamibelian priests refuse to allow Firans inside, as they believe only Shamibelian priests should make the blood sacrifices Obala requires.
Liberation of Ellish
During the Liberation of Ellish (43 A.U.), priests of Obala were able to direct bolts of lightning from the Tower, targeting griffons and soldiers who strayed too close. It is believed that these powers were activated when the priests performed a ritual of sacrifice to the Tower: dozens of Ticanee prisoners were brutally slain, their blood made to splash over a Ticanee totem pole. The priests surrounded the pole and raised their hands, from which small bolts of blue lightning emitted and connected with the pole. After chanting and channeling lightning in this manner for a few minutes, a larger and stronger bolt of lightning shot from the Tower itself. Such bolts continued to discharge from the Tower, even without the presence of the priests, for hours after the ritual. Eventually, the Ticanee totem pole exploded in a pillar of fire and wooden shards, killing three surrounding priests.
Nydiam's Sacrifice
Lord Nydiam was a descendant of Zin through the hero Zarid, and the blood of the God of the Sea had always flowed strongly through him. The Storm Lord's rain was frequently accompanied by the licking of his lightning, and Nydiam believed he could save the Firan army from the terror of the Dark Tower. He ran forward to the field, having been in an observational role, and called out to his Grandfather:
"Nydiam opens his eyes and nods once at the doll of the kraken. Nydiam turns and starts moving towards the tower, "Grandfather! Make me your vessel! I beckon you to use me to shield my Firan brothers and sisters!" Nydiam's pace quickens as the white haired man starts into a dead run towards to tower, "All mighty, Zin, hear my plea! Bring me the lightning!" Nydiam continues shouting at the top of his lungs. His staff is waving wildly in the air."
The sky seemed to respond to his plea: "The storm coming off the lake seems to intensify. The rain is blinding. It drives into your eyes, into your wounds, freezing you to the bone, washing some of the blood off of you. Energy crackles in the air, swirling over Nydiam."
He continued to call to the sky, to beg his Grandfather to let him be the instrument of justice, to let him save the army.
"Nydiam watches his son take the bolt. He shouts in a sobbed anguish, "No!!!" He continues to yell, "Grandfather, give me the lightning! Bring it all to me! Bring me Obala's lightning so that they can live! Hear me, Zin! Hear me, now! I am ready!" Nydiam continues to forage his way toward the tower. Even so much as to strike a downed soldier along the way.
Zap! The tower sends off another lightning bolt towards the field. It starts to bend, towards Nydiam Ista Nydiam, it crackes and dodges, but ultimately escapes what seems to be a force dragging it towards him and hits Primo Dawn."
Finally the sky seemed to respond. The air paused, as if asking the man if he was sure, and when Nydiam responded that he was his grandfather granted the former medallion-holder's wish.
"Nydiam grimaces and then holds his staff above his head. Arrows whiz by him, as he is finally drawing attention. Nydiam ducks and then holds himself up tall, "Zin! Give me the power to be your vessel. Make me one with the lightning, I am ready to start the greatest adventure with my father and my father's father. There is nothing in that tower that can overcome the power of our family!! Bring the ligthning to me!"
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt. zzzzzzzzt. zzzt. zzzt. Lightning comes shooting out of the tower in epic bolts now. The strength intensifies. It's enough to deafen you. And all would see arc after arc of lightning going into Nydiam IstaNydiam's body, burning him, frying him alive before all the assembled army, his older body staggering back, arms flailing.
Zzzzzzzzzzt. Zzzzzzzzt. Zzzzzzt. zzt. hmmmmmmmm. The tower seems to exhaust itself pouring all of its malice into angry bolts that fry Nydiam's hair, swirl around his teeth, light up his eye sockets and lift him from the ground. And then he is laying dead on the battlefield. And there is a terrible silence in the rain."
The tower was depleted but at a terrible cost. The silence and safety of the army came at the cost of Lord Nydiam's life as the man went on the greatest adventure of his life; he died a hero, cheered by the army and mourned by his family.
Known Victims
Querash ex-Shadina died a hero's death by leaping to intercept a bolt before it could strike a group of young Bear soldiers.
Lord Fiero Teranzik was slain by the Tower in the midst of the final battle to reclaim Ellish. It is said that he was struck twice by the horrific lightning, and did not succumb to his injuries for weeks. He died surrounded by his family in the Teranzik mansion.
Lady Melani Elikista was struck by a lightning bolt during the final battle, but lived to hear the speech of victory made when the city was finally claimed.
Lord Nydiam Ista Nydiam sacrificed himself to disable the Tower's lightning by invoking the powers of the god Zin.
Injuries
Sharin Rissik, riding the giant eagle Garissa, was struck several times by lightning bolts in the final battle. While both he and Garissa were injured, both survived the attack.
Lord Banian Elianik was struck several times by lightning bolts while atop his griffon Mirage, but survived the ordeal.
Lord Aeryk IstaNydiam, Nydiam's other son, was struck unconscious by the tower after his father challenged it.
Others known to have survived an attack by the Tower include healers Karana Karanik, Wylma Histaru and Odoni Istanar; and fighters Lord Tyrsun Ista Aldrik, Karish Karanik, Lord Primo Dawn, Prince Argin Elianik and Prince Savaren Elianik (who later died of other injuries).
Post-Liberation
A small delegation of volunteer Firan priests chosen by Prince Argin Elianik set out to explore the Tower after Ellish fell to the Firan army. The group included priests Iona Fengan (Uf), Lord Emil Firgalik (Zutiv), Dalinuel (Kamnestra) and Veliana Karanik (Unot), with Omiak Mondarik (Firanos) as tactical commander and the former Shamibelian slave Anorna as a translator. They encountered hostility and violence from the priesthood of Obala, who expressed derision at the notion that Firan forces thought themselves able to control Obala's principal temple. Dalinuel became overcome with symptoms of the T'rages while inside the temple, and was driven by thirst to drink blood from the Tower's floor. The Firan delegation eventually fled in the midst of violence, believing Omiak Mondarik to be trapped inside and surely killed; surprise and elation abounded when he later emerged with a priceless map of the Shamibelian Empire.
