The hanbalani altas ("sanctuaries of the soul"[1]) or quori monoliths are psionic structures of crystal and stone that occupy a central part of religious life for citizens of Riedra, and the Path of Inspiration that they follow.[2][3][4][5] Hanbalani altas are the equivalent to a wondrous location.[6]
Description[]
The monoliths vary in size and shape, but are generally egg-shaped structures that are 300 feet (91 meters) feet tall and 100 feet (30 meters) wide,[2] although some monoliths reach as high as 500 feet (150 meters) tall.[3] When in close proximity with other monoliths, they tend to be smaller.[2]
The monoliths are constructed of steel reinforced by psionics and crysteel. Each monolith contains a 10‑foot (3‑meter)-diameter core that is a pillar of pure crystal, which is warm to the touch and gives off a green light that illuminates the structure's interior and the surrounding 300 ft (91 m) of the entrance at the base. This core stores psionic power.[2]
Powers[]
Quori monoliths under construction.
Citizens of Riedra believe these places house the spirits of the dead before they transition into their next life along the Path of Inspiration.[1]
In fact, these monoliths are built to collect, shape, and channel enough dream energy to enable the quori to possess the bodies of any being, willing or not, as well as connect their severed home plane, Dal Quor, the Plane of Dreams, to Eberron for another attempt at invasion and conquest.[7]
Monoliths form the basis for psionic influence across Riedra, including shaping emotions, thoughts, and dreams.[2][5]
History[]
An Inspired leads a ritual observing the Feast of the Founding, the day recognized as the founding of Riedra.
In ages past, an integrated culture of duergar and dwarves from the Tashana Tundra known as the Akiak constructed proto-monoliths of deep crystal and metal called dalnans.[8] The dalnan were constructed to act as psionic power plants, which harnessed the psychic energy of a community.[8][9] Dalnans can still be found in many places on the continent of Sarlona today.[8]
Many years following the Day of Unity (sometime after the Madness of Yaruun), the Inspired developed a trade relationship with the Akiak.[10] The Inspired hired them to assist in constructing more advanced versions of their proto-monoliths, which became the hanbalani altas. The Inspired learned enough to construct the monoliths on their own and, in 536 Unity (1 Lharvion, 234 YK), they betrayed the duergar and dwarves in a coordinated psionic and physical killing known as the Night of Razor Dreams.[8][9][10]
The Inspired have subsequently imprisoned dwarves and duergar in mines and work camps, and face insurgents in the Tashana Tundra looking to free their kin and exact vengeance on the Inspired.[10][11]
The ogres of Borunan assist in hauling the stone and metal necessary for the construction of the hanbalani altas.[12]
Inhabitants[]
A Riedran village with a quori monolith in the distance.
Monoliths may be built in out-of-the-way locations, and the light and heat they give off tend to attract creatures and humanoid tribes to dwell there. Nomad tribes outside of the sway of the Inspired are said to construct small makeshift towns around isolated monoliths to survive winters.[3] Tribes of Syrkarn and the Tashana Tundra sometimes seek shelter within monoliths.[2]
Psionic creatures are attracted to monoliths from miles around. Creatures born within 1 mile (1,600 meters) of a monolith tend to produce phrenic or psionically adept versions of the same creature such as phrenic lions or phrenic dire lions. Creatures that die near a monolith are likely to arise as psionic undead, including phrenic shadows, phrenic wights, or phrenic wraiths.[2][3] The spontaneous creation of phrenic creatures and psionic undead are both more likely to occur if the monolith is actively powering a subsidiary function.[2]
If a monolith ceases its function, Inspired agents travel to the site and attempt to wipe out the inhabitants before reactivating the monolith.[2]
Lands[]
These monoliths are present in all the major cities of Riedra.[2][4][5] Additionally, some monoliths exist in Syrkarn and the Tashana Tundra.[2]
A smaller monolith exists in the Riedran outpost of Dar Qat in Xen'drik.[13]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The quori monoliths are considered a kind of wondrous location, per Secrets of Sarlona.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 11. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 62–63. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 David Noonan, Rich Burlew, & Frank Brunner (2005). Explorer's Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 132–135. ISBN 0-7869-3691-6.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 122. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 184, 186, 190. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 48. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 99. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 104. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 108. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 111. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 21. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.