Overview
Ghom is a legendary mastodon who served as the mount of Ch’gakare, a Chultan warrior. After being banished to the Nine Hells alongside his rider, Ghom fought through all nine layers to return home. Upon his death, his body was preserved through magical iron coating, covered in hammered gold, and enshrined as a statue-trap in the Tomb of the Nine Gods.
Physical Form
The preserved Ghom appears as a life-size, 10-foot-high golden statue standing atop a one-foot-high rotating stone cog. His body consists of his actual remains encased in magical iron and covered with hammered gold plating. His tusks are adorned with jewels. Despite appearing to be a statue, Ghom’s preservation gives him eerily lifelike qualities.
An inscription in Old Omuan on the statue reads: “Let your bones watch over my treasure, brave Ghom. As you carried me from the inferno, so shall I rise from death to defend my riches.”
Legend and History
Ghom originally belonged to a Chultan king as a prized steed before Ch’gakare stole him. As punishment, the king’s sorcerers banished both rider and mount to the Nine Hells. The pair fought their way through all nine layers, battling spined devils, bearded devils, barbed devils, horned devils, and erinyes before returning home. Upon their return, Ch’gakare killed the king and fashioned the Skull Chalice of Ch’gakare from his head.
Trap Mechanism
The statue serves as the centerpiece of an elaborate trap in area 67 (Hall of the Golden Mastodon):
Activation
- A star-shaped indentation on the back of Ghom’s head accepts the gold lever from area 61 as a key
- When activated, the statue trumpets loudly, causing a stone block to seal the entrance (DC 15 Dexterity save or take 55/10d10 bludgeoning damage)
- The stone cog begins rotating counterclockwise, completing one full revolution each round (on initiative count 0)
Combat Sequence
- Round 1: The mastodon begins rotating
- Round 2: Magical fire engulfs the floor (3d6 fire damage per turn), and four spined devils emerge
- Round 3: Three bearded devils appear
- Round 4: Two barbed devils appear
- Round 5: One horned devil appears
- Round 6: One erinyes appears
Up to six Medium creatures can shelter from the flames by perching on Ghom’s statue (four on the back, one on each tusk).
Spirit Reactions
The trickster god spirits have distinct reactions to Ghom:
- I’jin (unpredictable): Wants to ride the golden mastodon
- Obo’laka (nervous): Fears the statue and urges caution
- Shagambi (wise): Recognizes the trap recreates Ch’gakare and Ghom’s trials from the Nine Hells