The Heart of Ubtao is a massive earthmote — a 200-foot-tall chunk of earth and rock suspended in the air by undispellable magic that slowly rotates counterclockwise, completing one revolution per hour. The roughly heart-shaped floating island is crowned by a petrified tree with stone roots protruding from its underside, creating the visual impression of a gigantic stone heart. Red-stained rainwater (colored by iron ore deposits) drips from the roots, enhancing this gruesome appearance.
Significance
Native Chultans consider the Heart of Ubtao to be the literal petrified heart of the god Ubtao and regard it as sacred. Priests of Ubtao historically traveled here on flying dinosaurs to seek visions and beseech their god to return. The location is visible from up to 50 miles away on clear days above the Aldani Basin.
Current Occupation
The Heart of Ubtao has been converted into a base of operations by Valindra Shadowmantle, an elven lich working for Szass Tam and the Red Wizards of Thay. She uses it as headquarters while her Thayan minions search the ruins of Omu for the Soulmonger. Valindra has established a teleportation circle inside the heart that connects directly to Thay, allowing her to deliver reports and receive instructions.
Geography
- Location: Hovers above the Aldani Basin, visible from various locations including Mbala (to the southeast)
- Access: A carved stone staircase winds from a cave entrance in the side up to the flattened top where the petrified tree stands
- Altitude: 200 feet above ground level
Interior Features
4. Valindra’s Lair
The main cave is musty and dimly lit by daylight filtering through the hollow petrified tree trunk above. Features include:
- Central pool: 20 feet of dirty rainwater surrounded by natural pillars formed by the tree’s petrified roots
- Bookcases: Three tall shelves filled with pre-Spellplague books, scrolls, tablets, and maps about Chult’s history, geography, culture, and natural philosophy
- Work area: A desk where Valindra meditates and studies
- Wooden crates: Storage along one wall
- Iron cage: Used to hold prisoners captured by Valindra’s undead patrols for questioning before disposal
- Two doorways: Leading to smaller chambers
Treasure: Two spell scrolls of arcane gate are kept among the reference materials (Valindra’s spellbooks remain safely in Thay).
Valindra’s Approach
Valindra is not necessarily hostile to adventurers. If characters lack the means to reach the earthmote, she may hail them from the staircase and open an arcane gate to invite key party members up (though she prefers to limit visitors due to space constraints). She presents herself as a scholarly wizard seeking to “imprison” the Soulmonger for study rather than destroy it, and shares her belief that the Soulmonger is hidden in Omu. She uses illusion magic to appear as a living elf and conceals her lichdom and Red Wizard affiliations.
Valindra views the party as potential tools to achieve her mission: seizing control of the Soulmonger for Szass Tam, or destroying it if capture proves impossible. If combat breaks out, she allows her undead servants to handle threats while escaping through her teleportation circle to Thay, returning after things quiet down.
Story Connections
- Artus Cimber and Dragonbait may be found here spying on the Red Wizards, or potentially imprisoned in Valindra’s cage
- Valindra is one of only three NPCs who knows the death curse originates in Omu (along with Grandfather Zitembe and Saja N’baza)
- She is also one of several NPCs who knows Omu’s location
- Valindra covets Syndra Silvane’s map and would kill to possess it