Kir Sabal is an ancient cliffside monastery perched 500 feet above the jungle on a tall plateau overlooking the River Olung. The monastery serves as the sanctuary for a community of aarakocra (bird folk) and the hidden refuge of the last human descendants of Omu’s royal family.
The Aarakocra Community
Fifty-six aarakocra live at Kir Sabal in twelve extended family groups (“nests”). About one-third are juveniles, with adult males and females split evenly. They survive by hunting in the jungle, fishing the River Olung, and maintaining gardens atop the plateau where they’re safe from most of Chult’s predators.
The aarakocra of Kir Sabal are natural enemies of pterafolk and the gargoyles of Omu. They maintain strict ritualistic traditions and behavioral rules, and welcome peaceful visitors who respect their customs. Guests are expected to help with daily chores and avoid harming anyone, disrupting traditions, stealing, or lying.
Asharra the Teacher
The community is led by Asharra, an incredibly old aarakocra whom the others revere as a living saint and call “Teacher.” She is lawful neutral, intelligent, ambitious, and somewhat manipulative (though never cruel). Asharra is a 5th-level druid with enhanced hit points (31) and strong Wisdom (17), capable of casting spells including call lightning, wind wall, gust of wind, and hold person.
The Dance of the Seven Winds
Asharra knows a powerful ritual called the Dance of the Seven Winds that can grant up to ten non-flying creatures a magical flying speed of 30 feet for 3 days. The ritual requires:
- A black orchid as material component (found only in Nangalore)
- 10 minutes to perform
- Seven other aarakocra to chant prayers to the Wind Dukes of Aaqa
- Asharra to grind the orchid to powder, inhale it, and dance around the beneficiaries
During the 3-day duration, Asharra loses her wings and ability to fly, which return when the effect ends.
If characters tell Asharra they plan to visit Omu and destroy the Soulmonger, she offers to perform this ritual in exchange for retrieving a black orchid from Nangalore. She provides directions but won’t allow her people near the ruins due to the dangerous eblis (intelligent cranes) that inhabit them.
The Royal Line of Omu
Kir Sabal shelters Princess Mwaxanaré (17 years old) and her brother Na (6 years old), the last descendants of Omu’s royal family and primary heirs to the fallen kingdom. Their great-grandmother Napaka was Omu’s last ruling queen; their father Omek died in a fall, and their mother Razaan was killed by pterafolk.
Princess Mwaxanaré
The princess is vain, headstrong, and impatient to claim her throne. She views herself as already Queen of Chult and speaks condescendingly to most people (except Asharra). Her sheltered upbringing has left her with a comically distorted understanding of the outside world—she believes other kingdoms are merely “holdings” or “principalities” under Chult’s dominion and thinks thousands of soldiers would rush to her aid if summoned.
Despite her naivety, Mwaxanaré is no fool. She forged a pact with the Wind Dukes of Aaqa (against Asharra’s wishes) to become a warlock with telepathy, mage hand, and unseen servant spells. She’s lonely as the only adult human in Kir Sabal and likely to fixate romantically on one of the adventurers—an attachment that will be powerful, fiery, and jealous.
The princess seeks the Skull Chalice of Ch’gakare from the Tomb of the Nine Gods, believing this legendary symbol can help her garner support to rebuild Omu. She offers 250 gp worth of treasures from her private collection (including silver brushes, crystal bottles, jeweled accessories worth 330 gp total) as reward for retrieving it.
Prince Na
The six-year-old prince is uncommonly studious and bookish. He wears a homemade aarakocra costume and pretends to be one of the bird folk. Polite and deferential, he speaks with wisdom beyond his years. His interests include studying plants and insects in the plateau gardens and launching complex flying toys made of wood and folded paper. He’s the only person allowed to freely visit Asharra’s house.
Reaching Kir Sabal
The monastery can be seen from the River Olung through breaks in the jungle, but reaching it requires navigating treacherous paths combining natural stone ramps, carved steps, and rotting wooden walkways. The aarakocra don’t maintain the walkways since they fly.
Climbing from the ground requires three ability checks (DC 15 Strength Athletics, DC 15 Dexterity Acrobatics, DC 15 Wisdom Perception). Each failure forces a choice between 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage or 1 level of exhaustion. The climb takes 1 hour plus 10 minutes per failed check. The aarakocra spot approaching visitors unless they climb invisibly, at night, or during a rainstorm.
Monastery Locations
1. Monastery
The main religious building features a large circular labyrinth symbol of Ubtao on its facade (visible only from air or ground below). Six aarakocra monks live here, wearing prayer beads and painting labyrinthine patterns on their bodies. Key areas include:
- Refectory: Entrance hall and dining chamber with backless seats for wings
- Prayer Hall: 60-foot ceiling with floor mosaic of Ubtao’s labyrinth (25 feet diameter)
- Shrine: Life-size wooden statue of Ubtao in tabaxi form, recognizable with DC 15 Religion check
2. Cleansing Chambers
Area where aarakocra prepare before entering sacred spaces.
3. Elder’s House
Asharra’s private residence, off-limits except by invitation (trespassing is a serious offense). Contains:
- Lower shrine: Statue of Ubtao as tabaxi, with a collapsed section of floor creating a deadly drop
- Upper library: 44 ancient pre-Spellplague books covering various subjects
- Asharra’s chamber: Includes four potions of poison disguised as healing potions hidden under her bed
Only Asharra, her servant Yingmatona, and Na are normally allowed inside.
4. Dwellings
Standard multi-level homes occupied by 2-4 aarakocra each, connected by ladders. Residents own few valuables besides handcrafted totems.
5. Royal House
Finer dwelling furnished for humans, belonging to Mwaxanaré and Na. Contains the princess’s treasure collection.
Strategic Importance
The aarakocra shelter the royal heirs until evil is banished from Omu, ostensibly for Chult’s future. However, Asharra secretly hopes aarakocra will gain elevated roles in any restored Chultan kingdom. If characters successfully liberate Omu, the royal line can be restored to power.
Several key NPCs know or can provide information about Omu’s location, including the aarakocra of Kir Sabal. The couatl guide Eku is on good terms with them. Artus Cimber and Dragonbait might also visit Kir Sabal to gather information from the aarakocra or Princess Mwaxanaré.
Threats
Occasionally, gargoyles from Omu follow aarakocra patrols back to Kir Sabal and attack (10 gargoyles; they retreat if 6+ are slain). The aarakocra appreciate any help defending their home. If characters rescue the captured aarakocra Nephyr from Firefinger and return him to Kir Sabal, they gain advantage on Charisma checks when dealing with the community.
Asharra’s Concerns
If Asharra suspects characters might reveal disturbing truths about the outside world to Mwaxanaré or that romantic entanglements could lead to tragedy, she views them as dangerous. Kir Sabal becomes precarious for wingless creatures when the Teacher turns hostile—she has access to potions of poison if necessary.