Overview
Moa’s Shrine is a ruined temple dedicated to Moa, one of the nine trickster gods of Omu. Moa is represented by a jaculi (a flying serpent). The shrine contains one of the nine puzzle cubes required to access the Tomb of the Nine Gods, making it a critical location for the party’s quest.
Location & Access
The shrine sits atop a 200-foot rock column rising above the great rift (area 5) in Omu. At its narrowest point, a 60-foot gap separates the shrine from the rest of the city. Characters must use rope and grappling hooks to cross this chasm, making access challenging but achievable with proper equipment.
Structure
The shrine is described as a walled ruin overgrown with palm trees. The entrance features:
- A squat building with worn steps leading to an archway
- Reliefs of coiled serpents flanking the entrance
- Palm trees growing in the courtyard
Encounters
Courtyard (Area 6A)
Four jaculis (see Tomb of Annihilation appendix D) guard the entrance, using their natural camouflage to hide while coiled around tree trunks in the courtyard. They attack when characters enter, making stealth and surprise a significant threat.
Adventure Significance
This shrine is one of nine scattered throughout Omu that the party must explore to collect all puzzle cubes. Each cube is necessary to unlock the entrance to the Tomb of the Nine Gods, the adventure’s ultimate dungeon.