The Royal Palace is the massive ruined complex that dominates Omu, identifiable by thousands of harmless bats swarming overhead. This once-grand structure features a 15-foot-high circular wall surrounding crumbling arcades, vine-choked statues, empty plazas, and banyan root-covered buildings. The interior streets are either flooded or choked with rubble, giving the appearance of complete abandonment.
Strategic Importance
The palace’s true significance lies beneath its ruins—it serves as the surface entrance to the Fane of the Night Serpent, the yuan-ti temple detailed in Chapter 4. This makes the palace a critical location for accessing the deeper levels of the adventure.
Defenses
Despite appearing abandoned and thoroughly looted, the palace is heavily guarded:
- Two Entrances: A main entrance to the north (area 20A) and a hidden entrance to the south (area 20B)
- Yuan-ti Guards: Each entrance is watched by three type 1 yuan-ti malisons disguised in snake form
- Attack Protocol: The malisons remain hidden among the harmless snakes until intruders approach, then revert to their true forms and attack anyone not accompanied by yuan-ti
Characteristics
- All treasure has been looted
- Harmless snakes slither through the rubble (except the malison guards)
- The swarming bats pose no threat
- The ruined state and apparent abandonment serve as effective camouflage for the yuan-ti presence below