Pyramid of Merioss

Category	Marvels
Continent	Brucrumus
Region	Hells Womb, Drarthiel
Alias	Tânê 8
Owner	Pyrmidian Ghouls
Built	17 Brightstar 237 LE
Map	Lirgaza Ufthag

A Pyramids of Power, the Pyramid of Merioss was constructed to harness the radiant energy of Merioss and Khâls Forge. With Merioss being the more prominent celestial body in the skies of Bal-Kriav, the structure bears its name. The Lith-Crillion designated this location as Tânê 8, a research outpost, one of countless such facilities scattered across the universe.

The Tânê 8 structure held unique significance for its builders, the sand giants, who believed the Lith-Crillion were divine agents. For them, these imposing edifices served as sacred temples. Within, they constructed dozens of levels, including apartments, storerooms, laboratories, and specialized chambers designed as artificial environments for their test subjects. Others supported the structure's primary purpose: researching solar energy, harvesting it, and when necessary, dehydrating or incinerating targets up to two-hundred miles away.

In the Horgon Era, the Kautha Swamp, which had previously been situated twenty miles distant, now submerged two levels of the Pyramid beneath its waters.

The Pyramid of Merioss, akin to the other Pyramids of Power, possesses concealed chambers that function as teleportation conduits to the remaining Pyramids of Power.

In 1461, the courageous heroes of Black Banner plundered the lower levels of the Pyramid. They returned again in 1465, seizing the place in the name of Thasmudyan. Under the auspices of the Black Tide of Thasmudyan, its formidable powers rendered Zayr, the Black Tide capital, impenetrable to naval assaults.

Harnessing the celestial might, it will set ships ablaze to the waterline, emanate rays of such brilliance that they blind the eyes, exude dehydrating waves of scorching heat, and should one overcome these perils, they must then confront the pyramid's guardians, a legion of Pyramidian Ghouls armed with the fearsome Night Howlers.

Bind Izudîm, the Syndic of Defense, presented the "1468 Black Tide Report" to the Council of Nine.

This Pyramid of Power is home to thousands of Pyrmidian Ghouls, who guard it as a sacred temple. During the Third Epoch, they served the Black Tide in its reign of terror across Hells Womb and into the Lands of Purity. Fortunately for Paradomea, the Black Tide did not make extensive use of the Pyramid. Its vigilant guardians prevented any overt measures against their long-time neighbors, even remaining hostile to those who sought to breach the sealed doors or establish a permanent presence within the structure.

When the undead forces of the Black Tide wavered during the Artery War (1546 - 1554), the Pyramid's protectors realigned their loyalty to Paradomea, directing the Pyramid's lethal beams upon the undead legions entrenched within Zayr.

In the innermost chambers of the structure, deep beneath the surface, lies a grand vault door that marks the southeasternmost terminus of the Great Tradeway.

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Black Banner recorded the following bit of information on their exploration of the Pyramid of Merioss. After the Artery War, this laundry list was found in the ruins of Zayr. It is now in the Library of Records along with other documents concerning the Black Tide.

Pyramid Observations

• high chances of wild magic surges [1% chance per spell level]
• undead impervious to priestly turning and disruption
• gravity fluctuations
• all inanimate objects radiated evil and magic, though when taken out, most proved to be normal
• temperature in the pyramid averaged 35 degrees F with extreme exceptions in some chambers and corridors
• the stone of the pyramid absorbed magic spells cast into it, and spilled blood was quickly absorbed into the floors and walls
• ceilings are uniform, 20' high, stone doors, and the locks are very complex
• energy rifts for charging Night Howlers
• torches of coldfire: icy-blue flames that radiate extreme cold, yet touching them burns as if it were fire
• an abundance of Ghoul Macrebe poison
• guardians clad in high-quaility armor
• Night Howler weapon caches
• basins holding foul smelling water, which when placed in Ceratimus vials becomes potions of Ghast Breath
• Ether Armor, powered by the Pyramid, the stuff is a suit of ghostly gray plate mail, that disappears when you leave the Pyramid
• books on crystal weaving