Labyrinth of Life

The Labyrinth of Life

Realm of Ubtao

Location: Outlands / Ringlands

Imagine a jungle labyrinth, so vast and tangled that even the most adventurous cutter with the sharpest machete could lose their way. The canopy is thick, letting only a few scant rays of light peek through, casting dappled shadows in the thick undergrowth. The air is heavy with the scent of wet earth, rich foliage, and exotic flowers. The verdant maze hums with life—the chirping of crickets, the droning buzz of bees, and the musical calls of birds.

The vegetation almost has a mind of its own, weaving itself into shapes defy nature. Perhaps it’s trying to dispel the hubris of berks who reckon they can figure out the secrets of the jungle. This place is governed by the fickle whims of Ubtao, its cryptic creator and elusive master.

Ubtao’s jungle realm is bursting will all kinds of life. Or should that be afterlife? Here you can find intelligent dinosaurs—petitioners of the race known as the saurials, roaming these parts. These wise creatures have built a harmonious afterlife here. The saurial comunity live in balance with the strange nature of the Outlands, using natural clearings as public spaces and caverns as homes. They’re skilled hunters too, but they show a reverence for the colourful life that thrives around them. A cutter might ask why saurial petitioners end up here and not in Pangaea, and to that I’d reply that not all creatures with a dinosaur bran-box are the same. Pangaea is a place of primal struggle against uncaring nature. Saurials might look unevolved, but you know the saying, never judge a dinosaur by its neck frills. Or something like that. No cutter, some of my best friends are saurials and a more civilised bunch of reptilians you’ll not find this side of Bahamut’s own realm.

It’s not just saurials here mind. There are humans too, petitioners from Chult on a Prime world called Toril. They call themselves tabaxi, and mind you don’t get them confused with the cat-folk, berk—they really don’t like that. These cutters mingle with the saurials, their societies intertwining like the creeping vines that choke these parts. It’s ironic really, that saurial and human meet so infrequently in life, but here in the afterlife they get along so well.

When Ubtao is in residence, now, that’s a sight to behold, and it changes everything. When his massive tyrannosaurus rex form thunders through the Labyrinth, the ground shudders with each step. Trees get thrown aside, anything that doesn’t make itself scarce, finds itself flattened. Yes, when Ubtao roams, the rest of the jungle holds its breath. And while the human petitioners tend to scatter and watch in awe from the shadows—to them, Ubtao is a god to be feared and placated—the saurial petitioners instead show reverence. Ubtao’s presence is a reminder of the raw power and majesty of nature, and saurial shaman know exactly the incantations to attract his attention, sooth him, and send him into a peaceful slumber. Because the snoring of an enormous tyrannosaur is infinitely preferable to its roar.

Canonical Sources: Powers & Pantheons [2e] p88 (description of the power and his worshippers, brief mention of the realm)

Source: Jon Winter-Holt