Ondu Skyclave
| The Ondu Skyclave | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Plane | Zendikar |
| Colors |
 |
| Part of | Jwar Isle, Ondu |
The Ondu Skyclave is one of the seven massive floating fortresses constructed by the ancient kor empire on the plane of Zendikar. It once hovered above the vast continent of Ondu, serving as a center of military and administrative power. Like the other Skyclaves, it was a marvel of magical architecture, maintained in the sky through powerful kor artifice and ancient levitation enchantments. Though shattered and ruined long ago, its remnants were reawakened during the Rise of the Skyclaves in 4561 AR and now drift once more above Jwar Isle.
Description
The Ondu Skyclave is a massive, floating ruin once ruled by the kor of the Makindi empire. Suspended over Jwar Isle, its architecture features radial symmetry, soaring archways, and tessellated stonework that radiates outward like spokes from a central core. The halls were used for training, experimentation, and arcane observation during the era of the ancient Kor Empire. The site houses laboratories, alchemical chambers, and proving grounds, suggesting the Skyclave may have played a role in creating or augmenting entities like Grakmaw through biomagical means.[1]
One of the Skyclave's unique features is its tessellated wall-carvings, which function as both ornamental script and spatial maps. Written in an ancient form of the Kor language, these tessellations serve both linguistic and architectural purposes, allowing initiates to navigate and interpret the structure through the dual lens of language and space.[1]
Despite its ruinous state, much of the Skyclave remains accessible, its gravity-defying platforms still held in place by residual hedrons and forgotten leylines. The presence of lurking monsters and unpredictable Roil activity makes any expedition into its halls perilous.[1]
History
The fall of the Ondu Skyclave occurred over six thousand years ago, during the final century of the Kor Empire. Amid civil war, the Ondu Skyclave turned against the empire's capital at Makindi, leading to Makindi's destruction and the creation of the surrounding trenches. The Skyclave fell from the sky and came to rest on Jwar Isle.[2]
Thousands of years later, during the Rise of the Skyclaves, the residual magic of the ancient kor structures was reactivated when Kesenya's adventuring party activated the magical defenses of the Emeria skyclave. Although the Ondu Skyclave remains broken and scattered, its fragments began levitating once again, rejoining the sky above the small isle. This sudden reappearance drew the attention of Expeditionary Houses and adventurers eager to explore its ruins and uncover forgotten kor artifacts.[2]
Shortly after its return, the Ondu Skyclave saw the vampire scholar Anowon join a reluctant band of adventurers — Captain Tarsa, the fiery Nadino, and the skeptical elven cleric Eret — on an expedition. Though mistrusted and barely paid, Anowon was allowed to claim any papers he discovered, and he eagerly seized the chance to explore the ancient kor ruins in hopes of uncovering lost knowledge — and perhaps, redemption.[1]
As they journeyed from Nimana to Jwar Isle, tensions rose. Nadino threatened Anowon constantly, Eret snooped through his belongings, and Tarsa only tolerated him. But Anowon endured, focused on the secrets of the Skyclaves, which he believed held revelations about Zendikar's past and possibly a cure to its wounded future. When they reached the Skyclave, eerie voices and carved patterns hinted at a deep, forgotten history, and Anowon deciphered its tessellated walls as both text and map.[1]
Their true mission was to slay Grakmaw, a mutated hydra likely born from ancient kor experimentation. As the party explored the ruins, Anowon uncovered more about the Skyclave's legacy: a proving ground for living weapons and a rebellion that may have doomed the ancient Kor civilization. When Grakmaw attacked, the team fought desperately, but its regenerative heads made it nearly impossible to kill.[1]
Anowon found a mysterious petrification potion among the relics and, with help from Nadino, used it to turn Grakmaw to stone mid-battle, ending the threat. The team acknowledged Anowon’s contribution and bravery, and though their agreement barred him from taking relics, they helped him carry the massive stone hydra's remains as proof of their victory. Tarsa, moved by the vampire's integrity, offered him a place among them going forward. Anowon found not only the scholarly discovery he craved, but also the one thing he hadn't expected: acceptance.[1]
References
- ↑ a b c d e f g Brandon O'Brien (September 25, 2020). "Hunger". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Ari Zirulnik and James Wyatt (September 1, 2020). "Zendikar: Things Have Changed". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.