Oketra's Monument
| Oketra's Monument | |
|---|---|
| Monument of Solidarity | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Plane | Amonkhet |
| Colors |
 |
| Status | Unknown |
| Part of | Desert of the True, Oashra Valley, Naktamun, Shefet |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Oketra's Monument is a legendary artifact and sacred site on the plane of Amonkhet, dedicated to the vigilant cat-headed god Oketra. Towering above the banks of the Luxa River near Naktamun, this monumental pyramid embodies Oketra’s unwavering protection over her people. It serves as both a shrine and the site of the Trial of Solidarity, where initiates prove their unity and worth. From its heights, Oketra watches over the desert beyond the Hekma, ever guarding her city from the encroaching sands.
Description
“The worthy shall respect the worthy. In the afterlife, all will stand united.”
— Monument Inscription
Standing on the banks of the Luxa River at the edge of Naktamun, Oketra's Monument is an immense pyramid crowned with a stone likeness of Oketra's feline head. This imposing structure embodies her unwavering vigilance and protection over the city. From the apex, the god herself often keeps watch beyond the Hekma, guarding the people from the encroaching desert and its threats.
The pyramid's rear extends in a sweeping shape that resembles a cat's back, and a long, narrow staircase climbs from the base to a spacious plaza at the summit. Here, Oketra's followers may gather, and Oketra herself often sits upon her throne, observing the horizon. Massive stone gates are carved seamlessly into the monument's sides, remaining hidden when closed. These gates open only to admit initiates ready to face the Trial of Solidarity, Oketra’s sacred test of unity and discipline.[1]
Inside, the monument contains a vast ceremonial hall lit by an orb of swirling light that casts its glow across mirrored walls, bathing the space in brilliance. The hall's floor is formed of stone pillars that can rise and fall to create ever-shifting terrain, transforming the space into a dynamic arena for Oketra's trial.
Each year, Oketra is honored through an ancient rite known as the Ascent, performed at the wheat harvest. One chosen crop of initiates climbs the steep exterior stairs while carrying heavy burdens: a sheaf of wheat for each member, a great stone slab, and a millstone. Fasting as they ascend, they must reach the top together, where angels greet them and guide them to Oketra's courtyard. There, they present their offerings. If Oketra is pleased, her viziers grind the wheat into flour and bake it into bread, which the god shares with the initiates in a sacred meal. She may also offer them invigorating water from her cup, blessing them before they descend again to continue their training, renewed in spirit.[2]
Trial of Solidarity
A defining rite within Oketra's Monument is the Trial of Solidarity, the first test a crop of initiates must face on their journey to earn glory in the afterlife. After rigorous years of preparation, initiates gather outside the sealed gates. When the time comes, the gates open with solemn ceremony, and the crop enters the monument’s great hall. There, they witness their obelisk—an emblem of their unity and perseverance—raised by anointed mummies at the center of the chamber.
High above, Oketra appears on a balcony, drawing an arrow of radiant light from the orb crowning the pyramid. She releases it, sending it deep into the floor at the far end of the hall. With that, the floor shifts—stone pillars rise and fall, reshaping the arena into an obstacle course. Waves of foes pour in: viziers, relentless anointed mummies, horned beasts, and angels descend upon the initiates and their obelisk. Among the threats are powerful vizier mages who conjure scorching sandstorms and cutting winds.[2]
The initiates must split their efforts—retrieving Oketra's arrow and defending their obelisk from destruction. Success demands unwavering cooperation and courage under constant assault. Should the obelisk fall, the trial fails; if they recover the arrow and protect the obelisk, they prove themselves worthy in Oketra's eyes. Rarely, a crop may perish entirely—a grim possibility that drives initiates to train relentlessly and only attempt the trial when they are truly prepared. Those who survive failure may try again, but each attempt grows harder as their numbers dwindle.[2]
Oketra’s Monument stands not only as a shrine to the god's vigilance but also as a crucible where initiates forge their unity and demonstrate the unwavering solidarity that Oketra demands.
Gallery
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Damaged in the desert -
As seen in the city
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Depicted in:
References
- ↑ Ethan Fleischer (2017). Amonkhet Player's Guide. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c James Wyatt (July 2017) - The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Amonkhet, Viz Media.
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