Rhonas's Monument
| Rhonas's Monument | |
|---|---|
| Monument of Strength | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Plane | Amonkhet |
| Colors |
 |
| Status | Unknown |
| Part of | Desert of the Indomitable, Oashra Valley, Naktamun, Shefet |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Rhonas's Monument, also called the Monument of Strength, is a revered artifact and holy site on the plane of Amonkhet, devoted to the snake-headed god Rhonas.
Description
“The worthy shall hone a strong body that can withstand the boundless energies of the afterlife.”
— Monument Inscription
Fed by the waters of the Luxa river, Rhonas's monument is shaped like a colossal cobra head, tapering into a stepped pyramid at its base. This immense structure embodies Rhonas's indomitable might, amplifying his presence through stone and shadow. The God-Pharaoh's horns are carved prominently into its flanks, symbolizing the bond between god and ruler. The partially open roof allows sunlight to stream inside, while concealed pumps draw river water throughout the interior, sustaining a vibrant jungle of trees, vines, and thick undergrowth where initiates face the Trial of Strength. The roars and shrieks of the beasts that dwell within echo through the halls and out into the city beyond, serving as an ever-present reminder of the trials that lie in wait.[1]
Long ropes of living vines known as the Stairs of Rhonas hang down from the open roof. Some vines bristle with tiny thorns that cut the hands of climbers, while others whip, twist, or coil like snakes around those who dare to ascend. At the top of the stairs, a fierce waterfall cascades through the monument's center, feeding the jungle below. Inside, the lush expanse seems impossibly vast for the space it occupies. The canopy conceals the ceiling, revealing glimpses of the sky through the roof opening, while shadows blanket the jungle floor where predators lurk unseen.[1]
Initiates who have completed their final stay in the Fertile Holding complete their training in a massive chamber within the monument, beneath the watchful gaze of the Statues of the Highest. These statues line the hall, each depicting a legendary initiate from a past crop who achieved glory in the afterlife. Their presence serves as an inspiration for those about to face the Trial of Strength and the last trials that follow. They remind all who stand beneath them that unwavering dedication and relentless effort may one day see them honored within Rhonas's sacred walls. Rhonas himself takes great pride in the triumphs of those shaped under his guidance, and each initiate aspires to earn his approval.[1]
The Trial of Strength
Only initiates who have survived the Trial of Solidarity and the Trial of Knowledge and trained under Rhonas and his viziers are granted the chance to attempt the Trial of Strength. This ordeal tests their raw power, instincts, and survival skills. The challenge begins with the Climb and Descent: a climb up the treacherous Stairs of Rhonas, followed by a leap of faith to ride the thundering waterfall down into the jungle below.
When the initiates land, Rhonas appears to reveal that poison now runs through their veins — a toxin from the thorny vines that clouds their minds, stripping them of magic and clear thought. In this weakened state, they must rely on instinct and physical prowess alone to cross the vast wilderness within the monument. Countless dangers await: territorial hippopotami, crocodiles, hydras, lizards, venomous snakes, hidden spiders and insects, and treacherous terrain riddled with traps and flesh-eating plants.
If they survive, they must reach the monument's heart, where clear streams feed a hidden pool. All creatures of the jungle visit this pool to drink, despite the lethal presence of an ancient basilisk that dwells nearby. It's enormous, color-shifting scales that allow it to vanish among the shadows, waiting for prey. The final test demands that the initiate claim a single scale from the basilisk — the only cure for the poison clouding their mind. Some initiates ambush the creature while it feeds; others wrestle or strike it down with brute force. However they succeed, they must cross the jungle once more, scale in hand, to return to Rhonas, who then bestows the cartouche of strength upon the triumphant and leads them out of the monument.[1]
Gallery
-
As seen from the desert -
As seen in the city
In-game references
- Represented in:
References
- ↑ a b c d James Wyatt (July 2017) — The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Amonkhet, Viz Media.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
