Tambanakua

The Magma Spider, Sun Eater, Mother of Green Jade

TW: Child sacrifice

The Celestial Gluton known as the Tambanakua is an enormous spider that has been confined to a volcano in the Talin Islands since the Age of the Gods. It is considered to be one of the most dangerous Gluttons. If it were to ever emerge, it could eat the moons and sun and perhaps crack open our world to release the Sleeper.

The Magma Spider is the Glutton that spooks me the most. It just sits there in its volcano sending out little tremors. But the old songs say that when it rises it will destroy the heavens and drag the hells up onto our earth. I know we need to keep it contained, but is our world really worth the price the Wardens pay?

Sgt. Kill Flayer

The great spider known as the Tambanakua sits in the lava of the volcano that shares her name. She sits and waits full of hunger and malice. She watches the sun pass overhead and dreams of the day when it will eat the offending sphere. She is jealous that the sun, the moon, and the stars are allowed to travel wherever they wish. She has never moved from her spot.

The volcano rumbles with the envious anger of the magma spider. It has never erupted. It is the source of the greenest and most beautiful green jade in the world.

Guardians of the Tambanakua

The Wardens of Tambanakua devote themselves to the keeping the Tambanakua trapped in the volcano. These Wardens know that spider is consumed by envy, spite, and hunger. They work to constantly assuage the great spider's negative emotions. They perform daily rituals and hold weekly feasts and festivals to distract the volcano. They know that if she were to ever rise up, it would mean the end of the Islands and perhaps the world itself.

The annual ritual of "Merienda sa Araw", Snacks of the Sun, keeps the spider satisfied enough that it has not yet left the volcano. They sacrifice aasimar children to the magma spider. These "sunlight snacks" keep the monster satisfied and reduce her grumbling.

The Wardens keep celestials chained inside the volcano to produce a supply of heaven-touched infants. Those who exhibit angelic properties are raised in luxury until the time comes for them to "serve." Those born without the touch of heaven are raised to become the next generation of Wardens who keep the Tambanakua sated.

Tambanakua Plot Hooks

The Tambanakua Problem

The party is present during the Summer Solstice ritual when an aasimar is given to the Magma Spider as a sacrfice. They delay the ceremony and the Tambanakua begins to climb out of the caldera. what will they decide to do?

The Envious Spider

The adventurers are tasked with finding a way to sate the Spider's hunger without the sacrifice of living aasimars. They seek any solution and are sent in search of artifacts, celestial beasts, or a bargain with a higher (or lower) power that is willing to intervene.

Missing Wardens

The Summer Solstice approaches and the entire village of Wardens has disappeared. The volcano begins to rumble and the Tambanakua has become visible in the lava. The party has been tasked with finding out what happened to the Wardens and bring them back... or find some way to sate the Lava Spider.

Current Status
Staring into the sky full of jealousy and rage.
Current Location
Children


Cover image: Worldember 2023 Generic Header by Chris L

Comments

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Dec 8, 2023 19:26 by Absinthe

Spiders are my friends. They smash the aphids that eat my roses.

Dec 9, 2023 00:22 by Chris L

I like sours too!


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Dec 9, 2023 01:38 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Oof, that is certainly a price to pay.   To be fair to Tambanakua, I would also be angry if I had to spend my whole life sitting in a volcano.

Emy x
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Dec 9, 2023 02:07 by Chris L

I have a lot more lore and campaign notes to convert into articles! One of my player's characters was an aasimar snack who got away!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

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Dec 9, 2023 05:21 by Tlcassis Polgara | Arrhynsia

oooo - YUK! Not at all someone you can be kind to. Malevolence just sucks...

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Jan 3, 2024 14:18 by Chris L

Yeah, it's a bad creature that encourages more bad behavior to keep it sated. It may be the worst of my Gluttons.


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

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Jan 3, 2024 04:11 by Han

Holy shit, that's horrifying.


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Jan 3, 2024 14:19 by Chris L

This guy gets worse the more that I think about it!!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Jan 12, 2024 14:35 by E. Christopher Clark

I can understand why Sarge is kinda creeped out by this guy. Wowzers. Spiders already creep me out, but a MAGMA spider?!

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Jan 12, 2024 14:38 by Chris L

You forgot "child-eating" magma spider. I have it circled as the final foe in one of my campaigns that's going right now.


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

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