The Black Pyramid

Overview:

The Black Pyramid is a floating island/structure that resembles an Egyptian pyramid, but made of black stone found in the Shadowlands, it is the headquarters of the Sons of the Scarab and the seat of power of the immortal mage Imhotep. Its is home to it's vast Library, itself so big it rivals Alexandria's, Constantinople's and London's combined. It also houses great other mysteries and personnel.

History:

The Black Pyramid was created by Imhotep to serve as his main base of operations, and to coordinate his secret society, the Sons of the Scarab. For his own safety it was decided that it would be housed in the Shadowlands, where it could be hidden from the prying eyes of the immortal's enemies and fellow Mages. It is a cyclopean work of architecture, with immeasurable height and width and when one looks below, it seems as if the sun has vanished. Imhotep created it as a floating structure, so as to not be bogged down if he was found, either by mortals or the Wraiths that inhabit this land, with it's ability to transport itself between the Shroud and cross to anywhere it wants, the Black Pyramid has been able to survive for thousands of years.

The Immortal Throne has appeared only 7 times in history, once during the Alexandrian conquests where Imhotep offered council to the Macedonian king; another time was when the Islamic conquests ravaged the land, with the intention to safeguard old manuscripts that would surely be destroyed by the zealots of Mohammed. The third time was when Hernán Cortez and his men conquered the Aztec empire, in order to safeguard it's secret knowledge and recruit a few of them into the Scarabs, some are still alive to this day; The fourth time was when humanity entered the Industrial Revolution; the fifth was during the Second World War; the sixth was during the Great Leap Forward of Mao Zedong. The last time it appeared was during the Week of Nightmares, covering the sun as the Three Boddhisatvas battled Zapatasura and helped them kill it.

Every time it appeared, the Black Pyramid did so for a reason, most of the time it was to preserve knowledge, or to protect Egypt in an uncommon moment of nostalgia by Imhotep, but most of the time it was during a crisis. But it has not been unnoticed by the Legions of Stygia, with at least three attempts by the Smiling Lord to take over the pyramid and claim it as a bastion for the Grim Legion. The third attempt was stopped when the Ashen Lady, with several veterans of her Iron Legion, relieved Imhotep's Medjay and constructs, after that Imhotep made a mutual defense pact with the Ashen Lady and her Iron Legion, in case the Smiling Lord or the Skeletal Lord attempt any strike against her, the Immortal would be obligated to defend her, with the full might of his Black Sun.

Geography

The Black Pyramid is a colossal work of engineering and architecture, so big it blots out the sun with it's passage, it catches the eye no matter how far away from it you are. It is made from a strange stone found only in the Shadowlands, giving it it's intimidating black appearance.

Inside it is a maze of teleporters, stairs and an infinite number of rooms, som many that only Imhotep can remember all of them. But there are a few that come to mind when conjuring it's infinite space:

• The Throne Room: This is were Imhotep resides, a gigantic hall, decorated with a vast selection of hieroglyphs, depicting past, present and, some say, future events. It is where he plans his moves according to the hieroglyphs in the walls, and according to the magic scrolls floating in the room.
• Navigation Room: This room sits at the heart of the Pyramid, it composes of a core of mystical energy, which itself resembles a globe, that allows the Immortal Throne to travel between space and dimensions. It is the most secure place in the entire pyramid, with it's survival being key to the Pyramid and Imhotep's power.
• The Room of Infinite Doors: A weird, if useful addition to the Pyramid. It comprises a gigantic selection of doors, each different from the last, that leads to a variety of places. It leads to all the Sanctuaries, some places in the Black Pyramid, Stygia and other places in the Shadowlands and even a few other realities, different possibilities in a multiverse of madness.
• The Arsenal: This is the most dangerous place in all of the Pyramid, it is where the most powerful artifacts collected by the Sons of the Scarab are stored. It houses artifacts of unimaginable power with examples such as: The Book of the Dead; The Iron Maiden of Hecate; The Sword of Heavenly Might; The Crown of Carcorssa and The Tablet of Ereshkigal.
• The Library of Ages: The main reason Imhotep created the Black Pyramid, it stores the greatest and most powerful secrets and books in human history, both mundane and supernatural. It rivals the libraries of the world combined, with an enviable collection of books, manuscripts and tomes that keep alive the spark of mankind.

Alternative Name(s)

Black Sun, Immortal Throne

Type

Island, Floating

Location under

Shadowlands

Included Locations

• Shadowlands

Owner/Ruler

Imhotep

Ruling/Owning Rank

Pharaoh of Knowledge

Owning Organization

The Sons of the Scarab

Characters in Location

• Bayek, The Moon's Blade
• Imhotep