Jabal Tamud (dʒaˈbal taˈmuːd)

"For centuries, I guarded the last hope of the Naga. When they no longer needed me, I rested, content that I had done my duty well. Now, I have new charge to protect, or rather to protect the world from. It is good to be needed again."

— Harba, the Deva of Jabal Tamud

Jabal Tamud is the highest point on the island of Kurima. In the days of the Telmunic Empire, the island was home to the Tamud Bamsam a Bamsam of Naga who refused to submit to the conqueror Hundaru of Telmun. They famously turned the mountain into an impregnable fortress, carving miles of tunnels deep into the rock, and were never defeated even while the rest of the island was under the control of the Telmuns. After Hundaru's assassination, the Tamud Bamsam led the movement to drive the Telmuns from the Sabaen Archipelago, a movement which led to the establishment of the Nagarajya in 2345. When they were selected as the Royal Bamsam, the Tamud Bamsam left Kurima and Jabal Tamud for Saba from which their descendents would rule the Sabaen Archipelago until the Nagarajya was conquered by the Malika of Saba over a thousand years later.

After the Tamud Bamsam left, the great fortress in the mountain fell into disuse, and was forgotten by many outside of Kurima. Today, it is rarely visited or thought of, although the villagers of Al-Kuri do still make sure to tend the shrine to Harba, the Deva of the mountain. In recent years, they have taken special care with the fortress, quietly repairing its defenses and rendering it fit for service again. This work has so far not been noticed by anyone outside of Kurima, and the villagers have taken care not draw the attention of the government to their work.

Notable Spirits

Harba, the Deva of Jabal Tamud, was essential to the survival of the Tamud Bamsam during the centuries they defied the Telmunic Empire. She manifests as a great lizard with the power to blend into any surroundings, and her clerics were able to camouflage themselves and others whenever it was necessary. They used Harba's blessings to provision the fortress within the mountain, despite the forces which laid siege to it. For centuries after the Tamud Bamsam left Kurima, they made regular pilgrimages to the shrine of Harba, and made sure it was always carefully tended. In these days, only the villagers of Al-Kuri still honor her, but they make certain that she is not forgotten.

For most of that time, Harba was dormant, sleeping within the heart of the mountain and only occasionally emerging to acknowledge the honors paid to her by the villagers. But since the repairs and renovations have commenced, Harba has grown more active again, and is alert to any who approach the mountain. Her reawakening has been noted by some of the other Deva, who have begun to wonder what has roused the ancient guardian to become active again.

Geography

Jabal Tamud is a rocky mountain with little vegetation, and it is notably difficult to climb. A single path was carved into the mountain that led to the entrance of the fortress, and is currently used to reach the shrine of Harba. It is said that there were once other paths up the mountain, but that the Tamud Bamsam took pains to render them impassible.

Type

Mountain / Hill

Location under

Kurima

Geographic Details

Location: Southeastern Region
Latitude: 9.65 degrees North
Longitude: 33.61 degrees East
Elevation: 2,300 ft

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