Tum, also known as The Shattered Lord of Stone, is a fractured remnant of an ancient Elementari of Earth, whose vast form was shattered in a forgotten age of primordial chaos. Over millennia, a large rocky plateau in The Barren Badlands weathered away from the titanic remains of the primordial beings head. It was from these stony remains that a sub-species of stone-like creatures known as the Tumb (or "Thumb People" by outsiders) emerged. These creatures venerate Tum as a divine fragment of the earth itself, believing that one day they might restore their great titan by offering their gifts of stone and earth to rebuild his colossal form.
The Origins of Tum
Tum’s origins lie in the ancient times when the Elemental Titans ruled the Prime Plane during the Second Age, shaping the world with their immense elemental power. During the Aeonic Struggle between the Unknown and the Titans, Tum’s body was shattered, scattered across the lands, and one of these fragments became the rocky plateau now known as the Temple of Tumb in the Badlands. This region, harsh and unforgiving, is home to the Tumb, a sub-species of humanoid stone creatures that emerged from the earth in the shadow of their fractured god.
The Thumb People, as outsiders call them, believe that their purpose is to rebuild their titan, and thus offer gifts of stone, precious minerals, and earth to Tum in hopes that one day he will regain his full form and rise once again. Each gift adds to Tum’s rocky body, slowly restoring what was lost, though progress is slow and uncertain. The Thumb People view this as their sacred duty, and generations of their kind have devoted themselves to collecting stone to add to Tum’s form.
The Temple of Tumb
The Temple of Tumb is a massive stone mesa that rises high above the desolate landscape of the Badlands. It is not a constructed building but a natural formation, believed to be the resting place of the fractured titan’s heart. At its peak, the stone slowly shifts and grows as offerings from the Tumb are accepted, though the transformation is almost imperceptible to the naked eye. The Thumb People have built their homes into the sides of the mesa, constructing small villages around the base where they live in service to Tumb.
Rituals are held daily, where the Tumb people gather to bring offerings of stones and minerals to their god, placing them upon the plateau and reciting ancient incantations passed down through generations. They believe these offerings allow Tum to grow stronger, and their ultimate hope is that one day he will awaken, fully restored to his former might as a titan of the earth.
The Tumb People
The Tumb People, or Thumb People, are a simple and resilient race of stone-like humanoids who thrive in the harsh environment of the Badlands. Their bodies are composed of dense rock and mineral, and they possess an innate connection to the earth. They are known to possess natural Earth-Rifting abilities, which allow them to manipulate stone and earth, skills they attribute to their divine lineage from Tum himself. The Tumb are named as such due to their limited vocal capabilities, which only can sound varying tones of the sound 'tum-b', but also due to their outward perception as similar to the thumb finger.
The Thumb People live simple, communal lives, dedicated to their singular purpose of rebuilding Tum. Though they appear slow-moving and patient, they are fiercely protective of their sacred lands and will defend the Temple of Tumb against any who dare defile it. Outsiders who venture into the Badlands often view the Thumb People as enigmatic and somewhat primitive, but they are a deeply spiritual race with a profound understanding of the earth’s magic.
Divine Connection and Earth-Rifting
It is believed that Tum taught the Tumb all they know of Earth-Rifting, the arcane art of manipulating stone, soil, and the very foundation of the earth. This power was passed down to his worshippers, the Tumb People, who continue to practice this ancient art in reverence to their fractured titan. Their Earth-Rifting abilities allow them to shape stone, raise walls of earth, and build their settlements within the mesa. It is said that through their Earth-Rifting, they help restore Tumb, each shift of stone a prayer to the titan’s rebirth.
Tumb’s essence still lingers in the rock, and his people believe that his wisdom and power flow through the land. While he remains silent and unmoving, the glowing green energy that pulses faintly from within his stony form is a sign that his consciousness remains, waiting for the day when his body will be fully rebuilt.
Conclusion
Tumb, the fractured titan of earth, stands as a reminder of a time when elemental titans ruled the prime plane. Though his form is broken, the Thumb People believe with unwavering faith that their offerings of stone and earth will one day rebuild him. The Temple of Tumb in the Badlands serves as both a sacred site and a symbol of the people’s enduring hope, and through their Earth-Rifting abilities, they carry on the legacy of their ancient god. Whether or not Tum will ever fully return to his former glory remains uncertain, but to the Thumb People, faith in his rebirth is as eternal as the stones they offer.