The Tikhurats, or inverted ziggurats, are an ancient and forgotten network of massive underground structures surrounding Seregon in a ten-mile radius, one for each of the 12 Jewels of Chan-Kaanul. Covered by creeping vines, moss, and the erosion of time, these colossal stone platforms are remnants of the fallen empire of Chan-Kaanul, hidden away and mostly lost to history—save, a secretive group of wizards dedicated to their protection.
The 12 Tikhurats and the Triads of Existence
Deep within these ziggurats lie obsidian and jade pedestals, etched with runes that pulse faintly with ancient power. These pedestals, once used by the Olmoy priests, were designed to tap into the four triads of existence, harnessing elemental and metaphysical forces to amplify the power of the jewels.
- Mind, Body, Spirit: The jewels must align with this triad to protect the people’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, creating a harmonic defense.
- Past, Present, Future: The magic of the jewels reaches through time itself, stabilizing the flow of events and shielding the region from temporal disturbances.
- Creation, Preservation, Destruction: This cycle powers the land, allowing the wards to prevent destruction while harnessing energy to reshape reality if needed.
- Waking, Dreaming, Deep Sleep: The defense extends beyond the waking world, protecting the minds of the city’s inhabitants even in dreams, and maintaining a deep cosmic connection to the slumbering forces of the universe.
The ritual of placement requires magically attuned conduits—wizards, priests, or sorcerers who understand the ancient purposes of the jewels and can channel the vast magical energies needed to align them. Each jewel must be restored to its appropriate Tikhurat, following the ancient elemental balance of earth, wind, fire, water, and spirit. For instance, the Jewel of Fire’s Wrath would find its place within a flame-carved spire, while the Jewel of Earth’s Might would be set deep within a mountain-like cavern beneath the ground.
The Barrier and Ritual Protection
Once the jewels are properly positioned and the incantations are completed, the Protective Ward of Chan-Kaanul will be restored, shielding Seregon and its surrounding lands within a ten-mile radius. This magical barrier will be nearly impenetrable, defending against both mundane armies and supernatural forces, and even offering protection from cataclysmic magic that could rend reality itself.
To ensure the safety of the ritual, powerful defenses must be established. Magical barriers will need to surround each Tikhurat, maintained by a team of high-level spellcasters who can sustain the protective wards against sabotage. These barriers would not only prevent entry but also conceal the locations of the Tikhurats from prying eyes, ensuring the ritual occurs in absolute secrecy.
Guardians of Chan-Kaanul
The greatest defense of the Tikhurats, however, is the Guardians of Chan-Kaanul—spectral beings bound to the jewels since the time of Yaxun B’alam. These phantoms, fueled by ancient magic, are awakened whenever the Jewels of Chan-Kaanul are being restored to their rightful places. Their presence manifests as glowing apparitions with hollow eyes, clad in the armor and vestments of the ancient Olmoy. The guardians serve two purposes: to protect the ritual from outside threats and to ensure that only those worthy can complete the ceremony. Their relentless dedication to the jewels means that any who seek to interfere with or sabotage the ritual will face these unstoppable spectral warriors.
Sabotage Prevention
Sabotage, however, remains a constant threat. Enemy factions—those who covet the power of the jewels or fear what the Protective Ward would mean—may attempt to disrupt the reassembly. To prevent this, the Order of the Hidden Flame employs teleportation circles to swiftly move between the Tikhurats and stations guardians at each site. Additionally, warding glyphs and magical traps—triggered by the approach of anyone not attuned to the ritual—ensure that even those who manage to slip past the spectral guardians would face insurmountable magical challenges.
Lastly, the reassembly must happen simultaneously, with all 12 jewels placed and activated in precise harmony. Failure to synchronize the activation of even one jewel would cause the protective ward to fail, leaving Seregon vulnerable. Therefore, the ritual itself requires immense coordination, secrecy, and defense, making it one of the most dangerous and complex undertakings in recent history.
Once complete, Seregon would stand as a bastion of safety, surrounded by the ancient power of the Tikhurats, guarded by the immortal Guardians of Chan-Kaanul, and protected by a barrier so strong that not even the most powerful sorcery could breach it.