Obsidian Tribunal
The Obsidian Tribunal is an otherworldly faction first mentioned by Zaros during Sliske's Endgame if the player loses to Saradomin in the race for the Stone of Jas. Virtually nothing is known about the Tribunal, save that they are not a god,[1] and they control a host of worlds, on one of which they held Adrasteia, Saradomin's daughter. Nex kidnapped Adrasteia from the Tribunal so Zaros could use her as a bargaining chip if Saradomin won the Stone.[2] A number of the worlds the Tribunal controls are tomb worlds - the world Adrasteia was held on is one of them.[3] It is implied the Tribunal serves Xau-Tak in some form since his influence has been described as the "obsidian hand of death"[4] and Zemouregal once mistook his black stone for obsidian.[5]
Three agents of the Tribunal are found near the end of the Shadow Reef: Eye of Cythan, Maw of Kolthregar, and Hand of Dagnath, who were sent by Agnes, who holds a leadership position within the Tribunal, to assist Kranon the Ambassador with his ritual. Kranon distrusted the tribunal, believing that they saw themselves above his methods.[6] Likewise, the agents held a low opinion of Kranon, believing him to be an "arrogant fool with dangerous aspirations." Despite this, they cooperated with defending the ritual and believed that it would weaken a "veil" so they could be heard by their master.[7] All three agents were slain by the World Guardian shortly before Kranon himself was defeated.
The Tribunal is mentioned in Ode of the Devourer, where Zemouregal wonders if Amascut was approached by them. He also condemns anyone who relies on their aid.[8]
Known members[edit | edit source]
Mentioned[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ^ Mod Raven. Lore Corner - Answers!. RuneScape Lore Discussion Forums. 17 January 2017. (Archived from the original on 18 January 2017.)
- ^ Zaros, "Sliske's Endgame", RuneScape. "Your daughter is safe Saradomin. Nex found her on one of the Obsidian Tribunal's worlds. She is safely in my possession now. Give me the stone and she will be returned to you."
- ^ Zaros, "Sliske's Endgame", RuneScape. "Nex found her on one of the Obsidian Tribunal's tomb worlds, she is in my custody now."
- ^ Kalibath's journal, written by Kalibath, RuneScape. "The one thing Tarshak is good for is talking, and everything he has said has sickened me on one level or another. He has chased the V User across worlds without end, always failing due to his incompetence. And always he finds mortals bowing and scraping before 'gods' that would slaughter them all to get access to the Stone for a bare instant. He has seen people worshipping giant pigs, giant plants and giant rocks. He has seen them throw their own children into living flames. He has seen them engage in fights to the death with combatants in the billions. He has seen them welcome the obsidian hand of death around their throat with a smile."
- ^ Azzanadra, "Azzanadra's Quest", RuneScape. "There is another resonance on this egg, but it is not Wen's. In fact, it reminds me of- remember Zemouregal? He had a black stone he used for necromancy. He said he found it in Karamja and the fool thought it was obsidian. It was cold to the touch. Freezing, in fact, and it shared the same resonance as this corruption... But Mah is dead now, and poses no threat to Gielinor. This is a mystery for another time."
- ^ Umbral Diplomacy, written by The Ambassador, RuneScape. "So, the Tribunal has sent its agents to assist me. There is obviously more at work here, for the Tribunal has always believed itself above my methods. I am not part of their scheming. I have no desires to bend my knee to Agnes or her agents. This is my world and I will not grant them a foothold."
- ^ Maw of Kolthregar, "The Shadow Reef", RuneScape. "You shall not interupt Kranon. His work is too important, it must continue. He is an arrogant fool with dangerous aspirations. But his ritual will weaken the veil and let our master hear us."
- ^ Zemouregal, "Ode of the Devourer", RuneScape. "I wonder if she was also approached by the Tribunal... [...] Those who resort to such forces are pathetic creatures who lack the legitimate strength to achieve their goals. They would sooner sacrifice their dignity and their future to other powers than accept their failings. That's all there is to it."