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This Thothian Ritual can only be learned by a Thothian wizard-priest of at least Level 4. The Ritual can be prepared by reciting a brief prayer to Thoth while touching a melee weapon or armor. When the wizard-priest triggers the effect of this ritual, either the wizard-priest or an ally he can see within thirty feet gains +2 to attack bonus and saving throws for the remainder of the current round, and for the next four rounds. These bonuses stack with any other bonuses that already apply to attacks or saving throws.

To enact this ritual, the wizard-priest of Thoth must prick himself and draw a single drop of blood after intoning a one-minute prayer to Thoth. The priest can then trigger the hanging effect with a word or gesture. When he does so, he rolls 3d10 and keeps the two highest rolls, summing them. The priest can distribute these points as healing among himself and any allies that are within thirty feet and his line of sight.

The Prayer:

"O Silver Tongue of the Night, who restored the Eye of Horus when it was shattered—hear me. As my blood meets the earth, let thy wisdom meet our wounds. From the void of the New Moon, bring forth the fullness of life."

The Trigger: either, or both, of the following

Gesture: Tracing a crescent shape in the air with the bloodied finger.

Word: "Iah" (The name of the moon/moon god).

A priest of Thoth may invoke this ritual by holding first a copper piece, then a silver, and finally a gold piece in his hand and intoning the following:

Copper piece: "Thoth's most freely given gift, valued not nearly enough, is wisdom." The CP turns to metallic dust and blows away.

Silver piece: "Thoth's eyes are upon his faithful. His words chime in their minds like the tinkling of silver bells." The SP turns to metallic dust and blows away.

Gold piece: "May Thoth bequeath the hidden knowledge to his servants."

Follow the above with: "O Logos En-Amenti, Thoth-Hermes, Psuche-Stratos—Vibrate the Hidden Key."

Once enacted, this ritual hangs a magical effect that will be triggered when the priest either says or subvocalizes the following: "Eulogeson tou Doulous-sou, O Thoth-Amon."

Triggered, the hanging effect confers a +1 bonus to the priest and his allies' HP, AC, and Saving Throws for the next three minutes.

To invoke Thoth (the Thrice-Great Hermes), an Archontean priest would likely focus on the concepts of Logos (the Word), Ma’at (Balance), and the Moon.

The Invocation Phrase "O Logos En-Amenti, Thoth-Hermes, Psuche-Stratos—Vibrate the Hidden Key."

Breaking Down the Ritual Meaning O Logos En-Amenti: "The Word in the Underworld." This acknowledges Thoth’s role as the scribe who records the hearts of the dead and brings the light of reason into the darkness.

Thoth-Hermes: The syncretic bridge. In Archontean tradition, names hold power; using both his Egyptian and Greek aspects "locks" the deity into the ritual space.

Psuche-Stratos: "Commander of the Soul." This asks for his guidance over the practitioner's mind and spirit.

Vibrate the Hidden Key: A reference to the Kybalion and the idea that the universe is mental and vibrational. You aren't just asking for a favor; you are asking him to change the frequency of your reality.

In the context of the Halls of Arden Vul, the Thothians are the remnants and followers of the ancient Archontean cult of Thoth, the god of knowledge, secrets, and magic. They are one of the most powerful and intellectually driven factions in the megadungeon.

In your campaign, they are essential for players who want to deal in high-end magic items or deep dungeon lore.

Who they are The Identity: They are primarily Archontean humans (and some intelligent constructs or spirits) who view themselves as the rightful keepers of the "Light of Comprehension."

Alignment: They are generally Lawful or Neutral, but they are highly isolationist and "Lawful" doesn't mean "nice." They are arrogant, valuing ancient scrolls and historical artifacts far more than human life.

Aesthetic: Their areas are heavily influenced by ancient Egyptian/Archontean motifs—expect to see carvings of ibises, baboons, and multifaceted eyes.

Where to find them The Plaza of the Priests (Surface/Level 1): The ruins of their once-great temple complex.

The Hall of Shrines (Level 2): A grand hall of polished marble where they maintain active religious sites.

The Temple of Thoth (Level 3): Their primary stronghold within the upper levels. It is heavily trapped and guarded by magical constructs.

Thothian Teleportation Rings: These are scattered throughout the dungeon. The Thothians are the only ones who truly understand how to use the "addresses" (cubes) to navigate the halls instantly.

Interaction & Trade If you want to trade with them, keep the following in mind:

Currency: They care little for standard gold. They want ancient books, lost scrolls, and Archontean relics. If you find a piece of jewelry with an inscription in a dead language, they are your best buyers.

Magic Items: They are the premier faction for identifying magic items. However, they may demand you perform a "service" (a quest to recover a stolen book from the Cult of Set) rather than taking gold for the service.

The Scrutiny of Thoth: In some areas, the faction (or the god himself) may "judge" those who enter. If you show respect and possess high intelligence, they are much more likely to trade than if you come in swinging a sword.

The Rivalry They are the eternal enemies of the Cult of Set (the god of chaos and destruction). If your party is seen wearing Setian symbols or dealing with their rivals, the Thothians will likely be hostile on sight.

Pro Tip: If you find a Thothian Holy Symbol (often an ivory or gold ibis), keep it. It acts as a "key" for many of the magical doors and elevators within their territory.