The Tumbi is a traditional Punjabi stringed instrument played by half of the Piano Man inside the Knife of Transposition.

Description

  • Traditional stringed instrument from Punjab
  • Single string plucked to create distinctive high-pitched sound
  • Featured prominently in Punjabi folk and bhangra music
  • This particular Tumbi was the only instrument available to half of the Piano Man in his confinement
  • Destroyed beyond mundane repair

Mechanics

Sound:

  • Single metal string creates distinctive resonant tone
  • Produces rhythmic, percussive melodic patterns
  • Often used to accompany vocals in traditional music

Magical Properties:

  • This Tumbi possessed unusually strong magic
  • Mundane mend spell insufficient to restore destroyed string
  • Magic likely tied to Piano Man’s essence or the Knife of Transposition

Chronology

Performance of Yesterday:

  • Half of Piano Man played Tumbi inside Knife of Transposition
  • Performed “Yesterday… all my troubles were so far away”
  • Solitary figure in translucent cavern within the knife
  • Only instrument available to him in confinement

Destruction:

  • Helia threw fireball at the figure
  • Accidentally destroyed the Tumbi in the attack
  • Piano Man upset, asking party to fix his only instrument
  • Helia attempted mend spell but magic too strong to restore string
  • Velden possessed some knowledge of Tumbi but insufficient to repair

Musical Knowledge:

  • Velden identified Mundiyan to bach ke as a famous song featuring Tumbi
  • Knowledge insufficient for effective repair of magical instrument

Aftermath:

  • Piano Man gave up on instrument after failed repair
  • Attempted to convince party to restore him to power
  • Dismissed party when they refused, pointing to cylindrical elevator

Connections