“It’s as simple as can be”, Cyrzana says as she sways to the white symbol on the floor. “Just stand on it and let the spell do the rest.”
She turns around to face them. She has a broad smile on her face as she takes a step back, entering the glowing circle, and she disappears.
(Persuasion 6)
“She’s right”, Dargothoth says with a rather joyous ring to his voice. “It does look very simple.”
He walks forward to follow her example.
“Wait.” Bruq shouts. “Shouldn’t we be more careful and investigate the sigil? You’re carelessly following a demon.”
The priest shrugs and doesn’t even look back.
“Don’t be such a fucking kill-joy, goatman.”
Before the hunter can respond, Dargothoth steps into the magical field and vanishes.
“I swear”, Bruq says with a sigh, “that man is going to be the death of us at some point. Tell me I’m not exaggerating.” He looks at them with wide eyes and a wrinkly frown on his forehead.
“I think we can trust her”, Lyssa says calmly. “Maybe he feels that too. If he’s going to be the death of us, I don’t think today is that day.”
The satyr looks at her open-mouthed and with a blank stare.
“Besides”, Mero adds, “I don’t think we have another option at hand. I say we hop in.” The puppet walks forward, steps on the glowing sigil and disappears. Lyssa and Oslando follow his example.
“I can’t believe we are really just doing this”, Bruq says to himself. He slowly walks forward and stops at the edge of the circle.
“Please, don’t hurt”, he whispers. He closes his eyes and makes a final step.
“That took you long enough”, Dargothoth says.
The satyr opens his eyes and sees how the others are looking at him like he’s an overly dramatic child.
“Well, I have had it with all these bloody portals taking us everywhere”, he responds. “I would happily never enter a portal again for the rest of my life.”
Cyrzana chuckles.
“That would make it very difficult for you to leave this place. Everything here works with teleportations fields and interdimensional portals. Take it or leave it.” She doesn’t wait for his respond and turns her back to them.
“The Beholder is most likely behind that door”, she says and she walks towards it. “Brace yourself. He can be quite… intense. Just be polite and everything will be fine, I guess.”
They follow her through the hallway. The walls are painted with gold and decorated with all different kinds of paintings. If their guide would walk slower and give them more time to admire them, Oslando and Mero would have used that time wisely.
Dargothoth picks up his speed to get beside her.
“What do you mean when you say he’s intense?” He feels uncomfortable not knowing who he’s going to face. He has had more than enough surprises these last few days and he doesn’t like that another one is waiting for him behind that door.
“Nothing in a negative way”, Cyrzana answers, “but he’s a bit of a scatterbrain. I think it came with having a great mind like he does. You’ll see what I mean after you meet him.”
The priest nods in silence.
As they approach the door, it opens without them touching it, like it knows their intentions. A loud creaky sound echoes throughout the corridor. The metal hinges look like their best days are far behind them.
Behind the door lies a rather big room that is just stuffed with furniture and magical items. Different crystals float through the air and stacks of parchment are piled up on every bit of floor that doesn’t have tables or chairs on it. The room has four walls and all of them are covered with mirrors of all shapes and sizes. They look similar to the one they used to get here.
“This is amazing”, Mero stammers as he takes in all the magical items surrounding them. “This is a fortress of knowledge.”
“And power”, Dargothoth whispers to himself with a smile on his face.
(Perception 9)
“I’m sure this is amazing, but there’s no one here”, Lyssa says and she raises one eyebrow indignantly. She observes the scenery again, but there is no one to be found. Her eye is caught by Cyrzana, who is pointing upwards. They all shift their gaze to the ceiling and they notice a golden platform floating high above them.
“Voyeur”, the succubus shouts, “can you come down here?” She can’t hide that she’s pleased with herself to tease the creator of this plane once again.
They hear a distant sound of pieces of parchment being rolled up and glass jars being set down rather harshly.
“I told you to call me Oanoa or Beholder”. His thundering voice echoes loudly throughout the entire room and make all mirrors on the walls shake. “You shouldn’t be rude to the man who gives you asylum, especially now we have guests.”
They can see how a man jumps of the edge of the floating platform. His descent is fast, but slows down quickly. His dark purple robes wave restlessly around his slender body. It’s decorated with golden borders and a leather belt is strapped across his chest, holding several pieces of parchment rolls.
He gently lands and walks to his visitors. His olive brown skin and sunken eyes give him a rather sickly look. His eyes are different colours, light blue and dark green. His most notable feature, above all others, are the tattoos on his bald head. Nine eyes of different sizes and colours are painted across his scalp. The central one is the biggest and is a vibrant shade of purple. They could swear it looks at them.
“I have been expecting you.”
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