Chapter 8: The Wormwrithings

The other drow emerge from their side passage after a brief conversation with Hanne. The apparent leader sends a message to Hunter rather than speak aloud, "We have more eggs to collect," says an older drow with a striking resemblance to Hanne; likely an older sister or her mother.

Sarith turns to Mai'ngor, "I will go ahead to keep an eye out," he says, then asks, "Would you like to lead the others with your sword?"

You continue through the tunnels with Sarith as your guide. After several miles, you begin to feel as though you're being watched and several times you think you see eyes in the darkness, but they're gone when you try to focus on them. Eventually, as you approach a corner, Sarith comes back to the group, "A huge chasm around the corner with manufactured bridges running across it," he reports, "I think we might've found the place..."

Before anyone can answer, you hear footsteps on the bridge and see a figure approaching through the darkness, "What brings you to the realm of Karazikar?" a smooth voice asks.

The figure takes a few steps forward and you see a bald man in fine robes. His head is covered in tattoos of eyeballs and his staff is topped with a large eyeball as well. He nods, "Of course," he says, "Please follow me."

As you begin to follow, a large spherical creature descends from above and stops about 30 feet out from the walkway. It has a massive eyeball in the center of its body and a number of writing eye-stalks covering its head. As it looks at you, you can tell that you're in an area of anti-magic and none of your magic will work unless it looks away.

It opens its mouth to reveal large fang-like teeth, "You have entered the lair of Karazikar and I am he. For what reason have you come into my domain?" it says, each eye-stalk looking at a separate member of your group.

As Xeliss looks about, she feels very uneasy. You are on a walkway across an open chasm that goes down beyond sight. There are no rails, but there are several other walkways that cross the chasm at different heights throughout.

Karazikar eyes Hunter warily for a moment and then, seemingly satisfied by what he say, speaks, "I am already aware of this incursion, so your warning was unneeded of course," he says, "As payment for your trouble, though, I shall let you leave my domain unharmed in whichever direction you would like."

He doesn't acknowledge Hunter's statement about ending the threat.

"For those as weak as you," the beholder says with some amusement, "You should flee. Run as far as you can as long as you can."