Ssarnak — the Eye in the Cavern
A one-eyed aberration lairing in the crevasse cavern beneath Tresendar Manor. First encountered Session 6 — holding Newton up to its eye like a jeweler with a new acquisition.
What You Know
- Grom’s lore: Ssarnak is a nothic — the remains of a wizard who chased forbidden magic and was caught by it. Greedy, likely centuries old, sustained by the necrotic seep at the bottom of the crevasse.
- It speaks directly into your mind, one person at a time — and it sees more than it should. On the way into the cavern, it pried open Fleck’s memories without asking.
- It trades in secrets and objects of beauty, and its information has so far been accurate: the north bridge is the safe one, and a hidden way north of the cavern leads down toward Glasstaff’s office.
- Its professional assessment of Glasstaff: “a wizard of medium power, no great mortal threat — but he will try to kill you.”
- Charm person slides off it entirely. Whatever a nothic is, it is not a person.
- It keeps Newton — the golden, ruby-eyed figurine — as a “guest,” pending delivery of something more beautiful.
Session 7 — What It Wouldn’t Take
- Two silver-inlaid crossbows from the Redbrand armory, turned slowly before the eye. Not beautiful enough. (The gem-set shortsword stayed in its scabbard; it was never offered.)
- The location of the spellbook of Bowgentle — Agatha’s answer, offered as knowledge. It does not want to know where a thing is. It wants the thing. It has now heard the name Bowgentle, and it did not forget it.
- It spent part of the conversation turning over Thea’s thoughts like a hand in a drawer. It did not say what it found.
Standing Business
Bring it something prettier than a golden newt, and Newton comes home. Probably. Next on the list: a gold earring set with a tiny ruby, liberated from the Redbrands’ common room — or, if that fails, an emerald Mirna once mentioned.