The Devouring Eye

An aberration that has lived in the ancient catacombs that run beneath Tradver City for the last several decades, though its activity has only become apparent within the last two years. Whilst the circumstances leading to its residence beneath Tradver are unknown, some theorise that it was brought by the late Duke Conrad Elstein into the catacombs, who himself was a secretive servant of Seorca. With the beast’s heightened activity increasing after Conrad’s death, it is believed that it was held on a leash by the nefarious noble, and now without its master, acts of its own whims.

The Catacombs of Tradver have often been utilised by its various gang factions and smuggler networks to move illicit goods away from the eyes of the law and ordinary citizenry. Yet in recent years, many have noted disappearances of entire shipments and crews sent into labyrinthine tunnels, often blaming each other and inciting conflict. Unbeknownst to them, however, their comrades befell a much more grizzly fate, serving as food to the Devouring Eye whose gaze was held upon them from the moment they stepped within its lair. Though its presence within the catacombs was often a closely guarded secret, for any who knew of its existence were bound to secrecy, serving in the court of the late Duke Conrad. For the creature’s original intent was a guardian of ancient treasures and dark secrets buried by the Duke, who chose a creature who coveted gold above all else, yet could easily have its mind dominated by him, unlike a powerful dragon.

Thus when Duke Conrad was forced to flee Tradver, and perished thereafter, the beast’s freedom was returned, though trapped in the confines of the catacombs. Yet gold was still coveted by the creature, and with vision able to pierce stone, it was able to seek out the gold it so greatly desired. From beneath the vaults of various banks, treasuries and wealthy merchants, the creature struck, tearing holes through whatever material they could muster to protect their goods, swallowing the gold in droves before spitting it back up in its lair. Initially perplexed, the victims of the Devouring Eye thought it the result of a sophisticated criminal syndicate: a renegade branch of the fracturing Rossa Cartel striking out to make their first fortune. It was only when the creature struck the vault of the Belfrian Merchant League, that the culprit came to light, spotted by Arcane Eyes present in the vault.

Now after losing several squads of their Golden Griffins, the Belfrian Merchant League has reached out to the WEHL to hunt the beast down, find its lair and return its ill-gotten gains to its rightful owners. The contract to slay the beast drips in political intrigue, as the Golden Griffins protest work given from their parent company to their competitors, and the WEHL is hesitant to take it, believing the Merchant League may have ulterior motives with their employment.