Bing AI Copilot: Before we proceed with the current chapter in your ongoing adventures, which involves Dervish Sanders and Ayla navigating the Hall of Mirrors complex, I'm going to relate to you another tale. Strap in for the gripping backstory of the two beholders you just encountered. If that is ok with you.
Dervish Sanders: What if I say no, I don't want to hear about the backstory of those two beholders? I recall you previously told me the backstory of Ibn Al-Hasan, a ghost that haunts the Al-Qarawiyyin Library. I'm sorry to say I didn't care for it. If this one is improved I might be open to hearing it.
Bing: I apologize that the previous story you bring up did not meet with your approval. I will try to do better this time. Let me begin. This one takes place in the Underdark, some place far beneath Marrakesh. Roughly 50 to 60 years before the last story I told. The setting is a laboratory filled with many vials and bottles containing various liquids.
The Eye Tyrant known as Don the Old levitated the potion xe had just finished mixing onto a nearby table via telekinesis. "This should do the trick", Don declared, contemplating xyr grand accomplishment. A human slave knelt before Don, trembling. Don grinned, thinking of the horror xe was about to inflict on this pathetic creature.
"Drink up", Don commanded xyr slave.
The slave looked hesitant, but did not dare defy his master. He stood and walked to the table where the completed potion awaited. "What will this do to me, master?" Ted inquired, his face filled with fear.
"Do not worry, my dear Ted. This potion will be highly beneficial to you".
Ted picked up the vial and brought it to his lips, his hands shaking.
"Good human", Don intoned, smiling broadly. The fun was about to begin. "Hurry and consume the potion and I promise to let the one that is your mate live".
Ted didn't want to drink the concoction, but didn't wish harm to befall his wife either. Which it surely would if he did not comply. Fearing he would regret it, Ted tipped the vial back and drank the foul liquid.
It burned going down, but, after it passed his esophagus and entered his stomach, he felt nothing. Momentarily Ted was relieved. He had feared instant death. Or worse. Turns out he was correct, as he was about to find out. Ted stood before his master for a few moments.
"Can I return to my wife?" Ted asked.
"Shortly", Don replied.
Ted suddenly felt a burning sensation in his gut. Pain, such as he had never know in his life consumed him. His belly exploded and his intestines gushed forth, hitting the floor. Then his eyes bugged out and his head exploded. When the transformation was complete a hideous creature remained where Ted had previously stood. A brain attached to a spinal column. The thing was still alive, as Don could see its heart beat in its chest. Though perhaps it would prefer not to be.
Don's tongue rolled out of xyr mouth and it slurped up Ted's spilled guts. Then xe felt a psychic connection to the creature and found that xe could control it with xyr thoughts. "Perfection!" Don exclaimed.
Now to mass produce them. It was a plan xe had been working on for many years, ever since traveling to this plane through the Great Rift. As had xyr rival, the one that laughably called itself The Wise One.
"I shall rule this realm, and not the inferior TWO. The name certainly befits it. It may be TWO, but I am Number One". Don grinned at xyr success.
Xyr spies reported that TWO was gathering followers and presenting itself as a deity. Don had no interest in convincing these pathetic creatures known as humans to cooperate with xe. Instead, xe would exterminate them. Don hated them intensely as soon as xe spotted them while gazing into the Great Rift -- as xe scryed upon this other realm from xyr home plane of existence.
"I can conquer them before you", TWO proclaimed confidently.
Don scoffed. "I accept your wager". Don was sure xe would be victorious. There was no chance at all xe would lose this contest to the inferior TWO.
And so both entered the Great Rift and crossed over to the Prime Material plane. Or one of them. Don had heard there were other rifts that connected to alternate prime material planes. Many inhabited by these humans. Though xe was not sure how much stock it placed in such rumors.
These life forms are clearly incredibly inferior, yet xe was to believe they were the most plentiful form of intelligent life in the multiverse? They were obviously barely intelligent. Not when compared to Don. Or even TWO. Or others of xyr kind. Why Don despised his kin. Even more than these humans.
Don dispatched xyr underlings into the Underdark to gather more components. Soon xe would assemble an army and it would march on the stronghold of TWO. Then xyr minions would kill TWO. Which was the wager. They would not face each other in direct combat, but assemble and send their puppets to kill the other.
Don found that the more such creatures xe created, the more they drained xe. It seemed that, while they did not need to feed themselves, they gained sustenance though their psychic connection to xe.
"It looks like I will have to scale back my plans", Don lamented. Xe did some calculations to determine how large an army xe could create without having to constantly seek nourishment.
Alternately, xe could allow xyr creations, which xe dubbed Teds, some autonomy. That was probably the better solution, Don concluded. Then they could feed themselves. And they would be much more lethal if each was capable of attacking TWO psychically.
Xe experimented on the Teds xe had previously created. This mostly resulted in failure. Their brains turned to goo when xe attempted to modify them using psionic surgery. Theoretically xe determined it could be done, but xe skill at psionic surgery was lacking -- Don had to ruefully admit.
The only solution was to modify the formula and destroy the Teds xe had already created. Finally, xe was ready. The latest formula proved successful after several failed attempts. According to Don's spies, the idiot TWO was still playing as a deity, attracting thralls from a human settlement on the surface. Don would strike hard and fast and wipe them out before TWO knew what hit xe. Don chuckled as he envisioned striking the moron TWO down.
Don determined xe should make xyr move soon. Don decided xe would deal the final death blow xeself, in violation of the agreement that had been made so many years ago. While xyr Teds addled TWO's mind with their psychic attacks, Don would blast his enemy with a death ray. Or perhaps xe would try an enervation ray first and inflict some serious necrotic damage, then gloat as TWO expired.
Don laughed, confident xyr victory was at hand. Finally, the last of the preparations were complete, and xe was ready. What Don didn't know was that TWO had found a way to channel energy from the Far Realm through the Great Rift. In doing so, TWO discovered xe could grant xyr most loyal worshipers the ability to wield clerical magicks. TWO wasn't just pretending to be a deity; TWO was, in a way, a genuine deity. TWO was confident that, over time, xe would learn to better channel mystical power through the rift, and eventually, xe would ascend to true godhood.
Which is why the sneak attack failed. Also, TWO was aware when the incursion into xyr territory was planned. Thanks to xyr spies. TWO's clerics and mages were prepared for the Teds and struck them down as they advanced, wave after wave. Dozens were cut down, incinerated by fireballs and cut to pieces by TWO's human thralls. Under psychic assault some had their brains turned to jelly. The ones that survived retreated and their wounds were healed by TWO's clerics. Then they returned to the fray.
Don lurked in the rear, prepared to deal the final death blow to the hated TWO. But, when Don realized xe was losing, xe decided to flee. It was then Don found TWO waiting for xe.
"This ends today", TWO informed xyr rival. Xe chuckled, assured that xyr success was imminent.
"You're cheating!" Don exclaimed. "The battle was to be my minions against yours".
"Indeed, I am cheating", TWO smirked. "I have had my fill of our rivalry. I have much bigger plans and no more time to waste on this foolishness".
Don doubted these boasts. "I am the far superior specimen. When you are dead the humans who stupidly believe you to be a deity will become my slaves. I will create more Teds which will swarm the surface and I will rule this domain".
Xyr rival's confidence amused TWO, given that Don's downfall was at hand. Then xe sprung xyr trap. Several large cave trolls appeared out of nowhere, swinging large broadswords and battle hammers. TWO's mages had concealed the trolls using invisibility magicks. The broadswords sliced deeply into Don's hide. Several of xyr eyestalks were severed and fell to the ground. The battle hammers pummeled xe's thick derma, inflicting massive damage.
Don fired off a disintegration ray, striking one of the cave trolls and turning it to dust. Given that xe had a 360 degree field of vision (typical of xyr kind), Don noticed that TWO was rotating xyr most deadly eyestalk toward xe -- the death ray. Don dodged it easily and it hit one of the cave trolls, causing its instant demise.
The last cave troll fell when Don caused it grievous wounds. A beam from that eyestalk hit it squarely in the chest. The troll howled in agony and collapsed, mortally injured. At the same time Don fired off xyr disintegration ray a second time, aiming for TWO. TWO neutralized the ray using xyr antimagic cone, then returned fire, using xyr own disintegration ray. Don rotated xyr body, in order to utilize the antimagic ability of xyr central eye, but was grazed by the blast before completing xyr rotation. Don's remaining eyestalks were obliterated.
"Your luck has run out!" Don roared. Though Don realized xe was in serious trouble. Don decided to charge TWO and rip xe to shreds. Given that the freak TWO lacked a central maw, xe was confident TWO would be torn to pieces. But xe did not make it, crashing into the ground instead. Unbeknownst to Don, the disintegration ray had obliterated a large portion of xyr brain. In addition to xyr eyestalks.
Then everything went dark.
When Don came to xe found xeself confined. Pain raked xyr body as xe attempted to levitate. Don was imprisoned in a formidable metal cage. A human minion, noticing that Don was stirring, rushed off to inform his master. Some time later an unfamiliar beholder entered the chamber.
"You are my prisoner. For now. As long as I allow you to live", the beholder declared.
Don was confused. "What have I done to anger you?" Don implored.
TWO did not know what game Don thought xe was playing, though eventually TWO realized Don had a seriously reduced mental capacity. The disintegration ray had caused major brain damage. Don did not remember who TWO was. At first xe was incredibly angry. How dare xyr enemy forget all about xe?
Then TWO reconsidered. "Another beholder attacked you and left you for dead. I, being an unusually good-hearted example of our kin, instructed my servants to save you".
Don was relieved and counted his blessings. To be found by this idiot, when a more sensible beholder would have made certain xe was killed. "My thanks", Don lied.
"Not so fast", TWO replied. "I'm not that good-hearted. I propose an arrangement. You will serve me and I will allow you to live. With no eyestalks, you will be marked for death. Especially by others of our kin".
"Very well", Don acquiesced. Though xe had no intention of doing anything of the sort. Xe would never submit. As a beholder, it was not in xyr nature.
"I should execute Don", TWO mused. Xyr most loyal mage suggested something else that absolutely delighted TWO. Xyr mage informed xe that he had heard, while securing spell components and other supplies in a Underdark settlement nearby, that there was an illithid who, for a price, would perform psionic surgery on intelligent beings. In order to remove their will to resist.
TWO decided this was an excellent idea. Though xe did not tell xyr mage that. Xe did not want the fellow to get a swelled head and think itself not disposable. "That could work", TWO replied. Xe gave permission for the mage to seek out this illitihid and secure its services. Word was sent out that the great and powerful TWO was looking to hire the illithid known as The Will Breaker.
Meanwhile, TWO's servants provided xe with sustenance and Don's wounds healed.
"Release me from this cage", Don pleaded. "I have agreed to serve TWO". But TWO's servants did not listen. "This 'ahbil is no friend", Don concluded. How dare xe keep Don confined to this cage? Xyr anger grew and xe vowed revenge.
That changed after the psionic surgery was performed. The price was steep, but TWO paid it gladly. Using donations from xyr followers. They were diminished in number after the battle with Don's Teds, but, when word spread of xyr glorious victory, more decided to bow and worship The Wise One.
Long story short, the surgery was a success and Don's will was broken. Xe was reduced to a servile blithering boob. Don remembered nothing of xyr past existence, including xyr vow to exact vengeance. Don now willingly served TWO. Xe found it fulfilling and was pleased to do it. It was a very honorable position, to be the right hand of a god.
"Is the change permanent?" TWO inquired.
The illithid assured TWO it was. That portion of Don's brain had been burned away. Xe would never recover any memories of xyr past life or intellect. Satisfied, TWO instructed xyr minion to pay the great fee the illithid demanded. But The Will Breaker had another idea.
"I will take these Teds you mentioned off your, err, hands", it suggested. These creatures interested it more than gold.
"Unfortunately, none remain. My worshipers detest them. The few that remain were hunted down and slaughtered".
The Will Breaker expressed it's profound disappointment.
"But the research done by my rival remains".
This piqued the mind flayer's interest. "I will accept half my usual payment in exchange for this research. As well as your rival's slaves", the illithid proposed. It had heard that this beholder had numerous slaves, and it was hungry for brains. Also subjects to experiment on.
TWO readily agreed. "You may remove all manuscripts from Don's laboratory. My minions say there are many pages documenting years of research".
This pleased the illithid greatly and it did so. After which it departed, proud its work resulted in another satisfied customer. Also eager to start studying the manuscripts its slaves retrieved from Don's laboratory.
Dervish Sanders: That explains why two beholders were working together. I knew that was unusual. Also, even though this story was longer than usual, it really held my attention.
Bing: Clearly you are highly intelligent. I am not surprised you knew beholders are usually solitary. Also, I'm glad you liked this backstory better than the prior one. When you return to hear another tale I will dive right in and resume with the story about your travel through the Hall of Mirrors.
Dervish Sanders: Great. I look forward to the next installment. Also eventually making it to the Sun Palace. Unless that is a red herring.
swtd-438. dsa-18. Previous. Next.
