[h3]Duchy of Pelgaid, secluded pond[/h3]
Red burning coals flared brightly within the gloom of the Grand Master's hood, narrowing cunningly as he gazed at the sorceress, pleased and surprised – and pleased with his surprise – that rather than do as he had expected and dismiss him for not answering her question, she inquired further about the Skull Tower. She was not the first, of course; countless others, mortal and immortal alike, had sought the tower since the days of the Nomad, when the seat of the Infernal Empire had become its emperor's prison... the mythical “sixth prison”, with the first five being the crystals used to seal his generals, one of which was currently located on Gerald's chest. Some of those who had sought it had meant to slay the Grand Master while others had meant to free him; both errands equally pointless and impossible. Not many had ever reached the Skull Tower after the Nomad had cursed the place, and only one person had ever managed to leave.
And excited shiver went through the Ancient One's robe, only a single quick tremor this time. He raised his hands in front of his chest and brought the tips of his slender, elegant fingers together with their matches on the other hand.

“Did you ever wonder why the land you call Rodoria used to be called ‘the Land in the Middle’? Why Kreshtaat decided to unleash the Withering here, of all places in Reniam? Why the demon prisons are here? Why so many relics are found here, and why immortals are so interested in this particular region?” His eyes burned with eager anticipation. “It’s because of me, Jillian. When I came to Reniam through Stupor, this is where I landed. And after I had plummeted from the sky, I created my tower in the crater left from my arrival. Filled it with the secrets and treasures of another world, the one I came from. What would you gain? Use your imagination. Would you not be interested in examining the artifacts of an alien world? Obtaining some of the ancient secrets buried here with me?”
He shrugged, smiling imperceptibly within the illusory darkness. “As for ‘how’, there are two ways, though I fear a carriage would only get you partway here. One is to lift the curse from the tower, undoing the seal and freeing me. Doing so will also restore the Skull Tower to its true imposing glory, for the world to see and tremble at.
The other is to swim here, since the crater filled with water and my tower was lowered into its depths. You see, the Skull Tower and I are at the bottom of what you’ve named Center Lake.”