Akila

Rumored sphinx, told to some through the journal of Lark Pilner.

Taken from Lark Pilner's journal:

"If you're that desperate for information, why not go seek out the Akila? Though she'll just as quickly tear you apart than she will reveal the world's deepest secrets. Not many believe it, but a cousin of mine had his wife go missing, and after some deliberation he went on a pilgrimage there with ten others to seek her. He returned alone, soaked in his companions' blood, spent three days selling all his possessions, bought a ship, and apparently went to rescue his wife. During these three days he told me about his adventure.

"The eagles are her eyes. You must prove yourself through trials before asking, though the rumors they heard were different than what they encountered. You have the option of either telling a secret to Akila or drawing a card that decides your test. Tells of the other men: One split from the group afterwards and headed underground to find something in the underdark. One man asked a secret so deep a devil appeared soon after and killed him on the spot as everyone watched. Lark found the location of his wife, who was apparently taken slave. He traded the location of a Coatl guarding some kind of pit he stumbled upon while hunting, but doesn't give specific details. One of the men traded a dream given to him by Aurifar. One man traded the location of his neighbor's life savings, but the sphinx forced him to draw a card saying it was not equal to his request. No information about what the other men traded. Two were too afraid to even ask a question, even after the long journey. The rest were slaughtered on the spot by Akila or her guardians. Final Advice: Be prepared if you intend to trade, Akila knows much. There aren't many secrets she hasn't uncovered. Be prepared if you intend to draw a card. She has three guardians: - a demonic beast with a poisonous stinger for a tail - a strange, unnatural, tentacled lightning being - an impossibly large serpent that is blindingly reflective. Delay your journey, do not rush towards your own death, in fact don't even go."