"As you can see, I am a mind flayer." The Perfect Mind Flayer, The Monarch, floated in the air with his hands behind his back. "A transformed mind flayer. I was once a human, an adventurer from Baldur's Gate. I achieved considerable distinction here. Unfortunately, during another adventure, an Elder Brain captured me and transformed me into a mind flayer."
"Besides being an adventurer, I consider myself a reasonably accomplished scholar. I have always loved collecting things associated with Balduran." The Monarch spoke earnestly as he hovered in the air. "Through the Knights of the Shield, I heard that you were looking for Balduran's nautical charts. I can guarantee with absolute certainty that even if you dug up every inch of Baldur's Gate, you would never find them. There is only one copy in the entire world, and it is here with me."
Aaron, the Keeper of Secrets, frowned at The Monarch. Having once been attacked by a mind flayer nautiloid, Aaron had an instinctive distrust of mind flayers. "Why should I believe you?"
"You need not believe me, Lord Aaron. Feel free to search. Ransack every estate belonging to the Baldurian nobility and open every chest in the High Hall-you will find no charts there." The Monarch hovered in the air. "Only I have them, and I am willing to give them to you. You need only meet two conditions. First, tell me why you want Balduran's charts so badly. Second, I need your help."
"That attitude hardly sounds like someone asking for a favor." Aaron folded his arms across his chest. He extended his long, slender, forked tongue, tracing a question mark in the air with Slaanesh's Tongue. It swayed gently, its imposing presence every bit a match for the Perfect Mind Flayer's exceptionally long tentacles.
This tongue