Contents
Appearance
The Eye of Colothys is an orb-like object, approximately one meter in diameter. It floats about two feet off the floor, rising and falling slowly, almost imperceptibly. At first glance, it seems solid, as though made of black stone, reflective like obsidian, with veins of red shifting across the surface; yet seen at just a slightly different angle, it appears insubstantial, as though it were nothing but a patch of grey mist, in which wispy streaks of bright crimson flow slowly, like fresh blood dissolving in cloudy water. At the center of the sphere, one can just make out a slowly swirling maelstrom, like the eye of some great hurricane seen from above.
When the powers of the Eye are called upon, its outer appearance shifts; the jet-black surface pulls back like an immense eyelid, and the grey smoke dissipates to reveal that which is requested.
Occasionally, when looking into the depths of the Eye of Colothys, a viewer will suddenly experience the eerie feeling that he is being observed, that before him is not a magical artifact, but the real eye of some colossal, immensely powerful being. Most creatures find this effect extremely discomforting, but it generally passes within several seconds.
Powers
The Eye may be commanded to show the viewer any creature, object, or location that the viewer unambiguously specifies. There is no range limitation on this effect, though it is unreliable when used across planar boundaries. The displayed image has the same limitations as a scrying sensor, with the following exceptions: it can see through normal or magical darkness, can detect invisible or ethereal creatures, and allows the viewer to perceive magical effects as an arcane sight spell. The viewer may freely use the message and detect thoughts spells through the Eye.
The Eye of Colothys instantly detects any divination (scrying) spells that attempt to observe it or anything else within a 100-foot radius. When such an attempt is detected, the Eye pulses with a crimson radiance, and on command, displays the origin of the scrying attempt.
Finally, once per week, a viewer may use the Eye to duplicate a contact other plane spell; the extraplanar entities contacted by this means are beings imprisoned in Tartarus?. Though a viewer does not suffer the risk of mental ability damage when using the Eye in this way, exposing his mind to contact with the condemned of the cosmos has its own risks; for the duration of the contact, they are able to use the Eye's powers against the viewer.
History
One tome of Johann Grimm’s notes speaks of the Eye of Colothys. It explains that the artifact is a replica of the true Eye of Colothys — that the real thing, infinitely more powerful, is the one window from the dark underworld of Tartarus? into the mortal world. Cosmic entities of eons past, ageless and vastly powerful, are imprisoned in Tartarus, cast there by the gods in ancient times, and they watch the world beyond their prison through the true Eye.
A fragment of that true Eye, the merest sliver, was given to Johann as a gift by Karayan himself. Into that seed, Johann poured all that he learned from the Iron Triad, enchanting and imbuing it with his knowledge and power. Over the decades, it blossomed into the orb you have seen.
Johann cautions that while the Eye is quite a useful tool, it is not without its dangers, especially if you use it to commune with the denizens of Tartarus. That ability, usable once per week, duplicates a contact other plane spell while avoiding any risk of mental ability damage; but permits the contacted entities to use the Eye's power against the viewer. Johann also writes that — as you have already seen — certain powerful beings can very easily perceive the Eye's gaze upon them, and some are even able to recognize it for what it is.
Johann comments that while the Eye can easily view almost anything in Midgard?, its ability to perceive other planes is limited and sporadic. Here you find a number of sketches, charts, and formulas, describing Johann's theories on what exactly governs whether the Eye can or cannot reach any particular extraplanar locations at any given time. There are mentions of orbits, precessions, astral tides, and other, more exotic phenomena. Some of it seems reasonable, some is convoluted and dubious, and certain parts are frankly wrong, being based on flawed conceptions of planar workings. Clearly Johann's knowledge of the planes left something to be desired. In any case, the gist appears to be that the Eye is a less than reliable tool for interplanar espionage.
Incidentally, when reading these notes, you also learn that the Eye serves as a warning system; it instantly detects any divination (scrying) effect attempting to view it or anything else within a 100-foot radius. When such an attempt is detected, the Eye pulses with a crimson radiance, and on command, displays the origin of the scrying attempt.