Once a venerable high cleric, Elder of the High Council and the PCs' former patron, MacKurian disappeared under mysterious circumstances from his residence in Nimbortan.
Weeks later his skull was found in the Caves of Time beneath Northending Mountain.
His "eyes" are 1000 gp saphires.
Through what can only be a trick of time, MacKurian's skull and his spirit waited for eons for the PCs to come through. His spirit communicates telepathically.
It is both a magical item and a source of advice and information. Through the eons the skull has learned absorbed both magical energy and knowledge. The skulls powers include: augury three times daily, as the spell; continual light on demand as long as the eye gems are in place; speak with dead as the spell, once per day (as a level 21 cleric); continuous protection from evil 10' radius — same as a paladin's effect.
The skull can also function to a limited extent as a sage, answering questions for the party, but with no area of expertise. However, MacKurian does not remember who killed him, or even the events of his last night alive.