Nimu - Could you see if it is possible to learn something about the beholders while talking to the big guy? What were they? Why and how had they imprisoned it? We might learn about the dragon at the same time based on his answers.
To the mages in the group - we need to use this chance to grill the arch-mage. Lothor can ask some of it, but he isn't a mage and wouldn't understand the details or even what to ask about some of it. Suggested questions:
*Does he still think we need to kill it?
*If so, how?
*What does he know about this thing?
*Did he know it was here when he sent us here?
*Does he know anything about he beholders?
*Is there any other way to get back to our time?
*What will loosing this thing into the world do to the future?
*What would he suggest?
*How was he caught?
*How did he get down here to be caught?
*If it attacks us once Sirene is done, how would he suggest fighting it?
*Could we/should we all escape it and find another way to the future? (Does he have a mass teleport spell or something? Do we?)
Any other ideas guys? This is our chance to ask questions.