You give chase...
At first, you head back a bit, not sure which way through the labyrinth Tenvillah (or whoever it is) went. Then you see a soft glow far to your left and begin to follow. It is moving quickly. He must know you are on his tail.
The light bobs and turns behind the cavern as you follow, always just a little too far ahead. Finally, it turns south and you feel you are starting to catch up. It is also here that the skulls of the catacombs stop and the walls are normal stone tunnels cut from the mountain. After weaving through the tunnel, the tunnel turns to your right (west), and you find yourself in a small cavern.
You face west. There is an exit tunnel to the north that dead ends in a stream flowing from the mountain. There is another exit on the far west side that also leads north out of view. And there is the tunnel behind you from whence you came.
But you stand here in the cavern looking out over a large whirlpool of water in the center. A short broken foot bridge with about a 10 foot gap spans over the water. It is only about two feet wide and would take some skill to jump, but would be doable with a little concentration and effort if not too encumbered. There does not seem to be any other way to easily cross the violent whirlpool, which is over 30 feet across.
On the far side of the bridge, Tenvillah has turned and is standing looking at you. In one hand, he holds a vellum writing. In the other hand, he holds a torch ready as if to light the scroll on fire. A white rabbit is in a tiny cage looped to his belt, and a pair of ornate daggers are slung across his belt.
"Don't come any closer!" he yells across the whirlpool at you.
"By now, you know Tenvillah is dead. But you need this formula. And I know where you can find the Earthgold and the exit. You see, I traveled here quite some time ago, taking the form of an adventurer. After wandering in and out of these caves many times over the last few years since my companions' death, I found Tenvillah in the caves. He tried to attack me, for he had the Black Curse upon him. I killed him in self defense only. I have waited in the guise of this old gnome for awhile now, knowing his people would return and could help me. In my life, I have absorbed the memories and powers of sixteen people--elves, men, dwarves, gnomes, and drow. Unlike them, I did not seek the goblet. I sought something else. And I think you have it. Give it to me, and I will give you the formula, the earthgold, and the exit. I do not wish harm to you. If so, I could have killed you in your sleep. I seek not to harm, but only to bargain."
You notice how much better his Common is now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:33, Mon 15 June 2020.