Kerim listens to your predicament and keeps a stern eye on the arcanaloth, who in turn eyes him warily. After a minute Kerim calls you all together and says:
“My new friends, though it will not come close to balancing the scales between us, I will happily provide you protection from the ogres while you rest. Though I have little doubt that this trickster could easily defeat me if he had access to all his power, I doubt he would risk battle with me under these circumstances.
I know nothing of this device you seek to destroy but if there are questions about the shards I will answer them.â€