Maverick's head begins bobbing up and down in a nod before Alalla can finish asking about Jhonen. "Yes, that is part of why I've come. He and I had been traveling together for some time, you see, going about the business of my patron, and also trying to restore Jhonen's soul."
The svirfneblin taps his fingers on the table. "I will tell you the whole tale, or at least as much as would interest you, but first there is one in need of help that I cannot grant. I am hoping that there is something one of you can do for him." Maverick hops down from his chair and scurries to a part of the common room that has been cleared of tables and chairs, then retrieves a folded piece of black cloth from his pocket. It seems to be damp, and Maverick grumbles to himself as he wrings some water out of it. Then he unfolds it onto the floor, revealing its circular shape.
A moment later a ten foot hole simply exists in the floor, its walls and floor made of some solid black material. The strange space is filled with water, and at the bottom is a block of ice encasing a dwarf.
"He seems to be alive, but his stasis is fragile. I could melt the ice, of course, but I fear the shock that it might have on his system." Maverick glances around at the party. "With all the adventuring you've no doubt been up to, there must be at least one competent healer among you."