"Much has been lost tonight" Father Berman began softly.
"We found the mansion on fire, but there were passable areas and we explored while we could. We found remains of the missing gnomes, Templeton and Ada, beheaded and strung up. I gave what blessing I could. Of course we feared the worst - more monsters in the making.
As we were withdrawing, a gnome was spotted entering a flaming hallway, and braving the smoke and heat we pursued him. We came upon a strange sight. We saw Alek, with his slave girls. But it wasn't - it was a painting, and behind it was the monster, carrying the heads of the two gnomes.
I advised against engaging the monster under the circumstances, as we were hurt and unprepared for it, and I was out of spells for the day. But Torhan would have none of that. He charged in, and naturally the rest of us had to back him up.
The battle, as expected, did not go well. In truth, we may not have beat it had Callahan not thrown our stationhouse's entire supply of explosives into the flames, yet he was reckless in so doing, giving us no warning and burning us nearly as badly as the monster.
The explosion seemed to knock it out. Torhan was determined to finish it off, and Callahan charged in as well. The room was about to collapse yet I entered as well, using the energy of my healing wand to keep my wounded companions afoot. Collapse it did!
I was buried, along with Torhan and the monster. By Ezra's grace, I somehow survived until the others dug me out. Torhan was not so lucky, but he had a final gift for us - a warrior to the last, he had seized the monster's gnomish heart and slain it.
I think that covers it. Anything to add, lads?
Gis, I trust that Alek is still in custody?"