(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

"However you choose to define it, Grimscalp," Stern turned his attention
back to me, "I was the best of the lot, so it's said."
"Then how did you wind up here?"
"Funny you should mention that. I had a black book given to me in order
that I might puzzle out its secrets. I unlocked its powers at a terrible price -
one I would gladly pay again! - and sharpened my edge considerably. Little
did I realize that the book would betray me to another - a mewling rat-thing
that overwhelmed me in a wave of rodents and tore the flesh from my living
bones. The rat went through a series of disciples, each of them betrayed by
the book, until it wound up in the possession of the rat-man Mantuok. If you
find this book, accept its powers and be rid of it before you suffer the same
fate."
The urge to toss my pack to the ground was overwhelming.
"...My thanks. What can you tell me of Lothar? I need to speak to him."
"What can I tell you of Lothar? I will tell you nothing. Even this bare
existence is better than the oblivion he promises should I speak his secrets."
"You can tell me..." I said sweetly.
I got the distinct impression that Stern's skull was sneering at me. "And gain
merely your friendship? Bah. There is nothing you can offer me, no service
nor item, that will impel me to betray Lothar to you. Begone!"
"Now hold on, if you won't tell me about Lothar, what will you tell me about
the other skulls?"
"Of the skulls that will speak to you, I can offer no good words. Their
experiences have not been shared with me; indeed, we have spoken
precious little until your arrival. Perhaps," it said with a smirk in its voice,
"there's something special about your very presence."
I wasn't sure if he was referring to the Stories-Bones-Tell, but I didn't care to
pry any further.
The third skull I spoke to exhaled languorously and spoke in a sultry voice,
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