Swamped

What happened to Ash is a lot like what happened to that wizard, though you don't know enough to say for sure if the gods are responsible.

But they probably sent this beetle. You've never even heard of them getting this large.

Well. Might as well try asking it questions. You don't really expect answers, but after encountering those lizards, you aren't comfortable just assuming that now.

"Did you do this to him?" you ask.

There's no response. It seems indifferent towards you in general.

Hells, this is frustrating. You almost want to give the thing a good swift kick or something, except that probably wouldn't end well if it is indeed a servant of the gods.

Maybe you should just leave. Ash doesn't seem in particular danger, if nothing else; the beetle seems to be keeping watch. You could grab Long's staff, give it to him and tell him what you saw, maybe go and find Rider...

Wait a minute. Long's staff. You don't see it; Ash doesn't have it, and you can't see it anywhere else in the room. Wonderful, as if you didn't have enough other things to worry about.

"What, did you eat the staff?" you ask the beetle, out of annoyance as much as anything else.

Much to your surprise, though, this time it turns its head towards you. It doesn't seem to be saying "yes" or "no", but it does seem to be expressing interest of some sort.

How about that. Does it know something about the staff, then? Or perhaps it's just hungry?

Well, either way you've got its attention. Maybe you can make use of that somehow.