Last issue to resolve before Sunday: I am still not clear what your specific, immediate plans are. As I see it, you will take Taleo to: (1) Arlaten's tower so Tison can pay a visit to the soulless western wizard [everyone OK on that?], (2) the Real City Pavis temple to visit Bendrath and report, (3) Wyrmsjaw Fort to pick up pals, (4) New Pavis to pick up more pals and equipment, and then (5) back into the Rubble, headed straight to the Devil's Playground at night.
However, it is near nightfall, so maybe you'll skip step 1 and save it for later? You can shack up at the Real City (3 hours away), then the next morning head to Wyrmsjaw (3 hours from there), then back to Pavis (3 hours plus equipping time), either leaving that evening just before the Rubble gates close (if you are speedy in equipping) or the next night.
Other info:
1) Arlaten: Everyone has heard of him but none of you have seen him. He is shunned by most folk because of rumors about him (just about everything has been gossiped about him). He came to Pavis in late 1621, starting a riot in Oldtown by his mere presence, stayed at the luxurious Silk n' Plume inn for a few days, then hired mercenaries to clear out a remote tower in the Rubble (there were bandits there). Since then he has offered his magical services for hire, especially as a competing magic analyzer vs. the Lhankor Mhy cult, who thus dislike him. He calls himself a "white wizard," whatever that means. He has an apprentice and a magic bronze staff or something. His tough mercenaries guard the tower (called the Arm of Pavis; an old defense tower of which there are many in the Rubble). Word has it that he has been feuding with trolls and is a very, very tough cookie.2) Taleo's ritual: I forgot to mention that Taleo has a carved crystal that is required to complete the ritual of opening at Devil's Playground. As far as he knows it is one of a kind; his band had to search for it in the Rubble.
Taleo remembers little about the layout of the caverns: there were steps down to a main east-west tunnel, his band went west, then entered a maze of tunnels. All of these tunnels were only wide enough for the group to move in single file, and missile fire was largely impossible. The tunnels were not natural but were smoothly crafted, perhaps by skilled Mostali. The darkness got worse the deeper they went inside. Taleo is heavily encumbered with armor and such, moving quite slowly unless someone throw mobility on him. But for a blind man he ain't bad, and you know he could guide you if you got lost in darkness.
He has a funny way of talking about darkness; unlike many Yelmalions he has a sincere respect for its powers and does not shun it. He is no darkness cultist or illuminate, though; just Yelmalio. He still dislikes trolls and their lot, and despises chaos above all things. He is neutral about the lunars and cares little to speak of them (he has had little exposure to them, because they came after he went mad, and then he went hermit).
To clarify my earlier message on his spells, he has Sunbright 2, Catseye 2, and Extension 2 as well as Lantern 1. Dave will be playing him. Taleo has latched onto Arcus like a steel vise and the two seem very chummy, in a formal sort of way. From what he tells you it seems like he plans to remain with your group permanently, and is interested in a safe place to live away from the bustle of city life (i.e. he is open to Wyrmsjaw).
3) Chygh the thief-hunter is still "researching" Illwraith's cult, apparently. He disappeared after you hired him 5 weeks ago. He told you this first: he will only take warriors with him who swear not to flee. If they flee, they are cowards and traitors, and he will hunt them down and kill him later. He will give very short notice if he finds the shrine; he plans to head for it as soon as he finds its location. There will be no time to risk scouting it; you must charge as soon as you come close, and give no mercy to whomever is there. They are all assassins and deserve naught but the same death they deal. He will lead the charge and will seek to kill Illwraith, and wants one sturdy volunteer to stay with him and cover his back (he stares at Caernak as he says this).
Chygh Doklani is a Sword of Humakt, possibly from Sartar although he knew Caernak in the gladiator pits of Tarsh. He is a huge man that wears full plate, with iron plate covering the vitals. He wields an iron bastard sword ("Gravebringer") and shield, and always wears his trademark iron helm, which is fashioned into a skull mask whose eyes glow a cruel white when he speaks (think Skeletor... sort of). Quite intimidating. Some say that the mask is an heirloom of the Household of Death, the last house of Sartar who were all killed in 1602 at the fall of Boldhome. He has worked for the Lunars on occasion, so it is assumed that he found the mask and is not nobility.