Prior to Corwen and Khonshu coming aboard Lanternwurm, they had shared criminal contacts.
They crossed paths in a larger city distant from any planar cracks, with some residents even starting to deny the catastrophe.
Several thieves' guilds vied for power, Corwen and Khonshu heard stories of extortion and protection rackets, especially the Galtha crime family of orcs.
Learning the Galtha mob was demanding tribute in the form of humans, the pair were chased into the underground tunnels and sewers that criss-crossed that part of the city.
Losing their pursuers, Corwen and Khonshu found themselves deep in Galtha territory at a darkened tunnel end. They dealt with the zombie guard dog and spied into the next room.
Picking the lock, they saw a squad of orcish thugs and archers, as well as a witch casting over a fire with two human bodies on the raised dais. They formed a plan.
With illusions, their guise of Galtha orc and half-elf prisoner failed and combat erupted. The witch hastily completed her ritual and a summoned snakeman creature emerged from the flames, but the room also shook and started collapsing.
Corwen and Khonshu were able to beat back the orcs and dashed in to rescue the two bodies, which were still barely breathing though drained of blood, and make their escape as the witch cursed them.