The lore-master Humfrey Rumming must know something about the salamanders of Tyl Ruinen, but he seems to be hiding some sort of secret. There must be some way to get him to tell what he knows.
'Yes, yes, naturally I know all about the salamanders. I'm a great lore-master, am I not? Or am I? Ha! Little joke there. Of course I am. All the Wise know the name of Humfrey Rumming! But I can't divulge the great secrets of lore to just anyone, can I? No, no, no, no, no! Not at all! And how can Humfrey Rumming tell if you are worthy? How, indeed?
'Let's try a bit of a challenge, shall we? I have hidden a number of chests all about this island. One of them contains the answer to my riddle. Take this key -- but beware, it can only be used once! Here's the riddle:
'Fluttering shreds rent from the fabric of night;
Fell shrieking beasts that shun the sun's light;
Dwelling in darkness they fly hidden from sight;
Clouds obscure the stars when first they take flight.
'It's not easy, is it? Oh, no! But if you explore this island from top to bottom, and from bottom to top, you are sure to find the solution!'
There are boxes hidden all around Tyl Ruinen, and one of them contains the solution to Rumming's riddle.
The riddle goes:
Fluttering shreds rent from the fabric of night;
Fell shrieking beasts that shun the sun's light;
Dwelling in darkness they fly hidden from sight;
Clouds obscure the stars when first they take flight.
Humfrey Rumming is by the ruins of Tollobel on Tyl Ruinen.
You have obtained the token of the bat from a chest on Tyl Ruinen. Bring it back to Humfrey Rumming if you believe it is the solution to his riddle.