ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

In the charred scar, Fyrk used a teleportation rune and... is gone. I've gone up and down the level using the burning star and a wand of detection, and he isn't anywhere. But the stdout shows he's still alive and having trouble navigating:

============================== TACTICAL AI Fyrk, Faeros High Guard
Fyrk, Faeros High Guard 287 tactical ai talents can use Rune: Manasurge T_RUNE:_MANASURGE_3 mana
Fyrk, Faeros High Guard 287 tactical ai talents can use Rune: Manasurge T_RUNE:_MANASURGE_1 mana
Tactical ai report for Fyrk, Faeros High Guard
Astar fail: destination unreachable

(Is there a way to get him back? Do I need to kill him for any reason, like to get the staff back?)

Somewhat related: On the way there, in Eruan, Sun Paladin Guren left his post by the portal to block the square into that area when he attacked a monster. If I went back, I wouldn't have been able to get past him to get back to the portal since it's surrounded by what look like undiggable walls. Not sure if it's teleport-proof too. Is there a way to force a swap with NPCs that have dialogue when you move into them?

I forbid teleport runes for NPCs, so only those designed to have TP wil have