In A Stygian Gambit, Emrys was visited by the Druid thief Leila Vencaryn, who was able to communicate with him in beast-speech. Sneaking into the den while Wildshaped as a Spider, Leila downed the Cirque's last Potion of Animal Friendship and managed to hype Emrys out of his usual malaise by promising to liberate him from the circus. Alongside Rasmus O'Dranith, she used it to convince Emrys to help round up the guard through intimidation.
Despite her instructions, however, Emrys had developed bloodlust, and when Boldness tried to run, he lunged and nearly killed her. Leilatha managed to heal the Devilborn, and the crew had a successful heist, but left the animals behind. Emrys was subsequently forced to still perform at the Cirque, even more depressed than before.