The fact that these situations are common is a bit disturbing. Buttchin Elf is most certainly an ass, even if I've not spent much time with him, but I think he's scared to do it, honestly. During the whole debacle where the demons were running amuck, he grew closer to the Inquisition than he wished he did. Perhaps he's hoping they'll believe in him enough to come and stop him.
He's bloody adorable. Big, bad, scary blood mage - then when there's a spider in the house, he's out the door.