First off, ask the monks. At least mention the module - many of us are interested in poking around code in dusty corners we haven't visited before. Part of learning to fish is watching others fish: it's not something you figure out so well from first principles!

When I'm faced with an issue of this sort I debug through the module using Komodo's integrated debugger. That gives a pretty good picture of how the module goes about business. The command line debugger allows the same sort of investigation, but at a far greater investment in hair pulling and time.

Obscure doesn't mean the author has lost interest and the cost of sending an email is generally pretty low. If you don't hear back then you don't hear back, but it didn't cost much and you can pursue other avenues of investigation mean time anyway.