Chapter 1: Harvest Moon

Humor apparently ignored, Arius puts his bag down nearby and pulls out supplies. I wouldn't know. This has been a short project for me. The first this he does is collect several vials of it, and puts two away in his bag. He then mixes tinctures from other vials in, heating some over a small fire. A few of them turn different colors, and he turns to all of you. Do any of you know what she had to eat? Although... he holds a long vial on its side at eye level, sloshing his mixture around. It turns from a blue color to gold.

Arius looks up from his reagents and tubes a moment after considering your words. It seems likely that at least some of the food is tainted. The residuum traces left behind indicate my fertilizer and something else I can't isolate without a better lab and some time. If it's a poison, it's likely smaller raccoons would need a smaller dose. Arius packs his things, stands up, and looks to each of you. Given the urgency of this explanation, I am satisfied for now. What should be done about it?

Arius holds up a finger Ah, thank you. If I'm to work on a solution... It would be best to have fresh, undigested samples. And possibly a test subject, if you are too late. He sets his things back out, and starts pulling out drawers in the kitchen, looking for implements. He finds some tongs and some oven mitts, and sets a fire on the stove top. Well, since I apparently have more time he says to the ones staying behind I'll see what else I can find out. I don't mean to be rude, but I work better alone. Perhaps you could find something to do? He busies himself with his various implements, setting aside some clean vials, probably for the samples he hopes to receive soon.

@ Isuna, Chuton, Deturai: You make your way to the town square, and already see that there is a problem brewing. Most people are shouting at each other about various things the other has or hasn't done. If not for the quantity of arguments, one might think that each one was having a lover's quarrel or similar. Several bowls lay on the fringes of the group, probably thrown in some of the more heated exchanges. A few guards start making their way out of the hall, but they aren't doing much, they seem to be confused. Things are already getting out of hand... but no one seems to notice you yet.

@ Carlin: True to his attitude, Arius continues preparing materials without paying you much attention. At a glance, your work with herbs and magical reagents tells you that he's now looking to identify a school of magic. Perhaps knowing would help establish a source? You have the inn mostly to yourself now though, so you're free to do anything here you might think would be a good idea...

One guard looks at you with eyes widening. The elders told us there was a problem, but this? He looks out over the crowd, and another comments How do we even quarantine that many people? That's practically the entire town! The third, who has slightly decorated armor says definitively Then we quarantine the town. Close the gates, and hold them closed. No one in or out. A growing group of guards exclaim their disapproval of the plan. It's clearly not popular, and a lot of them are worried about how long this plan will have to be in effect.