Hikari and her 'friend' Larissa are sent to use an experimental new device to collect information on portal transit for Joran the wizard. After a scuffle in the Hive, they accidentally activate the device and enter an unknown portal. (SPOILER ALERT: It led to Datha.) After running into a bear, the two run out of the area and head north, lucking upon an old road, and then a small village where...
Jaxson and his new friend Grodd are heading east into Ezethae (not into the city proper, the guards might recognize Jaxson!) and to a monastery that Jaxson favors for their excellent beers and wines. At a tavern on the way, Jaxson cons a merchant into purchasing a Snipe from him. A gnome, Morby Marby Fizzlesprocket, comes down from her room and the three most interesting people at the bar get to talking. Morby Marby displays a wink wink nudge nudge interest in going to the nearby Cobalt Forest where she thinks she may be able to find some rare magical reagents.
At this point, two women enter the tavern, one of them, the one with fox ears and nine tails, starts asking about portals and cities full of doors. Eventually, they all set out to sample the monastery's production. Abbot Norry greets Jaxson in the shrine to Ajahn, and takes them to the taphouse. After buying some alcohol and drinking a round, the abbot has to get back to work, and the group heads south into the forest to see if they can run off or kill this bear.