They ransomed Abernathy from the orcs, using Culwich the Black as a go-between, but decided that Clear Water had become too hot for them, and maybe it was time to look for greener pastures.

A group of the PCs went to investigate the rumored Fungus Forest, while others decided to head South and see if there was some place there that could make a stand assuming the orcs taking the Black Marches was now only a matter of time now that the Bleak Tower had fallen.