Over the course of the next month, the party continued on, following the (ex-)slavers, of all people, to Sommertriss. The firbolgs sent a small envoy along partway, though the firbolgs left about halfway to the city to gather more necessary materials and soothe the creatures of the deep forest that were agitated by the intruders.
After a two day journey along a more direct route, the slavers and the rest of the party a two day journey, they arrive in the city of Sommertriss, passing its ornately carved stone walls and into its streets. Where the sky isn't open above them, it is covered with either buildings divided by the street or by colorful banners made of a translucent and diaphenous cloth. The people were numerous, first and foremost, but they were also quite keen on giving the party and each other as much space as the dense population would allow. Many buildings seemed to be under construction, usually adding new rooms or entire levels, and often crossing over the street almost precariously.
After bidding the party adieu, the ex-slavers left the party to fend for themselves. Most members of the party went their seperate ways, but the engaged couple stayed together, continuing their adventuring, eventually finding a halfling with an otherworldly air and excessive excitement about her (Caoimhe Tealeaf) and a man who seemed quite eager to assist them (Bah'im). The foursome sought adventure for sure, eventually being hired by the city guard (as "consultants" so they wouldn't have to deal with legal ramifications for hiring mercenaries) to journey northward to explore a cave near the village of Poucche. The cave wouldn't have been significant had it not suddenly appeared overnight, been so vast, and seemed to produce a perpetual fog in the area.
They arrived at midday and were still blanketed by fog. A tiny group of people stood near the cave. They did not appear to be wearing uniforms of any sort, but all carried modified farming equipment and scraps of wood tied onto their bodies with rope. One even wore a bucket on his head with holes drilled for his eyes (and two too many at that).