While travelling east toward the Great Crossroads, Dr. Sinata Venma happened upon the scene of a robbed and destroyed trade wagon being investigated by Chedvah. After a tense introduction, the two decided to follow what appeared to be a trail of drag marks and strange tracks deep into the Talenelat. They soon came upon the webby dwelling of a large, battered spider picking over the food it had obtained. Through some clever use of fire, Chedvah was able to force the spider back andDr. Venma cut an unconscious, elderly halfling man free from a cocoon and safely return to the road. After failing to revive him there, the two made their way to a nearby hamlet where Dr. Venma concocted a remedy for his patient. The man identified himself as a trader by the name of Fedbir Longfellow and accompanied the two adventurers to the Crossroads the following day. Once there, they met Mira Penfell who offered them some work if they returned the next day. After securing some lodging Chedvah and Dr. Venma slept and thought on what awaited them the following day.