Now I do like that the characters discover quickly enough that ceramorphosis is not progressing as it should.

It relaxes the whole rush rush rush! vibe. It was really messing with my Zen thing.

Now to smell the roses:

Bounties were good.

A quest to reopen the road, so travelers can move on from Wakeen's Rest (seriously, please renovate).
We would probably need to progress to Balder's Gate to send help...and a road crew.