Temple Ironhoof at Bearfell

Bearfell became a stop because the party had an unconscious problem in the caravan. They tried to leave Evan with the guards, which is the kind of practical plan that only lasts until someone with more context walks out. Temple Ironhoof emerged: Astrid's centaur sister, a prize-winning critterologist, and apparently the sort of person who could turn a roadside complication into a family footnote, a professional introduction, and a new lore door all at once. She recognized Jonah by reputation. That mattered in its own soft way. The road mission was not only moving through anonymous towns. The party's names and stories were starting to arrive ahead of them. Temple joked with Jonah about Astrid and Life Burst, then turned to Evan with enough competence to revive him. Evan woke into panic. Seeing Dhaz again was enough to break whatever calm rescue might have offered. Even after being brought back from unconsciousness, even after reaching a guarded stop, Evan remained terrified enough of Dhaz and Lawful to flee by Dimension Door. Temple also confirmed the earlier scam for what it was. The supposed acid-resistance healing potions were weak minor resistance effects, not true protective potions. Bearfell therefore gave the party three useful things at once: Astrid's family connection, a clearer read on Evan's fear, and confirmation that the road was already thick with cheap opportunists selling fear back to travelers.