Joe gives Marcus an odd look before answering. On anyone less formidable, it would probably look a little bit like fear. He leans in close to the greasy water.
"I honestly dunno. I ain't never seen nuthin' like it. At first, I thought it was just some rottin' hedgebeast carcass pollutin' the waters upstream, but look... the closer we get to the source, the more poisonous it becomes."
Sam and Marcus do, in fact, notice that the waters give off a stronger, even more noxious odor and that all plant life near the stream bed appears to have withered and died.
"Well, the sooner we get started, the sooner we get there."
Without another word, Joe leads the Woodwalker and the Metalflesh along the stream once more. However, they both might notice that the Farwalker has quickened his pace and no longer seems interested in taking any educational detours. However, the Ogre does continue to point out dangerous flora, medicinal fauna, and other strange features of the Hedge, expecting his Cadets to identify them, or answer questions about their Wyrd natures. He prompts quick replies by rewarding the first to answer correctly with delicious Hedge bounty.
"What should you do if you get a splinter from that plant?"
"What would happen if you drank an infusion of those leaves?"
"What's the best bait to snare that beast?"
Sam and Marcus will each make three Intelligence + Survival rolls.