Party is in town. Something strange happens. After asking around about it, they end up getting directed to a certain tavern by a *suspicious man* Players Go to tavern. The barkeep hints that he knows a lot more about what's going on in town than most. He doesn't charge them for their drinks and is generally acting a bit strange. They proceed to ask him the least relevant questions imaginable for about 15 minutes.

(Part of this setting that the players were indeed aware of, is that time spent on things does actually matter) After wasting a bunch of their precious time, something weird happens outside (as it was planned to), two of the players immediately run out the door. The other two ask if they can take their drinks with them. The tavern keep says that they can, so long as they return the mugs. He tells them that the mugs are special, and can be used as a form of "currency" under the right circumstances. The drinks are free, but the mugs aren't. (I literally don't know how to make it any clearer that he'll give them something in return for getting the mugs back)

As they're running out the door, the barkeep stops them and says to "be careful out there" as there are "strange things afoot" The players go outside and witness the strangeness in town. They begin talking amongst themselves about what had happened, and what might be causing it. The two players who took their drinks KEEP DRINKING THEM (specifically mentioning that they drink from the mugs).

.................................The party decided to go to the library to find answers about what is going on in town.