We'll be giving full world details in a post that will be going up on Sunday. We apologize for the delays, but we'll be taking these questions into account when we hash out all the nitpicky stuff. Our schedules and a misunderstanding have made it hard to collaborate the way we'd intended on this one. Sorry, sorry! Just a few more days and you guys should have all you need to move on this stuff.

The barriers work the same on NPCs as they do on characters, so they can't come and go as they please. When the barrier goes down, it's down for everyone. Likewise, when it's up everyone's stuck inside. The exception to this would be when scouts are sent out or supply runs happen, which has occurred from time to time- those in charge can open fragments of the barrier when it's necessary. They keep it closed because as is the case in the future, it exists more to keep people safe than to prevent exploration. The post says SOON, so we will announce when, officially, the barrier's down and exploring can happen. (Spoiler: it'll be Sunday. For reals.)

Silver is free to plant/distribute berries! If you have a particular area for where they'd be planted, keep that in mind as we'll be asking post-event what characters changed and where for map updates.