Sorry, Kovu.. I'm a ittle confused myself. Rocky keeps bringing in these characters from the past who have never been mentioned once in all the many pages of story. But here's what I can figure out.

Carrotus got mad at the 'Taverners for being indoors too much, so a lot of various beings went out on an outing. Slayer is carrying most of the packs, and either Ducky or Rocky is in charge. At the 'Tavern, Beauman is trying to get people to bet on various things the Outingers will do, and Stripe is also there.

Kovu got seperated from the main party, and met up with a Tour Guide, and they're exploring together. And none of the Outingers know very much about nature, Rocky being the wisest (though that's not saying much). And GenEX went off on his own with his kittens, stealing the 'Tavern in the process, into space, and plans to destroy the universe because some flowers told him to.