His eyebrow simply arches at the mention of a book about otter care. Was that a joke, or...?

In any case, he seems more than willing to move on to the other suggestion. "As we are unwilling participants in this game, I should like to know more about the island and its people. Perhaps what caused all this to transpire in the first place."

It's likely not written down exactly if the entire populace is incapable of movement but perhaps they could find a hint of what occurred leading up to this incident.