1) It can work immediately, or slowly come into affect over the course of a day; people can approach this on an individual basis, and blame it on character physiological differences. Whatever would be the most fun for you!

2) We mentioned this on the log, but the current log (excluding the Percy encounter, which was completed within a few days) will last two weeks. While we expect characters will have downtime, the present state of Woodhurst is chaotic, so please keep the setting in mind.