The morning is warm and kind of sticky. Talthis is wearing simple clothing and a large cloak over his very shiny golden and begemmed sword. Vera's raven friend swings by just long enough to warn her to be careful. The group moves on to the adventurer's guild. There are several groups of people Vera and Luna recognize as part of Meneldin's group, but do not see him. They get a table and are shortly approached by a pixie with a pink pompador. They declare that they don't think they need the help with the mission. They introduce themself as Modrod of the Dawn Court. When questioned about which of the fey courts that is, they ramble off a string of nonsense which everybody pings as such. They question Ward about their fey heritage; he says simply that he's from Goblin Town in Cailleamhan, which makes things awkward. Modrod introduces everyone present, and the party introduce themselves. Luna's mother enters, though the glamour fades swiftly to reveal her to actually be a succubus. Cricket rates Meneldin as not a great lay. The rest of Meneldin's party as well as Meneldin himself slowly arrive as well.

Upon Meneldin's proper arrival, he explains the mission once again, including the payment agreement, and the group moves out. Such a large group, way is made for them as they approach a tent with the symbol of the Shard Research League on it. As they travel, Vera takes note of aspects of Meneldin's group as they walk:

• Hiroto and Motoko seem to do their own thing; Bazan gravitates toward them and talks at them, though is sociable and chatting with anyone nearby.
• Beryn and Safala stick to Meneldin.
• Myrdra also sticks to Meneldin, but is keeping an eye on Talthis.
• Modrod Cannot Be Contained
• Thyrr and Fladict are on opposite sides of the group, though whether it is for social reason or tactical reasons is unclear.
• Meneldin is just walking and expecting to be followed.

On arrival, they are approached by a short elvish woman with glasses. She instructs everyone to hold hands and they are teleported.

They arrive on an ancient stone dais, which Ward makes note of. Ward also uses Extract Name on the Shard Research League researcher who teleported them, discovering it to be Jahara Benida. The path ahead has been partially cleared out leading into a dense, humid jungle-like foliage. As they travel, Vera asks Meneldin what the plan was for returning to Kitheroc. He says that his group has their own arrangement, but that any arrangements on the part of the party would have to have been made by them. Ward chats with Bazan and learns that this is their first mission for the Shard Research League. He also learns that Bazan requested a lich to put the soul of his recently departed dog in his battleaxe. He plays fetch for a moment.

About an hour into the trip, Fladict and Thyrr start doing trick shots, trying to outdo each other. It is impressive. Vera chats with Fladict, learning that he and Thyrr have something of a friendly rivalry, though they rub each other the wrong way sometimes. He does have a respect for Thyrr, as they both have their strengths. Fladict is typically hired by various groups, as he doesn't like staying with a single group for very long. He goes on to chat with her about the adventures he had been on.

Two hours in, Meneldin's mood sours and he calls for a break. He pulls Luna aside and asks if she noticed that it's noon still. They are several time zones west of where they had been told they were going. Luna confirms that the Shard Research League folks are probably not the Shard Research League, and he observes that they're being led into a trap. Because of the increased uncertainty about their mission, he intends to leave. He tells her that he'll give her the day to think about what argument she wants to make to keep him there. He then casually breaks her finger and then heals it, punishment for touching him without permission.

Talthis offeres the information that there is a sizeable bounty on his head in Kitheroc, that might be used as a bargaining chip, which the party soundly denies as an option—Vera changes her mind and says it can be a very last resort. After some discussion, the party offers him the information they have about the SMF. They go into the temple and loot what they want, then instead of leaving through the main door, Meneldin's group can use their escape plan to leave. He decides to ammend the agreement such that the party doesn't get any of the loot, but they will get the information he has to offer, and agrees to continue with the mission.

Vera chats with Bazan about adventuring things. Eck keeps an eye on the path and terrain, hoping to aid in a hasty escape on foot if needed. On their next break, Myrdra approaches Talthis. She is a dark knight and wanted to know if he still had his connection to the divine. Vera attempts to chat with Thyrr, though they are unwilling to converse. Modrod says that he's just Like That. Lady Motoko takes note of her and chats with her, asking about her adventures and her emotions during those adventures. She is surprised that Dorean did her hair.

With the edge of the shard in sight, they make camp and discover that Alibi was hiding in Talthis' bag. She was worried about the party and decided that if they were in enough danger to need Talthis' help, then they could use all the help they could get. Talthis sets up his tent and sets Luna and Vera on Alibi guard duty for the night. He continues to assign tasks to help cover for the surprise added member to their group. Mira catches a strange bird in the area, which she offers to Talthis to cook, which he does. Talthis then brings the girls in the tent some food, offering to sit with Alibi so Vera and Luna can go accomplish tasks as necessary. Hiroto and Motoko approach Ward. They are traveling to acquire funds to take back their homeland, but wished to offer their sympathies to Ward since his homeland has also been lost, albeit in a different way. They are from Aito, across the sea to the west. He was the prince, and his uncle made a deal with dark creatures to take over the country. Aito had not been as affected by the Shattering as the surrounding countries, and Hiroto's father wished to help them. His uncle used the dissenting factions to lead a coup.

Vera asks Myrdra about her question to Talthis. She explains that she follows the Lord of the Empty, Eon. She is conflicted by the true solitude, unsure whether her god has left or become more powerful than ever and no longer has need of her. Vera offers her help with anything she might need; Myrdra warns her to be careful about offering herself so freely.

Armin sneaks up behind Dorean and asks if she is knows the Stitch family. He recognized the make of her cloak as likely being made by them. He explains that when he fled Wolis, he had been dosed with a serum that limited his vampiric powers. In his escape, he encountered [town] and a young girl—Liz—from the Stitch family who was kind to him, repairing his clothing using the same careful stitches as those of her cloak. He apologizes for his behavior around her up until that point and offers his assistance if she has need.

Ward sends Henrietta to Hiroto's tent to leave two eggs and a gold coin.

Introduced

• Fladict - Elven Archer
• Myrdra BelBreln - Dwarf
• Modrod - Modrod
• Rook - golem carrying Armin's coffin
• "Beryn" Berynneth - Succubus
• Jahara Benida - Shard Research League (?) researcher

Returning

• Talthis Vim
• Suspicious as Heck Raven
• Meneldin
• Bazan - Goliath Barbarian
• Bozja - Bazan's dog in a battleaxe
• Hiroto Karuto - Samurai
• Motoko Sukai - Attendant/Naginata wielder
• Garton Rainshadow - Halfling
• Thyrr Bloodmuzzle - Gnoll archer
• Armin Desult - Vampire
• Safala - Catfolk Rogue
• Cricket
• Alibi

• Teleportation Sigils (Ward)