Ward approaches Dorean with a letter that he has written to Dr. Hayward, asking her to go over it and see if she thinks it would work. The letter expresses interest in potentially collaborating with Hayward in the future regarding the science and research that Hayward has been doing. In return, he offers the information he has found regarding Dorean and Merely's states. Ward requests Dorean's permission to go through with this plan; she hates the plan, but trusts him and gives him the go-ahead. He then lets her know that he has a date that evening so that somebody knows where he is. Merely requests that he also send a letter that she has written to Hayward; a crude drawig of Merely and Dorean violently stabbing Hayward. Once Ward leaves, Merely points out to Dorean that the creatures in the lab were people once, and that she also used to be someone else. She wonders if she will have to give it back at some point. Dorean doesn't know.

Ward and Edwin meet on the dock and head out for a bar Edwin's crew recommended. Edwin teleports the pair to an incredibly swanky establishment overlooking the valley. The two discuss the play and how Edwin got into mercenary work as he has. Ward asks for advice on how to cultivate a reputation for being ruthless without actually being so. He explains that at home he is some nobility, but has views that are looked down upon. He hopes to find a way to gain their respect or at least scare them off, and thinks Edwin's methods might be useful to him. Edwin explains that he does not show anything resembling mercy; he has killed anyone he has dueled. But he otherwise is very picky about the battles he fights, choosing to duel the leaders when possible rather than waging the wars he is expected to fight. His fights are a display of overwhelming force, not leaving room for question of his ability to win. They then move on to lighter topics, generally enjoying their date. Ward also learns that Edwin's magic is something he learned from the elemental plane of blood.

The next morning, Eck is woken by affectionate but thoughtful scritches. She explains that they are her favorite because they are the only one who is attempting to aspire to something greater than what they have been told they could be. She wishes that everyone can make their own path. Eck questions her, and she explains that she would really rather not choose a mate, though her mother is still pressuring her to. Eck promises to save her from her suitors if she is not able to save herself.

The morning of the eleventh the party gathers around Mira to give her gifts and wish her a happy birthday. Afterwards, the group heads off to trial by bird.

They are escorted to the trial chambers and the Chosen file in. Chosen Vidh Zadh, a lich, arrives late and takes Chosen Farron's seat, and the proceedings begin. Ward explains that he had obtained information that a group in Kitheroc was making monsters out of kidnapped citizens, and that this group had connections within the city's council. He presents the evidence that the Fourth Act had gathered, as well as the information that they found in the lab. The chambers errupt into chaos as a result. Ward declares that they choose trial by roc, due to the corruption in the council. Further debate is had regarding the Chosen and their status. Eventually the trial by roc begins. Vera argues with Aetheria and Kaiviren regarding whether or not he has to obey her command to eat them. Confused, Kaiviren appoints Vera to the Chosen council. Vidh Zadh calls a recess for lunch, to be resumed afterwards to discuss the accusations and evidence presented.

Outside the chambers, the group recovers from the emotions and shock of what just happened. Vidh Zadh comes over and assures the group that Vera will likely only be among the council for a short time, as her vote can be used to support the populist agenda. Dorean is allowed in as a guard so Vera isn't alone that afternoon. Vidh Zadh comments that Vera is cursed several times over, which Vera is aware of. She asks if he would be able to help her with those curses. He says some are easy, but others would take some work; he says that he might look into it. Over the course of the next few days, Chosen Farron is suspended from the council, scapegoated by the rest of those implicated in the documents. A week later, Invicta's report comes out, throwing the city into further turmoil.

A week after that, Invicta arrives at the airship and tells the party that she has noticed some similarities between the information they gave her and some activities in some warehouses in Mograh, but has seen some threads leading to a city to the north that doesn't exist. It is a couple weeks north of Kitheroc, and is near Dorean's hometown. The group and Cecily agree that it would be a good idea to pursue this lead, and make that the next stop.

A cut forward, as Kitheroc sinks into the distance, Cecily requests suggestions for renaming the airship, in part due to the events of the previous weeks. The airship creaks and groans and changes to make more rooms for the additional passengers.

Introduced

• Chosen Abaihl - Human
• Chosen Dhogen - Merfolk
• Chosen Arlaas- Tabaxi
• Chosen Lunazi - Tabaxi
• Chosen Mystle - Aarakocra
• Chosen Torvus - bugbear
• Chosen Banoc - Centaur
• Chosen Rorym - Goliath
• Chosen Aetheria - Elf
• Chosen Eddard - Human
• Chosen Lukas - Human
• Chosen Diltok - goblin
• Chosen Vidh Zadh - lich
• Kaiviren
• Walnut - the airship

Returning

• Merely
• Edwin - the Red Prince
• Snowcap
• Cecily Cardew
• Chosen Farron
• Hannah

Mentioned

• Dr. James Oratio Hayward
• Fulkin
• Almandine - Edwin's sister

• Blood Orchid (Ward, from Edwin)
• Training weights (Mira, from Vera)
• A nice knife (Mira, from Dorean)
• An outfit (Mira, from Luna)
• A locket for Stephen's coin (Mira, from Ward)
• Dino leather choker (Mira, from Eck)
• Journal and nice pen (Mira, from Cecily)
• Turtle teacup (Mira, from Talthis)
• Quality smut (Mira, from Alibi)
• Corpsewillow shield (Ward, from Vidh Zadh)