A commotion on the deck of the airship summons the party. A tall lupine humanoid dressed in a flowing outfit with a lot of luggage is standing on the deck—Leonora, from the moon. Ward explains to Cecily that Leonora has agreed to help study information on the SMF's plans for shard travel; Cecily reluctantly agrees to allow a room for her on the condition that they keep her updated. Leonora realizes that she can transform out of her werewolf form and does so, becoming a dark-skinned elven woman.

Vera talks to Merely about what happened in the lab. Merely gives a brief description, providing details that Vera asks about. They also ask about how Merely revived Dorean. She says that Dorean was not quite gone, so she was able to give her some of herself. It was painful, and Vera expresses concern about Merely potentially giving away too much of herself. They also ask why Merely seemed so scared of the Director; the Director had thought Merely a waste of time, and had wanted to dispose of her. Vera expresses that they are happy that Merely is around. Merely comments that their dragon form seemed to be missing part of it, that it was incomplete somehow. Vera asks if it's like how their blood is weird, which Merely says is the case. She has a theory about what is in Vera's blood, so they go to Ward to draw some so she can do an experiment about it. The blood shimmers and glows brightly, and then the vial explodes. Floating in Merely's hand is an inch-wide hole in space, edged by the hexagonal shapes of shard stuff. Merely explains that there's colorless mana in Vera's blood, as well as some other stuff that she can't identify. It would take too much blood to make a gate wide enough to send a person through, though she thinks she could perhaps facilitate a hole large enough to send a message to Liz.

Ward, Merely, and Leonora begin working together to establish what various parties know already. They request more blood from Vera—which they provide on the condition that they can be present—and Merely creates another tiny gate in demonstration. Leonora thinks a mechanical version of what Merely is doing with magic could be set up, but the amount of colorless mana required would be nearly impossible to acquire as it is an exceedingly rare magic. There are a few potential places that one can find it, but extracting it previously has proven difficult or even fruitless. They decide to try to set up a lab space on the airship to begin working on the gate technology. Ward offers his inside contact with the SMF as a potential resource.

Mira approaches Greyson to tell him that she missed him. He was discussing with Leonora the possibility of getting in contact with home, perhaps returning. Mira is hesitant, as there really isn't much back home that she would want to return to. Leonora and Greyson had realized that the archlich Acererak had existed in both of their shards, also disappearing in both of them around the same time, so wonder if there's some useful information there. Mira requests suggestions for how to more quickly attune to her power armor; Greyson offers suggestions and to spar, which Mira happily takes him up on.

Cecily calls Dorean to her office to discuss their destination, whether Dorean still wants to go given things that have happened. Dorean is pragmatic, saying that Fulkin and the SMF know where she is from and where her sisters currently are, so it doesn't seem like they'd be in more danger if she visits. She also checks in with Dorean about how she's doing. Dorean is doing okay, all things considered, though Ward and Vera seem to be annoyed with each other. Cecily says they need to either punch each other or have sex, gets as flustered as Cecily ever gets, and sends Dorean back to her room. There, Dorean finds Invicta being seductive.

Vera's raven friend starts playing Leonora in chess and is delighted to discover that it loses to her. The raven, Leonora, and Merely have in-depth conversations about arcane topics frequently.

For the new year, decorations and food are present. There is the customary moment of remembrance for those who died during the year, and then all chaos breaks loose as the party kicks in to full swing. Various party members participate in dancing with each other. Merely doesn't know how to dance and does not understand the point, but does "dance" with people. Cecily flirts with Leonora, perhaps successfully. Dorean gives Invicta her commissioned earrings, prompting Invicta to drag Dorean from the party. Luna takes away Mira. Alibi offers to make out with Vera, who takes her up on their offer.

The following morning, while nursing a hangover, Eck is approached by Abernathy. He has potentially located another dragon monk temple near their destination.

Mid-afternoon, Invicta brings Dorean a parcel. Inside is a partially-completed painting of Dorean from an angle that somewhat obscures the disfigurement for Dorean's sake. Also pictured is Invicta, making it somewhat resemble the cover of a romance novel. Dorean is grateful; Invicta has some ideas about how to show that appreciation.

Abernathy is fairly certain that the location near Dorean's hometown is Schvarogk's tomb. There is a gold dragon called Novalis in the area as well, and while metallic dragons are typically more benevolent than chromatics, it is still not a great idea to show up unannounced. They begin to plan a potential gift—an arcanist, some sort of gift of magic or knowledge would likely be appreciated.

Ward receives a response to his letter from Vidh Zadh almost immediately, stating "LOL." Is does have a postscript saying that if he feels like it, he'll look for a source of colorless mana. Vera receives a response to their letter finally that simply says, "Erawald, new fountain, M20," leaving Vera utterly baffled. Mira receives a letter as well: ✊✊✊✊✊✊✅ ✅ ✅ 🗺️ ❓ She responds with their upcoming location.

The night of the first, Ward and Vera perform the ritual to imbue Vera's latest lunar silver. Leonora comes by to observe, but the special guests from their previous embueing do not. Leonora has follow-up questions for Ward about the ritual.

Mira sleeps poorly that night. She is woken by a notification on her black box saying, "communications detected," along with an indicator directing her toward the front of the ship. She slips out of the room after the arrow, descending to the lowest floor of the airship into the stage area. As she enters, the box closes up, and she can hear low voices, one of which sounds like Greyson. She eavesdrops on the conversation. Greyson is talking to Logir Sol, who is demanding that Mira be brought back home. Greyson protests, but Logir threatens him. As Mira and Greyson encounter each other, the airship errupts into fire. Ironclad figures covered head-to-toe in armor, dripping ash and flame, walk the halls with flaming swords. As they traverse the ship, killing who they can, the party and crew members flee to the deck of the ship. Greyson fights Fulkin himself in the remains of the stage. Once the surviving crew is moved topside to the gathering point, the party, Talthis, and Alibi descend to the stage to deal with Fulkin.

Introduced

• Logir Sol (via communication)

Returning

• Leonora
• Cecily Cardew
• Merely
• Uncle Greyson (Yellow)
• Invicta
• Abernathy Quirval
• Talthis Vim
• Sapphire
• Hannah
• Alibi
• Fulkin

Mentioned

• Schvarogk - dragon monk
• Novalis - gold dragon

• Emerald earrings (given to Invicta by Dorean)
• Embued Lunar Silver (Vera - converted from unembued)