With four days until the beginning of the tournament, the party spends their time attempting to accomplish various tasks. Dorean attempts to befriend Thea; Dorean has a personality that she vibes with, so they spend a fair amount of time sparring. Eck asks Mira to help them how to fight in a more flashy manner. When not training, Luna scopes out the competition. Vera does their best to become friends with everybody in Hullbreach, especially utilizing Narci's shows to garner their favor. Ward investigates the Cult of the Juice. The bartender tells him that the Juice was given into their custodianship to dispense to anyone in the Cult of the Juice or anyone the members wish to share it with. The Juice itself is brewed somewhere in Hullbreach; he has heard unsubstantiated rumors that it is made from distilled nightmares. Typically, the Juice alters the users according to their hoeps and dreams; they are temporary reality altering effects, thus their need to continue drinking it. They are, as a collective, searching for the Perfect Juice. He also learns from the townsfolk that most of the people have ended up in the ocean and were in fear of drowning before ending up in Hullbreach. Few people see Casitus before arriving in Hullbreach; he occasionally appears in Hullbreach to gather members for his crew or to watch eents, such as the Pit. He also learned that Uncounted Shadows did not appear like everyone else, apparently choosing to be here.

After a few days, the party is sent for to meet at the Pit, alongside the other participants of the tournament. Each team is given a small ball to decorate. He covers the rules, reminding people that teams are to be of three or fewer members—special dispensation has been granted in the past, but not this year—and that healing magic from spells, scrolls, and potions is not allowed. He comments that Uncounted Shadows has made the traps neat this season, so that'll be fun. The party confirms their party split and names and decorate their balls. Eck, Dorean, and Ward—Shards of Elpis part 1—team together while Mira, Luna, and Vera—Stargayzers—form the other team. Their balls turned in, Hotha puts them and a bunch of red balls with symbols into a mingo machine.

The Shards of Elpis part 1 face off against the Pupper Gang first. Their leader is a musclebound hulk of a gnoll with a bright pink mohawk; she taunts them, accusing them of being new and thus in need of a lesson. Between crowd control and extreme violence, the match ends relatively quickly, gaining the approval of Dihada and the crowd.

Narci and Anikthea utterly destroy a pirate-themed trio. Narci begins the match singing Return of the Chained One, while Thea stands guard. The enemies are reduced to blubbering husks.

The Stargayzers vs Vlasis' Knives goes less nicely, though the party is still victorious. The opposing team had a large robot that did several things that should probably have disqualified it. Afterwards, Narci congratulates Vera, offering some healing; Dani, the rogue from the Vlasis' Knives, invites Luna and Mira to post-fight activities later that night if they are inclined.

Introduced

• Dani - rogue from Vlasis' Knives
• Gnoll Lady - Pupper Gang leader

Returning

• Anikthea "Thea"
• Narci
• Hotha
• Dihada

Mentioned

• Casitus Jerrick
• Uncounted Shadows
• Sahagin