As the Starlight Pageant began, people crowded the streets to watch as the processions started along the High Road and proceeded toward the Sages’ District. The templars’ illusions were grand, engulfing every street and the sky above the entire city. The music carried down each street, and the people started to sway in rhythm to its sounds once again.

Amidst the festivities, players observe or overheard various details:

Young female dancers, known as apsara, made their way from the Naggaramakam along the High Road just inside the city wall. Their performance depicted the folklore of Nibenay in a special ballet.

Jugglers and acrobats entertained the audience between the ballet sessions.

The Starlight Pageant will last all night, with illusions filling the streets and sky, intricately woven into the ballet by mages to enhance the performance.

Rumors circulated that the Veiled Alliance observed the procession from the shadows.

Those trained in Arcana could discern that the wisps of blue fog were illusions.

Once they had absorbed this information, they faced a decision as the main procession of the pageant approached. How should they proceed in their quest to possibly engage with the Veiled Alliance? Should they attempt to draw attention, search patiently, or wait for the Alliance to potentially make the first move? After a short debate they decided to wait and watch, hoping to get noticed.

As the celebration continued, dancers performed acrobatic displays, wielding long spears and broadswords adorned with brightly colored cloth to depict traditional Nibenese warriors. Meanwhile, a group of prisoners dressed in grass skirts and grotesque wooden facemasks were shamelessly dragged down the street, harassed by the crowd. Their dance, known as wriquo-ih, commemorated martial life, with the wooden facemasks mocking those worn by Gulg warriors, indicating the prisoners' origin. These prisoners, hailing from Gulg, were slated to be killed during the pageant finale.

Overhearing conversations, the group caught snippets of discussions about the upcoming war between Urik and Tyr, and the potential involvement of Nibenay and Gulg. Concerns were voiced about the consequences of various alliances and actions: speculation about the repercussions if Gulg sided with Tyr, leading Nibenay to align with Urik and escalate the conflict; fear of widespread bloodshed across the tablelands if Nibenay and Gulg were drawn into the Tyrian-Urikite war; rumors about promises made by Urik regarding slaves to Nibenay; speculation about the origins and intentions of the Gulg prisoners, with some suggesting they were a scouting party sent to raid Nibenay’s supply roads; and discussion about Tyr's fledgling king's attempted dealings with Nibenay, and the likelihood of Nibenay aligning with Urik instead.

As the group approached, a weather-beaten man emerged from the crowd, stepping forward to inquire about their purpose in Nibenay, referring to it as the city where truth went to die. The man demonstrated knowledge of traditional secret hand signs and gestures used by the Veiled Alliance, revealing himself as a member of the Nibenese Alliance. Upon learning of their quest to find the druids of Yaramuke, he listened intently, carefully weighing their words. Eventually, he seemed to agree that their need was sufficient for him to risk trusting them.

"If what you say is true, then we should not waste any time. I have friends that will be able to help you," he declared. With that, he left the crowd and began walking back through the streets, motioning for them to follow him. Evidently, the man was willing to assist them in their quest, indicating a potential ally in their search for the druids of Yaramuke.

Returning to the Starlight Pageant, the group notices a well-dressed noble eavesdropping on conversations regarding the impending war. They approach him, but before they can speak, he turns to meet their gaze, clearly expecting them. With the authority of a noble, he informs them that they have been under observation since their arrival in Nibenay and insists they accompany him to ensure Nibenay stays out of the war between Urik and Tyr.

Leading them through the streets and alleyways, far from the bustle of the pageant, the noble takes them to a sculptor’s studio, revealing it to be a gathering place for several women who appear to be templars. Closing the door behind them, the man reveals that an important negotiation is imminent within Nibenay, wherein Urik will request an alliance against Tyr, offering slaves in return. Prince Dhojakt, a despised figure who rarely leaves the palace, is expected to accept on behalf of Nibenay. The noble and his cohorts seek the group's help to preempt Prince Dhojakt's meeting and thwart the alliance.

They learn from the group that the noble is named Teshkan and his cohorts are templars known as Shadow Brides, allied with Siemhouk, a templar feared for her psionic powers. Siemhouk and Prince Dhojakt often oppose each other, vying for the Sorcerer-King's favor. However, Siemhouk and her faction wish to avoid involvement in Urik's war against Tyr, as they are currently at war with Gulg and do not want to face enemies on two fronts. Urik has offered a large group of slaves in exchange for Nibenay's alliance, with the meeting likely to take place in the slave emporium. Prince Dhojakt plans to meet with the Urik envoy shortly. Additionally, the faction is making arrangements with Korsk, a leader of Salt View, who is willing to satisfy the Dragon’s Levy with refugees from his settlement, which are Tyrians who fled after Kalak’s death. Armed with this information, the group is urged to act swiftly to prevent the alliance and secure Nibenay's neutrality in the impending conflict.

The slave emporium sprawls across a vast area, marked by clusters of buildings featuring prison bars, confinement areas, and holding pens. Despite the early hour, Nibenese citizens can be seen perusing the slaves and engaging in debates over their worth. At the far end, a group of guards bearing the lion insignia of Urik catch the group's attention. Accompanied by an older human clad in a golden cape, they guard the large padlocked double doors leading to a wooden slave compound. Through the bars, the group observes numerous slaves scattered across the straw-covered floor, illuminated by flickering torches left burning from the previous night.

As the group approaches, the Urikite templar and his slavers detect their presence and react swiftly. With a roar of challenge, they draw their weapons, initiating a quick but intense battle. The slavers and the Urikite templar prove to be formidable opponents, presenting a greater challenge than anticipated. Despite focusing their efforts on defeating these deadly adversaries, the group sustains grievous wounds, their initial objective of freeing the slaves temporarily overshadowed by the urgent need to survive the encounter.

Exiting the slave market, the group quickly maneuvers through the Western District, avoiding an increasing number of soldiers and templars patrolling the streets. Under the High Road, they encounter a contingent of Nibenese soldiers approaching from the east, prompting a woman to step out of a doorway and direct them southward while unleashing a spell of lightning to cover their retreat from the soldiers.

Continuing their frantic escape through the City-State, members of the Nibenese Veiled Alliance aid their flight. They find themselves near a market operated by merchant House Shom, where they come face to face with their adversary, Dhojakt, accompanied by templars and guards bearing the emblem of House Shom. As concealed members of the Veiled Alliance emerge to confront Dhojakt and his guards, a barrage of magic erupts from all sides in a chaotic battle.

Amidst the chaos, Dhojakt appears intent on pursuing the group but is suddenly distracted by the scent of someone named Sadira. He rushes towards a nearby half-elf with amber hair, catching her and inflicting pain before she manages to escape by invoking arcane words and transforming him into a shadowy form. Enraged, Dhojakt curses Sadira for defiling his father’s groves and attempts to retaliate, but she counters by inserting something into his nostril, causing him to writhe in agony.

As Sadira escapes, the guards are momentarily distracted, attending to Dhojakt's condition, allowing the group to continue their flight from the scene.