The expedition returns to Nagalisitu, six centuries after they left (only about a month for them) and find a land completely changed by their decisions. Instead of finding a unified people, the Nagalisituites have fractured into tribes, each of which remembers the Outsiders and their deeds in a different way. Each tribe's way of life is not fully sustainable and unifying them will be key to continuing Nagalisitu's growth, but how can they merge so many distinct cultures, each with their own norms and taboos? And are some tribes even worth saving?