The Grand Sultan

[Anastasia]

You are escorted through wealth.

Halls of ivory, untouched by the heat within. Enough for surely thousands and thousands of elephants, used extravagantly.

A great fountain that spews cold, liquid gold along with tiny rubies, as if it was mere water in the middle of the ocean.

A hall decorated with works of art older than most Prime worlds, by ancient masters so long forgotten that the names are meaningless, as if artistic monoliths left to be marveled over.

A great viewing room where deep below sits the skeletons of a hundred wyrms, hoards with them and sparkling like a sea of coins.

A hunting room decorated with the heads of beasts fantastical and rare, mounted and preserved perfectly.

All of this and more, luxury unthinkable. At last you are taken to a wing - three dozen elegant rooms of the finest furniture and design, luxuriously large. A small army of efreet await, "They will fulfill your every desire, you merely need to ask," Akil says, "Dinner is in three hours. You are at leisure to rest and spend your time in these humble guests rooms as you see fit."

[Nephrite]

Moore merely waits for the time being in order to follow the discretion of the deities, as likely they will all head together to discuss how they intend to handle this sort of diplomatic endeavor -- and what spells will or won't end up being used for it.

[Corwin]

"Come on, let's get settled in," Seira tells Honeydip and Elle, letting Barachiel take the first step towards any would-be gathering.

[Anastasia]

"They are not needed," Barachiel says firmly. Politely enough, but firm enough to rival steel.

To this Akil merely snaps his fingers, the efreet filing out without another word. "It is your right as guests," Akil agrees, then bows. "In that case I will leave you to your recovery. I look forward to this evening. Dress to impress." Stepping back Akil turns to go, but pauses. "Oh yes, Duke Moore, was it? There are guests of the Sultan here that wish to meet you. I believe you crossed them in the field of battle previously."

[Nephrite]

Moore merely nods at that, not giving in to comment.

[Anastasia]

Cresiel minutely tenses, gaze turning sharper on Akil. He smiles - far from a kind smile. The smile of a warrior sizing up a new opponent, the thrill of battle in them. "Pass on my regards to them and my intent that we conclude our previous encounter at the soonest opportunity."

Lady Honeydip stays by Seira and adds, "History with them?" she asks, voice whisper soft.

Akil smiles even more, "Commander Madani will be pleased to hear your words, I'm sure." With that he turns and goes, leaving all of you alone.

[Corwin]

"Obviously," Seira responds. "Quite a few skirmishes preceded this meeting."

[Nephrite]

"I'll tell you all about them." Moore says. "I wonder who they got to replace the pit field."

[Anastasia]

"I would know more," Vel Custos declares, reaching up and taking off his mask. His face is weathered and severe, gaze stern. "What existing enmities lie in waiting here?"

Cerulean Joy gently rests a hand on her husband's arm, murmuring something to him.

"We all should. Moore, begin with yours," Barachiel says, "Seira, I would hear more of your history with Akil bin Faheem, if there is more to add, afterwards."

Adalan stands back but speaks up, "I have past encounters with the efreet as well."

[Nephrite]

"Of course. I encountered him and his cohorts while on an excursion to free slaves as well as take weapons from a guarded efreet location some weeks ago. His full name is Nasir Farhad Madani, and he is the Commander of the Order of the Burning Heart. He had with him a pit fiend, a disfigured woman who was a servant of Belial, and a human who seemed to be in service to Asmodeus." He explains.

"The pit fiend used a wand that seemed to be from the very bowels of Nessus itself. We destroyed it in the light of Chronias by placing it at the Bridge of Al-Sihal. I know not the names of the other cohorts that he had with them, but they all carried rings that allowed themselves to avoid the effects of spells like Time Stop, which is how they all ended up getting away in our last encounter." He adds. "Ah, one other thing. Madani wears the Armor of Saint Daldelus -- it protects him from magic and allows him to use it to attack others. I intend to get that back the next time we see him."

[Corwin]

"Oh that is bullshit!" Seira exclaims at the part of the time stop-defeating rings. "First they ignore antimagic, then they mock those who trained to resist such tactics. That's feats that Mystra herself finds difficult to teach others!"

[Anastasia]

"I don't believe it was antimagic," Cresiel speaks up, "More of a sink that chosen magic flowed down, like a drain. I will enjoy wearing it one day."

"Still," Jetina adds softly, "They are disturbingly well equipped."

Barachiel is silent for all of that for a short time, until he speaks firmly, "I agree, and we will ensure that those disagreeable tools are taken from them and put to better uses."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "There are limits to it, I believe. If any of you face him, he cannot seem to absorb the magic if he himself is unaware it is being cast. As for Jetina's point... yes, it's clear either The Grand Sultan or Asmodeus... or others, but even if it isn't them exactly, they seem to be funded by very strong individuals, likely deities."

[Corwin]

"So unseen needles all the way, or the old-fashioned physical violence?" Seira muses, deciding to just ignore the unfairness of the rest of it.

[Nephrite]

"Yes, I think all of that would work. To give you an example, he wasn't able to do anything about some delayed blast fireballs that we set up before he came back into view." Moore explains. "Old-fashioned violence works just fine too, I imagine he couldn't stop a spell that was channeled into a weapon, either."