The Cauldron Rises

[Ebiris]

"I'm not much for sneaking," Alicia admits, shaking her head. "But I can provide a significant distraction."

[Anastasia]

"Alright, that's manageable," Elegy says, "I have paperwork here that will identify us as legitimate traders from the Consortium. Those should work, since the Consortium's been doing a lot of business with Lixer since he ascended. Of course, you have to be able to pass as mercane or servants, so that part's on all of you." A long sip of his drink, a pause to hold it up to the light and enjoy the color.

Meanwhile Donald gets some fruit and munches, sitting to the side and watching.

"A local flavor or imported?" he asks, before having another drink. "Regardless, the fact that the Consortium's surprisingly pro-Lixer will make this part easier. It's so much that there's a run on black onyx right now. If you're sitting on reserves of it you can make a tidy profit with almost any mercane house of any note."

[Corwin]

"I prepared for the need to disguise ourselves," Seira agrees, glancing between Alicia and Elegy as she asks, "Does Jessica have a talent in that area? And if not, would she be able to pass for a human servant?"

At the question, she grins. "Imported. I feel it's our strength at present, and our own specialties are still in the making."

[Ebiris]

"Jessica's better at passing unseen than pretending to be someone else, and the wings make passing for human difficult. Not impossible, but magic and nondetection still only go so far..." Alicia answers.

[Corwin]

"Magic, nondetection and staying quiet in the back while tending to the onyx while we take the lead?" Seira muses. "Better than coloring her wings."

[Anastasia]

"Well, that's really up to you all. A few points to remember. As I mentioned, the mercane are high on Lixer. My own relations with the Consortium are strained." Waving a hand, "But I've heard some of the top houses are hawkish and bullish on trading with Lixer. So most mercane of any standing are speaking nice of Avernus and Hell right now, unless they're bitter enemies of them. Gold blinds even the wisest mercane, remember."

[Corwin]

"Unfortunate, on the one hand. But on the other, it is how we have an in, all the way to his doorstep," Seira says, choosing to see the glass half full. "Our success will likely bring about a change in the Consortium's opinion, too. Shall we go into the details?"

[Anastasia]

"Of course," Elegy waves you onward, "This should be a good plan, I hope."

[Corwin]

"We're talking about a group of four of us," Seira elaborates on her side of things. "Two of me, yourself and Alicia's sister. Alicia herself will be striking with an elite force around that time to divert Lixer's attention and troops, and we'll be able to coordinate the initial strike, at least. How do you expect the guards will react to an attack upon Avernus? Business as usual, distracted or vigilant? That would affect the rest of the planning."

[Anastasia]

Elegy rubs his chin with a bony hand and long, almost skeletal fingers. "Professionally. Hellish soldiers of that training virtually never panic. They'll most likely detain us for the duration, for our 'safety'. Not that we'll have much choice in the matter, it's not a request. With how many  mercane are coming through, we may get a little extra leeway, or maybe a tiny bit more if the Consortium's more in bed with Lixer than I imagine." He hums a moment, "Oh and by the way, I'm selling copies of the Consortium's official report on the coup. You didn't get it for me and it can be yours for 5,000 gold coins. It's interesting reading, I assure you."

[Corwin]

"Sold, first of all," Seira responds, having her priorities straight. A gesture turns the untouched fruit bowl into a delicate sculpture, the grapes tiny gems of all kinds. "Would this do, or do you prefer the literal coins?"

I can make items up to 4,500gp, though I do have some cash and Alicia's also there so I figure we're covered.

[Anastasia]

The expense is no great thing for y'all, correct.

"That'll do, that'll do," Elegy passes over a slender tome, "Interviews are first, then analysis and conclusions. Start with the first one."

The first one is this entry: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104100.msg1109446/topicseen.html#msg1109446

[Corwin]

"No fireballs, wasting sickness," Seira murmurs, nodding to herself as she reads before glancing back up at Elegy. "Professional or not, there must be an even larger paranoia with the remaining devils after all that decimation and betrayal. Perhaps enough that they could be tricked into thinking it's the old guard attacking until Lixer sends out personal commands?"

There might be a proper analysis at the end, but she loses nothing by asking Elegy own opinion on top of the Consortium's official one.

[Anastasia]

Elegy waves a hand back and forth, "You'd think but devils are trained to obey and serve," he points out, "We might get lucky there but I wouldn't count on it. Especially if a bad review means you get replaced by a skeleton or become one. Though speaking of, I'd like to know how he's doing that. A lot of people would."

[Corwin]

"Logically, by draining Bel or Zariel, perhaps both," Seira reasons, continuing her perusal of the tome.