The Cauldron Rises

[Anastasia]

"Sounds about right," Waukeen agrees. "Now let's talk about something more fun - trade routes. Since Vlaakith is being so agreeable right now, I'm thinking I can have more merchants try their luck with them. Naturally, the Cauldron is a natural midway point before reaching any Gith settlement."

[Corwin]

"Perhaps we could streamline the process of arrival to the Cauldron?" Seira proposes. "Nothing like my Balmurian portal network, but one from your realm in Brightwater to a cavern by the Cauldron's marketplace? It would be near the entrance to Astral, while also a handy stop to pick up local specialties and imports straight from the portals we have to the elemental realms." Seira makes a mental note to see about expanding those beyond the main four inner planes. "And perhaps I could reach out to Vlaakith. If she sends their own traders back alongside that route, we'll benefit in the long run since it'd tie her interests to its success. Not to mention, the Gith can provide general security for Astral whereas we can only patrol it along predefined routes at present."

[Anastasia]

"Be careful about getting too entangled with her," Waukeen points out, "She's being good for now, but she can strike sharply and savagely when her interests dictate it." Then she claps her hands together, "But a direct portal could be such fun! A small toll of course for the non faithful, but nothing to dissuade them. We could both make easy money on that."

[Corwin]

"That goes without saying," Seira readily agrees. "As for Vlaakith, I think her self-interest would motivate her. We've coexisted for decades, and the recent events on Astral showed that she'd prefer to be considered as the main power on the plane. If she decided to pick a fight with the underdog, said underdog might just punch her in the face. It's a lose-lose situation for her, isn't it?"

[Anastasia]

"The problem is that she might bite that hand that punches her off," Waukeen says, "She may not be divine, but she is not a foe to be taken lightly. I fought her once, you know," Waukeen goes on, conjuring another pretzel bread and nibbling away. "She held her own. She was able to manage magic in anti magic, as well as hold my own assaults and spells at bay. She also doesn't advertise that fact, as I had no idea she could ignore anti magic until I fought her. Be careful with her."

[Corwin]

"There's a reason I would like to see her gone but she's remained my neighbor all this time," Seira agrees with a helpless shrug. "But I think outside of a very direct insult she won't go off on emotion, and there are huge risks with picking a fight with me. The Gith are impressive, but their ships won't do well against the Cauldron and they'll be fighting on my turf if they were to invade. Not to mention that direct opposition to Vlaakith would draw powerful Gith to my banner. Aurora's proven that quite well, and I had reports of what Vlaakith did when confronted with that fact directly, which was nothing."

[Anastasia]

"You seem to have the right of it. Good," Waukeen agrees, then claps her hands together again, "So the portals are agreed then?"

[Corwin]

"Certainly! And perhaps we can also put one from your temple in Balmuria to the same location in Brightwater? That way the city will always be two portals away."

[Anastasia]

"I like it. Send me a message when you're ready and we can do the portals together," Waukeen says, "So! How are the children?"

[Corwin]

Seira snorts. "They've got Amaryl's drive so their training her been nothing short of phenomenal. But just as she needed time to find her path-- well, I think they've got that from her as well?" She shrugs. "Parenting's hard. I want them to discover a cause they're passionate about, but until they do neither really fits in around here. Maybe I should send Emily off as the envoy to Vlaakith? Throw her off the deep end, but real close by so I can step in as needed?"

[Anastasia]

"Oh, I agree. Once they're adults, toss them in and let them swim." Waukeen says, "I've had a few children - all non deific - and that's really the best thing. It's like how adventurers learn by being thrown into adventures. There's no substitute for that." Giggling into her hand, "They usually complain a lot less and it does wonders if they're spoiled at all. Makes them grow up."

[Corwin]

"I know, right?! I've already stopped an invasion when I was Xera's age!" Seira exclaims, throwing her arms up. "And I celebrated the next birthday by knocking over an Abyssal lord! I actually had something to protect, true, and it's not like I'll leave the Cauldron defenseless to give them that drive, but I didn't need it to explore beyond the known lands. Maybe they don't have that wanderlust because we provided too much to them?"

She grins all of a sudden. "Then again, maybe what they need to do is see me campaign properly again? Hey, should I recall Xera from Celestia for that?"

[Anastasia]

"Well, it's worth considering, but..."

Anything else for this conversation? I just wanted to give you a chance to talk about the kids a bit.

If not, what's your next move?

[Corwin]

I'll invite her to visit the palace, meet Amaryl and Emily, try some imported wine from Fire.

As for a next move, I'd like to follow up on Donald's report. We discussed Amaryl's attempts to contact the Seldarine, so if those were successful I'd like to talk to her. If not, I'll contact Alicia first via message to coordinate, and then by porting over to her doorstep discreetly.

[Anastasia]

Okay. Just so I'm clear what you mean from that, link me to the part in question? A paste works too.