Cauldron Festival

[Anastasia]

Great. Got an approach here or want to rely on Zaaman Rul?

[Corwin]

I'll rely on him.

[Anastasia]

You meet Zaaman Rul in his realm.

"Welcome back again," he greets, "We of Fire have a place to privately meet Kossuth. While you aren't of Fire fully by that reckoning, I believe I can show it to you and avoid much of the normal difficulties of meeting him."

[Corwin]

Seira had hoped as much! "Is it open to anyone of Fire, or just those sufficiently powerful to be granted entrance?" she asks curiously to improve her knowledge of the customs surrounding this method.

[Anastasia]

"Those of us who rule in Fire - the Archomentals, the Grand Sultan and other similar figures," Zaaman Rul says, "It's not about power, it's about authority."

"Oh, that makes sense," Amaryl pipes up, "Like a noble being able to talk to the king directly."

[Corwin]

"Anything we need to remember while there?"

[Anastasia]

"Be respectful. The Fire Lord is not overly interested in formalities but he will not be disrespected. Have you met him before?" Zaaman Rul asks.

[Corwin]

"He taught me a lot about fire," Seira responds.

[Anastasia]

"Then you are ready. Let him see your spirit!" Zaaman Rul smiles, flames burning around his body.

"We'll show him what he needs to see," Amaryl murmurs, "Let's."

Any prep or ready to move on?

[Corwin]

My mind is ready!

[Anastasia]

Around you are mountains. Mountains of burning basalt and constantly rising and crumbling heaps of volcanic glass. Lava swirls and shimmers here constantly, the occasional burst of blue flames erupting out, scorching everything around them to ash. The air is thick with ash, Zaaman Rul striding along.

"The air here alone would kill any mortal," Zaaman Rul says, "Save those native to places like Fire. Tiny fragments of sharp volcanic glass shred the lungs of any who breathe here who are not of the purest Fire."

You appear and stride amid the mountains, a singular path hidden within the heart of them. It's coming ahead to a stone circle, pure red stones unburning and unmelting amid the inferno. "Any who are not divine will be incinerated should they dare step beyond those stones, unless they are taken by a deity of Fire. The Blueflames will reduce them to ash, no matter how they are protected."

Amaryl looks around, taking in the growth and collapse, the rain of embers and ash, the view. "How otherworldly," she murmurs, a hand to her mouth. "What are the Blueflames?"

[Corwin]

"So bringing Oraga with me would've had unfortunate consequences?" Seira muses.

[Anastasia]

"Yes, unless Kossuth chose to spare him. He may have, if he thinks well of you. It is a defense against mortals seeking what they have no right to seek," he gestures ahead, as in the center of the stones stands a rippling red portal. "For Kossuth vowed that any mortals who reach him through this portal shall have their requests considered fairly by him and any reasonable boon granted, so long as it is not against the interests of Fire. My Mother said that it was the will of the Incarnation of Balance that this condition be made, unthinkable ages ago."

As Blueflames erupt nearby, "Flames change color depending on how hot they are. It is said that some of the hottest flames burn blue. Flames so hot as to resemble searing fire, created by the will of Kossuth."

[Corwin]

"Do you know of any other such impositions by the Incarnations?" Seira asks curiously. "And on the subject of fire, how do the different types rate against each other? Rimefire, goldenfire, hellfire, blueflames? Did I miss any type of note?"

[Anastasia]

"Most superior flames share an underlying trait," Zaaman Rul pauses here, gesturing, "They are connected to an idea or concept. Goldenfire is Creation. Hellfire is the flames of Baator. Blueflames burn hot as possible without magic. They use that to overcome, to rise above, to cleanse anything they touch - or profane it."