Emancipation

[Anastasia]

What feat is that?

[Corwin]

scribe scroll
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#scribeScroll

[Anastasia]

Okay, that actually does apply, I'd forgotten. My mistake. Anyway that's fine.

The gifts get cheers and smiles from everyone, as people leave and...

Okay, to brass tacks then. Who do you want around for this chat?

[Corwin]

Once again, Xera and Zariel asked for this chat. I can only speculate it's about Dis. Thus, whoever they want to bring into this.

[Anastasia]

It's you, Donald, Elle, Kascha and the two of them.

"We've been making very slow progress," Xera opens up with, "It seems that everyone deeply in the know about this 'knows' that the Lost Chalice is there, but almost no one has a shred of proof. It's all ancient whispers and carefully preserved bits of lore. That's merely the parts that are reliable, so much legend is distorted and twisted as well, which may or may not have anything of value within it. Dispater himself denies having her as you know, and for various reasons the Triad do not make this information well known."

"We're confident she is there," Zariel says, "From what we've gathered, even if what we already knew didn't tell us that. She likely has handmaidens of some kind, nine brachina is what seems most likely. Beyond that, the best we have is somewhere in the Iron Tower. Which as a deity's personal realm, could be as big as a thousand Prime Material worlds, should Dispater will it, and without any astral links."

[Corwin]

"How can we help?" Seira asks. "Are we at the stage where we're ready to try a direct assault? I couldn't infiltrate a divine realm, nor could Amaryl, Kascha or Zariel. Our presence will be immediately felt, as we've seen with Lixer."

[Anastasia]

"Not remotely," Zariel shakes her head, "We know she's in the Iron Tower, but that does precious little to help when it's Creation's foremost defensive hold."

"We need something more," Xera agrees, "Have you found out anything useful about Dispater, by any chance, mother?"

Here Kascha shakes her head, "Nothing helpful here. Those who try and infiltrate the Iron Tower rarely come back, nor do they speak of it."

"We're searching for anything that might help, any edge against Dispater or means to make him parley with us through a position of strength." Xera agrees.

[Corwin]

"My efforts to pursue rhis matter through the Mercane have not borne fruit, which may well be a lead in itself," Seira muses. "Kascha, please make inquiries with the lillends of the Infinite Staiway. Take Oraga with you."

She purses her lips. "Aside from the Mercane, I've been considering just talking to Torm under parley. Is there a strong objection to seeing what he knows?"

[Anastasia]

"I will," Kascha says agreeably.

Zariel is silent before, "Ask the Triad first," she says at last, "They deserve to be consulted."

[Corwin]

"We've talked to them before, though it's possible they didn't realize how invested we were. I'll make another attempt."

Looking over her friends, Seira asks, "Is there anything else we should be doing to advance this cause?"

[Anastasia]

"Not now, it's simply difficult," Xera says, "The root of the problem is the Iron Tower and Dispater, and over millions of years, no one's come close to solving them."

[Corwin]

"Alright." Seira nods. "Donald, please check with Lathander to see if he has any discreet insights. Go with Elle, preferably before you stop by to give Emily a hand. I'll check with Celestia and the Court of the Stars after the Triad, and Amaryl will hit Arvandor. Sanzha will investigate our contacts on the Inner Planes. As of this moment, given the successful conclusion of the Abolition War, this matter is the Cauldron's top priority "

She looks at those gathered to ensure they're all on the same page.

[Anastasia]

"One point," Donald speaks up here, "Odds are we'll need to trade favors. Anything off limits?"

[Corwin]

"There is a reason I haven't brought up approaching Asmodeus, even though he could deliver. We're not making any deals with Evil. As for our friends, anything and everything is fair game. Just don't sign away the Cauldron!"

[Anastasia]

"Really? I think Lathander could do something special with it," Donald cracks a smile.

Amaryl sighs at that, but adds, "Well, a good sunrise only hurts vampires and shadows."