Dust and blood

[Iron Dragoon]

We can make a reconstruction advisor part of the deal, I suppose. I still want to look into the tribals, before anything else.

[Anastasia]

For the best. Keep talking then.

[Iron Dragoon]

"We're somewhat inclined to help you, but it all depends on what happens with the tribals. Tell us what you know about them; where they are, who their leaders are."

[Anastasia]

Nods of submission all around. "The greatest thing that can be said is that the tribes and leaders are fluid. Leaders rise and fall, tribes absorb one another while other factions splinter away. One of the greatest difficulties is that so often the names, faces and leaders change swiftly. A new leader may begin completely new tactics or disregard anything the old leader agreed to. Give them a year and half the groups are new, or reformations of old groups, or combinations of groups that will have split up in another year's time."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Very non-specific. The tribes have clan names or the like?"

[Anastasia]

"Of course they do," The old man says, "The point, of course, great lady, is that they so often change."

[Iron Dragoon]

"And yet, I still want the most up to date information you have."

[Anastasia]

"It has been prepared," Another says, as a rolled up scroll hovers over to you.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods and glances at it, but puts it away. "Thank you. We'll be looking into things on our end. We'll get back to you after we've done so. In the mean time, I'd like a tour of your academy."

[Anastasia]

I'm going to remind you OOC that a deity, barring an avatar, going to the Prime causes massive spiritual wounds, Iddy.

[Iron Dragoon]

Oh yeah. I never got aroundtomakingone of those. Was goingtodo it afterthe proxy but it slipped past me. I'll fix this:

"I want to arrange for a few of my people to visit your academy. We have one of our own, and it might be the start of an exchange program of sorts."

[Anastasia]

"As you wish, great lady," Is the reply, not an ounce of resistance to that.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Any questions for us?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes," The old woman says immediately, head bowed. "When can we expect your aid if you deign to give it to us, great lady?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Let me be clear here: my aid will be in a form We decide to render it, and it will come when we deem it appropriate. We are not here to win a war for you, or to fight it on your behalf. We are here to ensure the war causes as little damage to innocents as possible, and to preserve as much as possible, ranging from people, to knowledge, to culture. We will step as we see fit, when we see fit. We have made no pledge to you beyond agreeing to assess the situation.

The form and timing of whatever action we will take will be based on that assessment, and you likely will not be satisfied by it. Understand that the more we get involved, the more other deities will as well. Our goal is not to turn your war into a proxy of our conflicts, we're simply interested in the curious wizards pushing past their limits, as we once did ourselves. We will not tie ourselves into your world only to bring it to ruin."