Dust and blood

[Anastasia]

"I do have an idea," Empress Sulia says mildly. "I do have a few things to discuss before that, information that will be helpful."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods for her to go on.

[Anastasia]

"Firstly, Gargauth's companion and vassal is Rathguul, a blue dragon son of Tiamat." Empress Sulia says, "There is some manner of agreement there that ensures his service, but the details are elusive. He is an exceptionally powerful dragon and not to be taken lightly."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa leans back, "Well, that'd be a terrible addition to the fight: Tiamat. We'll need to dig up information on him. If we can isolate him or drag him away, it'll prevent that."

[Anastasia]

"Good luck," Empress Sulia says, "In addition to his draconic talents, he is a hellfire warlock of vast potency, personally tutored by Hell's elite. His breath is lightning mixed with hellfire, and all the more deadly for it."

[Iron Dragoon]

"You're being awfully pessimistic for the person who proposed this whole thing."

[Anastasia]

"Nonsense," Empress Sulia declares, a faint smile, "I merely state the opposition clearly."

"She has a point," It's Jarem who speaks up, "If she knows, the better that she tells us. So we have a seriously deadly dragon to factor in. We can do that."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I meant more the good luck comment. Anyone have anything to add to the basic layout before we start?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes," Sulia goes on, "He often fights with throwing daggers, but has an unlimited supply of powerful ones. They don't last in anyone else's hands. It's said they wound the minds of their victims and strengthens his mind in return."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well now... That's certainly an effect I'm interested in. We'll have to do some research into them, but we may be able to work out a defense. There's plenty of spells to protect against projectiles to build from, and since we know about it, it may help."

[Anastasia]

"That does sound like a problem - don't face him where he can focus it on you," Jarem reasons, "Should all else fail."

"Should all else, but duller wits hurts all of us," Empress Sulia agrees, "It's no trivial threat."

[Iron Dragoon]

"It's not, no, but it's a problem to be worked on. Anyone else?"

[Anastasia]

Nothing more, at least for the moment.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Alright then, everyone make a list of allies they can call on. Once we get an aggregate, we'll settle on a final selection.

We'll start trying to pin down his location here. Queen, if you don't mind, try to get knowledge of his allies and subordinates. Even if it's only a list to expand from, it'll help.

Empress, if you don't mind, try digging up records and accounts of his past fights. We can use it to build a basic understanding of his abilities and tactics, and from there, work out defenses.

Any problems with any of that, or suggestions for additional things to be done?"

[Anastasia]

As that's digested, "I do have some stories of how Rathguul fights." A beat for that, "All foes around him burst into hellfire and die."

A moment.

"I'm afraid it's not a truly helpful story, as precious little can stop hellfire, but it is known. I've heard that he adds his breath should his enemies survive long enough."

"Then we fight him from afar," Jarem says, "As much as we can dictate the battlefield. However, I suspect he'd stay close to Gargauth in a serious battle to negate those sort of tactics, while Gargauth does something that demands you go in close and challenge him."