Phoenix

[Nephrite]

Sylvie and Cresiel unless someone else wants to

[Corwin]

We'll have it in a war room that displays a map of Fire. Amaryl, Sanzha and Donald are requested.

[Anastasia]

A large map of the known regions of Fire is up, along with Donald by it. Amaryl and Sanzha sit as Moore, Sylvie and Cresiel enter.

Go ahead.

[Corwin]

"Welcome! So what brought this on?"

[Nephrite]

Moore arrives and offers a bow to them!

"I was contacted just a bit ago by Crystalle." Moore explains. "He said diplomats from the Sultan as well as Kossuth were coming to see him. He requested we be available to assist him if things got violent. I figured, from this, something must be going on that we weren't aware of, so before I got into the middle of it I wanted to get up to speed."

[Corwin]

"The short version is that the Crimson Firebrand got a bit of help from an Incarnation back in the day, and graduated from Kossuth's servant into a greater deity capable of challenging him. And now that he's returned, he's going to fight Kossuth over control of Fire. Even if my personal feelings about Kossuth were ignored, he's clearly the superior choice for the elemental lord governing Fire, so as battle lines get drawn, I'm trying to help him by recruiting allies. Clearly, he's not sitting idle either."

[Nephrite]

"I imagine Grumbar wants to keep the status quo, but I wonder if that's the case if they're reaching out to the Archomentals." He says. "Either way, we're happy to offer our support to your endeavors. We need to repair relations with Kossuth anyway."

[Anastasia]

"This seems like a simple way to," Sylvie says, "Mend bridges through cooperation with him. If he's recruiting allies, the problem solves itself."

[Corwin]

"Good thing is, if you fight on his side everything is forgiven," Seira agrees. "As for reaching out to Archomentals, there's more than one way to provide support. I doubt there would be much fighting on the front lines, but there will definitely be involvement. In fact, we've contacted Bwimb, though I'm drawing a blank of where to go next. Earth is a bit in Limbo, and Zaaman Rul is on Kossuth's side. Water would likely stay away from this conflict, and if Earth joins in force Air would do best to stay away as well. What options does that leave us?"

[Nephrite]

"I have to wonder if any of the Elemental Prince or Princesses would be able to fall out if line with the Lords?" Moore asks. "Do you know if Hell has anything to do with the Crimson Firebrand's strength?"

[Corwin]

"Only in the sense that Law was the one who elevated him, and Asmodeus is the only one who would keep supporting him in this situation. But I don't expect any overt support beyond some troops, and any troops deployed would surely be matched by Celestia and have their effect on the conflict negated. In the end, Asmodeus wouldn't risk depleting our forces or his before the conflict with Shar, so I don't see him putting in strong support for the Crimson Firebrand."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "That makes sense. For now, I suppose we wait and see how things develop." He says. "If anything happens with Mineral I'll let you know."

[Anastasia]

"There is one thing," Sylvie points out. "You've met Zanimoth, right, hidden lord of wealth and obscure archomental? There's a few handfuls of those types around, easily overlooked by almost anyone. They wouldn't have a huge impact, but everyone could help further and deny a clever enemy a chance to lure them in too."

[Corwin]

"That's true enough," Seira agrees. "Plus there's that location on Fire that Kossuth didn't want anyone to go near last war. Might be interesting to hear what he was hiding there."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods again. "That all makes sense to me. I guess we will see who the Firebrand manages to sway with his charisma."