Thus do Seira and Alicia head to Hope's Landing once more, everyone gathering there a second time and...
Go ahead and intro yourselves in, everyone, and we'll start rolling from there.
This time around, Seira arrives together with Alicia, Valar and Honeydip accompanying her on behalf of the Cauldron. Hopefully, the presence of both commanders of her armies will convince the Sultan of her seriousness and lead to a diplomatic breakthrough. As before, Seira doesn't bother with any visible weapons, choosing to wear Morwel's gift to the summit.
Moore is there again to greet everyone just outside of the archway leading in, his companions behind him and flanking his sides.
He wears his pearly white dress coat and raises a hand in greeting and a polite bow to all the arriving individuals!
Alicia is armed and armoured as she always is. Everyone will just have to hope she doesn't draw her sword and start stabbing people!
Though if asked she'll surrender her weapon to Celestia's care during the talks, but it's not as if she's much less dangerous without it, and everyone should know that. It's more of an image thing.
"Hello again Moore," she nods to their diminutive host as she arrives with Seira and her contingent, adding greetings to the rest of his entourage.
"It's an honor to have you all here." Moore says with a proud smile. "I hope we can accomplish much today."
As you all chat - you see it. A pillar of fire rises from the ground in the distance, just like last time.
Seira lets Moore play host as she waits for the Sultan to arrive.
As before, MMoP is active to help with opposite checks, and so are Greater Heroism/Good Hope.
Moore will wait a dutiful amount away from the fire to greet their new guest!
Alicia turns to watch as the evil efreet defiles the shores of Mount Celestia with his presence.
Thus the flames slowly part, primal elementals coming once more. It is followed by the Grand Sultan, walking along as the light of Chronias seems to shine even brighter against him. Yet he is not the only efreet there.
Commander Nasir Farhad Madani walks along with with the Grand Sultan, a knowing smile when he meets Moore's gaze.
That doesn't bode well for the answer The Sultan is pursuing.
Nonetheless, Moore gives a proper bow of recognition to their guests.
"Thank you for making the trip again." He says sincerely. "Please, now that all the parties have gathered, follow me."
Moore will take everyone through the archway and to his diplomatic meeting building to find the familiar table!
As a reminder if anyone didn't see before, when you sit it fits you no matter what and you seem to be eye level with whomever else is sitting!
Alicia is silent as she follows Moore and takes a seat with Valar between herself and Seira.
Perhaps he's now serious in trying to reach a settlement? Might as well see where it leads.
Diplomatic meeting building to find a...what, Moore? I don't think it matters but in case it does, could you clarify?
I will fix, but it was supposed to say 'diplomatic building to find the familiar table'
Everyone sits, save for Nasir, who stands behind the Sultan.
A silence. A silence of appraisal, a silence of waiting for one side or another to speak. It is broken when the Grand Sultan says, "I would hear your proposals," he finally says.
"The Abolition War has two enjoined goals," Seira responds, deciding to sum up the situation. "To free all slaves in the Inner Planes, and to outlaw the institution of slavery itself. It has always had these goals, although presently we are less inclined to be generous with our incentives to make that happen in light of the shifting political and military situation on Fire, Earth and Water. We are ready to make the process as comfortable as we can to our opposition and its leaders, but at the core we believe that all of us have been created to be free, and that will not change. If these talks fall through we are willing to achieve those goals through force, although we still wish for a partner on your side to work with."
A long consideration of that, "What of Celestia and Sylica's involvement, do they have anything to add?" The Grand Sultan asks, expression stony, withdrawn.
"Any path in one's life begins when they take a step on that path. It has always been our belief that people should be free to choose a path for themselves." Moore says, simply.
If somehow I managed to mangle some incredibly specific thing w/r/t Celestias dogma let me know.
"While it is true that there are a great many evils not just on the inner planes that require our attention," Alicia speaks up, forearm resting on the table in front of her as she looks across at the Sultan. "A problem elsewhere does not justify ignoring the problem before us. I and those who stand with me support the Cauldron's efforts to end the most egregious example of the trade in and abuse of people who yearn to be free that Efreet society as a whole celebrates in."
Pausing a moment she looks over at the Sultan and continues on a more personal note. "I had to hold back my bile every time I visited Eblis's realm and was confronted by the suffering of those he held captive there. Those souls are now free, some after years of suffering, some after millenia. It's to my shame and regret that they continued to suffer but a moment longer after seeing my face. It's done though, and perhaps Eblis can find forgiveness from those he wronged. Perhaps if you and your society make the right decision, you will one day too be able to earn the forgiveness of those who've toiled and worked for all the glitter and wealth your nobles flaunt. But if not, there must be a reckoning, the anguish of the enslaved will not be ignored."
Seira nods slightly at Alicia's words, herself having agonized for two decades over her failure to help Eblis's tormented souls for that long.
The Grand Sultan is silent again after that, "That's what it comes to in the end," The Grand Sultan says slowly, "Your own weaknesses. Your own inability to rule, to take what is yours and organize a society properly. What value do other races have before the efreet? We shall dominate Fire and rule it. We have forged and empire, an emprie that strides Fire like a great colossus! The Crimson Firebrand showed us the way, showed us the way to wealth and prosperity. What do you have in place of that?"
Seira shakes her head in disagreement. "The Crimson Firebrand showed you to seize the moment when conditions on the ground change, and to lead your people to greatness as a result. If you're suggesting that he wanted the Efreet Empire to stagnate endlessly, I can't help but think that he'd be disappointed to hear that. And given that he's probably still alive out there, somewhere, I can't help but wonder if he'd decide to return publicly."
Gesturing at her side, she says, "Alicia's efforts changed Fire irrevocably through her guiding light, kindness and patience." A glance at her other side at their host, and Seira adds, "Celestia's compassion allowed Eblis to return, and erased that blight upon Fire from existence. Its capability for hope allowed for this outcome."
Returning her attention to the pair of efreet at the table, she asks, "Compared to these achievements on Fire alone, can you honestly say that the Efreet Empire is grander still at present than it had been before the Abolition War? Can you say that you see a military path towards regaining that glory?"
"I see nothing but foolishness and weakness on your path," The Grand Sultan's declares, "Those with power take what they wish - that has always been the way. Anything else is a glimmer in the fire."
"Then by your reckoning and the fact that you don't bother refuting my examples this time or previously, we are powerful," Seira muses. "Us and the Hells, of course. The latter will enslave you as you have enslaved others, since they do believe a similar creed but only see others as useful pawns. We, however, don't wish ill upon the efreet. If you truly believe in the strong seizing their wishes by some predestined divine right while all others submit to them, why haven't you capitulated already?"
"We wish to no longer suffer the blight of seeing others suffer and toil for the enrichment of those who consider them property. And we will use our power to make that wish a reality," Alicia replies in the simple terms he would understand it, then.
"If Hell gains more influence over the efreet, The hope and pride you have today will belong entirely to someone else." Moore says. "You have today the ability to choose a path, do not regret later when you no longer have that freedom."
"Then...we will burn you away," The Grand Sultan rises, "There is nothing more to say here. We will not be your lapdogs."
"There isn't," Nasir finally says, as...
Perception.
Take 10 for 77.
[19:13] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+78 perception, obviously I have sensual blessing up as always
[19:13] <Penuche2> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d20=2]
"Did those three days actually buy you anything?" Seira asks, because she just must know. "And since you're making the foolish move, let's dissolve the cease fire you requested an hour from now."
Perception 10 for 78. +14 if Honeydip has the Wis aura up!
It's subtle, but the slightest happiness comes to Nasir's face as he watches, all while...
"Then come and burn away," The Grand Sultan declares, before turning to go. His elementals and Nasir follow behind him. As Nasir exits. All of you notice it - a tiny, rolled up bit of paper smoothly falls out of his boot, landing onto the ground as he follows the Grand Sultan.
Once the pair have left, Seira summons the paper towards her and studies it for traps as the resident authority on the subject.
Gimme a second Perception, if there is a trap it's likely one worth rolling against rather than being an auto success.
21:30 <Seira> roll 1d20+68+14
21:30 <Penuche2> Seira invokes Penuche's magic: < 94 > [d20=12]
You do not detect any traps on it.
Seira takes a look!
It reads as follows: Wait one day.
"Huh," Seira voices, showing it to the others. "Coup imminent, I'd say?"
"Then why did the Sultan bring him along? Surely he can't be so blind?" Alicia asks, finding it altogether suspicious.
It's here that Valar speaks up, "A betrayal may be in the offings, or the Grand Sultan has trusted the wrong people."
"He brought Akil bin Faheem to the original negotiations. The same Akil that tried to have him replaced, and we told him that to his face three days ago," Seira responds. "Perhaps Akil's conspiracy was wide enough that the Sultan thought to turn to the military to retain support? Or it could be he had plenty of those just waiting for the chance." She snorts in derision. "Theirs is a strong society, after all."
"Right now, the Sultan appears weak," Valar reasons, "There may be more than one plot to take his throne."
"He didn't seem interested in coming to any kind of arrangement, more just hearing our reasons. Perhaps just trying to understand before it all ends for him?" Alicia speculates. "In any case it doesn't matter who sits on the throne, it's an institution we're up against not a man."
"More importantly, do we have a reason to refuse?" Seira wonders out loud. "Waiting a day doesn't affect my war plans overmuch, and I still have leeway for the dao negotiations. Striking at the various slave camps a day later would only be a bad choice if the Hells joined the war in the interim, but they've had three whole days to do it till now so I don't think that's it. And unlike Akil-- actually, what are Nasir's allegiances? Are they split between the efreet and the Hells?"
"I think Nasir would throw his lot in with Hell. When I faced him before he had a contingent of elite Hellish agents with him." Moore says. "Honestly... if it's possible, I hope we can stop Akil. The Sultan would at least come to the table, I think Akil would be happy to see Hell take over the efreet... as long as he saw benefit — and the only person to truly benefit from that would be Asmodeus."
Incidentally, if anyone hasn't checked on something like that for Nasir, feel free to make an K:P check.
Take 10 for 121. I have a +18 aura.
Nasir is fairly circumspect in his dealings, but has had dealings with Hell. Most efreet have to be fair so that doesn't mean that much. General rumor is that he's fairly average there, not terribly compromised, but also loyal to the Grand Sultan. A few bits of devilish lore you've examined over the years suggests the same, or perhaps a slight bias towards Hell.
It's enough to suggest he may well have quiet understandings there, or have been approached. He wouldn't be hostile to it. As of now you aren't sure of that, but if something happened recently it's entirely plausible he could've thrown in with them.
"We can't really outrule any efreet having thrown in with the Hells," Seira muses. "And we don't know if Nasir's working with them, or with Akil. I doubt we'll find out in the span of a few hours, either, and by then it'd be fairly moot. Thus, do we marshal our armies and strike at the slave camps while I work on the intelligence to allow us to hit the City of Brass itself, or do we delay by a day?"
Lady Honeydip's quiet, "We aren't attacking the City of Brass meaningfully in a day and..." Here she taps a finger, a little wiggle of her wings spreading pixie dust. "It may be more effective to strike at them after a regime change, to destabilize that new regime, than to hit the one going out."
"Because there are at least two sides, and if we hit the efreet now then one of those sides will be weakened, and the eventual clash for power resolved more easily?"
"...yes." Lady Honeydip says, "Often we preyed on demonic differences and feuds in Androlynne to survive. As much as possible, allow your enemies to defeat themselves."
"But we don't know who is going to be on what side until it happens," Alicia points out. "Unless someone comes to us with a separate deal and breaks from the efreet officially we have to treat them as all being on the same side. In any case I don't mind waiting a day to see what happens, I don't particularly trust Nasir but I wasn't prepared to launch a big attack right this instant anyway. We still have a ceasefire with the Dao, don't we?"
"For five more days, yes. So we can afford to wait before treating with them again four days from now."
"Speaking of that," Valar says, "What is to be done about the dao? Do you still wish to peel them away from this war?"
"I want to draw the war down to only one plane," Seira responds. "Assuming we get a good enough deal from one of the parties, we can focus on the other."
"Then we have time to go over intelligence and prepare for attacks on Fire. Either a more amenable leader will take over tomorrow, or simply having to fight the coup will weaken any unified response to our attacks," Alicia suggests. "Of course it's also possible an equally intractable leader will take over and Hell will throw itself in fully to secure it's new protectorate, but we'll have to fight all the same."
"Then," Valar goes on, "What are we willing to accept from them? They made demands, including Sylica abandoning the Abyssal Lake." He looks to Alyssa at that, weathered face interested. "Congratulations on that victory."
"Let's do that, then," Seira agrees. "And if the efreet haven't had a change of heart by tomorrow, I propose we strike at their slave camps then. Our armies have been training, and so has Zaaman Rul. I'll ask Chan to pitch in as well, and if Celestia and Sylica pick their targets we could see how much we could achieve before the time to sit down with the dao is upon us."
At Valar's question, she says, "I'm willing to get half of their slaves and slavery itself being outlawed from the dao. Then I'll act through various means to purchase or otherwise liberate the grandfathered slaves owned by the dao until they are all free."
Alicia, not Alyssa.
"Thank you," Alicia nods to Valar. "We're holding it securely now but if it serves the overall war effort I don't mind giving it up again."
I figured that would happen sooner or later.
"Use it as bait, then," Valar suggests, "Another concession to counter his."
Okay, do you all have anything else to add here?
Nope! All good here.
All done.
Cor?
We're waiting, yes
Okay, next move for each of you so I can move you along to new threads?
I'll go try at the Prophecy again and then talk to the Astral Reds.
Moore will fill the Barachiel in on The Haps
Alicia will plot out Sylica's impending attacks on Fire.
Okay, moving you all along and to new threads, so this one gets the lockdown.