Diplomatic aftermath

[Anastasia]

There's nothing RAW that says you couldn't take the money from them, but that said, I'd rather improve those manner of things through the nodes and other such things.

[Corwin]

I've yet to have anything of mine upgraded via Node or even show up as an option, though a fair point on NPCs if you like that. What about the minor allies, though? Can I ensure my named people not in the Node have war-suitable weapons?

[Anastasia]

You mean like Na'lith, Gulpan and so on? Yeah, that's fine. Correct me if I'm wrong about the sort you mean.

As funds are sorted out, Amaryl comes into the room as you oversee the math and transfer of money.

"We have a message from the marid," she says, passing you the letter. "It's addressed to you and enchanted to only be opened by you."

[Corwin]

"Huh," Seira voices, breaking the seal on the scroll. "Our friends really should consider us equals in representing the Cauldron."

Still, she takes a glance!

[Anastasia]

"They should," Amaryl echos, "I'm not blaming them because my full ascension is still so new."

It reads as follows:

The Padisha cordially invites you to tea to discuss ongoing events concerning the Elemental Planes.

[Corwin]

"It's an invitation from the Padisha," Seira tells Amaryl. "Let's stop by her palace together?"

[Anastasia]

"Oh!" Amaryl's face lights up at that, "I presume she wants to talk about the war?" Getting up, she...

Anything to say or any prep before going, in that case, assuming you're going now?

[Corwin]

Let's go! My avatar will keep the Cauldron safe. Standard travel spells listed as my combat loadout (minus the epic ones).

[Anastasia]

It is a quick, professional escort to where the Padisha is. She sits in an open air room, an island that rises sharply up amid a fast, churning sea of free floating ice. Yet it's tolerably warm atop the peak where she sits, a single table for four here. She sits alone, taking in the movements of the ice below, watching one hunk crash into another.

Your escort bows without a word and slips away, the Padisha turning to the two of you. "So," she begins, "You've been busy."

[Corwin]

"That's a good way of putting it," Seira agrees, smiling at her. "Thank you for your kind words."

[Anastasia]

"An idle leaf only falls to the ground," Amaryl agrees, staying at your side.

The Padisha hms at that, "That's from the Praise Poems of the Fellowship?"

[Corwin]

"Quite so," Seira responds, letting Amaryl field that question more in depth. While her own classical education has always been quite extensive, Seira can't quite muster the same passion for poetry that Amaryl does.

[Anastasia]

"One of the free form poems attributed to the Elf Father," Amaryl brightens at that, "A leaf must wait until is time to fall, yet an idle leaf only falls to the ground. It means that we must act wisely and with patience, but decisively when the time is right, lest we waste our chance."

"Time, time, time," The Padisha waves a hand, a stream of water rising up from below, flowing in a tall, long arch. "Water does not wait unless it must, but it moves with purpose, even a long purpose."

[Corwin]

"Sometimes, we just want to act," Seira muses. "It's nice when certain things fall in line and make it easier to do what we feel is right, but perhaps at the core is a desire. A strong desire that moves everything, even if unsettles the present order."

[Anastasia]

"Unsettled in the right word," The Padisha turns, "What has given rise to this particular war? Away from the tiresome propaganda and arguing of the sides."