Game time

[Corwin]

"That sort of thing is by its nature difficult to prove beyond all doubt," Seira admits, being upfront with Istishia. "However, I believe Barachiel both knows the first devil plan in play and has corroborating evidence of it. Would you mind sharing that here?"

I'm referring to how we discussed that the devil plan is likely to support Akil in gaining or seizing/usurping power and thus influencing the efreet empire. Barachiel should have access to the letter sent to Moore via an intermediary and a recording of the memory of Moore's meeting with said intermediary.

[Anastasia]

"I have no objection," Barachiel says, as a gleaming white letter appears in his hand, a few crackles of electricity around it. It is passed to the elemental, who looks as it but a moment.

"Akil bin Faheem," Istishia says, "The devils. A befouled and unholy unison." His voice is cold and her body posture disdainful.

"My thoughts exactly," Barachiel seconds, "Regardless of all else, none of here have any love for diabolical politics. Do you want Asmodeus to have yet more power in the Elemental Planes?"

[Corwin]

"Things are going so well our window of opportunity of dealing with the efreet before the devils decide to abandon the long con with Akil and act directly is surely shrinking," Seira adds to that. "Let's crush the Sultan's will to fight in one swift strike rather than have it and the efreet noble houses's allegiances erode slowly, bit by bit, which might well lead to an undesirable outcome."

Since Istishia wanted specific deeds, Seira follows that up with a concrete proposal. "There is an outpost on Ash with a considerable garrison. Powerful for a prewar deployment hub, yet drawn back now due to its strategic importance dropping in favor of other avenues. A first strike by you, even if announced properly, will achieve tactical surprise and enjoy overwhelming advantage. If you wipe it out, the efreet will be forced to reconsider their deployment at the creation of a fresh front and reinforce all of their other outposts at the same time to avoid a similar fate. We'll take advantage of that to press our terms."

[Anastasia]

Give me one more diplomacy check, this time only a -10 penalty.

[Corwin]

19:57 <Seira> roll 1d20+85-10
19:57 <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+85-10 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{81}

[Anastasia]

"Then you will have a contingent of forces from Water," Is said at last, "But not the marid, who will stay out of the war."

[Corwin]

"Thank you," Seira says gratefully. "Would you mind not sharing that last bit with the enemy until we've had a chance to present our terms?"

[Anastasia]

"That is acceptable," The elemental says, "Go forward and make your demands to them, Seira. The attack will be done by the time you do so."

[Corwin]

Seira inclines her head. "I hope to bring back favorable news soon," she says, before leaving Istishia in the care of Kascha.

Plan is to regroup with Amaryl, Donald, Zaaman Rul, Barachiel and Oraga.

[Anastasia]

This is easy enough to do and...

"You got it?" Donald's grinning now, "Now the trick is, do you think they'll agree to it?"

"There's a chance, the politics around this will grow ugly," Barachiel agrees, "I will seek council from above to best use the chance we are given."

[Corwin]

"Can you get the Sultan to come to Celestia?" Seira asks Barachiel. "Different format than the conference on Fire, just the three of us in attendance. I think it would be better to lay out the facts from a seat of power rather than intrude on his and have it be publicly seen by his backstabbing nobles."

[Anastasia]

"It may be so," Barachiel says, "At least not Fire or a place of power for them, not this time."

"I think the shores of Lunia would be perfect," Amaryl says, "Aren't the waves lovely there?"

[Corwin]

"If it's Lunia, we do have a proper host for the occasion," Seira muses. "Let's do that. Meanwhile, my avatar would like to enjoy your hospitality," she tells Zaaman Rul. "If the enemy tries some gambit, I will be with you from the very start."

[Anastasia]

For my reference since I think it may align with my own plans, who are you thinking of as a host?

"Then you'll have it," Zaaman Rul agrees, "You always have a place in my realm, friend."

[Corwin]

It's clearly Moore. Let's do this thing.