A new sultan?

[Anastasia]

"I doubt he survived if the efreet and Fire itself turned against him," Syala speaks up, "Somehow, the efreet always have these turnovers of power and they go smoothly. All the genies do. He will not be lamented."

[Corwin]

Seira bites down on her first impulse to publicly disagree with Antenora's view of things, and says calmly to Honeydip, "I'm in complete agreement with Alicia and Cresiel. We're getting all our goals for this war except educating the efreet, which was always a distant chance. The devils think they're getting what they want, but given their claim of literally everything being a win for Hell I don't care to measure myself by their standards."

She shakes her head, standing up from her decorative throne. "What we need to do is focus all our efforts into ensuring all our terms are stated clearly in the signed treaty and don't allow the other side too much wiggle room. We'll need to define slaves properly, so there would be no indentured servants taking their place, abolition to apply to all so that devil visitors to the Efreet Empire couldn't merely show up with their own slaves and so on. In the end, the clause of us executing justice over any proven transgression would be necessary to keep them honest, and I think I can get Mechanus to officiate the signing to give the efreet and their new masters pause before breaking it too blatantly."

At Xandra's question, Seira can only shrug. "The curse is certainly a factor, and should destabilize Akil's regime which is to our benefit. Of course, should this be another delaying trick we'll just have to fight, so this is our last attempt to reach an accord."

[Anastasia]

"Then we'll need to be prepared," Syala agrees, "I'm not the best legal mind, how good are yours, Seira?"

Antenora stays quiet, not arguing it further, but her expression stays tense.

[Corwin]

"I think it would be best to retain the services of Celestia's lawyers," Seira responds. "I'm pretty good for an amateur, but we've already worked with a professional during the dao negotiations and why change something that works? That shouldn't take too long, and then all that remains is getting to an accord and contacting Primus to ask for his seal of approval on it."

[Nephrite]

Moore looks over at Antenora with a smile. He's seen -that- expression a few times.

'Come to Hope's Landing after all of this, please. I think we're over due for a talk.' He sends to her.

At Seira's words he nods in agreement. "Yes, that sounds fine. I will ask if Lord Barachiel wishes to participate at all as well." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

"Primus? Why Primus?" Syala asks at that.

Meanwhile, 'I will visit,' Antenora agrees plainly.

We're mostly just setting up for the next segment, so say what you need to say and say ready to move on when you are.

[Corwin]

"I expect the devils to try and cheat, and I expect them to try and cheat less if they risk offending Mechanus by flaunting a treaty officiated in this manner," Seira responds. "Plus it would keep them guessing endlessly, I'm sure."

Ready to move on! I think we'll have our Int/Wis/Cha-boosting auras to help us navigate this, but no actual booster spells in public. Mine is a +18 to int-based checks aura.

[Nephrite]

Im fine to move on. Moore will reach out to Barachiel if he wants to participate.

[Ebiris]

Alicia's mostly along for the ride. Good to go.

[Anastasia]

Okay then, go ahead and set up for receiving the new Grand Sultan, Seira. This sort of impression may well matter, so choose as you see fit.

[Corwin]

Discarding the obvious ideas, Seira uses the time she has to prepare a temple hidden near the top of the volcano. As she had recently suggested to Ajan, Seira has decided to make use of the outer slopes. The path begins as a cavern, difficult to spot from any sort of distance unless one knows it is present. Once within, however, the cavern is well lit, allowing one to see hieroglyphs depicting Seira's triumphs over the years drawn expertly over the walls. Inlaid with gems and precious metals, they place a heavier focus on opposition to the Hells and her victories in that area, culminating with the Judgement of Asmodeus on behalf of her trio of heroic followers.

The cavern widens afterwards, and as an invisible threshold is passed, the hidden temple is revealed to all visitors. Solid gold, and appearing moving as if animated when the adamantine making up the decorations intermittently shifts into liquid and flows into a different configuration. Their own research into the efreet efforts in that area is only in its infancy, but she can flaunt it a bit here. It's only the equivalent of a cantrip, after all.

There is no table inside, but rather seats that are arranged in a circle around a golden flame that is an extension of the one burning in the main temple above her palace. As with that one, it is harmless and safe to pass through, albeit those of a nastier inclination might be hit with regrets should they choose to do so, albeit Seira had arranged for more transparency to allow her guests to see each other through it.

[Anastasia]

Really stupid but needed question: How do you intend for Akil to get there/where will be be met?

[Corwin]

The efreet came through the Astral to the mouth of the volcano and gained entrance within. Once the Sultan's party does likewise, they will instead be guided a short distance down the slopes. Lagann will be my guide. Of those present at the meeting, it'd be Valar and Honeydip as before, although Amaryl is welcome to join us if she likes.

[Anastasia]

What about Moore and Alicia's groups?

[Ebiris]

Alicia will arrive with Syala and Antenora at the appointed time three and a half hours after we arranged this.

If the efreet arrive half an hour early they can wait for us!