Dragon quickstep

[Anastasia]

"Well, have you ever been to Imix's seat of power by any chance?" Donald asks, "It'll be a bit familiar, but this shouldn't surprise you."

[Corwin]

"Never had the pleasure."

[Anastasia]

"It's called the Temple of Ultimate Consumption," Donald begins, kicking back as you listen. He puts his feet up on the table as he goes on, the soft clank of metal greaves hitting wood heard. "It's at the heart of a giant, profane volcano that houses far too many of his followers. You can imagine it - elementals, efreet, salamanders, mephits, rogue outsdiers who defected to him, fire giants, red dragons. Anyone associated with flame and who might serve Imix."

From nothing a mug of ale comes and Donald has a long drink before he goes on. "Now remember what's worse is that he's a power on Fire and in his realm. So he'll be able to teleport through blocks and we won't, so he can hit and run us with impunity, or send minions at any time if he knows where we are. It's the heart of his empire, but also where he's strongest by a lot. The upside is that if we do well enough there, he'll have to face us. No way around it and no retreat."

[Corwin]

"How large is his realm at the widest point?" Seira wonders. "And how many of his top level servers do you expect there to be? Someone who Elle won't blow past playing at a magicaless swordswoman, that is?"

[Anastasia]

"Thousands of miles," Donald remarks, "Lots. It's his base of power and the only one who has a true idea of what's there is Kossuth and Imix. This is where we struggle, for as strong as we are, we're still lacking in that depth that comes from being alive so long."

[Corwin]

Seira nods slowly. "So we keep to our usual skills to clear the waves of enemies until he shows up, then blast them all away to deprive him of allies, and gang up on him? That's what you're suggesting?" Tapping her chin thoughtfully, she asks Donald, "Should we invite Zaaman Rul as well?"

[Anastasia]

"Yeah, but we'll probably lose," Donald points out, "He doesn't have to beat us a thousand times, he has to beat us once. We have to keep winning until Imix personally challenges us, and he can burn as many resources as he wants before that. Let alone if he calls in any allies. Even with Zaaman Rul, that's long odds to get to him and still have enough to win. We need something more, Seira."

[Corwin]

"We really have two big differences from when we faced him last," Seira muses. "Sanzha's restored divinity, and Razalim. But that's probably not what you're looking for, so do you have an idea of your own, here?"

[Anastasia]

Donald smiles before, "Hate to say it, but no." Putting his feet down and facing you now. "Unless we can anger Imix enough to fight stupidly, we're facing the problem everyone who wants to slay a god faces - how do you overcome the advantages their divine realm gives them? I know I'd kick Imix's ass if he came to the Cauldron. Can you think of a way to make Imix fight stupidly?"

[Corwin]

"Beyond bringing Sanzha and Razalim? I supposed we still have a shard or two of his broken shield. I'm not going to collect them, but maybe just tossing a couple around would piss him off?"

[Anastasia]

"Worth a try," Donald agrees.

[Corwin]

"Oh! You said bringing Zaaman Rul won't do much good, you feel, right? But how about if you ask him whether he has an idea that would trigger Imix? He really is the authority on this."

[Anastasia]

"That's a good idea. Ask him," Donald agrees after some thought, "If we don't have some edge to have Imix weaken his advantage, we're really wasting our time."

[Corwin]

"Geez, what part of 'you ask him' didn't you understand?" Seira grumbles good-naturadely, contacting Zaaman Rul herself all the same.

Is this a good time? I wish to discuss Imix.

[Anastasia]

"The you part," Donald quips immediately.

No words, just a feeling of acceptance and anticipation of your words.