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An adventuring party recruited from Osirion teleports into Azir on the 8th of Desnus. Rahadoum's recruiting contact in Osirion wrote ahead to note they were expected. Couple of guys he's known a long time - a wizard, a ranger - and a new guy, sorcerer, probably to replace the cleric they usually travel with. They spend two days in Azir getting oriented and head out to the front. The ranger wears an unusually high quality amulet of Nondetection; the sorcerer wears a headband for intelligence, which is a bit unusual as sorcerers usually don't need it to cast, but some variants do; they are otherwise unremarkable. Chaotic Good, Lawful Neutral, no reading, which could mean neutral or 'hiding it'. They work quickly and effectively, manage resources reasonably well, get recommended to higher-ups for a closer look on that account.
"Oh. Um, sure, we could go to your room." Vanyel politely thanks the cleric for helping them while Leareth collects the two large diamonds.
Leareth mulls on making the spell more efficient while they walk. He won't be able to do it in two days, but after the war...
Oh also he should ask. :Yfandes?:
She's amusing herself by the beach, where there's actually room for her to move around. :Leareth?:
:Oh: Pause. :Imagine he could make quite a lot of gold that way, but I suppose the war comes first:
:Yes, I think his earning potential is not one of our top worries. Anyway. I - wished to propose...: And he describes his idea, briefly and neutrally.
Yfandes is silent, clearly taken aback.
:...Hmm. Normally I would say the last thing Vanyel needs is any encouragement to solve his problems by exploding at them, but - this is a rather significant problem, and - a neater solution than most of the others. And it'd be temporary...: She still feels deeply reluctant.
:- I could cope. If this much is at stake...: The steel-bright ringing quality in her mindvoice intensifies. :I'm willing to do it. Er, maybe let me tell him, it's a slightly touchy topic:
They get back to Leareth's room, and Vanyel makes a number of faces for a minute or two.
"You know," he says to Leareth finally, lightly, "I wouldn't have ever thought killing myself would be the actual best solution to a problem, and if someone had told me you would be the person to suggest it, I'd've thought they were crazy."
"It is a somewhat absurd plan, but - I genuinely think it makes sense, here." Pause. "In case you are worried, I have called a Final Strike, before, it does not–"
"If everyone else is on board then I'll do it." Honestly it sounds easier, in some ways, than a normal fight. Less thinking required. Point at enemies, explosion, repeat. He doesn't like the fact that his greatest strength is killing things with fire, but it is what it is, and it seems more justified than usual for Evil beings. And - fewer deaths in the long run, probably, if they can win here.
Nod. "I appreciate it. Our allies here are willing to help, I think, if we can supply the diamonds. Anyway, there is another thing I wished to ask."
He gives a brief, neutral description of the call for Mindspeakers.
Vanyel nods. He can fill in enough of the gaps, there. "I can certainly ask. Probably we'll get some volunteers."
Yfandes, listening via Vanyel, jumps in again. :Honestly, Companions are pretty good at this. We can all Mindspeak the non-Gifted, which only very strong human Mindspeakers can do, there are a few other than Van but - gods, Tran isn't in any shape for a war: Mental sigh. :Hellfires. I wish Taver were alive. He can Mindspeak any Companion in Valdemar, his range is incredible, and he can Broadsend more easily, his attention is set up that way...:
"Taver is the Groveborn. Do you think he would even agree to help - if it meant cooperating with me, and fighting gods..."
"He knew about you - about our conversations, I mean. Not that it matters, at this point."
