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.
Malduoni exchanges a long, meaningful look with Leareth.
"Agreed. Your incentive here is toward the war going better rather than worse, I think, and you are not stupid. I will," with a flicker of reluctance, "trust your judgement on this matter."
It is maddening to be unable to guess what they're thinking when they glance at each other, he usually never has that problem. "Thank you. - do you want a similar resurrection arrangement for Leareth."
- Leareth had somehow not thought of that, which on reflection indicates he must have been incredibly tired yesterday.
Malduoni, however, evidently has thought of it. "If you are willing, and it does not trade off too steeply against some other need, then certainly."
"It trades off against an additional Herald or Companion for the Worldwound, I suppose. But the difference is more than made up if you are able to bring in Nefreti a day or two sooner and she is willing to help."
"I think she will be. She was being very helpful earlier, it sounds like - if in an obscure fashion." He pulls out another diamond.
"Yes, she made it much easier for Vanyel to kidnap me and block my magic to question me, and she made off with my shield-talismans as payment. Though, given that it advanced my goals," glance at his alt, "and that I would do the exact same in his place, I endorse that help entirely."
Again, he watches with all his Othersenses, even more curious how the spell will look as it settles onto him, whether he'll be able to feel it on an ongoing basis...
He hadn't in fact been sure Malduoni knew how to do the spell on someone else, none of his researchers had heard of that. His part is the same as before. He is putting a lot of effort into not looking overawed. Yes, these people are thousands of years old and in the business of making and or being gods, but he's supposed to be a bit of a god too.
It takes about as long as the last one.
"Is there anything else we ought discuss now? Leareth and I intend to move his troops today and tomorrow, and some other final preparations. We will likely move in the morning two days from now."
"Leareth may have already mentioned this but we think Vanyel can Final Strike repeatedly at the Worldwound, and some other Velgarth magic can be used to clean the land around it, which would make it very convenient to be able to actually close it. We are also resurrecting Valdemar's Groveborn, who can Broadsend with better range than any human. Vanyel can make diamonds, though not very efficiently, I assume you're not short on those but if you were we could address that.
If I'm involving Nefreti do you mind if I also ask her to close the House of Oblivion? I'm worried about ending up with two sets of evil outsiders pointed at us."
"Of course, as long as it does not risk tipping our hand. And, I think likely you are shorter of diamonds than we are, if you would like Vanyel to die repeatedly. I do have a contingency for that unlikely success; probably your best option, logistically, is for Vanyel to contact Leareth using their magic if it arises - or, hmm, Leareth could leave his end of our mirror here and I can provide him with a replacement." Thin smile. "Leareth, was that his idea or yours."
"Mine. I think perhaps his Companion would have disallowed it if it had been his idea, but - for the right reasons...and he will come back immediately..."
"I think he'll hold up all right. Especially if it means the Heralds have few casualties and we are able to resurrect his friends."
"Honestly, I think he considers this plan a very good deal. Less stressful and mentally demanding than ordinary fighting, built-in breaks, and one assumes he will not be dealing with a broken soulbond during the periods where he is dead."
"I really bet you can Wish broken soulbonds off but I haven't mentioned this because if it went wrong somehow it'd be such awful timing."
"Yes. We ought do it as soon as possible afterward, though. Vanyel can even make his own diamond for it."
He makes eye contact with Malduoni for another long, inscrutable moment. "We are working on it."
"Yes. May your journey home be safe, and may we be fondly remembered in Azir." His lips quirk slightly; it makes more sense as a formal goodbye when the person is not going to instantaneously teleport out.