Correspondences
To the Chosen Asmodean:
My esteemed colleague, it has come to my attention through a particularly reliable source that a plot is afoot regarding our mutual colleague and your A'ras, the Chosen Malacoda. Now, you may ask why I am revealing this to you. As cautious as you are, you might think this a trap of some sort or else you might wonder why I would help Malacoda as there is a commonly held belief among the Chosen that of the many, that the one who will stand as Nae'blis when Shaitan is victorious will the be the only one standing at all. While the veracity of this statement remains to be seen, what may be said is that you may trust the inherent self-interest involved as Shaitan's cause still stands to benefit from the continued partnership that you enjoy with Malacoda.
That said, I do not wholly have the details of the plot against Malacoda. It seems that the plot is driven by the Chosen Mesaana and her servant, my pileges, the Dreadlord Astoreth. To avoid the attention of the other Chosen, Mesaana seems to have left the matter almost entirely to Astoreth. In a move of what would seem incredible cleverness, Astoreth has utilized my own resources (which she has access to for reasons that are being demonstrated in this correspondence) to avoid detection by the other Chosen. However, as is to be expected, Astoreth has not been able to keep her actions entirely hidden from me, and as such, I have enclosed with this letter some information detailing certain key aspects of her plot, the crux of which seems to involve an assassin in my service. As useful as she is in matters involving my personal service, Astoreth unwisely chose an assassin that I use routinely (perhaps out of pure familiarity). This particular assassin has a great deal of residual loyalty to me personally and Astoreth did not follow our usual protocol and so he checked the order with me.
As such, I propose that no further investigation be taken into the plot. It is obvious that Mesaana herself is not moving as she never did herself what could be done with a surrogate. Direct confrontation has never been her way. While strong in the Power and devious, Astoreth ought to be a toy in the hands of Malacoda (quite literally given Malacoda's amusements). I know that you are loathe to let Malacoda off on her own, but surely one of the Chosen can handle a simple Dreadlord, especially if you have dealt with the assassin. The reason for not disrupting the meeting is that Astoreth is Mesaana's right hand, who she has spent years honing into a proper tool and who without she would be greatly weakened. Mesaana relies on indirect methods entirely too much in my humble opinion. With Astoreth killed, as she will almost certainly be, if our faith in Malacoda is not misplaced, then Mesaana will be left vulnerable.
You are keenly aware of what happens when a Chosen shows weakness.
Sincerely,
Ishamael
Post Signum: If you find my willingness to sacrifice my paramour unsettling, then let me assure you that I would not have my current position if I were unwilling to sacrifice.
My esteemed colleague, it has come to my attention through a particularly reliable source that a plot is afoot regarding our mutual colleague and your A'ras, the Chosen Malacoda. Now, you may ask why I am revealing this to you. As cautious as you are, you might think this a trap of some sort or else you might wonder why I would help Malacoda as there is a commonly held belief among the Chosen that of the many, that the one who will stand as Nae'blis when Shaitan is victorious will the be the only one standing at all. While the veracity of this statement remains to be seen, what may be said is that you may trust the inherent self-interest involved as Shaitan's cause still stands to benefit from the continued partnership that you enjoy with Malacoda.
That said, I do not wholly have the details of the plot against Malacoda. It seems that the plot is driven by the Chosen Mesaana and her servant, my pileges, the Dreadlord Astoreth. To avoid the attention of the other Chosen, Mesaana seems to have left the matter almost entirely to Astoreth. In a move of what would seem incredible cleverness, Astoreth has utilized my own resources (which she has access to for reasons that are being demonstrated in this correspondence) to avoid detection by the other Chosen. However, as is to be expected, Astoreth has not been able to keep her actions entirely hidden from me, and as such, I have enclosed with this letter some information detailing certain key aspects of her plot, the crux of which seems to involve an assassin in my service. As useful as she is in matters involving my personal service, Astoreth unwisely chose an assassin that I use routinely (perhaps out of pure familiarity). This particular assassin has a great deal of residual loyalty to me personally and Astoreth did not follow our usual protocol and so he checked the order with me.
As such, I propose that no further investigation be taken into the plot. It is obvious that Mesaana herself is not moving as she never did herself what could be done with a surrogate. Direct confrontation has never been her way. While strong in the Power and devious, Astoreth ought to be a toy in the hands of Malacoda (quite literally given Malacoda's amusements). I know that you are loathe to let Malacoda off on her own, but surely one of the Chosen can handle a simple Dreadlord, especially if you have dealt with the assassin. The reason for not disrupting the meeting is that Astoreth is Mesaana's right hand, who she has spent years honing into a proper tool and who without she would be greatly weakened. Mesaana relies on indirect methods entirely too much in my humble opinion. With Astoreth killed, as she will almost certainly be, if our faith in Malacoda is not misplaced, then Mesaana will be left vulnerable.
You are keenly aware of what happens when a Chosen shows weakness.
Sincerely,
Ishamael
Post Signum: If you find my willingness to sacrifice my paramour unsettling, then let me assure you that I would not have my current position if I were unwilling to sacrifice.